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Benchmark HPA4 Review - latest Stereophile

72.219.92.247

Posted on January 13, 2021 at 13:52:43
Posts: 2763
Location: Orange Co., Ca
Joined: September 19, 2001
Let me be the first to point out that the Benchmark HPA4 headphone output to the 4-pin XLR is not balanced. Both Herb and JA-classic must have been confused by the 4-pin XLR into thinking the HPA4 headphone amplifier is balanced. Both headphone connectors are driven single-endedly by the same amplifier. Benchmark offer the 4-pin XLR as they think it is a better connector than the 1/4" TRS and it allows separate ground returns right back to the amplifier channels - see the link. I am surprised the manufacturer feedback did not pick up the confusion.
The line-in to line-out paths are balanced.

13DoW

 

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RE: Benchmark HPA4 Review - latest Stereophile, posted on January 14, 2021 at 04:21:08
John Atkinson
Reviewer

Posts: 4045
Location: New York
Joined: November 24, 2003
>Let me be the first to point out that the Benchmark HPA4 headphone output
>to the 4-pin XLR is not balanced.

Thanks for the correction.

John Atkinson
Technical Editor, Stereophile

 

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