jag2003 said Excellent review of the BHK preamp by Karl Sigman in today's Audiophilia, www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2016/6/18/ps-audio-bhk-preamplifier.
Very nice review indeed. I see Karl is using the same amps that I own… Hmm !!!
Paul McGowan saidI have Emotiva amps in my home theater and they’re great for that
I looked at Emotiva when I was researching replacement gear. Even the dealers said it was good, but not what I was looking for to be the last audio equipment I will ever buy. My vintage gear was top notch in it’s day, and the vintage audio junkies scrambled for it. (Still have Linn LP12 and Kenwood KD-650 turntables in the basement.) My application is strictly stereo audio. I am on a budget, so I can’t invest 100K in equipment and 20K in cables, therefore, my research has been substantial. I replaced my PS Audio GCPH with the Nuwave Phono Converter about three months ago, and it is definitely an improvement I am very happy with. This is what led me to look more closely at the PS Audio products. Suffice it to say I am well aware of the company’s change in direction and it is exemplary.
I noticed we have a couple other musicians here on the forum. I am a drummer and percussionist, and I have a lot of friends in the music and recording business who have provided a wealth of consultation advice. When I sent the specs and information on the BHK 250 power amp to my friends, all of the responses were very positive, even without hearing it.
What seriously prompted me to finally get rid of the vintage equipment is that I was only using two inputs on this rather gargantuan preamp. After I finally got a DAC for the computer, as opposed to a recording audio interface, I was then only using one auxiliary input. This led me on a search for a small, audiophile quality preamp with only a couple inputs. What I came across was a small passive preamp made by Tisbury Audio. I’ve had absolutely no experience with passive preamps in the past, but for only $200 direct from the manufacturer, I figured it was worth a try, especially since I already had a buyer for the old gear who wanted it right away.
Well, the Tisbury Audio passive preamp was a real eye opener. If you have a couple hundred bucks to drop for fun, and you’ve never tried a passive preamp, I highly recommend having one, even if only on the side for testing. If you want to hear absolute transparency, this is the way to go. My point is, the passive pre allowed me to hear what the BHK 250 really sounds like on its own with source direct equipment, and it is incredibly impressive. However, I am opting for the matched PS Audio products as a true upgrade for my old gear. I like to play my drums along with the music, especially when I need to learn a new tune, and a real preamp gives it just the little bit of punch I need. Hopefully, the BHK preamp will prove to be nearly as transparent as a passive.
Just put in an order. Had been wanting to put tube pre back into the chain since I got the BHKs monos and decided to wait for the PS audio to ship. Trust it was worth the wait.
I’m confused by the postings about a clicking sound with the volume control. Are we taking about the slight mecahical feel of the physical volume knob or are some reporting a clicking in the speackers as the volume is adjusted? I’m asking because I get no clicking whatsoever in the speakers with volume changes.and what I would call the tactile feel of the physical volume knob is wonderful. In addition, I believe some have mentioned what sounds like a relay click inside the preamp at certain volume settings, such as 25. I can confirm this and it must have something to do with the circuitry that is linearly stepping the volume. And this is probably normal. What am I misunderstanding?
Gene said Are we taking about the slight mechanical feel of the physical volume knob or are some reporting a clicking in the speakers as the volume is adjusted?There is audible clicking in the speakers and on the headphone amp. I've become so used to it now that I hardly notice it anymore.
-Pb
Better late than never, I say. I had a delayed start with my beta test and when I did get going I thought the right thing to do would be to let the unit have 200+ hours of playing time before I did any extended listening. Also, I often enjoy using my many headphones so I added about 75 hrs. of run-in time on the headphone amp. Thanks for internet radio stations for providing 24/7 signals.
My system is as follows: Bryston 4BSST2 amp & NAD Master Series M22 amp (Hypex nCore) – equal time on both; Music Vault server; GoldenEar Triton 1 speakers (others waiting); PSA DirectStream DAC; PSA power plants; and a Parasound JC2 preamp, which I have used for several years, as a point of comparison. I consider the Parasound JC2 to be a great pre and those positive feelings gave me some pause as I looked at the descriptions of the BHK unit. However, prior to the JC2, I used a tube pre for several years and still have positive memories of a slightly richer, more organic sound despite other shortcomings. I used the “Could the BHK join the best of both?” argument to move forward. I have to justify this stuff somehow.
Reading other beta testers’ comments about sound quality, I can only add my praise to the growing mountain of positive reviews. For me, the synergy of the DirectStream combined with the BHK pre provides a level of musicality I though I would never achieve. Resolution, a very strong organic sense, terrific small and large dynamic swings, overall a wonderful ability to reveal not just what is on the recording, but the music that sings to me. And, for anyone who thinks their system is just a tad bass shy, don’t buy a sub - it’s a bonus that comes with the BHK.
Is there anything that I, personally, would change about the pre. Yeah, a couple, keeping in mind that these are small potatoes compared to the sound achievement. Sitting in my listening chair and using the remote, I find the balance control near useless as I can’t see what’s happening and find the increments confusing. Thankfully, the DirectStream has a great remote balance control, so problem solved. I know many of you don’t ever touch the balance control, but when I listen to a vocalist or solo instrument that is just a few degrees off center I find it adds a slight, unnecessary tension to the music. Remote balance control solves this.
I hear the volume control click, or whatever you call it, at about volume setting 52. Paul has explained this and it’s a non-issue for me. Paul explained why there is no fixed output, but I have a few very nice headphone amps that, despite the overall positive feelings I have for the BHK headphone section, I will enjoy using from time to time. I can connect them another way but, for me, a fixed output would have been nice. I have an early unit, so there is no hour counter for the tubes. Not a big deal, but it’s a nice addition. Lastly, I wish the display was the same size as the DirectStream - more size, more information.
I don’t think anything gets a score of 100 in the audio world, but this comes closer than I ever would have guessed. My hat is off to Paul, Bascom, and everyone who worked on this project. A job very, very well done!
Brian Elliott
Brian, glad to see a fellow DS DAC/JC2 owner review the BHK pre. Judging by your comments, it looks like I’ll be writing a purchase order for my wife’s approval and a promise to clean my stuff up around the house.
brianme said Better late than never, I say. I had a delayed start with my beta test and when I did get going I thought the right thing to do would be to let the unit have 200+ hours of playing time before I did any extended listening. Also, I often enjoy using my many headphones so I added about 75 hrs. of run-in time on the headphone amp. Thanks for internet radio stations for providing 24/7 signals.My system is as follows: Bryston 4BSST2 amp & NAD Master Series M22 amp (Hypex nCore) – equal time on both; Music Vault server; GoldenEar Triton 1 speakers (others waiting); PSA DirectStream DAC; PSA power plants; and a Parasound JC2 preamp, which I have used for several years, as a point of comparison. I consider the Parasound JC2 to be a great pre and those positive feelings gave me some pause as I looked at the descriptions of the BHK unit. However, prior to the JC2, I used a tube pre for several years and still have positive memories of a slightly richer, more organic sound despite other shortcomings. I used the “Could the BHK join the best of both?” argument to move forward. I have to justify this stuff somehow.
Reading other beta testers’ comments about sound quality, I can only add my praise to the growing mountain of positive reviews. For me, the synergy of the DirectStream combined with the BHK pre provides a level of musicality I though I would never achieve. Resolution, a very strong organic sense, terrific small and large dynamic swings, overall a wonderful ability to reveal not just what is on the recording, but the music that sings to me. And, for anyone who thinks their system is just a tad bass shy, don’t buy a sub - it’s a bonus that comes with the BHK.
Is there anything that I, personally, would change about the pre. Yeah, a couple, keeping in mind that these are small potatoes compared to the sound achievement. Sitting in my listening chair and using the remote, I find the balance control near useless as I can’t see what’s happening and find the increments confusing. Thankfully, the DirectStream has a great remote balance control, so problem solved. I know many of you don’t ever touch the balance control, but when I listen to a vocalist or solo instrument that is just a few degrees off center I find it adds a slight, unnecessary tension to the music. Remote balance control solves this.
I hear the volume control click, or whatever you call it, at about volume setting 52. Paul has explained this and it’s a non-issue for me. Paul explained why there is no fixed output, but I have a few very nice headphone amps that, despite the overall positive feelings I have for the BHK headphone section, I will enjoy using from time to time. I can connect them another way but, for me, a fixed output would have been nice. I have an early unit, so there is no hour counter for the tubes. Not a big deal, but it’s a nice addition. Lastly, I wish the display was the same size as the DirectStream - more size, more information.
I don’t think anything gets a score of 100 in the audio world, but this comes closer than I ever would have guessed. My hat is off to Paul, Bascom, and everyone who worked on this project. A job very, very well done!
Brian Elliott
Thanks Brian! Great report. Maybe we can make the display bigger on the balance setting. I’ll check.
I’m a bit tardy to at adding my praise of the pre-amp – my system is a collection of various devices, auditioned and added over the past 30 years. my last profound addition was the directstream DAC, which completely turned around my appreciation of digital music through my system. I wasn’t expecting as much from a pre-amp, I mean after all, it is just a switching box, right ? and i had a pretty good one previously – a counterpoint SA-5000 which had loads (all) the upgrades mike elliot could put in it through alta-vista sound. I was in for a surprise.
I first noticed the absolute blackness of the spaces between the notes, a dramatic effect of nothingness where it was supposed to be, I guess this is a marked drop in the noise floor in the system. Then came the music – the instruments very detailed – not just with soundstage width and depth, timber and decay, but an actual contour to the sounds that I find hard to describe. Recordings were that much more superbly reproduced (PSAudio One, my Kronos Quartet albums, Joanne Shaw Taylor – White Sugar, Andy Palacio – Watima, Patty Smith Banga) – even some albums that i thought were not well recorded, sounded much cleaner and engaging than before.
Maybe this effect has something to do with the balanced circuitry from the birth of the analogue signal at the DAC all the way to the amp, i defer to those smarter than I.
My turntable is out of service at the moment – i look forward to listening to my vinyl as well.
a rocking component upgrade – i couldn’t be happier –
myself:
I spend far too much time messing with my electronics, but other than that I like to create and consume foods and liquids, enjoy live and recorded music, and do outdoor colorado things – hike, bike, fish, ski – and travel – the system – Nearfield audio pipedreams 21 – CJ Premier 1B, Counterpoint NP200, Counterpoint SA 5000, VPI HRX/Graham2.2/Shelter 501, PS Audio NuWave Phono Converter, JR River on windows, Geek Pulse DAC, PS Audio Directstream DAC, Music Fidelity A5; BHK signature Preamp(new!); P10 power.
Still waiting to try my new preamp. Its really testing me but should be waiting when I get home from holiday in Bali. Of course its not all bad, I get to read your comments like a daily fix.
I wonder if beta testers are getting a BHK signature? Also, if the tube hours counter is added via firmware, can we update it at home?
Well… I use MIT Oracles all around, and I can say it’s very difficult to beat them. MIT 330 is a very good cable (yes, old, I think I’ve still got one), but the PSA equipment must be run balanced to really show what it’s capable for.
“I wonder if beta testers are getting a BHK signature?”
Not sure that I understand the question, exactly, but the Beta units are essentially the same as the production ones but do not have an actual signature on them. If the question is, “are we keeping them?” I suspect that the answer for most is “yes”.
wglenn said If the question is, "are we keeping them?" I suspect that the answer for most is "yes".Yeah, reading all the reviews makes me think ... I did not intend to buy any new preamps, since I'm quite happy with the DS directly to BHK250, and my system requires power line/filtering redesign. But now... Hmm.....
Alekz said Yeah, reading all the reviews makes me think ... I did not intend to buy any new preamps, since I'm quite happy with the DS directly to BHK250, and my system requires power line/filtering redesign. But now... Hmm.....I know, bummer, isn't it? Just when I thought everything was in place with the last final component (BHK 250) along comes the preamp and I have to decide if I want to yank out the LS 26 and reprogram the universal remote for the BHK.
Of course, with the VW dieselgate rebates coming (exactly when, I don’t know) there may be some funds available for the preamp. Hopefully the preamp production line will remain open until I can get the rebate from VW . . .
Received the beta test preamp a little over two weeks ago. Packaging and delivery was great. Build quality appears to be excellent and the remote is great, but the plastic volume knob doesn’t have a great “feel” to it. I too find the audible “clicks” during volume adjustment annoying, but not a deal breaker. Out of the box, the preamp only sounded OK, the best way I describe it was reserved or closed in. After a few days of leaving the preamp on during the day and listening interspersed, it began to open up with improved clarity and resolution. It seems to have continued to improve as I write this more than two weeks later. Am in agreement with another reviewer who indicated it’s “disappointingly good” - I was hoping my Conrad Johnson ET3 would at least be the equal of the BHK preamp, but after numerous listening sessions with both analog and digital sources comparing the two preamps, the BHK preamp is the better sounding piece of equipment, it is more resolving and refined. Being fully balanced is a plus as well (except for having to get new interconnects!).
lcd54222 said Build quality appears to be excellent and the remote is great, but the plastic volume knob doesn't have a great "feel" to it.It is really made out of plastic? :-(
My production copy arrived on Tuesday and has been running most of that time. My experience so far is similar to Larry D. The soundstage is still a bit two dimensional but continues to open up as it breaks in.
Yes, the volume knob is plastic.
Jeff C
Rossi saidlcd54222 said Build quality appears to be excellent and the remote is great, but the plastic volume knob doesn't have a great "feel" to it.It is really made out of plastic?
Huh? That is one solid aluminum knob, my friends. Ain’t no plastic in that!
I think I’m gonna stay passive for a while. I took the old Adcom out and put the Tisbury unit back in. It sounds fantastic. I need to push the attenuator levels a bit higher when I am practicing, but I’ve fairly found the sweet spot for both listening and practice levels.
VPI Classic 3
Lyra Kleos
Bob’s Devices step up transformer
PS Audio Nuwave Phono Converter
Musical Fidelity A5 (CD player)
Dangerous Music Source
Tisbury Audio mini passive pre
PS Audio BHK 250
Scansonic MB-3.5
JL Audio E112 (two)
JL Audio CR-1 crossover
Paul
I apologize for providing incorrect information about the volume knob. The surface treatment of the knob, my late 50’s eyes and the lighting near my rack fooled me.
Thanks for setting the record straight.
Jeff C