PS Audio BHK versus Benchmark

Indeed, concerned about that.  Interestingly, my BHK Pre replaced a McIntosh C2200.  C2700 is a nice piece, lots more flexibility than the BHK.  This is a crazy hobby!

@audionutjeff I would not personally call the DAC3B sterile sounding but someone coming from a more tube like presentation likely would. I like the DAC3B, but I think I can do better at around 2x plus cost.

The speakers I now own, but are in my garage being completely refurbished, is the Thiel CS 3.7. This speaker plays in the 2 - 3 Ohm range for most of the audioband and should not match well with 2 AHB2s. However, I have done a lot of research on this, including talking with John Siau, Rory Rail, Tom Thiel, and a lot of A'gon posters. I am going to go ahead and get 1 more AHB2 to try out on a 30 day home trial. My single AHB2 actually is not bad in my small room, but I get the feeling more power even at lower volume many be better. That is why I want to test it out. At the moment my KEF LS50 is back in the system.

I also found out that Benchmark cannot publish the spec on the AHB2 in mono form at 2 Ohm. This is because the tests require a constant signal for 30 minutes, which the mono AHB2 cannot do (stereo version can). They said that this is not a realistic musical situation and 2 AHB2s will be fine in my situation. They also said the mon AHB2 can even go down to 1 Ohm. I will find out, but will do so much later since this is a much lower audio priority issue.

There is another amp that likely sounds very much like the AHB2 that I am also considering. It is the new amps based on the Purifi modules. New more powerful modules are expected in the near future. These will have 1000+ watts at 2 Ohm. Perfect for my speakers and also super silent like the AHB2. They are Class D but I think from all accounts sounds very much like the AHB2.

BTW - I think the LA4/HPA4 are the best pieces that Benchmark sells. Just an incredible preamp.

You have a great system. Take a break. If you are not happy with the sound it's likely the room.