Benchmark LA4 Silver with Remote
Benchmark LA4 Black - right front
Benchmark LA4 - rear view
Benchmark Remote
Stereophile 2020 Class A Recommended Component Award
Sound Stage Network - RMAF Best of Show Award2018
The Absolute Sound - Editors' Choice Award 2021
The Absolute Sound - Product of the Year Award
Benchmark LA4 Silver with Remote
Benchmark LA4 Black - right front
Benchmark LA4 - rear view
Benchmark Remote
Stereophile 2020 Class A Recommended Component Award
Sound Stage Network - RMAF Best of Show Award2018
The Absolute Sound - Editors' Choice Award 2021
The Absolute Sound - Product of the Year Award
Benchmark LA4 Silver with Remote
Benchmark LA4 Black - right front
Benchmark LA4 - rear view
Benchmark Remote
Stereophile 2020 Class A Recommended Component Award
Sound Stage Network - RMAF Best of Show Award2018
The Absolute Sound - Editors' Choice Award 2021
The Absolute Sound - Product of the Year Award

Benchmark LA4 Line Amplifier

$ 3,050.00 USD
$ 3,050.00 USD
$ 3,050.00 USD
Shipping calculated at checkout.
"Best Preamplifier" - Secrets of Home Theater
Lowest Noise and Lowest Distortion Preamplifier Available
Fully-Balanced Signal Path
Wide 500 kHz Bandwidth
Relay-Controlled Volume and Input Selection
Style: Silver
Remote:
Faceplate:

SKU: 500-17100-101

Recommendations

Stereophile Recommended Component - Preamplifiers

"Benchmark's LA4 is the widest-bandwidth, widest-dynamic-range, lowest-noise, lowest-distortion preamplifier I have encountered."

- John Atkinson
Continue Reading
stereophile recommended components 2025 award
Product of the Year - The Absolute Sound

"The LA4 has been widely tested with results that tell the same story as those from the AHB2 power amplifier, i.e., the measurements merely confirm the manufacturer’s claims except in those instances where the limits of the test gear are reached before this or that specification can be precisely verified, almost every tester reporting that the unit beats, often handily, any other ever tested in its product category, regardless of price."

- Paul Seydor
Continue Reading
LA4 - Editors' Choice Award - The Absolute Sound

"By far, without question this is the best volume control I have ever encountered."

- Paul Seydor
Continue Reading
Read more reviews

The Benchmark LA4

The LA4 line-level preamplifier features the best analog volume control system available at any price.

At each volume setting, relays select pairs of high-precision resistors to attenuate the music to the desired level. This system eliminates the noise, distortion, and L/R balance issues found in more conventional analog volume control systems. Traditional potentiometers and integrated electronic volume controls are the weakest link in most Hi-Fi signal chains. The LA4 removes the weak link while optimizing the system noise performance at each volume setting.

The award-winning LA4 is designed to keep noise and distortion below the 0-dB SPL threshold of hearing at each of the 256 volume control settings. No preamplifier delivers a higher degree of transparency.

The LA4 provides input selection and volume control without adding an "electronic fingerprint" to the music. Discover the difference! Listen to the music, not the electronics.

LA4 Top Internal View

Technology of the LA4

Relay-Controlled Volume

  • High-Precision Low-Impedance 256-Step Attenuator
  • Low-Noise 16-Step Input Gain Stage
  • Control Range is +15 dB to -127.5 dB in 0.5 dB Steps
  • High Precision Laser-Trimmed Thin-Film Resistors
  • 12 Relays per Output Channel - 24 Total
  • Precision Make-Before-Break Timing - Prevents Switching Noise
Learn More

Extended Frequency Response

  • Ultra Wide 0.1 Hz to 500 kHz Response
  • Bass is Delivered Without a Phase Shift
  • Fast, Distortion-Free Transient Response
  • Linear Phase Response
  • Accurately Reproduces the Audio Waveshape
  • Precise Rendering of Stereo Width and Depth
  • Focused 3-D Stereo Image
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Fully-Balanced Signal Path

  • 2 Pairs of Balanced Line Inputs
  • Fully-Balanced Differential Input Amplifiers
  • Fully-Balanced Relay-Controlled Gain Stage
  • Fully-Balanced Relay-Controlled Attenuation Stage
  • Fully-Balanced Output Line Drivers
  • Left, Right and Mono - Balanced Line Outputs
  • Unbalanced Inputs and Outputs Included
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System Optimization

  • Establishes an Optimal Gain Structure Between the DAC and Power Amplifier
  • System Noise Performance is Optimized at all Volume Settings
  • Matches Hi-Fi to Pro Signal Levels
  • Matches Unbalanced to Balanced Signal Levels
  • Perfect Match Between a DAC3 and AHB2
  • Use a Single Remote to Control an All-Benchmark System
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Special Features

  • Color Touch Screen
  • Balance Control
  • -20 dB "Dim" Function
  • Soft Unmute
  • Two Bidirectional 12V Trigger Ports
  • Gain Offset Adjustments for Each Input
  • Home Theater Bypass Function
Learn More

Studio Applications

  • Precise, Repeatable Gain Settings Calibrated in dB
  • Studio +28 dBu Input and Output Capability
  • Instant A/B Switching Between Sources with Calibrated Input Offsets
  • Volume Knob uses Long-Life Heavy-Duty Optical Encoder
  • Long-Life Telcom-Grade Gold-Contact Relays
  • Rack-Mount Version Available

Learn More

Listening Experience

The Benchmark LA4 delivers a clear, open, and uncluttered playback across the entire frequency range.

Instrumental overtones are rendered with exceptional precision and realism. Vocals are reproduced with outstanding accuracy and natural tones. Transients are fast and precise. Bass is deep and well controlled.

The ultra-linear phase response of the LA4, allows it to create a precise three-dimensional rendering of the recorded space. This space is open and uncluttered because noise and distortion are held below the 0-dB SPL threshold of hearing at all playback levels.

The LA4 may be the only preamplifier that meets or exceeds the transparency of Benchmark's AHB2 power amplifier and of Benchmark's DAC3 converter. In combination, these three components deliver the ultimate listening experience.

Benchmark LA4 with a silver front panel on a rustic wooden box

Best of the Best

"Benchmark's LA4 is the widest-bandwidth, widest-dynamic-range, lowest-noise, lowest-distortion preamplifier I have encountered."

- John Atkinson, Stereophile Magazine

"By far, without question this is the best volume control I have ever encountered...

The LA4 has been widely tested with ... almost every tester reporting that the unit beats, often handily, any other ever tested in its product category, regardless of price."

- Paul Seydor, The Absolute Sound

"The Benchmark Media Systems LA4 preamplifier, AHB2 power amplifier, and DAC3 B are, individually, exceptionally transparent and well-designed audio devices. They are each top-shelf examples of their respective equipment categories in both measured and subjective performance."

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

Benchmark LA4 on a rustic wooden box

Awards

stereophile recommended components 2025 award
Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity 2021 Best of Awards for the HPA4 Preamplifier
"Reference" Award
HiVi Grand Prix 2020 HiVi Prize for amplifier
Sound Stage Network - RMAF Best of Show Award2018
See more awards

Front Panel

Benchmark LA4 Front Panel View
Power
  • On/Off Momentary Switch
  • IR Remote Sensor
Display
  • Color Touch-Screen Display
  • Attenuation Shown in dB
  • Many Programmable Features
Volume Control Knob
  • Long-Life Heavy-Duty Optical Encoder
  • 0.5 dB per Step, 256 Steps

Rear Panel

Benchmark LA4 Rear Panel View
Analog Inputs
  • Input 1 - XLR (L,R)
  • Input 2 - XLR (L,R)
  • Input 3 - RCA (L,R)
  • Input 4 - RCA (L,R)
Analog Outputs
  • Left Out - XLR
  • Right Out - XLR
  • Mono Sum Out - XLR
  • Left Out - RCA
  • Right Out - RCA
Two 12V Trigger I/O Ports
  • Bidirectional Operation
  • Work with all Single and Dual Direction Trigger Ports
  • Time Delays Allow Noise-Free System Startup and Shutdown
AC Input
  • Standard 3-Pin IEC Connector
  • Fuse Drawer with Two Fuses
  • Auto-Ranging
  • 50-60 Hz
California Proposition 65 Warning

Recommended Accessories

Additional Information

Application Notes
Videos

Product Information

LA4 Cut Sheet

Manual

Detailed specifications and performance plots are available in the downloadable manual.

LA4 Manual

(using balanced inputs at +24 dBu)

Balanced Line Outputs:

  • THD < -125 dB (0.00006%)
  • SNR > 135 dB, unweighted, 20-20 kHz
  • SNR > 137 dB, A-weighted
  • Frequency Response - 0.003 dB at 10 Hz, -0.001 dB at 20 kHz
  • - 3 dB Bandwidth exceeds 0.1 Hz to 500 kHz
  • Output Impedance 60 Ohms
  • Output Noise < 1.9 uV at Unity Gain, 20-20 kHz
  • Maximum Input and Output Voltage, 20 Vrms (+28 dBu)
  • Crosstalk < -133 dB @ 1 kHz, -116 dB @ 10 kHz

Dimensions:

8.65" W x 3.88" H x 8.33" D - Including Feet

8.65" W x 3.47" H x 8.33" D - Excluding Feet

Weight:

8.0 lbs., 12 lbs. shipping

Power:

  • 12W Typical Input Power
  • 17W Maximum Input power
  • 0.33 W Standby Power (when off)
  • Internal Universal Power Supply

The Benchmark Product Line

Benchmark ... the measure of excellence! ®
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    Hi-Fi Preamplifiers

    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.

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    Digital to Analog Converters

    High-Resolution Playback Begins with an External D/A Converter

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    Cables

    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.

    Cables
5.00 from 350+ reviews

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Benchmark LA4, DAC3 B, and AHB2 on a rustic wooden rack.