![]() ![]() The combination of Benchmark and Topping products would simply look ugly. ![]() No, my decision is based on just one practical reason ( the poor remote control performance) and a number of partially emotional reasons: Not just for technical reasons like the absence of limited in/outs and balance control (which I never use anyway) or the expected lack of quality of Topping products by some ASR-members. However, I decided not to do this and to test an HPA4. Now I could of course take my Topping Pre90 for this purpose. That's why I want to try out a pre-amp with analogue volume control "in between" the two units. The only (theoretical?) drawback with this combination is that the DAC volume control is digital, so the SNR gets worse at lower volume levels with digital input signals. I recently purchased a Benchmark DAC3 and an AHB2 (power amp). So sonically I would expect them to be very, very similar. For instance the Topping Pre90 has essentially the same specs. If you look at the specs of the line-amp section of the HPA4 it is not unique anymore. TLDR: HPA4 is worth WAY MORE than $3k, bite the bullet. ![]() I now have 2 systems (HP and Speaker) that I can instantly tell when hi-res media starts playing, and it was worth buying SACD and hi-res downloads! Unfortunately the power amps were not as mind blowing because my speakers aren't all that and room modes, but it's still revolutionary how much detail is available even thru CD. I got the HPA4 before the ABH2s and just that amp alone floored me, so I was kinda hoping for a similar improvement with the Benchmark power amps. Seriously, just the upgrade to running un-attenuated thru the DAC made a huge improvement, and the amount of resolution is astonishing. The ADI's balanced and headphone outputs can both operate at +24dBu which the HPA4 can accept, and now the HPA4's fully balanced stepped volume control can accept an un-digitally attenuated DAC signal and attenuate it in 256 steps! Perfectly matched!! And the HPA4's headphone amp is better than the RME, IMO.Īdditionally I now have a pair of ABH2's running bridged to my Tannoy Saturn S10s that sound absolutely stunning. My HPA4 was the upgrade path on my RME ADI-2pro and I've had no regrets. ![]()
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