Recommendation for a highly resolving amp
https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/reviews/power-amp-comparison-cambridge-edge-w-benchmark-ahb2-bryston-... A detailed comparison with the 4B3 & AHB2. The AHB2 is without a doubt a nice piece, and at it's price point, perhaps the best option. |
Definitely a good point about the OP's ESL speakers. Specs for the Sound Lab M545 ESL speakers show 8 ohms (nominal) and 89dB, so *should* be okay??? I have found the Benchmark folks to be very responsive, so probably worth sending them a note to ask the question. Full disclosure: I do use an SVS SB-2000 powered sub alongside my JM Lab/Focal Mezzo Utopias. Some of the music my wife likes benefits from the sub for ultrasonic playback ;) |
The best recommendation I can think of is to stay the heck away from your buddies home. Spectral gear with Quad 2912s? I can imagine nothing better. Sell your stuff and rent out a bedroom in his home. Maybe he needs a chauffeur? What is his sub array? Was it determined if the room and speakers are adjusted optimally as suggested by Atma? Gotta start there. |
Benchmark told me that the AHB2 would work on my hard to drive speakers. they do work, officially in stereo mode (not officially on mono). However, working and being the very best is another matter. The AHB2 are not the best option on 2 Ohm speakers like mine. That review of the Bryston 4B3 | Cambridge | and a single AHB2 is not an apples-to-apples comparison. A pair of AHB2 monos would have been the equivalent of the 4B3. To me, the 4B3 does not sound as clean and fatigue free on top as the AHB2. I owned a lot of Bryston in the past, 3B-ST, 4B-SST, and 7B-SST but not the cubed line but have heard it and it has a bit of the old hardness than is not there on the AHB2. |
