Specs are important. If you see specs for an amp saying frequency response 50Hz to 14KHz and THD 3% then you know it's not hi fi by a long way and without listening to it.

SMPSU's can be just as good as traditional PSU's if done right. I don't like them much but that's 'cos they're a pain in the arse to repair and less reliable than traditional supplies.

Paul.  I would say that is your opinion and you are entitled to it, but it is of course Dunn's and you are merely voicing it on his behalf.  I can think of any number of valid criticisms of the Benchmark and my opinion of it, which could have been posted

1) My listening opinions are based on very limited experience (close to none recently) of other quality designs which might be a reference.  The Chord being one I would particularly like to hear, and compare the Benchmark to
2) The design is for the pro market, and includes features, at a cost, which are unnecessary for HiFi, like small size, cool running, low power consumption, 12v trigger switching, switchable input sensitivity, switchable bridged mono, and HEAPS of protection

Let's have a look at your statements one at a time

The first 2 seem to be a statement of defensive nonsense.  How would you know how to design audio?  How would the man you represent? - by his own admission he struggles with maths, which is why his "creations" are minor modifications to existing circuits.  I have found this world of hifi forums full of wannabe designers, who since they lack the technical skills to produce original designs from scratch (cos its hard work) have a go at tweaking a bit and seeing if they like the sound.  Nothing wrong with that if HiFi is your hobby - and you want to join in in that way.  But don't pretend you either are designing new product or could.

If it measures good it doesn't necessarily sound good.  Well - I'm happy to admit I haven't carried out enough tests to state authoritatively - but based on 3 amplifiers designed by the measurement only route Pip, Integral and Benchmark AHB2 I would be inclined to comment that if you measure the right things you get pretty good results.  All those reviewing them have agreed with that conclusion.  I am not aware of a dissenter - and the Benchmark has had more than a dozen recent reviews.
I would note in this regard that your comment was in relation to my comment about HOW THE AMPLIFIER SOUNDED - not measured.  My comment was based on listening to it - supported by reviews of others who had listened to it

Your comment was based on what?  You hadn't listened to it!  It contradicts the only reviews you could have read.  So presumably, in the role of Grima, your opinion was just serving the purpose of spreading the "truth" of your mentor. 

"and I think £3K is rather excessive for a pro mkt product." - and again - exactly what do you know about this.  As a statement of fact the pro market are lapping it up and buying it like hot cakes.  i think the first comment after the stereophile review by someone who actually knows that market is more relevant "
Fairly affordable for state of the art.
Submitted by jimtavegia on October 22, 2013 - 4:23pm

I would think that would be hard to keep in stock at that price. Game-changer. "

As for SMPS - another post I think - but again I think the comment belongs to hobbyists without the ability to implement the technology.  Again your principal demonstrated his lack of understanding of electrical basics, like how a transformer works in combination with core electrical safety devices like an RCD on this very forum

 "You are talking nonsense. Do you realise what has to fail in order for that to happen. You have a RCB in your house, you don't need another one. The very very worst that can happen is one leg of the balanced line i.e. 120v (considered relatively non lethal) will be available and if any significant current is drawn it will still trip the house RCB. It is like putting a plaster on top of a plaster. You really should stick to accountancy.

Read more: theaudiostandard.net/thread/277/power-regeneration-thread#ixzz3fqc1J1CJ
"
(The Power Regeneration thread July 12 2014 10:10)


So I thank you for your opinions, and value them accordingly

I can't understand why a common view on switch mode based amps makes me an RD puppet. I don't have a problem with people designing an amp by specs but auditioning and tweaking to achieve a musical sound has to be essential. What is value for money is a matter of opinion but I imagine the Benchmark branding will help. Richard you are just regurging technical info from your mate and this rather smells of a promotion. I thought you were an accountant and not an electronics expert in any case.

Chris - forget SMPS.  Forget Dunn-bots

Paul hasn't listened to the amp (and very probably has no auditioning experiences to base his comments on) and yet makes comments like

"tweaking to achieve a musical sound has to be essential"

Let me make this unambiguous Paul.  You are wrong.  The amplifier "sounds musical" (probably, actually, the music sounds musical because the amplifier doesn't sound at all).  There was no auditioning tweaking.  Period

And for basic electricity like how a transformer isolates one circuit from another I no longer need coaching by any mates.  Its fairly schoolboy, and I am happy I understand it comprehensively all by myself.  Just like you could probably add up a till receipt without having an ICAEW qualification.

As for promoting Benchmark, you are of course right, and if you let me know which character you fancy playing in the next Star Wars film, I'll be happy to ensure you get the part.

Not so. Devialet don't 'do' power amps, as such. Their products combine pre-amp, power amp, phono amp and streamer in the one box, the equivalent to the Benchmark in terms of output being the 120 wpc model at £3990.

IMO, hifi enthusiasts for the most part are best sticking to the 'I like the sound of this' approach, unless they're prepared to do some serious background reading and build stuff. Otherwise they risk parroting someone else's half-understood words.

That's a different matter.  I'm asking you to respect our rules and other members.

As to the SMPS bit which I said I would reply to in a separate post

First see my earlier post quoting Benchmark that they had RESEARCHED power supplies (not just thought about it) and FOUND SMPS to be QUIETER than a conventional linear, and gone on to explain why.  As previously noted this amp was designed for them by THX, a George Lucas company, and my guess is they don't go making claims like that based on wishful thinking.

I'll leave it to Jez to continue the technical argument, since he manifestly knows what he's talking about.

And I'll continue to take technical advice from those I know and trust to have the expertise

Finally - the Benchmark SMPS is not a cheap chinese wall-wart.  It is integral to the amplifier design using multiple power supply rails (class-G) and tracking power supply rails (class-H)

Following Martin T's answer to ClassicRocks "so what?" - ..".Benchmarks approach is to nearly eliminate all storage after the power supplies (ie capacitors).  Power supply regulation takes the place of energy storage, responds quickly to peak loading, maintains very low ripple voltage and provides immunity to AC line-voltage fluctuations"

Power supply "shortcomings" manifest themselves in noise and distortion measurements.  I go back to the expert comment I received about measuring mains treatments and mains noise reduction

"The place to measure the effect of any noise is not on the input to the power supply, but the output of the amplifier"  Looks like SMPS delivers the goods then

MODERATION: Post deleted.