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

I had some fatigue issues with the system that had the LA4. I tried changing difference speaker cables and that resulted in the issue moving around to different frequency levels. I bit the bullet and bought the Audience Front Row speaker cable that I used in my other system and the fatigue issue I had went away.

My system is as follows:

Yamaha NS5000 speakers | Benchmark HPA4 preamp | Schitt Yggi+ OG DAC | CODA #16 amp | Audience FrontRow speaker cable | Benchmark XLR and Audience AU24 SE XLR.

Changing any of these non-HPA4 components resulted in an easily noticeable change in sound. The HPA4 let me hear everything, without any fatigue or sheen with my current gear.

Thank you ozzy62 and yyzsantabarbara. It’s interesting about the cables resolving your issue.

It may be best for me to try the 30- or 60 (preferred)-day trials offered for the HPA4. I’m at the stage in my life where I have a fine system that I love without the drive to make any major changes to my system. The one exception is with my Boulder line stage. So, my best bet might be to first compare the Boulder against the HPA4, and move on from there.

One issue simply may be that I still prefer vinyl over digital sound. I’ve noticed that the move towards balanced inputs and outputs has increased with amps and preamps. A trend to fully balanced components is becoming the norm, and I find that somewhat disappointing. What’s most interesting, is that the reviews from both users and professionals are mostly done with DACs with these components. And, even more interesting, fully balanced tube designs are on the rise. With the passing of the decades, I have seen this trend come and go. For example, I still own my BAT VK5 line stage from the nineties that is fully balanced and tubed. Later, the swing would return to single-ended and so on.

A  number of years ago, after I purchased my 300B monos, I was ready to purchase a Tron Seven line stage to complement my Tron Seven phono. I would discover that the Seven line was discontinued. While the Seven line was still around Tron released their new Atlantic line stage. In terms of sound, it was Atlantic, Seven, and Syren at the top. Today, there is also the Nemisis. With the Seven out of the picture it created a hole in what I was after. I filled that gap with my Boulder and had it re-capped by Boulder 5 years ago. I was honestly surprised by how good the system now sounded.

If the HPA4 does not improve my sound, sheen or no sheen, I have a couple of other contenders that I’m considering. Right now, these are the SPL Elector and the LTA microZOTL. These are analog line stages that offer single-ended ins and outs with excellent reviews.

I haven't heard the Elector, but I have an SPL Phonos and I think it's a fine phono preamp.

Another preamp I can suggest is the Holo Audio Serene. It is very similar to the HPA4 with a tinge of warmth. It actually measures a bit better than the HPA4. I wanted to get a second HPA4 for my office system, but I thought I would try the Serene to have some variety.

It is not much different than the HPA4, but a few people have posted that they like it over the HPA4. I would not say that both are exactly what I want.

I use the Serene with my slightly brighter system,

Magnepan LRS+ speakers | Holo Serene preamp | Schitt Yggi+ Less Is More DAC | Sanders Magtech amp | Audience Front Row speaker cable | Audience Au24 SE and Benchmark XLR and RCA

I can easily replace the Holo Serene and HPA4 in either system with the other and be happy.

The Elector was reviewed by the Part Time Audiophile in 2022. He loved it and kept it for himself.

I had checked out the Holo Serene, but again this is a fully balanced preamp, so not ideal for a single-ended output. It doesn’t make sense for me to pay for a design feature marketed for better sound (low noise), and then not be able to take advantage of it. This is what I discovered years ago with my BAT VK5 feeding into my Conrad Johnson Premier 11a. I wasn’t getting everything.

I’m ideally looking for a line stage with 2 unbalanced preamp outs. The second out is for my subs. An additional tape out would be nice for a headphone amp.