I just got an AHB2 this past week. After using and moving heavy amps for a long time (Pass, McIntosh, etc) I decided I want a lighter, smaller amp. After reading reviews on the Benchmark, I decided to try it.
I’d echo many of jitterbug’s comments, though I don’t find it ‘sterile’. Perhaps because it’s so quiet and we tend to get used to other ‘noise’ in the music it seems that way, I don’t know. I’ve been able to hear separation of instruments more clearly than ever before (at least to my auditory memory) and the level of detail is really something. In familiar recordings I’m also hearing things I don’t recall hearing before. So far it’s been a real pleasure!
I’m using it with a Cambridge 851d as a preamp/dac and my current speakers are Harbeth C7-ES3’s. I currently stream via Apple TV to the Cambridge, and also use an Oppo 93 as a transport.
I plan on moving to a Benchmark DAC-2 HGC shortly as the Cambridge has developed a quite noticeable transformer hum.