Music
Now, this is what I consider a “musical” amplifier. I thoroughly enjoy the tonality of this amp. The Benchmark AHB2 power amplifier is easy to feel “at home” with. It has this immediate warmth and body that just captures the soul of a performance. Voices particularly sound very buttery and dense. And a bit “gravitational” if you will. It’s romantic with a rich bloom around the outlines – while preserving the naturalistic tone and texture of the recording.
It moves with a heavier coat but never sounds dark or veiled. This usually means a more fuzzy and grey background. But the Benchmark AHB2 is surprisingly quiet. You’re able to perceive the void between performers and their instruments. I don’t hear many amplifiers that are able to shape this aspect so dimensionally – while keeping the background so black. Very impressive.
On the flip side, the Benchmark AHB2 is far from hyperactive in its articulation and tone. It is calmer, more weighted, and imparts a softer top-end. High-hats, tambourines, and violins have a smooth roll-off in the treble. It’s not an excessive amount of sparkle or air – but it still works out beautifully.
While the Benchmark AHB2 is the richer and denser, the TToby breathes out more clarity and energy. The TToby sounds cleaner, more vivid, and snappier. It also unravels details and presents a deeper depth in the soundstage. Silhouettes are also well-defined and the music just layers out in a more obvious manner. In regards to resolution, I feel the TToby is more transparent to the DAC it’s attached to.
As far as perspective, the AHB2 is more forward while the TToby sits further back. One thing I do enjoy more about the Benchmark AHB2 is the meatier midrange and low-end. There’s also a sense of ease with the AHB2 (probably due to the extra headroom). It sounds more “chocolate-dipped” and grounded while the TToby is more expansive and reaches further into the room.
In addition, the AHB2 also runs much cooler when driving my 84db ATC SCM7 V3. It’s barely warm to the touch.
In the end, I found myself sleeping with the Benchmark AHB2 but going home to the Chord Electronics TToby. Sometimes I’ll want that seductive intimacy (AHB2) – and other times, I’ll prefer something with a more free-spirted personality (TToby).
These are two very different sounding amplifiers. Both with their strengths and weaknesses. Which one you’d prefer will depend on what you’re looking to change in your system. Need more solidity and weight? AHB2. Want more shine and air up top? TToby.
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Great review Jay! When I auditioned my AHB2 with my (departed) B&W 803d3's and Chord Blu2+DAVE, I was delighted with the more intimate pieces, but wanted a bit more when it needed more. I ended up getting a second AHB, and things REALLY opened up when I was running them bridged as mono blocks.
Good to hear, Ray! I love the footprint of these AHB2s. Happy listening!
I’d like to leave a couple of comments/thoughts regarding the review of the Benchmark amp:
- your bias against the amp was given away when you referred to it as fitting on your monitor desk. It seems to send (at least to me) a subliminal viewpoint that this amp belongs with a monitor and computer and thus not to be taken seriously as a high end amp.
- Comparing this amp with another (of your choice) is curious since you seemed not to favor the Benchmark yet sang it’s praise. Talk about having it both ways. Anyhow, that’s just my opinion.
I've been using the AHB2 for a couple years now. I think what you hear when using this amp is everything else in your system, not the amp itself. I think it is the most transparent and neutral amp I've heard because it introduces so little noise of its own. I didn't read any mention of its outstanding THD, SNR and THX specs but anyone interested in the amp can read that from their site, or call them directly. They have amazing customer service.
Thank you for your comment. I've been told by many that it's a dead neutral amp (even this past weekend at AXPONA).
I've tried at least 6 different amps - and the AHB2 was relatively warmer. I don't think the First Watt J2 is completely neutral - but it sounded more neutral than the AHB2 to my ears. The AHB2 was closer to an F7 (which is much warmer than the J2). The STA200 and Vista Spark were on the brighter side. The TToby seems to somewhere in between. Which amplifiers have you compared and what cabling do you use?
Also, what do you mean by transparency? According to my definition of transparency, the TToby undoubtedly has more of it. I may have to revisit the AHB2.
Nice review.
I’ve borrowed the AHB2 in my system and listened to it in a friend's system.
From my experience the AHB2 is not as airy or as direct as a First Watt J2 or a Spectral
But I don't think it's warm either. I think it is quite neutral. It does not roll off highs ( it is not, which can be confirmed in the measurements) and can actually plays all music genres with equal aplomb. It is nicely detailed，soundstage stable with a quieter nature than any other power amp I have heard.
Perhaps it's due to comparison to Chord or the combination to ATC that one might felt it is warm?The impedance match can have a decisive change on frequency response.
The less airy or less direct nature could be due to the extremely low harmonic distortion (Nelson Pass wrote that some form of thd can increase directness or spatiality), as well use of THX technology (perhaps feedback or some loops which decreases transient responses ？ I'm not a tech guy anyways). Antithesis of a SET 845 amp？
It is my feeling that, even though AHB2 is not superior to any other power amps or superior to any other in its price range (as the AP measurements or some devotees would declare)，it is perhaps the most all-around power amp at its price range. (the equal aplomb into all music genres; the compact size; the low-hear; the adjustable gain......).
I completely agree. Well rounded and compact.
Hi Jay, you never really did a review on the STA-200, so I'm just gonna ask here: can you put in a few words to describe the sound signature between STA-200 vs AHB2 i.e. sound stage width & depth, warm/bright, detail retrieval, etc?
I'm asking because I own the STA-200 and like it, and am thinking about the AHB2 as an upgrade option.
I could only speak from memory. The STA-200 was more energetic, detailed, and expansive while the AHB2 was warmer and denser. They sound very different.
I have the amp and I found using the speaker binding posts sounds warmer/softer vs the Twist-lock NL4 SpeakON connectors. Same speaker wire.
Please allow me to weigh in on a subject that was mentioned here regarding using cables to warm a system’s sound signature.
I’ve been in pursuit of audio perfection for 40 years and have thousands invested in said pursuit only to realize that what I’m looking for is, well, nothing. I don’t want warm sound and I don’t want bright sound. I want the sound that is inherent in the recording.
If it’s a bad recording I want to hear it that way... I don’t want my system correcting or changing anything.
I believe this “philosophy “ has given me an enhanced appreciation of the better recordings!
The AHB2 is absolutely soundless. It sounds like it's not even there. I've never had an amp that completely gets out of the way. To fully appreciate it, you need a source that can feed it an almost noiseless -132db signal. Any color, warmth. brightness you hear is not coming from this amp. This thing is an engineering work of art in a very small and cool running package. No need for the massive space heaters any more.