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Find here a selection of useful and/or essential accessories for this product. These are specially selected by the Audiophonics team according to the characteristics of the product.
This Benchmark HPA4 preamplifier / headphone amplifier is based on the brand's proprietary amplifier for amplification of its line outputs and THX-888 AAA™ (Achromatic Audio Amplifier) technology from THX for its headphone amplification. This is the same technology used for the brand's AHB2 power amplifier. This technology enables it to achieve exceptional measurement levels with very low levels of noise and distortion for near-perfect linearity. This preamplifier / headphone amplifier also features high power handling, making it compatible with most headphones on the market, whatever their impedance. The HPA4 uses an all-analog circuit design and is therefore intended to work in conjunction with a DAC or external analog source. The front panel features a touchscreen for easy access to parameters and settings. In terms of connectors, it features 2 balanced XLR stereo inputs and 2 RCA stereo inputs with RCA and XLR stereo outputs. In addition, there are two 12 V 3.5 mm jack trigger connectors, one XLR mono output and two headphone outputs: 6.35 mm jack and 4-pin XLR.
THX-888 technology is capable of delivering high voltage and driving high-impedance, low-sensitivity headphones. The HPA4 delivers up to 11.9Vrms at 300 ohms and up to 6W at 16 ohms. Considering the extreme capabilities of its amplifier, Benchmark has integrated protection systems to protect your equipment (DC current detection, short-circuit detection, overcurrent protection, overvoltage protection and thermal protection).
The HPA4 features a bandwidth extending from 0.1Hz to 200kHz. This makes it a headphone preamplifier/amplifier capable of reproducing an extremely detailed and precise signal.
The HPA4's front panel touchscreen provides easy access to settings such as balance control, input level shifts, input names, screen brightness and function lock. A volume control knob features a high-quality optical encoder and 256 volume levels with 0.5dB/step resolution. Pressing this volume knob selects the desired output. In addition, a remote control enhances the user experience.
1 | 2x Stereo RCA input |
2 | RCA stereo output |
3 | 2x Trigger 12V jack 3.5mm |
4 | 2x Balanced XLR stereo input |
5 | XLR Mono output |
6 | Balanced stereo XLR output |
7 | IEC power supply |
" Going into this test, based on measuring previous Benchmark products, I expected excellent performance. The benchmark HPA4 shattered even that high bar. It brings such a high performance to the table that leaves no doubt whatsoever about its transparency. No stone has been left unturned to optimize audio performance of this device. Even obscure measurements like ultrasonic interchannel phase shift is nailed.
And then we have tons of power without messing with balanced cables and such. Plug in any headphone and you are in heaven.
The preamp performance is even higher still, breaking and shattering any expectation one would have in a lab instrument let alone a consumer hi-fi.
It goes without saying that the Benchmark HPA4 garners my strongest recommendation for a headphone amplifier and preamplifier. It doesn't get better than this folks. "
Technical characteristics
Specifications | |
---|---|
Product type | Preamplifier Headphone amplifier |
Amplification technology | THX-888 (AAA™) and low-noise line amplifier |
Inputs | 2x RCA stereo input 2x XLR balanced stereo input |
Ouputs | 1x Stereo RCA output 1x XLR stereo balanced output 1x XLR mono output 1x 6.35mm headphone output 1x XLR balanced headphone output |
Bandwidth | 0.1Hz - 500kHz |
SNR | >135dB |
THD | <125dB |
Screen | Touch screen |
Trigger | 2x jack 3.5mm 12V bi-directionnel |
HEADPHONE OUTPUT MEASUREMENTS (+24DBU INPUT) | |
---|---|
THD | < -125 dB (0.00006%) |
SNR | > 135 dB, A-weighted |
Frequency response | - 0.003 dB à 10 Hz, -0.001 dB à 20 kHz |
Bandwidth | -3dB exceeds 0.1Hz to 500kHz |
Output impedance | Near 0 ohm |
Output noise | < 2.45 uV at unity gain, 20-20 kHz |
Maximum output power | 6W into 16 Ohm |
Maximum output current | 1.5A |
Maximum output voltage | 11,5 Vrms into 300 Ohms |
Crosstalk | < -133 dB à 1 kHz, -115 dB à 10 kHz (XLR4) |
LINE OUTPUT MEASUREMENTS | |
---|---|
THD | < -125 dB (0.00006%) |
SNR | > 135 dB, unweighted, 20-20 kHz > 137 dB, A-weighted |
Frequency response | - 0.003 dB à 10 Hz, -0.001 dB to 20 kHz |
Bandwidth | -3dB exceeds 0.1Hz à 500kHz |
Ouput impedance | 60 Ohms |
Output noise | < 1.9 uV at unity gain, 20-20 kHz |
Maximum input and output voltage | 20 Vrms (+28 dBu) |
Crosstalk | < -133 dB at 1 kHz, -116 dB at 10 kHz |
General | |
---|---|
Power supply | 100-240V AC 50/60Hz |
Power consumption | 18W (Typ.) 35W (max.) |
Standby power consumption | 0.33W |
Dimensions | 203.2 x 76.2 x 203.2mm |
Weight | 3.65Kg |
Color | Black |
Package | 1x Preamplifier Headphone amplifier HPA4 1x Remote control 1x Power cable |