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All Benchmark System Question

Long time lurker, first time poster. So question relates to my all Benchmark System. I am using the all Benchmark system (AHB2, HPA-4 and DAC 3B with my P3SER’s and loving it most of the time. But if I wanted to add a little more warmth for that 20 percent of the time I think I need to, What would be the best way to do that. My thoughts are maybe switching out the DAC 3B some of the time with an Audio Mirror Troubador, keeping the rest of the system the same. My other, more expensive thought is to leave the DAC 3B and i swapping in the Coda 07x part of the time as I have heard the AHB2 and Coda 07x is a great combination. Obviously that is an expensive fix for 20-30 percent of my listening.
What do you people think?
regg
regg OP
32 posts
 
YY Santanabarbara,
That is so helpful, thanks! I am itching to get that Coda preamp but I just can’t justify it yet. As you know, when the Benchmark is right it is unbeatable! Just once in a while I feel the need for a little more noise! The Gustard DAC sounds great and please keep me posted on the Audiobyte DAC!
yyzsantabarbara
4,696 posts
 
@regg BTW - welcome to A’gon.

I sold my AMT3SE DAC on Sunday, Meze Empy headphones (today), and a KRELL integrated last week so I have an itch to buy a DAC.

I think a better combo than the AHB2 and the CODA 07x would be the CODA #8 and the HPA4. I am going to get the CODA #8 later in the year. I am currently happy with a $1500 D-Sonic M3a 800s Class D amp. It is not as good as the AHB2 but it works better on my speakers. I use the AHB2 on the office SR1a and also my downstairs mini system.

If you want another review of the Gustard X26 Pro send me a DM in A’gon. Someone I know bought the Gustard and wrote me his thoughts on it. Exactly how I felt but he is more eloquent in his descriptions.

BTW - if you get the Gustard X26 Pro (a silver one) and want to save some money via a trade. I have a 2 week old silver Gustard X26 Pro and want to get a black one instead. The seller in China replaced my 2 month old unit because I had an issue with using it as a preamp. It cost me $116 to send by USPS to China and they sent me a new one. Great seller.
regg OP
32 posts
 
I may take you up on that. Would you sell the Benchmark system for the all Coda System? Tough choices!
audiosaurusrex's avatar
audiosaurusrex
320 posts
 
I would check out the RME-ADI-FS, great dac with Bass and Treble adjustments. 
yyzsantabarbara
4,696 posts
 
No, my BM stack is number 1. I have taken the BM gear out (moved it downstairs) several times the past 6 months and always missed it. I replaced it with the following.

- CODA CSiB integrated
- KRELL K-300i integrated
- Gustard X26 Pro as a preamp
- D-Sonic amp

Maybe more stuff that I cannot remember. I liked the above stuff a lot and I thought they were great. However, I always missed the BM stack when I did not have it in the office.

The AHB2 is not ideally suited for my Thiel CS3.7 (even in mono). It sounds very nice but a more powerful amp gives a more impactful sound on these specific speakers. So I do not use the AHB2 on the floor standers but I will never sell the AHB2. 

In a few years, when my young son no longer uses the living room for his gear I will put the BM stack in there with a speaker ideally suited for the AHB2.

I agree with you that the BM stack is not great on everything. I blame that on the source music in those cases. However, in that situation I think my hybrid BM + CODA approach works nicely. If I did not have the RAAL SR1a I think the Gustard X26 Pro alone would solve that 20-30% perfectly.
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