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Sound Impressions - Benchmark HPA4/LA4 in use with a quality vinyl rig?

I’ve read a number of posts about the HPA4 and LA4 inside and outside of Audiogon. Plus, a number of professional reviews. However, the vast majority of these are using DACs instead of phono stages, as well as solid state amps instead of tube ones.

So, I’m curious to see if I can get some feedback from those of you who may own one of these Benchmark line stages with a nice analog rig. I do realize that many consider the LA4 to be a straight wire revealing both the recording and your system. So, without engaging in a 30- or 60-day trial period off the bat, I would first like to get anyone’s impressions about how well these line stages sound with your vinyl, and tube amps.

And, does it make sense to combine the design philosophy of a HPA4 with that of my vinyl rig? The HPA4 would be in-between these…Tron Seven Phono, TW-Acustic 300B SET mono blocks.

Thanks,

Kenny

 

kennythekey
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,039 posts
 

I had an LA4 paired with a tube amp and vinyl. The LA4 has an exciting sound that after a while became fatiguing to me. There is much talk about it's transparency, but there was always a slight "sheen" to the presentation no mater the source.

YMMV.....

kennythekey OP
593 posts
 

Ozzy62

It’s good to hear back from you having experienced the LA4 with tubes and vinyl. It took me a long time to lose the “sheen” and I don’t want that back. Just looking to build upon the relaxed sound that keeps me listening.

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,039 posts
 

Relaxed is not the way I’d describe that preamp. Anxious might be a better descriptor. 

kennythekey OP
593 posts
 

Right, but I was using relaxed to describe the sound that I love, but that does not mean dull or non-involving. So, detailed, transparent, natural, etc., without any sheen. I understood from you that sheen meant anxious, or perhaps a bit too edgy.

I think we’re on the same page and I checked out your current system. Looks like our tastes in sound may be very similar. What gear were you using when you had the LA4 in place?

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,039 posts
 

I had a Music Reference RM 10 II and Klipsch Lascala II speakers.

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