New Benchmark AHB2 - High-resolution amplifier

[John Siau]

Hi John, that is a very interesting design. Some of the questions are already in this thread, like does Benchmark manufacture the amp or was the manufacturing outsourced? Do you have a target price range yet?

Another question... which market is this amp primarily targeted for? Home audio or pro studio?

Benchmark will manufacture the amp in our own facility in Syracuse, NY (just like all of our other products).

Price will be under $3000.

Like most of our products, this amplifier is targeted at both the pro and hi-fi markets. It will be available in a rack-mount version. RCA adapter cables provide a 3-wire connection back to unbalanced outputs, and the input sensitivity can be set with a toggle switch on the rear panel. We hope to introduce the SpeakOn connector to the hi-fi market as we see this as a very reliable and easy to use connector that provides a high-quality connection. We will sell SpeakOn equipped cables.

The bridged mono mode delivers 340 W with no loss in distortion performance.

 

[Irvrobinson]

Benchmark will manufacture the amp in our own facility in Syracuse, NY (just like all of our other products).

Price will be under $3000.

Like most of our products, this amplifier is targeted at both the pro and hi-fi markets. It will be available in a rack-mount version. RCA adapter cables provide a 3-wire connection back to unbalanced outputs, and the input sensitivity can be set with a toggle switch on the rear panel. We hope to introduce the SpeakOn connector to the hi-fi market as we see this as a very reliable and easy to use connector that provides a high-quality connection. We will sell SpeakOn equipped cables.

The bridged mono mode delivers 340 W with no loss in distortion performance.

Thanks for the reply, John.

I'm a big fan of SpeakOns too; spades and bananas aren't as safe or easy to use.

I would have guessed that distortion will actually be lower in bridged mode than in two-channel mode, so your last comment is no surprise.

 

[Goliath]

The AHB2 design was optimized for low distortion and low noise.

Most modern amplifiers today have very low noise and distortion.

Nevertheless the AHB2 is much more efficient than a conventional class AB design.

Sounds cool.

 

[haraldo]

Benchmark is working on a set of speakers too now

ABH-2 and new speakers will be showcased at the National Association of Music Merchants Show in Anaheim, CA January 23-26.