Benchmark la4 review " May 3, 2021 · I have Benchmark LA4 and a friend brought his Topping Pre90 to experiment in one of my room setup. Nov 17, 2019 · In researching the LA4, I’ve read many reviews pairing it or the HPA4 (which really is just an LA4 line stage preamp with a headphone amp) with the very low noise, distortion and neutral Benchmark ABH2 stereo amp that describes very good neutral overall system results. " "If accurate reproduction is your wish, you won’t find a preamp with meaningfully better objective performance than the Benchmark LA4, especially one made in the United States at anything near the LA4’s price. '" Jul 12, 2010 · The Benchmark LA4 uses a bank of precision resistors switched by gold-contact relays to set volume in 256 steps of 0. " Jan 31, 2020 · Measurements speak for themselves at Benchmark Media Systems, a company that takes pride in the impeccable measured performance numbers of their products. "In his listening room, Kalman Rubinson compared the LA4 to a cable—and couldn't hear any difference. Priced at a very competitive $2495 USD, the small, squarish LA4 comes securely packaged, and includes a power cord, 12V trigger cable, and a manual complete with test reports. The Benchmark is smoother and overall more pleasing to the ear in my experience. As an aside, the Topping Pre90 has a a very finicky and frustrating remote while the Benchmark is a complete pleasure to use. I measured the Benchmark LA4's performance with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It"). " Nov 18, 2024 · LA4 - Receives Stereophile's Highest "Class A" Rating for Preamplifiers"Benchmark's usual approach to design is to out-spec the competition, and so it is here. " "The LA4 preamp may occupy neutral audio country, but it is a sweet piece of audio kit. 5 dB resolution. ) John Siau, Director of Engineering and chief designer at Benchmark Media, knew from an early age that he wanted to design electronic equipment. Jan 27, 2022 · Benchmark LA4 - 2022 Editors' Choice Award - TAS LA4 - "Best Volume Control" "By far, without question this is the best volume control I have ever encountered. Sep 30, 2020 · LA4 - "Class A - Recommended Preamplifier" The LA4 received Stereophile's top "Class A" rating in the preamplifier category. Benchmark said they essentially created the LA4 to take advantage of the phenomenally low distortion of their AHB2, and so it's really the combination of teh LA4/AHB2 that you at least technically realize the full dynamic range/low noise potential of those . Before I take the next step and do a free in-home trial of the Benchmark, has anyone had experience with both preamp’s and/or done a side-by-side test? Apr 9, 2019 · LA4 - "Audio Neutrality" "My initial impression was simple: The LA4 preamp plays everything that is, and nothing that isn'tNeutrality in Audio and that's really all this review needs to convey. S. The CODA #16 is quieter and maybe a better match but it is more expensive and more importantly likely too warm for my room. Sep 23, 2024 · The Benchmark LA4 uses a bank of precision resistors switched by gold-contact relays to set volume in 256 steps of 0. Been reading the forum for years and finally join the family here. " - John Atkinson, Stereophile "The LA4 is probably the most transp My review of the Benchmark LA4 line-level preamp and AHB2 power amp has been published: https: Aug 25, 2021 · The Bel Canto has a dynamic range near that of the LA4 and therefore had similar bass response. Nov 6, 2020 · (The following interview accompanies Paul Seydor’s review in the December, 2020 issue of the Benchmark Media Systems LA4 Line Amplifier and DAC3 B Digital-to-Analog Converter. 5dB each, and is fully balanced -- each channel has its own dedicated attenuator. The LA4 comes with a full user’s manual and (in the U. " Jan 20, 2021 · This approach to living has served me well—especially during this review of the Benchmark Media Systems HPA4 headphone amplifier ($2999). " "I must single out for special mention the volume control. Like other Benchmark equipment he has tested, the affordable LA4 challenged the resolution of JA's test instruments, with "superb" channel separation, "extremely low noise, and virtually no power-supply-related spuriae. The CODA is going to be the noisiest piece in the chain. Paul Seydor discusses this some in his LA4 review. Currently a Schiit Freya + preamp owner. ) a generous five-year warranty. The gain for the balanced inputs to the balanced output with the volume control set to "+15" was exactly 15dB, and reducing the control to "0. Dec 21, 2020 · Benchmark Media Systems LA4 Line Amplifier and DAC3 B DAC - Paul Seydor weighs in on a pair of affordable, high-performing components. 5 decibels each. " Dec 24, 2019 · The Benchmark LA4 uses a bank of precision resistors switched by gold-contact relays to set volume in 256 steps of 0. Like other Benchmark equipment he has tested, the affordable LA4 challenged the resolution of John Atkinson's test instruments, with 'superb' channel separation, 'extremely low noise, and virtually no power-supply-related spuriae. ” If so, the LA4 may be closer to the elusive ideal of a “straight wire with gain” than almost any other preamplifier on the market at any price. Sep 15, 2023 · "Benchmark's LA4 is the widest-bandwidth, widest-dynamic-range, lowest-noise, lowest-distortion preamplifier I have encountered. Dec 7, 2020 · I’ve had My Bryston BP-26 for quite a while and really enjoy it, however, I read Stereophile’s review of the benchmark LA4, and it seems like a great piece of equipment. 0" resulted in a gain of 0dB—ie, the output voltage was the same as the input voltage. Nov 18, 2024 · The Benchmark LA4 uses a bank of precision resistors switched by gold-contact relays to set volume in 256 steps of 0. A. Other circuit features inclu Feb 24, 2024 · Hello folks. "Benchmark's LA4 is the widest-bandwidth, widest-dynamic-range, lowest-noise, lowest-distortion preamplifier I have encountered. " Dec 24, 2019 · Sidebar 4: Measurements. While the whole unit is completely relay controlled, with a total of forty “precision relays switchi Jan 27, 2020 · I had the Topping Pre90 and still own the Benchmark LA4. Been overall pretty happy with it for the past few years until last week the tube stage went dead with no output (but the passive mode and solid state differential mode works Oct 26, 2020 · I will be able to see for myself how the HPA4/LA4 sounds with a non-Benchmark piece. " Oct 30, 2019 · The Benchmark LA4 uses a bank of precision resistors switched by gold-contact relays to set volume in 256 steps of 0. Jun 1, 2021 · In my system, I can not realize the full technical potential of the LA4 preamp. Unboxing While removing the Benchmark HPA4 headphone amp from its simple-but-effective packaging, I noticed three things. With the Benchmark gear I am always trying to match it with super quiet gear. The Benchmark LA4 fits into equipment racks for studios easily Apr 9, 2019 · The LA4 Line Amplifier is a linestage preamp introduced by Benchmark Media Systems in 2018. The 100% analog signal path features a pair of fully-balanced relay-controlled attenuators with 256 steps and 0. . I love its form-factor. " Apr 2, 2024 · The Benchmark LA4 uses a bank of precision resistors switched by gold-contact relays to set volume in 256 steps of 0. Nov 1, 2019 · Benchmark claims that the LA4 (and HPA4) “may be the only preamplifiers or line amplifiers that [exceed] the signal-to-noise ratio of the ultra-quiet AHB2. Aug 5, 2019 · The Benchmark LA4 uses a bank of precision resistors switched by gold-contact relays to set volume in 256 steps of 0. Dec 24, 2019 · The LA4's design, the company says, ensures long-term, low-distortion, low-noise operation with accurate interchannel balance and repeatability. Each increment of volume adjustment produces a satisfying click from the 40 relays inside. Anyway, I definitely recommend trying the LA4 at some point, especially since you can do so nearly risk free if buying from MD or Benchmark. " Mar 23, 2021 · LA4 - "Class A Recommended Preamplifier" "Class A" is the highest level award ed in the "Two Channel Preamplifier" category. Just my 2-cents having owned both products. The distortion levels of my CJ tube amps is too high. He concludes, 'the LA4 is probably the most transparent and revealing audio component I've ever used. We compared two use cases : 1) Direct stereo pre-amp 2) Front only pass thru from a multichannel Pre-pro Direct Stereo compare: Oppo 105D XLR out --> LA4 ---> Mark Levinson 536 / 802D3 Dec 21, 2020 · The Benchmark LA4 uses a bank of precision resistors switched by gold-contact relays to set volume in 256 steps of 0. First, I noticed that the amp had shipped from Syracuse, NY, where it was made. Oct 31, 2019 · LA4 - "Totally Neutral Musical Performance" "The LA4’s relay-managed volume control has 256 steps of adjustment of 0. Jan 27, 2019 · The award-winning Benchmark LA4 may be the most transparent line-level preamplifier available at any price. I love its simple operation. Their engineers are confident that when you listen to music with the Benchmark LA4 preamp ($2,599) and the Benchmark AHB2 power amplifier ($2,999) you’ll immediately understand why measurements matter. It also means that one can use multiple LA4s and know that they are accurately matched. Using the LA4 See full list on theaudiobeatnik. " - John Atkinson. com Nov 18, 2024 · The Benchmark LA4 preamp is designed, fabricated, and tested by Benchmark Media in the United States.
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