Legacy i V2 or Benchmark ABH2
- Thread starter rman9
- Start date
Contrary to Kal's experience, I found the AHB2 to be drearly dull.
I'd been using SETs with my high-sensitivity speakers but decided to move to ss for various reasons. I bought the BM amp on rave recommendations from fellow Avantgarde owner, but it was a huge disappointment.
I then embarked on a multi-amp home testing session over several months. These were bought new or used or dealer demo units and Class A, AB and D.
I went for purifi Eigentakt as found in NAD M33 and M23. This offered the tingle-factor excitement that was so lacking in the BM amp.
Other good amps were the Accuphase A36 and GamuT D200 but both much more costly than the BM or NAD.
The BM had some great features like it's nice case, gain options and price, etc but if musical enjoyment is what you are looking for, look elsewhere.
But don't let me put you off. Get one in your home together with its rivals (including the M23) and decide for yourself.
PS - I'm not familiar with the Legacy amp so it may or may not better the BM - although I guess it will unless you enjoy very accurate "elevator music"!
I'd been using SETs with my high-sensitivity speakers but decided to move to ss for various reasons. I bought the BM amp on rave recommendations from fellow Avantgarde owner, but it was a huge disappointment.
I then embarked on a multi-amp home testing session over several months. These were bought new or used or dealer demo units and Class A, AB and D.
I went for purifi Eigentakt as found in NAD M33 and M23. This offered the tingle-factor excitement that was so lacking in the BM amp.
Other good amps were the Accuphase A36 and GamuT D200 but both much more costly than the BM or NAD.
The BM had some great features like it's nice case, gain options and price, etc but if musical enjoyment is what you are looking for, look elsewhere.
But don't let me put you off. Get one in your home together with its rivals (including the M23) and decide for yourself.
PS - I'm not familiar with the Legacy amp so it may or may not better the BM - although I guess it will unless you enjoy very accurate "elevator music"!
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Thank you @Kal Rubinson sorry about misstating the AHB2. What speakers do you drive and what preamp feeds it?
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Thank you @Hear Here. This is very useful. Call me crazy. I do have two other Amps: Burmester 956 mkII (with 88 preamp) and Luxman M10X (with C900u preamp). The combos are great. I am looking for a cheaper AMP for the Emotiva BasX PT2 and have tried some class D amps that were simply lifeless. And the AHB2 seems to have some raving reviews with the THD and some additional features like the gain etc.. I am leary of buying and returning stuff. On this one I want to do some good home work cause this will be the last piece.
KEF Blade 2 Meta. No preamp. Driven directlly from Merging Hapi II.
FWIW, they were equally great with the Revel Ultima2 Studios and many of the other speakers that I have reviewed.
@Kal Rubinson Those KEF's look so beautiful. WOW, what color do you have? like I had mentioned in my response to HH, I am really looking for an AMP that is not too pricy but ticks in all specs as reviewed by ASR, and other folks. I wanted to get a feel for what it sounds like. I am more than likely going to get it. The person Dan who I talked to on the phone at Benchmark, assured me that I can buy it try it for 30 days and more than likely I won't be returning it. I will be driving either Magico A5s or SF Serafinos. Thank you!! your response gives me more sense of I might be on the right track.
I have three in grey with red UniQ.
I would say that the AHB2 has less "sound" as it seems entirely neutral. That does not appeal to everyone.
Good idea. Not likely but, if you are the sort who lights the the CLIP indicators, you may need 2 amps.
By all means try the BM but don't commit until you've heard it in your own system and can compare it with GOOD Class D (or other class) amps. There's far too much cheap and poor Class D about but the best Class D cannot be matched by other classes at comparable prices. I have the all-in-one NAD M33 but I'm sure the M23 or T+A equivalent will offer much greater listening pleasure than the BM.
If you rely on ASR, then you only have yourself to blame if disappointed. They are obsessed with.measutlrements and worry much less on how stuff actually sounds! Many of their group may in fact be deaf, but as long as the screen says it sounds good, then it must sound good. Sorry but that really is bollocks!
Well if we're throwing subjective opinions around; Benchmark AHB2 amplifiers do not sound dull at all. They sound just like the source component feeding them.
I'll say the same thing about NADs Class D M23 and M33 amplifiers.
I didn't even notice that much difference when I replaced an older NAD C275 with the Benchmark amp. I believe that people for the most part hear what they want to hear, and they for sure describe what they hear in their own unique ways.
I just happen to prefer class AB amplifiers, and the AHB2's compact size and efficiency in particular.
I'll say the same thing about NADs Class D M23 and M33 amplifiers.
I didn't even notice that much difference when I replaced an older NAD C275 with the Benchmark amp. I believe that people for the most part hear what they want to hear, and they for sure describe what they hear in their own unique ways.
I just happen to prefer class AB amplifiers, and the AHB2's compact size and efficiency in particular.
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I'd like to apologize to folks here on this forum. Looks like the topic on AHB2 versus other amps had been discussed before, more like beaten to death. I am new to this forum and am still trying to navigate my way around. @Hear Here I take ASR reviews with a grain of salt. I just look at them as another perspective. I have had experiences where I loved some of my past Luxman tube integrated that I had owned that was trashed at that website. Its okay, finally its my ears that is the best test apparatus I would have to rely on. No measurements or reviews would suffice. I had brough home the Mola Mola Tambaqui and absolutely shocked why the rave review. It sounded horrible in my system. I moved on to the Linn Klimax DSM which I traded back to my dealer as the Burmester 88's optional DAC was great to my ears. I do have to say, my audio dealer is one of the best letting me audition at home and also letting me to trade up within a year of each piece if I chose to do that. I am going to sleep on the AHB2 as I am starting to slip on what equipment have come and gone on my rack. Something permanent on the rack are the Burmester and Luxman. Thanks again to everyone for chiming in. High end audio is a wonderful hobby. I love it and I remind myself we can never take them with us when we go. So I chalk it up to enjoying while my hearing stays intact and never to extend my buying if I can't pay off my CC bills every month.
I take them literally and seriously as I do the measurements of John Atkinson whose comments generally accompany my reviews. They are not another perspective but additional useful information. They contribute to my considerations although purchase decisions are never made without personal and subjective listening experiences.
@Kal Rubinson wrong choice of words on my part. Its not a perspective, its measurements. I am with you on the purchase decisions based on subjective listening. I am so fortunate to have a dealer who let me bring home high end equipment and audition. Its been a fun three and half year journey going from my old Nakamichi to Parasound to Pass labs to Mcintosh to T+A to full stop now with Burmester and Luxman. Speakers I went from B&W to DynAudio to Triangle to full stop now with Magico and Sonus Faber. Quick question, how does one post pictures of the system. It was straight forward on Audiogon.. Also how do I view other folk's systems?
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