2. amps-preamps
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3D lifelike sound and impeccable measurements - mutually exclusive???

The more I investigate gear the more it seems that it’s easy to get organic involving sound with flesh and body and a 3D immersive soundstage with the right matching of components but it also seems like it necessitates choosing some components that don’t measure well/add colorations/even order harmonics etc My question is are there components (specifically amps/preamps and integrateds) are out there that combine great measurements and in your mind also have that organic immersive sound that really helps many of us get more emotionally involved in the music or are these qualities mutually exclusive? 
128x128clarinetmonster2
koestner
662 posts
 
Benchmark HPA4.... drop the mike.
koestner
662 posts
 
Oh, I think it’s “mic” sorry
geof3
1,129 posts
 
@clarinetmonster2... indeed I will. Might be a bit though. Back log, shipping time etc.
clarinetmonster2's avatar
clarinetmonster2 OP
201 posts
 
Koestner
ive been very curious to hear the Benchmark amp and preamp as they seem to be the poster children for great measurements- I’ve read mixed things on the sound/presentation . Mostly very positive especially the preamp but some I guess perceive the amp or amp/preamp combo to be lacking in life and others think it’s the best they’ve ever heard. 
yyzsantabarbara
4,758 posts
 
@clarinetmonster2 I love the AHB2 and HPA4. I normally use it with the DAC3B but recently more so with the Audio Mirror Tubadour. It is a big difference with the tube DAC. You hear whatever gear you add or remove with the Benchmark gear or the quality of the source you use. 

Since you hear whatever gear you add I am getting a warmish preamp, the CODA 07x, for a headphone system. However, I will flip it over to my 2 AHB2's connected to my floor standers via a easy XLR change (to mix it up). What I will hear is the CODA dominating the sound not the AHB2.

If someone is looking for a MINT condition white AHB2. I sold a 2 week old (brand new) AHB2 to someone a few days ago. He did not like it for his setup and has it up for sale today. 
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