2. amps-preamps
  3. 167253-162354

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
 
@yyzsantabarbara , i have the same preference as you with respect to the speaker wire and am using the Audience FrontRow with SpeakOn as well. I also think it bested the Benchmark cables, not by an enormous amount but by enough. The rest is Benchmark XLR. I would love to try the AudioByte but it looks like two boxes which may be tough. It looks like there is a lot of Benchmark love out there and we all seem to want to add a little warmth sometimes, but just sometimes, when needed. Lots of great suggestions for me to try, thanks!
yyzsantabarbara
4,937 posts
 
@regg You should try the Gustard X26 Pro on the home trial.  Having that Gustard even as a backup DAC is a big win.

The reviewer I referenced actually compares the AudioByte to the Gustard. He loved both with the AudioByte slightly preferred. The AudioByte does have great potential to become great with the firmware updates and also the HUB. With the Gustard you are set with the existing sound unless you get the external clock which may make things better or worse.

I must say that this tread has got me a bit annoyed with that hiss I reported with the Class D amp and the CODA07x. It was much lower wit the HPA4. It did not bother me until I paid attention when I made that post. I was going to buy the AudioByte tomorrow and then the CODA #8 later in the year (close to 2022) but I may flip that around.

The Benchmark DAC3B is pretty good in the current setup. It is also great with the CODA 07x.

I am surprised that you also have FrontRow with SpeakON. I thought I was the only person that did that. On my RAAL SR1a the FrontRow cables was more noticeable than on my floorstanders. Seems crazy to have $4K speaker cables on a $3.5K headphones but spending 4K on cables is also kind of crazy.
regg OP
32 posts
 
@yyzsantabarbara, I received the cables from a friend of mine who needed a longer run for his set up. The run in my apartment is much shorter. I paid a fraction of retail to him-he was going to give them to me for free! A big win for me but he felt he owed me because years ago I gave him my Conrad Johnson Amp and Sumo preamp and he loved them. Anyway, I digress! Am absolutely going to order the Gustard and maybe towards the end of the year start thinking about Coda again.
regg OP
32 posts
 
I previously had the Benchmark cables, then I tried Analysis Plus midrange cables which I liked slightly better than the Benchmark cables. When I swapped in the FrontRow they were better with the P3SER’s than the Analysis Plus but it wasn’t dramatic. The Benchmark System stayed dead quiet with any cables, which is why the Benchmark stuff is so addicting once you get used to it.
yyzsantabarbara
4,937 posts
 
@regg I hope you can post your opinion on the Gustard on this thread.

I am going to get that CODA #8. I cleared up my IRS tax payments yesterday was going to use the money for food, but I think I will get the CODA #8 instead.

BTW - I am going to move my silver D-Sonic amp to the downstairs to play with the silver Gustard I have. So I am not going to switch to a Black Gustard. The CODA will replace the D-Sonic on the office system.
More to discover