Benchmark AHB2 or Class D (GaN FET)

I owned an AHB2 for about 7 months and I just sold it about a month ago. I used it for headphones and I tried it on my speakers as well.  It was ok but not my cup of tea so that was the reason I sold it.  It was quiet and it provided a black background but it was never engaging.  I tried it with 2 tube preamps, McIntosh C2600 and Linear Tube Audio reference Microzotl preamp, and one solid state preamp, Holo Serene KTE.  For headphones, I like my 4 dedicated headphone amps better (Woo WA23, Auris Nirvana, Enleum 23R and Holo Bliss KTE).  For my Klipsch Cornwall IV speakers, I like my First Watt F7 much better.  I didn't try the AHB2 on my other speakers, Harbeth M40.1 or Sterling Broadcast LS3/6.

If I were in the market for a 100w/Ch solid state amp, I would strongly consider the Atmasphere class D mono blocks that I heard at Axpona.   I've never liked class D amps in the past but those mono blocks sounded great on the Fritz speakers. 

Because an amp uses GaNfets does not mean it is the cat's meow.  The Purifi module and now the sonically better and more powerful HIGH POWERED Purifi modules sound really great......and also Hypex has released its Nilai amps and preamps (available as DIY or assembled).  This is Hypex's best sounding module.....even better than the just released NCX500.  And these Purifi amps and Nilai amps are under $2K for a stereo amp ($1379 for a Nilai stereo amp kit....super easy to build) and just over 2K for mono blocks (over 200 watts a channel into 8 ohms).....less than half of Atmasphere.  And you can have them modded, as well, for even better sound.  Check out VTV Audio.....they sell them both.....along with the all digital amp:....the VTV D300 (300 watts a channel0 stereo amp....what I am using right now).  Orchard Audio also makes great class D amps that do use Gan fets....starting at $2650 for a basic stereo amp....

I don’t see any mention of GaNfets being used in the Gold Note P10.......can you show me where it states that? In the ASR review it mentions Mosfets.

Here is some info on the latest Hypex designs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1exMwmlvRg&t=330s

From this page on the Gold Note PA-10 mono blocks it states it's their first design to use GaN FETS but I can't say for certain whether other Gold Note models use them as of yet. 

A quick look at Gold Note's site doesn't even mention the use of GaN FETS in the PA-10, let alone any other model.

All the best,
Nonoise

I had a set of Benchmark run in mono configuration.  I simply could not get them to sound great in my system and had to sell them.  

They had a predominant midrange forward character where the midrange was so much louder than other frequencies.  It was clear and dynamic, almost too dynamic.   I too have 90db sensitive floorstanders like you and cannot recommend the Benchmarks.  

I have an Orchard Audio Starkrimson on order as part of the tour and am looking forward to it.  

In the mean time a Parasound a21+ is sounding pretty decent.