Benchmark Digital to Analog Converters

The Aretai Contra 200F towers absolutely floored us with their deep, punchy bass, silky-smooth highs, and pinpoint imaging—so precise they seemed to disappear, a hallmark of truly exceptional loudspeaker design. Paired with @BenchmarkMediaSystems monoblock amps and preamp, the system delivered clean, unadulterated power with a vanishingly low noise floor—pushing performance into true sonic nirvana. Big shoutout to @DreamScapesAV for the superb setup—this was easily one of the best-sounding 2-channel demo rooms at @floridaaudioexpo9533 2026! 👉 Learn more about Aretai Loudspeakers: https://aretai.com/ 🛒Buy Aretai Products from ONLY USA Authorized Dealer: https://dreamscapesav.com/brands/ 👉 Reach out to Dreamscapes AV: (315) 308-1028 👉 Read our Aretai Contral 100S Bookshelf Review: https://www.audioholics.com/bookshelf-speaker-reviews/aretai-contra-100s 🛒 Benchmark Media Products: https://benchmarkmedia.com/collections/a-stock/products/benchmark-ahb2-power-amplifier https://benchmarkmedia.com/collections/a-stock/products/hpa4 https://benchmarkmedia.com/collections/a-stock/products/benchmark-la4-line-amplifier https://benchmarkmedia.com/collections/digital-to-analog-audio-converter 👉 Book a consultation with Gene: https://bit.ly/Gene-consultation 🛒 Kaleidescape Terra Prime HDD: https://bit.ly/KscapeTerraPrimeHD 🛒 Kaleidescape Package Deals: https://bit.ly/Kscape-bundle 🛒 NEW Kaleidescape Strato E: https://dreamediaav.com/products/kale... 🛒 Kaleidescape Strato C + Terra Prime: https://bit.ly/Kscape-bundle 🛒 Kaleidescape Strato V Movie Player: https://bit.ly/4bS6Kbf 🛒 JVC NZ800 Projector: https://rb.gy/zb6e1j 🛒 JVC NZ900 Projector: https://rb.gy/qqoov9 Recommended AV Separates Trinnov Altitude 32: https://bit.ly/TrinnovAltitude32 Trinnov Altitude 16: https://bit.ly/TrinnovAltitude16 Trinnov Amplitude 16: https://bit.ly/TrinnovAmplitude16 Anthem AVM 70: https://audioadvice.io/40yMpFM Anthem AVM 90: https://audioadvice.io/3YySzDr Anthem MCA 323 Gen 2: https://audioadvice.io/3UQJBA2 Anthem MCA 525 Gen 2: https://audioadvice.io/4exQI7B Recommended AV Receivers: Onkyo TX-RZ70: https://audioadvice.io/4fbRoRs Denon AVR-X3800H 9.2CH AV Receiver: https://audioadvice.io/3AxgmeH Anthem MRX1140: https://audioadvice.io/3YzxZTl Anthem AVM 90 15.4CH Processor: https://audioadvice.io/3YySzDr Yamaha R-N2000A: https://tidd.ly/41jHOHN Yamaha R-N1000A: https://tidd.ly/3ZnkEhf Yamaha R-N800A: https://tidd.ly/3OF64N5 Recommended Speakers: RBH Sound SFTR/AX: https://dreamediaav.com/products/unrivaled-sftr-ax-pair/?ref=3 SVS Prime 5.1 Speaker / Sub System: https://audioadvice.io/3JZJOt5 SVS Prime Elevation Surround: https://audioadvice.io/35aZCdR Polk R700 Tower Speakers: https://audioadvice.io/3C0TK2B Arendal 1723S Tower Speakers: https://bit.ly/Arendal1723s Arendal Sound 1528 Tower 8: https://bit.ly/ArendalTower1528 Arendal Sound 1528 Center+ 8: https://arendalsound.com/product/1528-center-plus-8/?refer=gds Arendal Sound 1528 Monitor 8: https://arendalsound.com/product/1528-monitor-8/?refer=gds Audioholics Recommended Cables: 250ft CL2 12AWG Speaker Cable: https://amzn.to/2vwS9QH 50ft 10AWG Speaker Cable: https://amzn.to/3DeMTT5 Locking Banana Plugs: https://amzn.to/2ZQt15x 9ft 4K HDR HDMI Cables: https://amzn.to/2WiIXeD Klipsch RP-8000F II: https://amzn.to/3M2Mt8n THX Short Reach 48Gbps HDMI Cables: https://bit.ly/THXHDMI-short THX Long Reach 48Gbps HDMI Cables: https://bit.ly/THXHDMI-long 00:00 - Intro 01:03 - What makes this gear in this room so special? 01:37 - Demo: “Queen Mary” Francine Thirteen 02:10 - Demo: “Hey Now” London Grammar 02:45 - Aretai aesthetics 03:04 - No EQ? 03:33 - Speaker design overview with Janis Irbe 04:18 - How do the Contra’s get such tight, punchy bass? 04:54 - Driver on the back? 05:51 - Talking Benchmark Media Systems with John Siau 06:32 - Benchmark AHB2 amplifiers 06:45 - AHB2 distortion 07:18 - Bass control due to amplifier current 07:36 - Punchy bass AND crystal clear vocals Disclaimer: Audioholics earns commissions from qualifying purchases with the Affiliate Links used in the description of this video. We appreciate your support. Thanks to Brad Pipkins of @HomeTheaterGamer for producing this video. Follow us on: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/audioholics FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/Audioholics TWITTER https://twitter.com/AudioholicsLive #hifi #audiophile #loudspeaker