HPA4 Review - Chris, DC Hi-Fi Group

"The Sound of Silence"

"Benchmark Audio is an engineering focused company with a deep heritage in the recording studio world."

"With the release of the DAC1, they also grabbed the attention of the Audiophile world and things have never been the same."

"The HPA4 is a Headphone Amplifier and Preamp that incorporates the THX-888(AAA) achromatic audio amplifier circuit that was first introduced to the world in the Benchmark AHB2 amplifier."

"To this day the AHB2 remains the lowest distortion and highest SNR amplifier on the market."

"The Direct Opposite of Typical Tube-Based Technology"

"From a listening stance it is the cleanest and most accurate delivery of sound you are likely to get with any Hi-Fi component."

"This is the direct opposite of the typical sound of tube-based technology that is awash in second harmonic distortion and noise."

Power

"The HPA4 …offers 6 watts into 16 ohm and a whopping 11.5 Vrms into 300 Ohm headphones. You will not be running out of power with this device."

HiFiMan HE6se

"I started my listening tests using the HiFiMan HE6se headphones. These headphones are a bit of tough load for many headphone amps. The HPA4 had no trouble driving them and only required a slight increase in gain that was easily available through the touchscreen."

Meize 109 Pro

"I followed up with …the Meize 109 Pro. I used the track "Slink" from the brand-new Artemis album on Blue Note."

"It is a very dynamic driving track and the Artemis ensemble makes the most of it. The 109 Pro's sounded excellent being driven by the HPA4 and revealed all the sonic details of this track."

Conclusions

"I give the HPA4 my highest recommendation. Using the common Audiophile cliché - this is an end game component. Of course, that is until Benchmark Audio one ups itself with a new improved version which they have a remarkable habit of doing."

- Chris, Forum Administrator - DC Hi-Fi Group

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