LA4 vs Bel Canto Design e.One PRE5
The e.One PRE5's signal-to-noise is 125 dB against the LA4's 135 dB, its thd 0.002% against 0.000%, its output impedance 50Ω against 60Ω, and its weight 6.5 kg (14 lbs) against 3.63 kg (8 lbs).
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Estimated price (community-sourced)
Around — community and catalog average, updates slowly
The Benchmark LA4 is a reference stereo line amplifier designed to provide an ultra-precise, low-noise, and low-distortion analog signal path between inputs and outputs. It features 40 precision gold-contact relays for relay gain control, input selection, and muting, ensuring minimal distortion and noise across its entire volume range. The volume control offers 256 steps in 0.5 dB increments with independent left and right channel attenuators. The LA4 supports two balanced stereo XLR inputs and two unbalanced stereo RCA inputs, with outputs including balanced stereo XLR, unbalanced stereo RCA, and a balanced mono sum XLR output. It includes a touchscreen for input selection, volume, balance, mute, and display settings, plus two bidirectional 12V trigger ports for system integration. The frequency response extends from 0.1 Hz to 500 kHz, delivering precise amplitude and phase accuracy for accurate timing of bass and high frequencies. The LA4 is designed to complement Benchmark DACs and power amplifiers, offering exceptional signal-to-noise ratio (>135 dB unweighted, >137 dB A-weighted) and extremely low total harmonic distortion (<0.00006%). It is housed in a compact chassis with a large volume knob and touchscreen, and comes with a remote control and power cable.
Analog signal output specifications
Input and output connections
Size, weight, and appearance
Specifications are community-contributed and may not be accurate or complete. Verify all details with the manufacturer before making purchasing decisions. Terms & Conditions
Components that show up alongside the LA4 in real systems. A verdict means the pair has been checked for compatibility and headroom — open it to see how the two get along.
The closest alternatives on specs, description and the systems they turn up in, with the specs they share set side by side.
The e.One PRE5's signal-to-noise is 125 dB against the LA4's 135 dB, its thd 0.002% against 0.000%, its output impedance 50Ω against 60Ω, and its weight 6.5 kg (14 lbs) against 3.63 kg (8 lbs).
The DAC 2.8's signal-to-noise is 124 dB against the LA4's 135 dB, its thd 0.001% against 0.000%, its output impedance 200Ω against 60Ω, and its weight 6.5 kg (14 lbs) against 3.63 kg (8 lbs).
The Soloist GT4's signal-to-noise is 116 dB against the LA4's 135 dB, its thd 0.002% against 0.000%, its output impedance 25Ω against 60Ω, and its weight 5 kg (11 lbs) against 3.63 kg (8 lbs).
Both turn up in the same documented systems.
The DAC3 HGC's output impedance is 10Ω against the LA4's 60Ω, its weight 1.36 kg (3 lbs) against 3.63 kg (8 lbs), its width 241.3 mm against 220 mm, and its depth 236.2 mm against 212 mm.
Both turn up in the same documented systems.
Bel Canto Design DAC 2.7
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