My system has evolved over the last decade or so, to the point where I’m very happy with the results. This is a mixed use system (music and movies) in a living room, as I don’t have the space for a dedicated listening room. Despite the relative lack of room treatments (due to placement of windows, furnishings, etc.) it’s actually pretty good sounding.
My current setup consists of:
MSB Discrete DAC, 2 power supplies, ProISL and I2S input modules.
Benchmark LA4 Preamp
McIntosh MC462 amp
Wilson Audio Sasha 2 speakers
PS Audio PerfectWave SACD transport (I2S interface to the Discrete)
Wiim Ultra streamer - USB interface to the Discrete ProUSB/ProISL
Marantz Stereo 70s (movies and video only pre-out for left and right channels to the LA4)
Cambridge Audio CXUHD 4K blue ray player
Paradigm MilleniaOne sub (from the Marantz Stereo 70s - used only for video)
Transparent Gen6 Reference speaker cables
Transparent Gen5 Ultra balanced from the Discrete to the LA4
Transparent Gen5 Ultra RCA from the LA4 to the MC462
Transparent PowerWave for power distribution
I had a McIntosh C2700 preamp when I acquired the Discrete, but it sapped all the emotion from the Discrete. I tried the Discrete directly to the amp, but after reading other comments about the transparency of the Benchmark and it’s analog volume control I decided to try it, especially since it also allowed me to run the right and left channels for video through the same speakers rather than completely separating music and movies and getting dedicated speakers for video. I’ve had the LA4 for a little over a week, and I’m quite pleased with it.
@BTHartman and @Mairet I’m right on the edge to order a LA4 for my Premier. Will you both give me all the info you can about using the LA4 as the volume control? My normal listening level is 75 and have tried attenuators, and did get the volume up to 90 for my normal level, but so little range left to do anything with.
My dealer has a SPL elector that I will try but will not bring in the LA4 for me. I’m in Canada so no trial period and with exchange and tax I’ll be into the LA4 for 5,100 and change. So all the info I can gather will be a great help. It will much appreciated. Thanks so much.
Is your Premier in high or low output mode when the 75 volume setting is the volume you like?
The LA4 is extremely flexible regarding gain configurations. It offers a volume adjustment range of -112 dB to +15 dB in 0.5 dB steps. You would put your Premiere in fixed output mode with either low or high output setting and then use this very wide volume adjustment range. Unlike with digital volume control, it is not so important where in the range you run.
By default, the LA4 has unity gain at 0db volume setting. With your premiere in fixed low output, a -25db volume setting would be equivalent to your current 75 volume. This would work well. Again this would be -25db in a range of -112db to +15db.
There are other options. First, you could just get some XLR attenuators with a higher value. Second, I believe you could use almost any preamp on the market with your Premier in fixed low mode and have a good gain structure. If I lived in Canada, I might think about a Bryston BP19. Note I am not trying to discourage you from buying a LA4. It is an awesome product that would fit your needs well. I am only thinking about the price premium you would have to pay in Canada when mentioning other options.
I did try the Bryston BP19 and didn’t think it sounded any better than the dac alone. When you read about the Bryston they say very little about the volume control itself. All talk about the circuitry. I’m considering a preamp for one reason only, a better volume control. The effort
Benchmark puts into the volume control makes it my number one choice.
I did get the -20 attenuators from Rothwell, but thought they made the system harsh. With them in the volume was at 90, but did not like. Monday night I took them all out and was back at the 75 level. To me it just sounds much more relaxed.
I so appreciate your comments on the LA4. Thx.
Took me a while to get to this topic. As you’ll note from my OP, I originally had the McIntosh C2700 preamp in my system, but found that having my new Discrete routed through the C2700 robbed the Discrete of that emotional magic I loved about it. After reading a response from someone about the Benchmark I researched it and decided to try it - my rationale being that it has a reputation for being completely transparent.
The gist of this for me is that careful pairing is necessary to use a preamp between the Discrete (and possibly the other MSB DACs) and the amplifier.
Having said that, I just took a look and it seems you should be able to order the Benchmark LA4 from MusicDirect (which is where I got mine) and still get their 60 day return policy in Canada. I chose MusicDirect rather than directly from Benchmark as Benchmark only offers 30 days, compared to the 60 days for MusicDirect.
Thank you for suggesting Music Direct. It looks like they don’t offer the rack mount version, which I really want. I bought both the Premier and Director without hearing them or return option, so why stop now.
My dealer still wants me to try the SPL Elector, so I’ll pick it up on Saturday and hear how it sounds. At least I can order the Benchmark in my city from Long & McQuade. You two have praised it enough and we do all have the same volume control in our DACS. However, in my case the LA4 will be terminating into an electronic crossover. All will be good.
