[sum]

I was just checking random websites and noticed that Benchmark has a new headphone amp out. Any impressions yet?

 

[milkpowder]

It's nothing special. They basically put a HPA-2 into a box

The HPA-2 is the headamp found inside the DAC1. That said, the H1 may sound better than the HPA-2 inside the DAC1 because it's getting its own power supply. I wonder how a DAC1 -> H1 -> Headphone will sound compared to a DAC1 -> Headphone.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

I'm not sure if it is the HPA2 featured in the DAC1. Benchmark has taken down th page with the HPA2's specs, but you can still find a google cache of the page. It shows the HPA2 has a better bandwidth, lower THD, lower output impedance, can drive a lower impedance headphone (30ohm vs. 60 for the H1). At any rate the H1 doesn't look so hot. A high output impedance of 30 ohms means that it can't drive most low-impedance cans properly, and other will like have a bloated bass. I would assume it's intended for studio-only use with 600ohm cans, where that's not an issue.

 

[milkpowder]

If you look at the specs of the DAC1, it clearly states that there's a
Quote:

Built-in Benchmark HPA-2, a high-output, ultra-clean headphone amplifier with dual outputs jacks

and the brief introduction to the H1:
Quote:

Inside the H1 is Benchmark's signature headphone amplifier module, the HPA-2™. The sonic purity of the HPA-2™ fulfills even the most demanding headphone applications. The spectacularly clean performance offers true state-of-the-art listening with today's ultra-high performance headphones.

It seems to me the same module/headamp is being used. However, I do agree with you; there are differences.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkpowder /img/forum/go_quote.gif and the brief introduction to the H1:

LOL I guess I just skipped right over that part and went straight for the specs. Now the question is why are there such significant differences from how they formerly had the HPA2 specced out?