Fyi, I didn't read all the posts, but the Benchmark AHB2 is not class A/B. It is a new design called Class AAA and was developed in conjunction with THX. It outperformed all the class D amps I reviewed. You can see my review of it at dagogo.com
I still am using the AHB2 and it is capable of stunning sound quality. I run them in Mono mode and it is glorious. One of the best setups is the Exogal Comet DAC running Schroeder Method ICs (see discussion on the thread that bears my name, and the seminal article regarding Schroeder Method at dagogo.com) direct into the amps and using either the software volume control or the Comet's internal pre.
However, dismissing class A or A/B is shortsighted. These amps are also improving over time. It's not like they are frozen and can't compete. That's a stilted perspective, imo.
I still am using the AHB2 and it is capable of stunning sound quality. I run them in Mono mode and it is glorious. One of the best setups is the Exogal Comet DAC running Schroeder Method ICs (see discussion on the thread that bears my name, and the seminal article regarding Schroeder Method at dagogo.com) direct into the amps and using either the software volume control or the Comet's internal pre.
However, dismissing class A or A/B is shortsighted. These amps are also improving over time. It's not like they are frozen and can't compete. That's a stilted perspective, imo.