Reviews

HPA4 - "Best High-End Stereo Preamplifier"

"The Benchmark Media Systems HPA4 preamplifier is an exceptionally transparent and well-designed audio device."

"I found it to be an extremely neutral reference point that allowed me to hear more of what a connected speaker or headphone was actually doing and, in turn, how much my existing electronics were adding to the sound that I was hearing in my reviews."

- Carlo Lo Raso, Co-Editor, Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity

DAC3 B, HPA4, AHB2 - "Purchased Them for My Reference System - Nuff Said!"

"The Benchmark 'stack' ... saw use with a wide variety of loudspeakers and other electronic equipment."

"Having the Benchmark stack here for an extended period also made me re-evaluate a few things about how and what I use to review equipment."

"I dare say that they produced as clean and noise-free a stereo playback chain as I have ever come across."

"Benchmark Media Systems is a well-regarded brand that is known for its high-quality DACs and ADCs that also find their way into professional studios."

AHB2 Power Amplifier

"In 2014 they introduced the AHB2 power amplifier, using patented THX AAA amplifier technology, that brought previously unheard of low levels of distortion, and high SNR capability."

LA4 and HPA4

"Last year Benchmark released the LA4 preamplifier and the HPA4 headphone amplifier. Both components use an ultra-precision relay-based volume control and feature vanishingly low levels of distortion."

DAC3 B

"The DAC3 B is an alternate version of the DAC3 DX that ... simply does away with the included volume control and headphone jacks which makes it ideal to use with the HPA4 or LA4."

"The Benchmark DAC3 B ... is a finely executed example of a modern ESS-based digital to analog converter."

The Benchmark 'Stack'

"The Benchmark Media Systems HPA4 preamplifier, AHB2 power amplifier, and DAC3 B are, individually, exceptionally transparent and well-designed audio devices."

"When used as a system the resulting synergy was even more revealing."

"I liked them so much that I purchased them for my reference system. Nuff said!"

- Carlo Lo Raso, Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity

DAC3 DX - "Best High-End DAC"

"The Benchmark DAC3 DX DAC is designed for recording and mastering studios, but it is a great product for consumer use as well. Its clean, low distortion analog output and flexible setup controls will bring the studio to your home audio system."

- John E. Johnson, Jr., Editor-in-Chief

DAC3 DX - "Will Bring the Studio to Your Home Audio System"

"Benchmark’s DAC3 DX DAC is designed for recording and mastering studios, but it is a great product for consumer use as well."

"The Benchmark Media DAC3 DX is the successor to the DAC2 DX. The differences between the DAC3 DX and the DAC2 DX are (1) active 2nd harmonic compensation, (2) active 3rd harmonic compensation, (3) lower THD+N, (4) lower passband ripple, (5) improved frequency response, (6) faster PLL lock times, (7) faster switching between inputs, and (8) adjustable calibration."

"For the bench tests, I have moved to using much more sensitive measurements with the Audio Precision ... the distortion is so low, it is beyond the Audio Precision’s capability."

- John E. Johnson, Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity

DAC2 DX - "Had Some of the Lowest Distortion of any DAC We Have Ever Tested"

"Listening to my music collection via USB was a pleasure with this DAC. It had a very musical sound, reminding me of a Class A triode tube amplifier. When you check out the bench tests, you will see why."

"For my money, the Benchmark DAC2 DX represents one of the best values in high end audio today."

- John E. Johnson, Jr., Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity

DAC2 HGC - "Does So Many Things, and Does Them So Well"

"As a headphone amp: I sampled the DAC2 with both Grado 325i's and Focal Spirit One cans. The DAC2 was more than capable of driving either of these and made them each sound their best."

"The Benchmark DAC2 HGC does so many things – I didn't even get to all of them – and does them so well, it's easy to recommend."

"Got an old amp and you need a preamp to make a system out of it? DAC2."

"Want a first class headphone amp? DAC2."

"Computer audio? Of course."

"The sound is sweet, engaging, and long on textural detail without fatigue."

- Rich Schmidt, Home Theater and High Fidelity

ADC1 - "I loved what the ADC1 did for my vinyl recordings"

"I loved what the ADC1 did for my vinyl recordings. At this point I don't want to be without it so I will look into buying this review sample (I've been upgrading my systems a lot lately so its getting kind of painful pocketbook wise)."

"This little gem provides grain free, fatigue free recordings that I crave."

"... with the Benchmark the backgrounds were deeper, blacker and the voices, instruments all had more space around them."

- Rick Schmidt, Home Theater and High Fidelity