An Introduction to Benchmark
John Siau, VP and Director of Engineering, gives us an overview of his company, their design philosophy, and the pioneering products Benchmark offers for high-performance audio.
Benchmark Media, founded in 1983, has a rich history of innovation in the audio industry. Initially specializing in broadcast equipment, the company transitioned to high-end audio products in the early 2000s. Their commitment to engineering excellence has resulted in numerous accolades and a reputation for creating some of the most accurate and reliable audio equipment available.
John discusses some of Benchmark's key products, including the AHB2 power amplifier, LA4 preamp, DAC3, HPA4 headphone amp, and Studio&Stage(TM) audio cables. These products exemplify Benchmark's dedication to pushing the boundaries of audio performance, making them a favorite among audiophiles and professionals alike.
Products Discussed in this Video
The Benchmark AHB2 Power Amplifier
- Radically Different Topology
- Hi-Frequency Fully-Regulated Switched-Mode Power Supply
- Linear Class-AB output Stage with Class-H Tracking Rails
- Much more Efficient than a Traditional Class-AB Amplifier
- Feed-Forward Error Correction
- Correction Amplifier is Passively Summed with the Main Amplifier
- No Magnetic Interference
- No Relays in Output Stage
- Protection Circuits are not in Series with Output Path
- Low Gain Design
- Tweeter Protection
- 0.1 Hz to 250 kHz Bandwidth
- Stable into Inductive and Capacitive Loads
- Stable into Very Low Impedances
- 135 dB SNR
- THD is Better Than -110 dB at Full Output Power
The Benchmark HPA4 Headphone Amplifier
- THX-888 Headphone Amplifier featuring Feed-Forward Error Correction
- Entire Signal Path is Relay Controlled
- 256-Step Relay-Controlled Volume
- Lowest Noise, Lowest Distortion Preamplifier Available
- International Power Supply
- High Power Headphone Output
- Independent Line-Level Output
- Certified for Pro or Hi-Fi Applications
- Supports full Studio-Level Balanced Inputs and Outputs
- 0.1 Hz to 500 kHz Bandwidth
The Benchmark LA4
- Identical to the HPA4, but without the Headphone Amplifier
The Benchmark DAC3 Converter Family
- +3 dBFS DSP and DAC Headroom - No Clipping of Intersample Peaks
- Linear Phase Reconstruction Filter - Preserves Analog Waveshape
- Switch-Mode Power Supplies - No Magnetic Interference
- UltraLock3(TM) Jitter Attenuation
- Professional Studio Level Balanced Outputs - Factory Default
- HiFi Level Balanced Outputs - User Selected
- Available in 3 Models - Options Include Headphone Amp and Volume Control
- All Models Deliver Identical Performance
