Benchmark LA4 Preamp?

I have been using the LA-4 Line Amplifier since early this year. Simply put, it is "the sound of silence." I have a rather simple, but not an inexpensive system.

System: Aurender W20SE, Vivaldi DAC, Vivaldi Word Clock, Pass Labs XA-160 mono block amplifiers (soon to be replace with the MBL 9008A mono block amplifiers), MBL 101E MkII speakers and Tripoint NG ground system. Acoustic Zen Absolute Silver balanced interconnects and Absolute Silver speaker cables (dual pair bi-wiring for each channel). Audioquest Wild Digital balanced interconnects (dual-wire configuration). Shunyata Research Sigma word clock cables and Alpha power cords. Shunyata Research power conditioning for source components. Six dedicated 20 amp outlets.

When I purchase the dCs Vivaldi units, I was using the Pass Labs XP-30 preamplifier. When the XP-30 was compared to the Vivaldi digital volume control, I could clearly hear a slight haze (veiling) to music when played through the XP-30. So, out went the XP-30 to a new home and for a while I only used the Vivaldi volume control. However, I am not so much a fan of digital volume controls, and for bit was searching around for a preamplifier. Having a simple system, I really had no need for preamplifiers with numerous input/output options. What I really wanted was a simple, linear preamplifier with a killer volume control.

It was following a Stereophile review on the LA-4 that got me thinking this line amplifier might be worth pursuing (a 30 day money back guarantee from Benchmark made this an easy experiment). Well, I was not prepared for the purity and lack of editorialization on sound through the LA-4. There is lot invested in my front end and down stream. The LA-4 simply gets out of the way. It is the closest to a straight wire with gain I have heard.

The downside of the LA-4: I is ruthless revealing and some may find rather sterile. There are no added colorations (least that I can appreciate), so if recordings are poor, they will sound poor. It will also lay bare the capabilities of components up stream.

The LA-4 has done nothing to the alter the performance of the Vivaldi/Aurender front end combination. The "sound of silence" and very highly recommended. 

@nedkuehn You did what I am hoping to do with the HPA4. I was going to get the Mola Mola Makua at close to $20K but I kept reading that the LA4 is like a $20K preamp and also silent like the Makua. So I tried the HPA4 and I came to the same conclusion you did. I took it one step further by buying the AHB2 amp a few weeks ago and hope to get delivery next week. The plan was to get a Luxman m900u or Coda #16 to flavor the sound, but since the HPA4 was so good I wanted to give the AHB2 a try for 1/5th the cost. Even if I want that additional flavor with the amps I have a second system where the AHB2 can be used.

There are a few folks on Whats Best Forum having both a $20K preamps and the LA4, that are stating the same observations as you. They also have very expensive sources components and amps.

I feel that this a killer product that the Audiophile’s will ignore. Price is not the issue, performance is what is so important. I have a very expensive system, yet my ears tell me that this kit is one to beat. I am not in a race to the top, I what is the best regardless of price. I spent heavily on the DAC aspect as that will break or make the music. Long ago I was heavily invested in records. I find the platform flawed. Most new recordings on records are from digital masters. Some reviewers on these recordings indicate that the vinyl version is better than the digital versions. How can that be? There must be some degree alterations on the recordings that translates to vinyl that changes ones perception. I in the past to have found vinyl to have a certain homogeneity that is pleasing, yet not totally accurate. Ear candy, but not totally accurate. Digital I find a bit ruthless, yet not lacking with the right kit. I guess one needs to chose their on poison. I will not judge as each has their way to experience the brilliant world of music. 

Way off subject, but I find the MBL101E MKII speakers are so real to music. I have had a pile of speakers over the years, rather expensive dynamic and electrostatics, yet nothing has achieved a holistic experience to sound as these. I find most, if not all, dynamic speakers today to be dry and forward. Planar speakers are always quick, but a bit lacking due to backward room energy and sound pressure. I guess I have found my sweet spot with a true omnidirectional speaker. It simply sounds like real music. There is no precise imaging as a dynamic speaker. I have yet to attend a concert that had precise imaging. I find this to be an artifact of our current site of affairs. I had played in band and orchestra in years past, there is no laser imaging, the music should flow as as a gestalt of the group. Yea, a horn or other soloist will stand out, but the ensemble will play as one. Today’s goals are dissection rather exploration of the gestalt of the musical experience (wether jazz, orchestra, reggae, electronic, pop, rock, etc.) I listen to all (even at nearly 64y). 

@nedkuehn - Benchmark is selling the LA4 | HPA4 | AHB2 very well. I have made 3 orders in the last 4 months and they are always running out. I hope to get my amp this month after ordering it 3 weeks ago. I inquired with Rory Rail, sales guy at Benchmark, about it and he said sales are very strong. It is not just supply constraints. So audiophiles may skip the Benchmark gear but a lot of others are not.

I believe I heard your MBL speaker at a show and also the a few other omni speakers at various shows. Loved them. I had an Audience 1+1 V3 speaker, which is an omni, but never could get it right due to space constraints. However, I think I was also prejudiced about what the correct sound was, imagining, soundstage, etc... I should have remembered the speaker my dad had when I was a kid, the Allison 2. It put music out all over the room unlike most current speakers. Loved the music back then and never thought a second about imaging, soundstage, etc...