I think we both think the other is overthinking this, lol. Amir shows how he doesn't get the full measurement of the amp unless he uses the NL2 plug (a 3dB difference). It is not a jump to think that this is what Benchmark means with my second quote. But at this point we are talking about an amp that is working beyond what we need for transparency. So there is no point arguing about this further.
I will say that reliability and "jiggle-proof-ness" are very important and should not be taken for granted. We know people will spend hundreds if not thousands on cables and that they are not even thinking about this because of all the silly magic they are being offered. What this site shows is that going back to basics is never a bad thing.
Amir's results could have as much to do with how Benchmark wired the circuit as the connector itself.
A classic example of this would be balanced vs unbalanced headphone jacks. An XLR connected headphone via balanced will be louder because of the circuit differences, not because of XLR. The easy proof of this that there are TRS balanced jacks.
Note that Benchmark is not saying the NL4 will make your speakers louder.
And I *do* think it is a jump to think that this is what Benchmark means.
Lastly, the physics don't support it.
If using an NL4 connector itself was a "free lunch" to 3dB more of amp gain and/or 3dB more efficient speakers, everyone would be doing it.
The easy test:
Take a speaker wire, put on NL4 connectors, then put on some regular connectors on a second pair, and measure the LCR. See how much it changes.
I'd bet a six pack the answer will be "not much", and certainly not 3 dB worth.
