First off, because I am used to classical nylon strings, I replaced the steel strings with nylon, I wasn't very happy with the guitar. Then I had a luthier change the bridges to bone, that improved the guitar. When I put back the metal strings, as this guitar is designed for metal, it just came alive, the sound opened up, travels distances in the open. This is a small powerhouse of music. Playing it is a pleasure.
The preamp is OK, does the job. For this price it is unbeatable.
Played a Martin travel that's 5x the price of the Harley Benton, and the difference is not noticeable to an untrained ear like mine.