Luisnlupe

Would you consider $450...I pay shipping and Paypal cost ?.... For the Benchmark.

SOLD ! Thanks for looking

The Benchmark HDR reportedly has a very high quality preamp section...with only 1 analog Input. I think I perceive a difference in the sound when the pot is bypassed when going out in calibrated mode.... But then I have always discerned changes when inserting preamps or passive volume controls. In this case it was pretty minimal. I have heard of people adding a high quality switchbox for more analog sources. Me? I find it easy just to exchange the pair of RCAs of the phono preamp to that of the other analog source.

OK...here are photos of the Plinius front and rear panels...plus the remote. Note: I had written "lean towards warmth"...it is known as a "tubey" sounding transistor amp....and is something of a underground audiophile fave. You'll also note this unit appears here and there in the "Associated Equipment" list in audio review articles. I like finding out about well-designed audio from others.... then getting them through the used market, from other 'philes...instead of chasing the latest/greatest at high cost. (Plinius, I plan on moving up the Plinius line...and get Plinius separates in the future after saving up a bit ..and selling some of my other equipment). Here's a very thorough review of the 8200 MkII, this one from an audiophile on the AudioAsylum REVIEW: Plinius 8200 MKII Integrated Amplifier (SS) - cpdunn99 - Amp/Preamp Asylum Feel free to contact me with any questions, Luis

I'm selling my Plinius 8200 Mk II integrated amplifier. Serial # 1049 Very powerful and always musical. Detailed and lean towards warmth. Wonderful on voices, pianos and double basses (my faves). - Output: 175 w/channel into 8 ohms ...up to 300 w into 4 ohms - Phono section has user selectable gain-setting jumpers for moving magnet or moving coil cartridges - Remote control for Volume up/down and Mute - it's like cast aluminum metal and built like a tank Updated, biased and gone over on 5/11 by Vince Galbo, the original importer and current factory-authorized shop. New they sold for $3,000+ Will ship in original double-boxed foam-cushioned cartons with original manual/instructions. Asking $1500, buyer pays shipping. Luis some reviews: ABSOLUTE SOUNDS - 2002 Golden Ear Award Award Reviews - PLINIUS AUDIO - plinius, plinius audio hifi, plinus, plinius 9200, plinius amplifiers, plinius amplifier, plinius 8150, plimius, pliniusaudio, plinius m14, www.pliniusaudio.com, www.pliniusaudio.nzld.com, plinius 8100, plinius amps, plinius AUDIOGON Best Solid State Integrated Amp AudiogoN Forums: Plinius 8200 MkII -- best integrated ss amp? AudioEnz AudioEnz - Plinius 8200 mk2 (In this review, I love the following description of the Plinius} Within lies the toroidal transformer-that-ate-Manhattan, the main contributor to the weight, and a pre-amp derived from the exoticM16 unit that partners Plinius's class A super-amps. This second edition of the 8200 delivers over 175 remote-controlled watts per channel, with maybe the first couple in class A. Switch the unit on, and the blue power indicator flashes slowly to let you know the amp is muted while it settles down for action. Once stabilised, the LED remains on and you're ready to roll.... This amp tolerates no waywardness on the part of your speakers: they will obey. Will plug in a photo once I've figured out how to do so... cosmetically it is in VG/Exc condition

Regarding Dacs, I have a system into which I inserted the Peachtree DacIt, the DacmagicII, the Nuforce Udac2....Trying to stay with below $500 cost. all created various improvements in the sound -some with musicality like the Peachtree, some with more detail and blackness like there Dacmagic. The improvement was marginal and to my ears really not worth several hundred dollars. THEN I got a loaner Benchmark Dac1 Deep black between notes, detail full of textures, startlingly real voices...so for the same amount of money, consider getting a used Benchmark Dac1 ...I have seen them going used for $600 or little bit less than that. The purchase of the benchmark was totally worth every dollar. Whereas the Peachtree or a Dacmagic been only a minimal improvement.

Hello I find myself at the same juncture. The big decision for me now is the Belcanto 2.5 pre or the benchmark HDR pre. Can you provide follow-up on your decision to go with the back of Belcanto? Have you moved on to something else? Luis

Many thanks !!! Yes! I have bit-perfected music now. Listening tests ongoing. Luis n Lupe (wife/budding audiophile who wants me to keep the Benchmark Dac1 I got on a 30-day trial....me I am impressed but wanna check out other dacs - any recommendations?

HELP ! I just installed BITPERFECT, downloaded from the App Store... It shows up in my Apps folder BUT when I click on it to open it 1) nothing opens and 2) Ituens goes muted - no sound. To get iTunes to work I have to restart my compeer ( Mac Mini) and open iTunes...it works until I try to open Bitperfect...which does not open. Please help!! Luis