Makes sense. I'm going through my second "repair" process. First time..replaced with 2.5mm for a really low price. Now HFM is offering me "upgrade" to 3.5mm for a much higher price.

HFM customer service is great, isn't it. Wondering if your new set was 2.5mm or 3.5? Did you get to specify?

Forza Claire is the silver/copper hybrid. Very nice product. Yes, better than stock. The manufacturer is a very nice guy. See attached photos. Sorry if this post formats improperly.

yeah my friend. I think the left channel power tube has gone glitchy (that's the channel on Sus that failed). All sounds great but will be more wary and turn volume WAY DOWN when powering on.

OK. My last note on the topic. Then I shut up. Promise. I asked Jack Wu at Woo Audio this exact question (admittedly w/o mentioning preamp =>amp vs Woo product direct to HP's). He said exactly the opposite. Set low volume. Then plug in HPs. Then turn on amp. (That's also what's in the...

Finally got a response from Benchmark. Those of you are annoyed with me, please forgive. Question to them: Why would a tube amp, as a preamp, in front of AHB2, pose more risk than solid state preamp to headphones? Response: With a tube preamplifier there is a higher risk of DC offsets. A bad...

Well I'll be damned . Benchmark changed their webpage based on my input to them (based upon group input) and sent me a new link. Not quite where I think it shud be, but WE matter.

OK, since you responded. In my Woo Wa22 there has been a little "crinkle" in the left channel power tube - I can thump it and detect a slight rattle. It's a Tung Sol 5998 from Brent Jesse. Perhaps this little upset in the chain is feeding the problem. The left channel of Sus is what blew.

Maybe I can end the discussion and apologize for so much air time. I blew up Sus. HFM is going to replace. Tube amp feeding AHB2 from HP outputs is a risk. I get that very well. I crossed the line. I've alerted Benchmark, HFM and will let Woo audio know. Bottom line .. hey dufus don't push...

Yeah. I mean when I blew up Sus left channel, it was loud, but not crazy loud. hi-noon on pre-amp and med gain on AHB2. I won't go that extreme again, but it wasn't that loud and was not on "turn-on" or turn-off" or anything like that.

This is a fair response taking my discussion towards a different direction. Mike at Woo Audio told me that running XLR outs from the front panel of WA22 (as opposed to pre-amp outputs from the rear), into an amp would not cause a problem. I'm guessing I should alert them to my discussion.

What's wrong with the following outcome. A new person joins this forum and asks "I love Susvara but my current amp doesn't seem to be driving it as well as could be." Happens all the time. A response from the group is "Upgrading power if fully solid state is fine. But, if you are working with...

Agree. That's one of the things I told them.

Since you responded, here's more detail. I told him that folks, like me, have existing setups then get Sus and feel the existing setup is underpowered, so look to products like AHB2 to fill the gap. I went so far as to share with him that they might be losing market to things like Envy, etc...

No reason given. But the guy I'm talking to is a sales guy. Our last chat ended with me telling him this was a big Head-Fi topic and he said he'd "elevate it to the boss."

The folks at Benchmark responded with this webpage link. You will note their disclaimers for different HP types but not specifically referencing tube amps in front of their unit. Sus is highlighted as OK. Link for Benchmark AHB2 HP connector I was told by some folks to "take this discussion...

Will do. No more posts from me. I certainly do not intend to be a pest. I'll muddle along.

My friend. Can you explain why SET amps might be better/safer for HPs? Hopefully short, non-jargony response for non-expert types like me. :)

Thanks. I've told their techs to check out this thread. I'll shoot your message to them right now. But, I think pumps and pops are not the issue with Benchmark - it has not been my issue. But, they should know what people are saying. They seem very engaged with my comments. I'm a...

Thanks for that. And you are correct..history seems to disappear over time. Guess I am learning an old lesson.

You are absolutely correct. My posts re tube amps as pre-amps in front of AHB2 Benchmark, which is a setup discussed dozens of time in this forum, with a response from the manufacturer, seems productive to me. Extremely productive. Please don't lump me in as a troublemaker because some guy...

Head-Fi is so productive and fun. But I guess jerks are everywhere.

Wow, what a helpful comment.

FWIW. Benchmark responded re my problem. They said that a tube pre-amp in front of AHB2 for HPs is NOT recommended. Fair warning to all. Discussion is how we all move the ball forward in terms of our nice hobby.

I just got asked a similar question by HFM customer service. But then in the follow-up email, they had looked up my prior CS request and realized I was inquiring re the replacement product they sent me a year ago and asking me to confirm my shipping address. Fingers are crossed, but I think...