I Tested TWELVE HiFi Amps to find “The One”. The Winner is…
By Steve Huff
I uploaded this article for 2 days a couple of weeks back and then something happened that changed the outcome, so here it is again, with a different conclusion!
Let’s just get going…
I have owned and setup countless audio systems in various spaces (of my own) over the last 40 years but it was not until recently that I feel that I have set up my all out hands down favorite system that I have ever owned, in my own space. I am not saying this is “the best” but for sure it is indeed my “fave”.
Yea, I have had some crazy setups in here over the years like when I had a setup here that cost an eye watering $250k (retail), but no that was not my fave setup (or the best for this room) so throwing more money at it didn’t help.
This post, article or whatever you want to call it is not a review at all though it may be useful to some of you reading. Instead this is a “personal diary” of sorts that outlines my search to find the right amp for my speakers, once and for all. I am sure more than one of you have gone through something similar in this hobby with trying to find that one component you will be 100% happy with, even after years. I need to do this myself right now due to a move coming up.
This move will take every ounce of my available cash so I have to get this right. I cannot do what I have done in the past, buy, try, sell and repeat. Been there, done that and with my new move and room, this had to stop as no more play money for my audio gear, at least for a year or two.
I will talk about a few things first and then get to talking about how each of these 12 amps and the sources did with my particular speakers. Only one can be the victor here but this is all very personal and subjective. I went back and forth a few times and was unsure of myself until the end. This page will describe the journey for anyone interested! I factored in build, style, performance, all out sound quality, price vs performance and warranty.
It’s a bit long so sit back, grab a coffee and enjoy!
One of the amps tested is the beautiful and powerful Unison Research Unico DMV2
Let’s start with the speakers which prompted my desire for an amp that will mate perfectly with them.
My main reference speakers going forward are the SV Audio Gro speakers. This is the set that I hailed as “the one” that ends the search in my review.
Yea, these can indeed end the search and have for me when it comes to speakers. They are stunning from top to bottom and bring such a musical tour de force to my room. Thanks again to Next Level HiFi for selling these beauties (they were demo models used at shows) to me in the Bentley Bronze finish. While I had to work some serious magic to be able to get the deal and the purchase down, it was worth it in the end. Since I am in the industry and these were demo show units I did get a discount and it was a partial trade (of sorts) along with some cash.
But here they are and here I am trying to find the right power for them so they can be the best they can be. I didn’t buy my dream speakers only to cripple them with the electronics.
Now yes indeed, these are very expensive high end “dream” speakers though not even close to the SV Audio (or other brands in this higher end area) middle or top tier speakers which come in at close to $90k. The Gro are $32k retail, are the 2nd speaker up from the bottom and are made in Denmark, in small handcrafted batches. They use top tier parts and sound engineering to deliver a balanced and beautiful performance. This is one high end speaker (there are many out there) that lives up to the promise of high end sound, or at least what I feel it should be. They have a stand mount two way called the Frida that sells for $22k but it is quite striking in design.
The SV Audio Frida is the brands “starter” speaker in the lineup and comes in at $22k
I mean, in reality it took me 40 years to find the SV Gro, and it happened by accident when I was not even looking for them. Kind of like when you meet the love of your life, most of the time it happens when you are not looking. What I mean is…it took me 40 years to be able to not only find but also afford to get a pair of a speakers such as this. So after decades of buying, selling and trading audio gear here we are. I used to do this audio hobby just for fun and hey, who am I kidding? I still do this for fun and enjoyment but these days I talk about it to all of you as well. I love what I do and am so happy I started this website way back in 2004!
The Beautiful AGD Allegro with T10 Streamer and Synergistic Research Powercell 12SX
Back to 1985 when I was 16…
When I was 16 I had a system I loved very much but this setup was my 1st and only “real” system back then. That was the one that hooked me for life. It wasn’t fancy, overly expensive ($1500 or so in 1985) nor was it anything like most of what I review these days. Even so, I listened to that system almost every single day during my main teenage years. In the AM when I woke, at night as I dozed to sleep. That system was indeed what got me through life in my teens as I was not a popular guy back in those days. I had two good friends and that was it. I did not hang with anyone from school or talk to anyone in class. Having ADHD my entire life (non medicated) I was unique in my own way but man I loved my stereo system, as basic as it was.
I will say it was easier then as when you push speakers up against a wall and so close together things such as “magic” do not exist in the music reproduction. This kind of system is more for jamming out not soundstage performance and imaging. Even so I loved jamming out in the 80’s on my system. I forgot though…I did in fact have a system before this that had me catch the bug. It consisted of a saxophone amp and speaker I found in the trash and a turntable. That was it but that was a hodge podge and even had a reverb control lol. That stayed with me for a few months until I could get the full system.
A replica of my 1980’s system as a teen. Before I cared about soundstage. layers and “air”!
It was that little system that comforted me through the hard times, the bad times and even celebrated the good times with me. I bought one new record every week (depending on my mood that week) at the local record store and would listen to that front and back until the next week.
Yea. I was all in as that hooked me for life to having a stereo system.
That system at the time had a great sound, or at least I thought so back then. I had no reference as it was my first and only real system. It had a turntable, CD player and even cassette deck. It put out 100 watts and came with the speakers which were about 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Looking back they were most likely made of cheap particle board but to me, as a teen, they sounded great. I would blast KISS ALIVE! on the weekends regularly and jam out by myself in my basement room.
That $1500 system had a sound of beefy bass, big body, nice but a somewhat of a raggedy treble extension. As long as I didn’t turn it up too loud it sounded just right to me. I had the speakers all the way against the wall and that little setup rocked, at least that’s what I thought back then.
The sound of that simple system stuck with me through life as it was with me for a good 8 years (and all I knew) until I was married and sold it. I had to sell as I was broke and with a kid on the way at 25 years of age. I needed as much cash as I could horde. When my son was 2 back in 1998 I started it up again with a Marantz integrated and some Paradigm flagship speakers. I drove all the way to Canada from Indiana to go buy them myself. Over the next 25-30 years or so I tried so many setups as it was truly an addiction.
The interesting thing is that most of these newer systems? I enjoyed them but not as much as my old teenage cheap setup. I was spending more but getting less enjoyment. Little did I know that the more you spend on audio the harder it is to get it to sound good as now we deal with synergy, matching, letting the speakers “breathe” and cables which may or may not alter the sound. There is a lot to it, or so I thought. I was a newbie to this “high end” stuff in the 90s but quickly learned the ins and outs.
I needed the perfect room, the right speakers for the room, the right amp to power the speakers, the right positioning of the speakers in the room and now the source has to be pristine as well. This was not the audio I knew as a kid, it was a whole new thing. I started to enjoy experimenting with new speakers, amps and equipment and I became obsessed with the entire process. I started trading gear as well. I was hoping to find the system that I would love so much I couldn’t get rid of it.
Finding the sound…
Not that I was trying to replicate bad cheap sound, which is in reality what I had when I was 16. No, I was trying to find that body, that groove, the alive energy that made me get up and dance but in a more refined type of sound that could immerse me in the music more. I wanted a huge soundstage that I could walk into if I wanted and a realism that would put goosebumps on my arm. I searched for much better bass and a cleaner sound.
Many higher end setups in the 90s lacked soul and because digital was in its early days it sounded like…digital. Clean and fast? Yea, sure but most digital sounded a bit cold and hard. The opposite of what I sought.
Vinyl ruled the day in the 90’s for me as well as CD but the compact disc wasn’t there yet for me in all out soul and sound quality. Even so, many of these higher end setups I saw in the 90’s and 2000’s in hifi shops were fast, lean and built for detail and not much else. Hence, the search never ended.
Keep in mind I will never seek a system that sounds”slow and syrupy” but rather, something that could bring excitement, thrills and a big body/foundation with some nice airy highs. I wanted clarity but not sterility. A human connection to the music. I wanted to hear music like this and without ever having fatigue. A nice big open stage would be nice as well.
These taught me that speakers, yes, are #1 in any system but only after the room, which will have the biggest effect on sound quality. Then it is source which means your streamer, DAC and/or Analog rig. Then cables to polish it all off. I use Synergistic Research Foundation XL as a full loom exclusively and that alone has helped my system dramatically when it comes to overall balance and refinement.
So yes. I found the speakers that fit the room size just right. Now I had to find “the one’ amplifier for them that would please me for long term.
I have tested the SV Gro now with so many amps. Integrated amplifiers, all in one amps, mono amps, stereo amps, big power, low power, tubes, cheap, mid and expensive variety’s. I have heard them with DACs priced from $350 to $25,000. I spent a lot of time trying to find the perfect pairing to these gorgeous speakers (that I can afford) for the kind of sound I enjoy. It’s hard to make these sound bad or even slightly so but with the right power behind them, and source, these can as magical as I have ever heard. in the right size room.
I have found the SV Gro allow me to hear what each amp sounds like as well as what each DAC sounds like and they are remarkable in this way. Even cable swaps are easily heard. Most high end speakers do this and it is pretty cool when you get to experience this level of “reveal”. These speakers are revealing enough to do this but not so much so that you lose the soul of the music. That is the key word here…”SOUL”. But the amp will have a huge impact on what they sound like, as I was soon about to find out. The SV Gro speakers seem to be neutral with an ever so slight lean to the warm side in my mostly wooden 13X18 room.
The amplifiers I loved with the SV Gro? Any of these could be the partner for them 100% but I had to consider cost, heat, size, weight and performance. I wasn’t just seeking the best sound but the best experience and also value for the money.
The ModWright 225i Tested with an Eversolo T10/Matrix NT-1 streamer as well as the Imersiv D1 and FIIO Warmer DACs. This setup has a gorgeous lit up hefty sound with illumination up top and in the upper midrange while staying smooth and soulful with big beefy body and low bass. The midrange here is very big in scale, voices are larger than life. Bass was bombastic and the sound was clean, refreshing, dynamic and alive yet had some warmth hidden in the flow. This integrated is one of my faves.
The MW is a bit old school in design and the only weakness with it for me was that on some days the transformer would hum a little and the amp is also a bit on the large and hefty side. The sound here was crazy good with the D1 DAC and Matrix NT1 streamer going to the SV Gro. I mean, insane. The sound was extremely holographic and open yet still had some smoothness and refinement. Huge soundstage in width, depth and height. BIG dynamics. Superb with neutral to slightly warm speakers.
The 225i is Class A/B but the first 15 watts or so is Class A and then goes to Class A/B with big power and current. The 225i comes in at around $10k and is well worth it if you seek a high end all analog old school integrated amp. Made in the USA.
Traits: Illuminating, big scale, powerhouse in the bass, superb imaging. Value for the Money: 7/10
Overall a 9/10 in sound with the SV Gro when using the Imersiv D1 DAC. Dropped to 7.5 out of 10 with the Warmer DAC so a great DAC is needed here as well to do full justice to the SV Audio speakers. Total cost for a killer setup of the 225i and great streamer and DAC? $20-$25k or $12500 for something like the Warmer.
The Burson Voyager Timekeeper Mono Amps. These sound delicious with the SV Gro as well and are a touch warmer and a little more fluid vs the ModWright yet still have some of the upper end illumination due to being Class A (1st 40 watts). These have a warmth and flow but also a little less body in the midrange to the music vs the 225i above. These are also a little holographic and open with a touch of crisp energy in there as well. Music sounded real, in the room, again with the D1 DAC which was an important ingredient here. With the Warmer DAC and external preamp the amps were not as magical but still sounded very nice.
The weakness here is that these run hot as hell and hotter than any amp I have had here. Either way these are faves of mine as well and the Voyager sound as good as some big dollar amps I have heard. Powered by the Imersiv D1 DAC this sound was all out amazing, reference and end game. The heat was killing me long term so I had to take them out for the summer. These come in between $6-$7k depending on power source you choose. Fusion Core highly recommended for best sound. These are amps that are priced super fair and right.
Traits: Powerful, Class A Illumination, some warmth in the mids and superbly quiet. Value for the money: 8/10
Overall an 8/10 with the SV Gro with the D1 DAC. Total cost with this DAC and T10 streamer would be $21k
AGD Allegro Integrated All In One. This is one I recently reviewed after having it in for 6-7 weeks. It’s a small all in one, but of the high end variety at $15k. The Allegro uses AGD’s patented tech in the GaN department so yes this is class D GaN and it’s the most mature I have ever heard any class D amp sound. It’s super unique as it has some character of class A. D and even some tube SET action. A mix of all three but not sounding like any single one. Very unique.
No it’s not dull. No it will not get hard or flat sounding as you turn it up. Yes this Class D sounds lovely and it is efficient.
The Allegro brings a sound that is powerful but insanely refined and yes it is more refined than the Burson or Modwright. It’s smoother and yet also brings inner details out like a champ due to the speed on tap here. The treble is much smoother and not as extended or illuminated as the others but this goes a long way to keeping things human and organic so it is a more mature kind of vibe and sound. Nothing is “off the shelf” here in parts and the AGD is made in California. AGD also has patents on their technology.
The first few days I wasn’t sure about the smooth flow here but then as the weeks went on I started to appreciate this sound.
With the Allegro everything was big, bold, smooth, clean and extended with high resolution. This is a $15k box but has a streamer, custom made R2R DAC, 250 WPC amp, class A head amp and a phono stage that does MM and MC.
This is one of the most silent amps I have ever had in here. Sounds like it is off when on but when on this is a very dimensional amp when it comes to sound. Can also be used as a preamp and when tested it was lovely though RCA out only for this feature. The remote is gorgeous, most luxurious of the lot and heavy duty. Made in the USA.
Traits: Soul, Beauty, open yet with warmth, beautiful imaging and immersion, smooth and powerful. Value for the $: 7/10
Overall an 8.5/10 with the SV Gro using the internal custom voiced R2R DAC inside. Cost $15k retail, $17k with T10 streamer but the AGD has one built in. The D1 DAC brings more life, excitement and illumination but this brings the cost closer to $30k which is insane territory for me. As is, the Allegro is a stunner.
Luxman 509Z. This is a kick butt integrated amplifier and IMO one of the best Luxman integrated models ever made. It’s very supreme in design and build. It has power, pizazz, a gorgeous design and is made in Japan. Luxman has history and legacy and for good reason. Their integrated amps are some of the best you can get in this hobby of ours. With the SV Gro the sound of the 509Z was a bit intoxicating due to the midrange and upper midrange clarity and snap.
The amp stayed pretty quiet as well but not as eerily quiet as the AGD or Burson. There was an illumination up top that also sounded more like the music had a glow about it. The midrange was leaner but cleaner than the others while the bass was very tight yet explosive when called upon. It felt about as heavy as the ModWright. The SV Gro have tremendous bass capabilities and when the right amp is hooked up this becomes obvious. The Luxman sound was close to the Burson sound here but a touch more open and clean. A stunning integrated amp. The Luxman now costs around $14k retail so it is another high end option though used prices are much better. Can’t ever go wrong with Luxman these days. Pricey but world class.
Traits: Tremendous detail without being lean or hard. Sound is open with texture, layers and illumination in the treble. Value for $: 7/10
Overall the Luxman scored an 8.5/10 with the SV Gro with the D1 DAC and also an 8.5 with the Warmer due to its added warmth . Total retail cost with D1 DAC and streamer would be $29k or $16k for the lower cost DAC.
McIntosh MA 5300 – Not my fave in the McIntosh lineup but I had this amp here twice. The first time I thought it was good but not worth the asking price. The second time with the SV Gro things changed a bit as yes… speakers matter and not all speakers will mate with every amp perfectly. My first experience with the 5300 was with different speakers and I feel that is what made me not like it much. It didn’t have synergy with what I had at the time. This time, it did. The SV Gro are easy to drive and will never sound “bad’ no matter the amp but they can sound unreal and special with the right amp.
The 5300 drove them with a plumpness and shine in the mids with a softer treble kind of like the AGD, almost. Bass was nice but not like the Luxman or Modwright as it was a bit looser and subdued. This one sounded good but wasn’t my “fave” out of all of these though it is more affordable than some of the others. This is around a $7k buy these days. It did sound really good with the Gro.
Traits: Smooth, body, flow and impactful punch. Value for the $: 7/10
Overall this one gets a 7/10 from me with the SV Gro (using the 5300 DAC) as it sounded just a little bit unfocused compared to other amps here. Total cost with a truly great DAC (internal DAC is not my fave) would be between $14-$20k or under $10k with a non exotic level DAC. This sounded superb with the D1 DAC, again, a $12k endeavor on its own. With the Warmer it sounded very nice but not to the level of the other amps.
Oilily 211 SET TUBE AMP – This is a sweet amp and the most affordable of all that I tested with the SV Gro yet it is one of my fave setups with the Gro. Coming in at $1799 over at Amazon this amp is really a gem hidden amongst the sea of crappy tube amps that exist on Amazon. There are a few gems there but this one is pretty incredible if it floats your boat.
The 211 MKII is a class A Single Ended tube amp that runs in pure Class A. It pumps out 12-14 watts per channel and uses 2X211, 2X6SN7 and 12AX7 tubes. This one has point to point hand wiring, wide bandwidth transformers and quite a bit more. It drove the SV Gro with ease in a 13X18 room at any volume I needed. I could not argue with how gorgeous this one sounds. Real, human, palpable…goosebumps territory with rich warmth and a glow along with some holographic imaging. The 211 tubes get insanely HOT. This is pure Class A as well.
Build, looks, sound is all top notch for a 211 amp. You can buy this amp here.
Traits: Air, glow, smooth rich sound while being open, holographic and layered like any good SET amp. Value for $: 9/10
I rate this one an 7.5/10 with the SV Gro. It’s a bit big in bass and packs some magic and lovely plump warmth. The price is fantastic at $1799.
NAD M33 streaming amplifier – This is one I had to hear as I have had three or four music lovers tell me how impressive this unit is, and yes it is. This one is as close to the AGD Allegro as I could get in regards to amp type and features. The M33 has a streamer/DAC/amp and comes in at around $7k for the VII model so half price of AGD. This one is great and I really enjoyed having it here for just a few days. Not enough time for a full review but enough time to know if it is the match to the SV Gro that I have been seeking.
The sound was smooth and rich but didn’t engage me quite as much as the AGD. Even so, probably worth saving some cash and the savings here are huge vs the AGD. If I didn’t hear a couple of the other amps with the Gro this one may have ranked much higher.
Traits: Smooth class D sound, powerful, easy to use/operate and punchy. Somewhat open and detailed as well. Value for $: 9/10
This one gets a 7/10 with the Sv Gro with its internal DAC. With the D1 DAC bumps up to 9 though this turns it into a $20k endeavor.
Pass Labs INT-25 – This is an all analog integrated I have always loved and have a soft spot for. I haven’t heard one in years so managed to borrow one for a few days. I reviewed this years ago but never heard it with the SV Gro. Using the Imersiv D1 DAC the sound was alive, real and magical in the upper midrange if not just a hair shiny. The SV Gro speakers are a very easy drive and the 25 watts of Class A power here drive them to any level I wanted in my room. No issues there. I loved this with the little FiiO Warmer DAC as it warmed it up and brought more beauty.
I spent a weekend comparing this to everything I had in and the result was that the INT 25 brought a very nice, beautiful and open sound. There is a nice humanity to the midrange that was so sweet and nice. Treble was somewhat airy. The INT 25 doesn’t have a DAC or streamer so this would be needed. It’s also class a so runs very warm and costs more to run as well. Man, all of these amps bring something of their own to the table. Going to be a hard decision to make but this one illuminates much more than say the AGD or Burson. I used to have a pass preamp and the 60.8 mono amps here but there is something very charming about the INT-25. Sometimes less is more.
Traits: Detail, shine, energy, an aliveness to the sound with some body and slight warmth in the mids. Open and deep. Value: 7/10
With the SV Audio Gro the INT-25 ranked an 8/10 for me with the Imersiv D1 and a 8.5/10 with the Warmer. The Warmer paired very well with the Pass Labs and is a budget DAC. Cost with streamer and D1 would be $22k and with the Warmer and Streamer around $11k retail. This is a solid option but then I would be limited to the lower wattage. This only comes into play if I get tougher to drive speakers in to review.
LAIV Chorus mono amps with Crescendo DAC – These are a budget option yet sound nothing like a budget option. LAIV is doing amazing things in the class D world and here the sound is fat, full bodied and warm. Details are here but nothing extreme or bright. The sound is pure musical..as in..groove, body and a beat that doesn’t quit. It’s not super holographic or open, nor is it very 3D though the LAIV setup has some of these traits which is incredible for the price. The Chorus mono amps sound pleasing, musical and big but more warm and full with some upper illumination, just enough. These cost under $3k for the entire setup WITH DAC so the most affordable and yes I could tell this was the case in the sound when comparing direct to the others. Even so, for this price I do not feel you can find better sound anywhere. These will also never hum or buzz but I did get some slight hiss from my 92db speakers when idle.
Traits: Warm, fluid, beefy and with impact and punch. Full bodied sound. Value for $: 9.5/10
These mono amps one gets a 6.5/10 with the SV Gro when using the Verse DAC when compared to the rest. Cost is under $3k for the mono amps and DAC/Pre but these can be a 10/10 in the right setup.
SoulNote A2 and D2 M KII – This combo is stunning and wow, wow, wow with the SV Gro. This brings and paints a large 3D stage with the focus being on “holographic and open”. The midrange is supremely clean and bordering on “too clean” at times but it never crosses that line. It’s energy, it’s alive, it is remarkable. This one is all about detail, illumination and soulful energy. The SN boxes manage to bring a balance of audiophile sound and being musical. The midrange is a little leaner and more pushed back vs ModWright which is more forward, and the bass is just as bombastic. This setup is up there in WOW factor. The D2 MKII DAC is stunning as well as the integrated. Made in Japan, this set costs between $18-$19k so up there in price vs the rest. Would need a streamer and the T10 would be perfect. I preferred the SoulNote D2 MKII DAC with the A2 MKII vs the Imersiv DAC. Synergy.
Traits: Very open in sound, like a window that has just been cleaned. Holographic as I have heard with some soul. Value for $: 8/10
This duo gets a stunning 9/10 with the Sv Gro. Cost with streamer would be $21-22k
Unison Research DMV2 and Pre V2 – These tube hybrid options are the latest flagship from Unison research and they are large, old school and sound ultra sweet and precise yet also have some romance built in. Made in Italy, I have this set here now and have for many weeks. The amp for me is the star of the show and it sounds clean, has superb detail retrieval and has massive impact as in punch. This is a great amp and will power even hard to drive speakers. This is meant for those big fancy speakers that cost a ton of cash as it can drive them with authority and ease ; )
The dynamics here are just behind the ModWright which has won the dynamic contest so far. Bass is tight and clean but not so tight it sounds lean, not at all. This one can shake the room with precision as if subs are hooked up. Less character and human nature than the AGD yet it brings more soul and richness vs the more direct McIntosh. This setup is just under $20k and the amp is quite large. This is around the same price as the SoulNote and $5k more than the AGD option.
Traits: Texture, solidity, density and richness to the sound. Details done just right. Not too warm, not too cool. Just right. Value for $: 7/10
I give the Unison duo a 7/10 with the SV Gro as it wasn’t the perfect match to them, though it was for the Helios and there I gave it a 9/10. All depends on the speaker you choose to drive. Cost of the pre and amp and adding a T10 streamer would be $21k as the Pre V2 has a built in DAC.
Benchmark DAC 3 and AHB2 – Many have asked me to review this setup and one guy told me it is the “best” regardless of cost or brand and he was dead set on that. I have been skeptical of course. I was able to get this set in for a 30 day trial. What you have heard about Benchmark is right. They measure perfectly, are dead neutral and do not seem to color the sound at all, but what is this sound? Is perfection in amplification real?
There is a somewhat very clean yet very full bodied sound with fast yet plentiful bass and a big open midrange with the SV Gro and Benchmark gear, which is not what I expected at all. With that big clean beefy sound there is also quite a bit of detail being exposed though it does it with quite a bit more pizazz than the AGD and some of the others. This set is dynamic and punchy and really brings out the treble air and pen sound but stays ultra quiet as well. It’s as quiet as the AGD Allegro.
The goal of benchmark was to create the sound of Class A by using Class A/B with Class H voltage rails for the best efficiency. This also uses some kind of THX tech. The sound is different from all the others here, but each set here does sound quite different.
This set has the chime and shine of a great class A but all of the body and speed of a great class A/B. It’s small, runs slightly warm but never hot and puts out 100 WPC into 8ohms, 190 into 4ohms. I love the size and energy of this combo. You can buy two and bridge them as well.
I tested the ABH2 with the DAC 3 HGC from Benchmark which has a preamp and remote. With the Eversolo T10 going to the DAC and then going from DAC to ABH2 amp via XLR the sound was quite “perfect” really. I enjoyed this sound immensely but was wondering if it would be “too much of a good thing” and maybe would get to be too much over time. Well, after daily listening for two weeks I had no fatigue at all, not even close. The sound is more open, illuminating and alive than some of the others here while staying cool and silent. At the same time there is indeed some soul here as well though not as much as the AGD. It’s crazy really.
This setup is also compact and very nice looking and comes in at around $5200 TOTAL for the AHB2 amp and DAC3 HGC. This is a great price point as it comes in for far less than the options from Luxman, Soulnote, AGD and even the McIntosh integrated. Just add streamer though you will not find a phono stage here nor a proper preamp. Benchmark makes a dedicated preamp but I did not get that in for the review.
Traits: Detail, Shine, Treble illumination, some body and soul. Silence is Golden. Value for $: 9.5/10
I give the benchmark duo a 9.5/10 with the SV Gro though for all out sound. This setup sounds like perfection top to bottom. This set is small, much more affordable, uber quiet and runs cool/warm. It’s a contender for sure and with the T10 would cost $7500 or so complete.
The Eversolo A8 MKII Master Edition
The Winner
So what did I ultimately choose to go with the SV Audio speakers that I purchased?
This was tough as I truly enjoyed all of these in their own ways. Some I loved and a couple I kept flip flopping on. I was all set for the ModWright to be the winner (and it was early on), then I decided SoulNote was just so beautiful in all ways that it would be the setup I needed. The A2 MKII and D2 MKII would be stunning. Then I thought about the size and having two heavier silver metal boxes when I originally wanted to go to something more compact. There were so many options here that would work and have me happy for a long time but...I wanted to spend less and get more for my money this time vs doing the opposite.
I did not want or seek a compromise in sound at all so I would rather get less overall build and design if the sound is just right. If I could sell off other expensive gear to offset the cost even better. Even better if I gain some cash back in my pocket for the move.
And the one that I chose for the SV Gro? This has now changed from my original choice.
Holy Heck! I chose BENCHMARK!!! Even I cannot believe it but I cannot dispute what I heard.
Here is the system that I landed on with the SV Audio Gro. It turned out to be my fave system that I have had here when it comes to sound quality and all out enjoyment while spending less. Digital sounds beautiful with the SV Speakers. Zero fatigue. Perfect balance. After seeing what I could purchase this setup for it came in for much less than almost all of the others yet delivered the best all out sound with the Gro for my tastes. No, this is not overly analytical or bright or lean at all, or in any way.
- SV Audio Gro Speakers
- Benchmark ABH2 Amp
- Benchmark DAC 3B
- Benchmark LA4 Preamp
- Eversolo T10 Streamer
- Synergistic Research 12SX power conditioner
- Synergistic Research Foundation XL Cable loom
Once I spent serious time with the Benchmark it really sank in that I actually love these pieces that just so happen to measure so well. I have not always loved “perfect” measurements when it comes to audio gear as I have heard some that were downright hard to enjoy. This time though, the measurements really matches up to the sound. I will say that you must get this set right to hear it like this. The right speakers, set up right into the room. The right source as the source is what feeds the system. The right speakers for your room size, etc.
The sound with the SV Audio Gro, Triangle Soltice and Fleetwood Helios is spectacular. With the SV Audio the sound is Alive, Open, Dynamic, Refreshing and very Holographic yet there is soul as well. I am getting a massive soundstage, delicate detail and major impact and slam if wanted. I get absolutely no fatigue and can listen for many hours, and never want to turn it off. The money savings is a bonus. The soundstage is wide, deep and a little tall but not the tallest I have heard. The sound is also not warm, juicy or romantic like tubes.
I had to let go of some pre-conceived notions on the Benchmark gear as I have heard the ABH2 amp before and didn’t care for it so much back then. I know why now as I did not hear it with the proper preamp and DAC 3 as designed. One thing to note is that this setup is really designed to all go together perfectly. I mean the Benchmark preamp and DAC will sound best with the ABH2. When I use a different pre into the ABH2 it’s good but not nearly as nice in sound and can sound leaner and/or even duller. As is here, there is no lean sound whatsoever. Nor bright, Nor forward. It’s quite beautiful and does indeed have that human touch and some soul as well. At least with SV Gro, Fleetwood Helios and Triangle speakers in a 13X18 space.
I like that I can add a 2nd amp and bridge them if ever needed. I love the small size and classy design. They will not heat my room. These do not have the best build quality of all of the amps in this list, but that is where I can compromise, if I can call it that as these are made to a very high standard in the USA. Benchmark has been around a long time.
Everything I read about these products, many either love Benchmark or dislike them. I believe it’s about synergy, room and whether you are using the full stack. Also, I would not pair these with bright speakers, nor would I with SoulNote or Luxman.
With the right setup these products shine to the highest level I have heard, and for MUCH less $$ than other high end options. It’s still going to cost you for the triple set or dual set of DAC and AMP but cry once and be done : )
The BenchMark trio is fantastic, as is the DAC 3 HGC with ABH2. The LA4 Preamp will allow for better low volume listening and also perfect matching as well as proper preamp inputs and outs.
As a package this is a 9.8/10 with the SV Gro. My best score for performance and value for money.
I will say my #2 was the AGD, My #3 was ModWright. My #4 would have been SoulNote. I picked AGD initially but with the SV Gro there was a better synergy with the BenchMark.
ONE THING – This was my choice for the SV Gro speakers. This doesn’t mean this amplifier will deliver what you love with your speakers and room. Audition is always a must. With a different speakers another amp could have won the battle. These also come with a 5 year warranty which is nice.
I thought I had my “retirement system” set with all of the multiples of boxes and cables I had here just a few months ago but in the end, I had to downsize, simplify and save money. I also had to gain some cash while allowing the speakers I invested in to sound as good as they can sound.
Sometimes a downsize is a good thing and we had no idea our home would sell on day 1. We were told it could take 1-2 years due to our location! When it sold we were in a mad rush to find a new home, and it cost more than we were hoping as it was hard to find something in our price range, impossible it seemed. I had no choice but to downsize some right now as life, health and home always comes before audio, even for me. My new room will debut sometimes in August over at my YouTube channel. Similar size, just a little larger/wider/longer but same shape.
Also, to be clear, all amps and setups here were ones I LOVED. So these were all 100% valid options and many of them can be and are indeed end game in the world of HiFi Integrated amps.
UPDATE!
We moved to a new home and now have a new audio room. Things changed in this new room as it is larger. Rooms make the biggest difference to a system and yes, the Benchmark sounds super in here as well but it took me two weeks to treat the room just right. Once treated the Benchmark gear sounded just as good as it did in my old (all wood) room. Phew! So room setup is so important my friends as I thought I screwed up…but it was the room. I made the right choice but have to say I may add a 2nd amp, an integrated…from Accuphase ; )
