Anyone using their HE with benchmark ahb2? I have an offer for such an amp. Alternatively there is a preloved 250 on the market here right now.
I am not familiar with the ahb2, but for about a month I used a 7-year old Atom (non-HE) into a NC NAP 250 and it was brilliant, a different system altogether, better at everything, and this was through humble Neat Iotas.
My understanding is that the HE is a much better pre- than a standard Atom, so yours should be even better!
Not sure if you were thinking of the NC 250 or a previous incarnation of the 250, but the NC 250 made a huge improvement and suspect others would too, but as always, try to listen before you buy.
Tony
3 Likes
Thank you for the perspective. I was thinking of an old 250 I’m afraid.
1 Like
I suspect that this too would be a super system, but others with direct experience will be best to guide you.
The search function on this forum is also worth trying, if you have not done so already, it’s a great resource.
Good luck 
Tony
2 Likes
I used an ahb2 with the atom HE. Fantastic. Much better than the 250DR I evaluated it against.
2 Likes
i use an he in my extra system into nap 100, with b&W 705s, and it sounds great. I’d be the abh2 sounds even better.
I have used my Atom HE into a Moon 330A which worked very well from a sound perspective. I also have an AHB2 but have never connected them together. (You can’t go wrong with the AHB2. It is simply about the best amp on the market.) The downside to either combination is that the HE does not have a 12V trigger output, so you will need to switch the amp on manually (or find a device that generates the trigger – they do exist). The omission of the trigger was something of a fail in the design of the HE as it substantially reduces the utility of the HE in use with many third party amps that do support trigger control. This may not bother you, but I found it to be a major irritant over time, and now have the HE restricted to streaming duties only, while a Benchmark DAC3 HGC takes care of DAC and preamp (and trigger) duties.
So the AHB2 is ‘simply about the best amp on the market’. What on earth does that mean?
I know what it is, but what does it mean? Simply about? Better than a Statement for £3,000? Bargain.
I don’t know, but it’s really really good!
I would say in all likelihood, yes! But I have to add that I have not heard a Statement or seen any tests on one. Also, given my elderly ears, I doubt very much if I could detect any difference in actual use.
So you’ve just countered your own comment.
Along with a Benchmark DAC3 - I have both a Benchmark AHB2 amp and a Nait 50 and love both of them, especially their dynamic sound.
If I could only keep one, I could easily be happy with either.