Benchmark Media Systems
Benchmark Media Systems
SKU: 500-18000-100
Overall rating: 4.991667 / 5 from 120 reviews.
The Benchmark AHB2 Power Amplifier offers unmatched sonic purity, low distortion, and high efficiency, making it ideal for high-resolution audio formats. Its innovative design and exceptional performance have earned it numerous awards and accolades. The AHB2 delivers detailed, dynamic, and transparent sound, providing a superior listening experience. With a focus on minimizing noise and maximizing power, it stands out as a top choice for audiophiles seeking the best in class performance.
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"Some keywords why I love AHB2 and all other products from Benchmark: ***** Amazing measurements ***** The products' reliability ***** The products' small form factor and great looks ***** Comprehensive user manuals with lots of measurements ***** Great value for money. ***** Benchmark's excellent customer service ***** Benchmark is a company with integrity (anti snake oil)"
"Not my first benchmark product but probably my last. I’m not saying it’s bad in anyway I just don’t think I will ever find a product that will beat the trueness of sound. Last month I treated myself to a full Benchmark set up, a new Dac 3 L and an ABH 2. And with the cable deal a set of 25 foot speaker cables. My intention was to use it with a pair of ls3/5a and I will say the authority and grip was something I had never heard on the little Falcon Acoustics. The next speaker to bring in to play was a pair of retro vintage WE 755a, I know tubes are gospel, 300B running single ended. But this full Benchmark system taught me a thing or two about distortion, I don’t like it anymore. This new dac, amplifier combo has eliminated it. It is so clean and quiet, no hum, no strange pops. Great sound stage, maybe not the widest on all recording, but it’s clear it’s the recording not the set up. It’s even fooling my cats. Tapping foots in recordings are making them look to the area below the speaker, weird. My purchase started out to just say thank you to a great company I just wanted to support in these hard times. Turned out to be an eye and ear opener that’s making my foot tap and a big smile on my face."
"It took a while to get up and running however with Rory’s expertise, all is well. I appreciate that he took the time to check the compatibility between my speakers, preamplifier and your amplifiers. We spent a good amount of time on the phone doing this."
"When I purchased the 2. 7i's I also purchased a tube Preamplifier to pair with the 75 watt tube amp I already owned, knowing I would definitely need to increase my amplification power for these speakers. At that time the speaker was so new there were no amplifier recommendations. I retired at the end of October in 2025 and decided to use that occasion to complete my audio system and room. I did my research and decided that the amplifier that I felt would give me the results that I wanted would be 2-AHB2's (Monoblock) by Benchmark Media Systems. I again worked with The Music Room as well as Benchmark Media Systems. I was so impressed by Benchmarks products that I traded in my Tube Preamp and purchased a Benchmark LA4 Line Amplifier too. How do they sound? The way something sounds is always unique to the listener. The 2. 7i's sound is very natural and non fatiguing to me. I have a musical background and my goal was to get as close to the original performance as possible, I think I am as close as I can get with my current ears. I have been listening non stop to music that I thought I knew every sound on the recording and I have be hearing little things that I hadn't heard before! Very subtle things like soft harmonies or percussion. They obviously are there, they were just covered up by the noise in my previous system. The Benchmark AHB2 is so quiet and powerful it does what I want my amplifier to do: Amplify the performance only for me please. Benchmark You Did It!"
"This is my third AHB2. I have a pair running bridged-mono running a difficult to drive speaker pair in one system. This runs in stereo driving a relatively easy to run pair of speakers. IMO this is the perfect HIFI Power Amplifier. Quality and fidelity are amazing and can drive any speaker."
"I love this amp! If you want a boring clean amp with super darkness and no sound signature this is the amp to get!!"
"Already had 1 unit for stereo playback. Bought it from B & H Photo 1 year ago. This 2nd Benchmark amp I just bought completes my desire for mono blocks. Works great!! Crisp, clean, and powerful. Want to thank you again for making such an amazing amplifier! Gratefully yours. . . . . . . . . . David F. - Oyster. Bay, NY"
"Currently I mix with either Paradigm Se3-mini or custom Dynaudio speakers, both of which are wonderful but have dynamic and drive limitations. With this powered amplifier, I don't need to push the speakers nearly as hard. The clarity is instantly improved, and the ear fatigue is almost totally gone."
"The Benchmark AHB2 is a high-performance, ultra-low-distortion power amplifier known for its exceptional noise floor and transparency. It’s designed to reveal the finest details in music by acting as a neutral conduit rather than adding color, though its revealing nature can highlight flaws in recordings. It uses advanced THX-AAA technology for clean power and stability. It’s compact, efficient, and offers powerful bridged mono operation, making it a benchmark for clean, accurate audio reproduction in both studio and home setups, especially when it’s paired with reference-level DACs and preamplifiers like the Benchmark DAC3 and the Benchmark LA4. Bottomline, the Benchmark AHB2 is a “holy grail” amplifier because its performance comes remarkably close to the theoretical ideal of a “straight wire with gain”."
"Amazing amplifier! Clarity is amazing and it has no trouble driving power hungry speakers. A HUGE plus is the compact size which makes it easy to put on a bookshelf or in a small vented cabinet."
The AHB2 sets the benchmark for the lowest noise and lowest distortion in a power amplifier ... at any price.
Benchmark preamplifiers are designed to accept and deliver studio-level balanced output signals, but they also deliver state-of-the-art performance when operating at HiFi signal levels which are typically 10 dB lower.
High-Resolution Playback Begins with an External D/A Converter
Benchmark Studio&Stage™ professional audio cables deliver the high performance required for studio applications while delivering the durability to withstand the most demanding live sound applications.
