Home Amp/Preamp Asylum

Looking for a new Amp or Preamp? If you're after tubes, post over here.

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] Thread: [ Display  All  Email ] [ Amp/Preamp Asylum ]
[ Alert Moderator ]

RE: N core

> I have a few friends who've listened to the Benchmark amp extensively (I had a limited exposure) and they don't describe it as "boring." I also have read the reviews on the amp in Stereophile, etc. None of these have mentioned a "boring" presentation either.

Firstly, I think you should re-read my definintion of "boring" in my description of the Benchmark. I defined it as the urge to turn down the volume control (you don't want elevator music playing loudly) as opposed to exciting amps where the urge is to turn it up.

That said, please also re-read part of Stereophiles's review, in particular the paragraphs under "Listening in the Country". Expressions such as these crop up:
"the sound was somewhat hard and thin"
"robbed of some of its warmth and resonance"
"sounded strange. Both voices were higher, not in pitch but in tonal range, as if they'd been transformed from mezzo-sopranos"
"her voice was robbed of its bell-like richness by the AHB2"


These are an indication that this amp is very speaker dependent regarding performance, although (as I previously mentioned) their review is GENERALLY very favourable.

The Absolute Sound reviews says:
"I'm not sure I can in good conscience recommend this amplifier to them [audiophiles] as I am not sure they are in search of what it offers: a precision instrument designed to perform the precisely defined task of reproducing music and sound accurately"

HiFi Plus concludes:
"It seems fussier about speaker partnering than usual, however, and I would recommend trying it with your speakers before purchase"

Remember, when I bought my Benchmark there were no worthwhile reviews for me to read. I was influenced by an Avantgarde owner who thought it was the best amp in the world. After the very disappointing sound it offered through my AG speakers, I found a couple of reviews had been recently published. Of course I was looking for hints in these reviews that all was not as rosy as a quick read would suggest. Reviewers are never outright critical of the products they review, so I find that "reading between the lines" of a good review is most important in deciding whether a product should be bought.

Many people will be delighted with their Benchmarks as part of their system, but I found that most of the 8 or 10 other amps I've tried since were far better in my system than the Benchmark -

Hope this explains why I found the Benchmark "boring" and was pleased to get rid of it. I now have 5 alternative amps that are considerably preferable to listen to than the Benchmark. These by NAD, Accuphase, Gamut, Consonance (tube) and Micromega. Incidentally Red Wine and Quad together with the Benchmark were the most unsatisfactory.




This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
  VH Audio  

Follow Ups Full Thread
Follow Ups
FAQ

Post a Message!

 Forgot Password?
Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
  Remember my Moniker & Password  (What's this?)    Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:
Message:   (Posts are subject to Content Rules)
Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:  Automagically notify you when someone responds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]