Used PS Audio BHK 300 monoblock or (2) new benchmark ahb2 bridged?

Why not a GaN amp? You can find stock LSA GN 350s for under $2K, then send to Ric Schultz (Tweak Audio) for very reasonably priced upgrades, or there is/was a moded one in Melbourne FL for sale

PS Audio has a good deal on the BHK300 right now so you may want to give them a call to find out what they can do for you.

Ps audio bhk easily over the benchmark. All benchmark products especially their dacs are so bright sounding, goes past cool/analytical sounding. I have the BHK.

First Agon post, so be gentle…

Just bought new AHB2 (after hunting for local used deal for awhile), and paired it with my DAC3 HGC, it’s brought new life to my entire system. I love it. 

Strong, silent, cool-running personality. Gets out of the way and lets the music come through. Breathed new clarity and punch into my PSB Synchrony Ones. I find it very musical, especially with great recordings  I listen to a variety of jazz, blues, pop, rock  

system: Quobuz via fibre/FMC to Lumin U2 mini, AQ Coffee USB to Benchmark DAC3 HGC, 8” XLR to AHB2, Kimber Cable to PSB Syncs. Amp running off dedicated 20A isolated ground line.

Benchmark support is first-class. Rory responds quickly and in detail to emails.  The AHB2 feels solid, bullet-proof. Like the pro gear it is.

Hope this vote encourages you to at least audition the AHB2. Good luck with your new gear!

JAMES

richardnyc

I'll say upfront that I have not owned PSA BHK power amps, but I do have experience with the BHK Preamp, which is lovely sounding. I have a great deal of respect for the late Bascom King and his designs. I do have a pair of AHB2 monoblocks on my 2 channel system and also use AHB2 on my headphone rig with Susvaras, which are difficult to drive. 

I find the AHB2 to be straight down the middle. Not clinical and bright and not smooth and warm. It seems to be the closest thing to the proverbial "wire with gain", and in mono it has gobs of gain. For me, this is perfect. 

In my youth, I worked in analog multitrack studios, 8, 16, & 24. Since then I've gravitated towards finding a neutral baseline, or at least as near as possible given the variability in playback systems. My goal has been to get close to hearing what's there on the recording. Not accuracy with respect to the live performance (which once laid down, is out of our hands), just accuracy in the recording's presentation.

The reason I bring all that up is I find the AHB2 to be a good baseline, neutral element in the chain. Of course, not all recordings shine in this neutral space. But surprisingly, I find the majority do. For those recordings that need a little help, or to suit my mood, I prefer to apply sweetening at the pre-amplification level; tubes for harmonic richness, modest eq., etc..

Just offering a perspective. Everyone's needs and situations are different and I'm respectful of that.