Best Of
Looking for a vacation home?
This might be it.
https://www.foxnews.com/travel/jaw-dropping-medieval-castle-100-rooms-hits-market-nearly-1000-years-history
https://www.foxnews.com/travel/jaw-dropping-medieval-castle-100-rooms-hits-market-nearly-1000-years-history
F1nut
2 ·
Benchmark AHB2 amp - In Home Trial Over...my 2 cents.
Let me start by saying that this was not brought on by wanting to improve on my existing A2
1+ amp's performance which is stellar. This was strictly a decision based on my need/want to downsize & what better place to start with than with a 71lb (net) behemoth, (88 lb shipped). A definite back breaker. Ideally, I was looking for a unit under 20lb & also a much smaller physical size. Not a deal breaker but that was my goal.
With a budget of $3-$4K & wanting to buy new the initial search began. I started looking into class D from various companies & in particular amps with the new GanFet technology. I almost pulled the trigger on a Orchard Audio Stereo Ultra 2.5 amp that fit the bill nicely, receives pretty much all glowing reviews & was budget friendly. However, the deal killer was its 1yr warranty. I would expect at least a 3yr warranty from any company that has confidence in its products. If I moved up to their higher end lineup, they came with a 3yr warranty but were not budget friendly. The other issue was to try to find a company that had an in-home trial period with a decent return policy. That was a tough one. Most had a 10-15% restocking fee policy. I could live with that, but it could add up if I tried multiple amps & had to return them. The search continued.
Now enter Benchmark. I always knew about them but never really gave them any consideration. I decided to pull up their website to check them out. I was pleasantly surprised that the AHB2 fit the bill nicely at 12.5lbs net wt & 16lb shipped & fit the budget. I called & spoke w/ Rory about my needs & after a 45min conversation I decided to give the AHB2 a try. Rory said I wouldn't be disappointed. A 30 day in-home trial, no restocking fee, only return shipping if I were to send it back. Very nice.
I received it in 2 days, unboxed it & sat it directly on top of the A21+ which made it easy peezy to switch back & forth for comparison. Nothing else changed except adding in the AHB2. Cables & front end remained the same. Having everything for quite some time I was very familiar with the system's sound signature.
Got 'er all hooked up & ready to rock & roll. Having no idea what to expect I started my first listening session with some smooth jazz from Diana Krall, Nora Jones, Chris Botti just to name a few.
Did you ever have one of those AH-Ha, Holy Sheet moments? Well this was certainly one of them. I know it was my initial impressions but nonetheless everything had more air, a richer fuller sound, a vastly expanded soundstage & imaging. I found it to be very musically transparent & able to reveal subtleties in the music that I didn't pick up on with the A21+. I am very, very familiar with these artists & songs & my doubts were put to rest as my listening continued.
Yes I know, I know you can't come to that conclusion so quickly but I beg to differ on this one. There wasn't a shadow of a doubt that the AHB2 was a different animal all together. And as the days & weeks went by things became quite evident that the AHB2 was going to be a keeper. It just presented music in ways that the A21+ just didn't reveal in my system all the years I had it. That's my story & I'm sticking to it.
1+ amp's performance which is stellar. This was strictly a decision based on my need/want to downsize & what better place to start with than with a 71lb (net) behemoth, (88 lb shipped). A definite back breaker. Ideally, I was looking for a unit under 20lb & also a much smaller physical size. Not a deal breaker but that was my goal.
With a budget of $3-$4K & wanting to buy new the initial search began. I started looking into class D from various companies & in particular amps with the new GanFet technology. I almost pulled the trigger on a Orchard Audio Stereo Ultra 2.5 amp that fit the bill nicely, receives pretty much all glowing reviews & was budget friendly. However, the deal killer was its 1yr warranty. I would expect at least a 3yr warranty from any company that has confidence in its products. If I moved up to their higher end lineup, they came with a 3yr warranty but were not budget friendly. The other issue was to try to find a company that had an in-home trial period with a decent return policy. That was a tough one. Most had a 10-15% restocking fee policy. I could live with that, but it could add up if I tried multiple amps & had to return them. The search continued.
Now enter Benchmark. I always knew about them but never really gave them any consideration. I decided to pull up their website to check them out. I was pleasantly surprised that the AHB2 fit the bill nicely at 12.5lbs net wt & 16lb shipped & fit the budget. I called & spoke w/ Rory about my needs & after a 45min conversation I decided to give the AHB2 a try. Rory said I wouldn't be disappointed. A 30 day in-home trial, no restocking fee, only return shipping if I were to send it back. Very nice.
I received it in 2 days, unboxed it & sat it directly on top of the A21+ which made it easy peezy to switch back & forth for comparison. Nothing else changed except adding in the AHB2. Cables & front end remained the same. Having everything for quite some time I was very familiar with the system's sound signature.
Got 'er all hooked up & ready to rock & roll. Having no idea what to expect I started my first listening session with some smooth jazz from Diana Krall, Nora Jones, Chris Botti just to name a few.
Did you ever have one of those AH-Ha, Holy Sheet moments? Well this was certainly one of them. I know it was my initial impressions but nonetheless everything had more air, a richer fuller sound, a vastly expanded soundstage & imaging. I found it to be very musically transparent & able to reveal subtleties in the music that I didn't pick up on with the A21+. I am very, very familiar with these artists & songs & my doubts were put to rest as my listening continued.
Yes I know, I know you can't come to that conclusion so quickly but I beg to differ on this one. There wasn't a shadow of a doubt that the AHB2 was a different animal all together. And as the days & weeks went by things became quite evident that the AHB2 was going to be a keeper. It just presented music in ways that the A21+ just didn't reveal in my system all the years I had it. That's my story & I'm sticking to it.
pearsall001
6 ·
FS - Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo Series 1
Looking to sell my Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo speakers. Located in DFW, and local pickup is preferred if possible.
Asking $3500
Original retail price: $8,000
Series 1
Purchased from distributor
Speakers have lived in my stereo room for the entire course of ownership, and have been well cared for. Original packaging and documentation included.
Demo available.
I am also selling a MastersounD Dueventi tube amplifier, and I’d be happy to cut a deal to any buyer interested in purchasing both items.
Asking $3500
Original retail price: $8,000
Series 1
Purchased from distributor
Speakers have lived in my stereo room for the entire course of ownership, and have been well cared for. Original packaging and documentation included.
Demo available.
I am also selling a MastersounD Dueventi tube amplifier, and I’d be happy to cut a deal to any buyer interested in purchasing both items.
displayname
6 ·
FS - Mastersound Dueventi Integrated Amplifier
Looking to sell my Mastersound Dueventi. Located in DFW, and local pickup is preferred if possible.
Asking $2500
Original retail: $4500
Purchased from former distributor.
Amp is in excellent condition. Includes remote, original packaging and documentation.
New tubes installed in June of 2025, $250 value:
4x Electro-Harmonix EL34 (matched, same as stock)
2x JJ ECC802s / Hi-Performance 12AU7 Gold Pin (matched, upgrade from stock)
Also selling Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo speakers. Will gladly work with a buyer looking to purchase both items.
Asking $2500
Original retail: $4500
Purchased from former distributor.
Amp is in excellent condition. Includes remote, original packaging and documentation.
New tubes installed in June of 2025, $250 value:
4x Electro-Harmonix EL34 (matched, same as stock)
2x JJ ECC802s / Hi-Performance 12AU7 Gold Pin (matched, upgrade from stock)
Also selling Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo speakers. Will gladly work with a buyer looking to purchase both items.
displayname
5 ·
Re: Oh Boy New Toy
It's a Clearaudio record cleaning machine.
Does both sides at the same time.
Pull of the record clamp and put the LP, or 45, on, put the clamp back on and ready to clean.
Turn it on the record spins, push a button and the machine applies the cleaning fluid to both sides.
The brushes closest in the pic scrubs the record.
When done scrubbing the record... turn the vacuum on and BAM, clean record void of static.
Does both sides at the same time.
Pull of the record clamp and put the LP, or 45, on, put the clamp back on and ready to clean.
Turn it on the record spins, push a button and the machine applies the cleaning fluid to both sides.
The brushes closest in the pic scrubs the record.
When done scrubbing the record... turn the vacuum on and BAM, clean record void of static.
skipshot12
2 ·
Re: Reserve Series
On sale again. This is Crutchfield but the price tends to be the same everywhere. Around 20% off.
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-lcN0ep1r8AP/p_107RSV700/Polk-Audio-Reserve-R700-Midnight-Black.html
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-lcN0ep1r8AP/p_107RSV700/Polk-Audio-Reserve-R700-Midnight-Black.html
Emlyn
1 ·
Re: Polk L800 help
He then sent this as an overall guide:
Condition:
>
> * Left speaker connected to amp, both "+" and "-"
> * Right speaker connected to amp, "-" only
> * SDA interconnect in place.
> * Bi-wire straps are in place
>
> What should happen given a signal in the left channel:
>
> * Left stereo array plays
> * Left dimensional array is quiet because the connection to R+ is missing.
> * Right stereo array plays, but sounds wrong. The right stereo array is driven through the dimensional array's crossover and transducers.
> * Right dimensional array plays
> * Left woofer plays normally.
> * Right woofer plays, but sounds wrong because it is driven through the dimensional array's crossover.
>
> So, this condition seems to correspond to the users report. So, nothing wrong.
>
> Condition:
>
> * Left speaker connected to amp, both "+" and "-"
> * Right speaker connected to amp, "+" only
> * SDA interconnect in place.
> * Bi-wire straps are in place
>
> What should happen given stereo music (not mono) in both channels:
>
> * Left stereo array plays
> * Left dimensional array plays.
> * Right stereo array is quiet since the circuit is open (no R-)
> * Right dimensional array plays.
> * Left woofer plays normally.
> * Right woofer is quiet since the circuit is open (no R-)
>
Condition:
>
> * Left speaker connected to amp, both "+" and "-"
> * Right speaker connected to amp, "-" only
> * SDA interconnect in place.
> * Bi-wire straps are in place
>
> What should happen given a signal in the left channel:
>
> * Left stereo array plays
> * Left dimensional array is quiet because the connection to R+ is missing.
> * Right stereo array plays, but sounds wrong. The right stereo array is driven through the dimensional array's crossover and transducers.
> * Right dimensional array plays
> * Left woofer plays normally.
> * Right woofer plays, but sounds wrong because it is driven through the dimensional array's crossover.
>
> So, this condition seems to correspond to the users report. So, nothing wrong.
>
> Condition:
>
> * Left speaker connected to amp, both "+" and "-"
> * Right speaker connected to amp, "+" only
> * SDA interconnect in place.
> * Bi-wire straps are in place
>
> What should happen given stereo music (not mono) in both channels:
>
> * Left stereo array plays
> * Left dimensional array plays.
> * Right stereo array is quiet since the circuit is open (no R-)
> * Right dimensional array plays.
> * Left woofer plays normally.
> * Right woofer is quiet since the circuit is open (no R-)
>
SeleniumFalcon
1 ·
Re: Polk L800 help
Here is Scott's reply:
I'm having trouble parsing the information, but I'll do my best to try to help.
>
> I'm going to assume that the amplifiers are not balanced output. That should be confirmed before proceeding. Here are a few things you can do to make sure the speakers are wired properly:
>
> 1) Connect the left speaker to the left output of the amp. Leave the right speaker unplugged. Do not attach the interconnect between the two speakers. Play pink noise at a reasonable volume. You should hear sound from the woofers and the right/inner tweeter/mid array (the stereo array) and not the left/outer mid/tweeter array (the dimensional array). If the left array plays instead, then that is a right speaker, not a left speaker.
> 2) Repeat the process with the right speaker. The left array should make sound and the right array shouldn't. The woofers should make sound.
> 3) Assuming that both speaker's stereo arrays are functioning, connect both speakers to the amp and play the noise. There should be noise from both speakers. If the noise is mono then there should be a center image. Play some music and the speakers should behave as a normal stereo pair.
>
> That should establish the stereo arrays as working properly. We can now move on to the dimensional arrays. The interconnect sends the positive amp connection to the opposite speaker which is then connected to the negative input of the dimensional array.
>
> 4) Unplug both speakers from the amp. Connect the interconnect between the two speakers. Plug the positive connection for the left channel of the amp into the left speaker's positive input. Plug the negative connection from the left channel of the amp to the right speaker's positive input. Leave the right channel of the amp unconnected. Play the pink noise. There should be sound coming from the left speaker's dimensional array only (the left or outer array).
> 5) Repeat the process with right speaker by connecting the amp positive output to the right speaker's positive input and the negative to the left speaker's positive input. The right dimensional array should now make sound.
>
> If all of that works and there are no polarity issues, then the speaker should operate properly. Great care should be taken to make sure not to short the amp to itself during the process.
>
> As I said earlier, I'm not entirely sure what the complaint is. Hope this helps.
>
> Scott
>
I'm having trouble parsing the information, but I'll do my best to try to help.
>
> I'm going to assume that the amplifiers are not balanced output. That should be confirmed before proceeding. Here are a few things you can do to make sure the speakers are wired properly:
>
> 1) Connect the left speaker to the left output of the amp. Leave the right speaker unplugged. Do not attach the interconnect between the two speakers. Play pink noise at a reasonable volume. You should hear sound from the woofers and the right/inner tweeter/mid array (the stereo array) and not the left/outer mid/tweeter array (the dimensional array). If the left array plays instead, then that is a right speaker, not a left speaker.
> 2) Repeat the process with the right speaker. The left array should make sound and the right array shouldn't. The woofers should make sound.
> 3) Assuming that both speaker's stereo arrays are functioning, connect both speakers to the amp and play the noise. There should be noise from both speakers. If the noise is mono then there should be a center image. Play some music and the speakers should behave as a normal stereo pair.
>
> That should establish the stereo arrays as working properly. We can now move on to the dimensional arrays. The interconnect sends the positive amp connection to the opposite speaker which is then connected to the negative input of the dimensional array.
>
> 4) Unplug both speakers from the amp. Connect the interconnect between the two speakers. Plug the positive connection for the left channel of the amp into the left speaker's positive input. Plug the negative connection from the left channel of the amp to the right speaker's positive input. Leave the right channel of the amp unconnected. Play the pink noise. There should be sound coming from the left speaker's dimensional array only (the left or outer array).
> 5) Repeat the process with right speaker by connecting the amp positive output to the right speaker's positive input and the negative to the left speaker's positive input. The right dimensional array should now make sound.
>
> If all of that works and there are no polarity issues, then the speaker should operate properly. Great care should be taken to make sure not to short the amp to itself during the process.
>
> As I said earlier, I'm not entirely sure what the complaint is. Hope this helps.
>
> Scott
>
SeleniumFalcon
2 ·
