billg said
I had previously used a Plinius M16 pre and Naim NAC52/Supercap.
It was better without them and I sold the Naim as a result.
Can you confirm you used the preamp with the 6 channel ATI poweramp? If so, why a six channel amp (in what appears to be a 2 channel system). Also, this amp is of a much lower caliber than the BHK preamp, which may explain why you are not getting any mileage out of the pre. I would replae the poweramp with the stereo BHK amp (which should be night and day better), and then at some point insert the BHP preamp.
The LX521 speakers designed by Siegfried Linkwitz (of Linkwitz-Riley crossover fame) are stereo as in only 2 speakers. But they are 3 way using an external active crossover (ASP). Each speaker requires 3 channels of amplifier for tweeters, mids and bass drivers. For more info check out the website http://www.linkwitzlab.com/LX521/Description.htm
If you think I can’t hear the benefits of the preamp because of the power amps, how come I can hear the differences between other preamps? I can also hear the differences when rolling tubes. For me it was always better without a preamp.
I think the Linkwitz speakers with the ATI amps are plenty revealing enough for the task. The ATIs are well specified and way bigger than the recommended wattage (60w). Perhaps things could be better with the BHKs amps but I would need 3 stereo amps. I dont have the space and cant afford them.
I don’t know why the BHK pre didn’t give me the goods that it gives to other systems. It’s speculation but maybe the DAC and ASP are well matched already, maybe the existing gain is all that’s needed for these amps. Maybe the pixies were on vacation.
My next steps will be tweaking the ASP settings, trying dual PC jplay and room stuff; moving the speakers about and improving the room characteristics. I’m intreagued by the log interconnect/short cable idea too. There’s never a dull moment with this hobby.
But better than that will be simply enjoying the music for a while.
Is the active crossover digital or analog? If it is digital, running the DAC direct would be a digital feed, and it is entirely predictable and plausible inserting an analog preamp in the chain, requiring A/D conversion before the crossover makes sound quality worse.
If the crossover is analog your deterioration in S/Q is harder to rationalize, but since you have a very different audio chain than a straight preamp -> poweramp feed all bets are off.
The ASP crossover is analog, quite complex and created by one of the gurus of crossover design. I’ve heard some of SL’s earlier Orion designs and found them to be very pleasing, delicate and detailed. I have not heard the 521’s but can only guess that they are a refinement on his previous designs.
I have gotten in a lot more listening time recently and just want to re-iterate how utterly musically satisfying the DS, BHK Pre, BHK Monos are, to the point I have absolutely no desire to explore any other electronics in the foreseeable future. Truth be told, I have entered my post-OCD audiophile phase and am no longer fretting about the pursuit of “perfection”, spending massive amounts of $$$ and time in the hope of of finding marginally better gear in the process. I have 2 x P10 (replacing Shunyata) en route to complete the conversion to all PS audio electronics (minus server). So a big thank you to Paul and the team for setting the standard in price performance and offering great customer service.
I was just thinking the other day that with my DS, BHK250 amp, BHK pre-amp, P10, PSA power cords, Belden Iconoclast interconnects and speaker cables and Sophia 3 speakers, there’s nothing in my entire digital chain I can point to that seems to need upgrading. I can’t remember the last time I was so content with my system. I suppose if Bascom finishes his BHK Signature phono preamp I’ll need to at least think about it, but I don’t play that much vinyl these days and my NPC sounds pretty darn good as it is. Otherwise, all I can think of is a new set of headphones to use with the BHK preamp. So a big thank you to the whole PSA team from me as well.
I’ll pile on, too. I never thought that I would have the main components in my signal chain all by the same manufacturer. I just never thought of things that way. I know some are smitten by “all McIntosh” or ARC and such but that has never been one of my perversions. However, here I am and it’s based on sound quality alone and, DAMN, what a sound. I guess that I can still lust after the monos… I can’t thank the PSA crew enough for making my favorite time of my day, spent in front of the music, so satisfying.
stevem2 said
I was just thinking the other day that with my DS, BHK250 amp, BHK pre-amp, P10, PSA power cords, Belden Iconoclast interconnects and speaker cables and Sophia 3 speakers, there's nothing in my entire digital chain I can point to that seems to need upgrading. I can't remember the last time I was so content with my system. I suppose if Bascom finishes his BHK Signature phono preamp I'll need to at least think about it, but I don't play that much vinyl these days and my NPC sounds pretty darn good as it is. Otherwise, all I can think of is a new set of headphones to use with the BHK preamp. So a big thank you to the whole PSA team from me as well.
Hi Steve, can you let me know where you get your Belden speaker cables? thx.
If you can swing it, I would give the transparent reference MM2 a try. The trick is to be patient and scoop them up used on audio gin at 40% of retail max. You’ll tie up,significant cash, but your depreciation will be zero because you can always resell and get your money out. They work,phenomenally we’ll with PS audio,electronics in my experience.
I previously commented in my review of the BHK Pre that my biggest complaint of the unit was (for my listening room) the overly bright backlit remote control buttons, and I pleaded for a way to disable this functionality. The other night I found myself not having to avert my eyes from the RC when changing volume as the RC was not lighting up after a button press. Delight! It turns out that the bottom right button on the RC (it looks like it has a sun icon on it) is a toggle for the RC backlighting, and I must have accidentally hit it. I had seen this button before, but since it is in the “Transport” section of the RC, and since I don’t have a PS Audio transport, I logically concluded those buttons wouldn’t do anything for me.
So to PS Audio, my feedback on this feature is:
Thank you for including backlighting disable feature
This button shouldn't be within the outline of the Transport section on the RC
Include a reference to this feature in the owners manual
wglenn said
I'll pile on, too. I never thought that I would have the main components in my signal chain all by the same manufacturer. I just never thought of things that way. I know some are smitten by "all McIntosh" or ARC and such but that has never been one of my perversions. However, here I am and it's based on sound quality alone and, DAMN, what a sound. I guess that I can still lust after the monos... I can't thank the PSA crew enough for making my favorite time of my day, spent in front of the music, so satisfying.
Sorry for being late, or posting in the wrong topic…
Nothing to add about the benefit of inserting the BHK preamp in my system instead of nearly nothing ( in my case, passive DIY selector attenuator box). As previously and most eloquently described by others, it’s a leap forward in terms of coherence, depth and soundstaging, without any loss of detail or tone richness.
I have a question about the clicking volume command : in my system (mostly french stuff, including Audiomat Maestro 2 DAC, Klinger Favre Précision amp and Studio 30 speakers), the clicks (except louder, mechanical relay switchings) are not audible any more when using the balanced outputs of the preamp, connected to the (only available) unbalanced amp inputs, through Lundahl transformers.
So my question is : is this an effect of neutralizing common mode noise through balanced interconnects, or some Lundahl magic ? Did other users experience the same ?
This effect has already been reported by TheFlyingDutchman :
“I’ve found that I only faintly hear clicks at lower volume levels when using balanced cables, yet I have very audible, much more intrusive clicks on volume changes when using the single ended cables.If you can run balanced cables on your unit and you aren’t currently doing this, I advise it.”
Furthermore, I did an instant research and found this, among “Techniques for dealing with common-mode interferences” listed in the Common-mode interference page from wikipedia :
“Both signal and signal return may be applied to the primary of a transformer or balun, with the signal taken from the secondary. As common mode interference will not cause current to be induced in the primary, no signal from this source will be seen in the secondary, while differential signals on the primary will cause current in the primary and so cause induced voltage in the secondary.”
So adding balanced interconnects to the use of transformers is like, so to speak, la ceinture et les bretelles vis-à-vis those clicking noises…
Yes, I agree. I found the same thing when I upgraded my interconnects to the balanced version. Although I can still hear the clicks, they are at a much less noticeable volume.
BTW, I went from the Morrow Audio Elite single ended cable to the new Morrow Anniversary balanced cable. Between switching to the balanced cable and changing to their new top of the line reference cable, I can honesty say that I have never enjoyed my system more.
I’ve been using the BHK Pre for quite a few weeks now and I’m as pleased as ever. Simply a beautiful piece of audio equipment. Aesthetics, Usability and Sound Quality are wonderful! I couldn’t be happier with BHK’s and PSA’s work… very well done and a big THANK-YOU!