Seriously? Why Buy ARC Ref 6SE? seems Benchmark LA4 is a better choice.

" it’s all marketing funny business. If there truly were diffs there would be all kinds of efforts to have AB testing reviews and in store comparisons. They don’t do this."

Sounds just like kenjit’s speaker narrative

+1, @stereo5 and @jperry 

One part of the answer might be found by comparing the two units’ resale history at somewhere like HiFi Shark. If audiophiles like to try and buy, than perhaps one unit retains value better than the other? Just a guess, because they both seem like very reputable brands, though ARC is much more well-known, overall, right?

Actually you should not hear anything from the LA4, zero, utterly silent. If you are hearing chalk on a blackboard with the LA4 then you are hearing something else in the system.

The ARC will have some sound character to it. I heard my buddies ARC based tub system with Spendor D7’s and it sounded great but not something I would get for myself.

I had this same preamp decision when I went preamp shopping a few months ago. Get something with a sound signature to it like the great Luxman c900u or something without any sound to it like the HPA4/LA4. I am very happy I got the HPA4 and can add any amp + speaker to tailor the sound.

Just keep your eyes open for posts by people who give the LA4 a 30 day home demo and decide this is a great choice for their mega expensive ($100K) systems. Already 1 or 2 posts like that on Audiogon and a few on WBF. Benchmark seems to be behind on orders for almost all of 2020. A lot of demand.

I do think the LA4 looks rather unattractive.