# BHK 250 Stereo Amplifier's best match **URL:** \ **Category:** Amplifiers\ **Created:** [April 3, 2016, 5:53am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-250-stereo-amplifiers-best-match/2942 "2016-04-03T05:53:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gvalente](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/da6949/32.png) [@gvalente](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/gvalente)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2016, 5:53am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-250-stereo-amplifiers-best-match/2942/1 "2016-04-03T05:53:17Z")
Hello I have recently auditioned at a showroom the new BHK 250 Stereo amp with a pair of ProAc speakers and I did not find the combination very synergic, lacking emotion and excitment. I own a pair of ProAc D30R and they tend to perform well with tube amps (ARC, Cary, McIntosh). As I am planning to purchase a BHK amp, I wonder what are the suggestions regarding a good loudspeaker match for the amp. My listening space is not very big, so relatively small floorstanders and bookshelf speakers would probably fit more than very large floorstanders. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Paul](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/paul/32/6_2.png) [@Paul](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Paul)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2016, 6:35am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-250-stereo-amplifiers-best-match/2942/2 "2016-04-03T06:35:04Z")
That’s too bad, I haven’t heard a pair of ProAcs in a long time. There are many great speakers that BHK sounds marvelous on - but I can only relay the few I’ve had experience with and perhaps some other BHK owners can chime in. I’ve heard them on, of course, my own system which is the Infinity IRSV and IRS Betas. We’ve played them at show with great success on the big Magneplanars, YG Acoustics, Magicos, Raidhos, LS50s, GoldenEars and I have reports of success with the SoundLabs electrostats. But any time you hear a setup with a BHK that doesn’t float your boat, I’d look to the other equipment associated with it. The BHKs are arm and engaging, but also revealing at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![alekz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/alekz/32/1121_2.png) [@alekz](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/alekz)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2016, 8:26am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-250-stereo-amplifiers-best-match/2942/3 "2016-04-03T08:26:00Z")
I would add Martin Logans to the list. ---
**Author:** ![pmotz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/pmotz/32/269612_2.png) [@pmotz](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/pmotz)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2016, 9:40am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-250-stereo-amplifiers-best-match/2942/4 "2016-04-03T09:40:19Z")
I’m using the BHK 250 with Vandersteen 5’s and am very happy. It replaced an Audio Research Classic 60 and the sound was better all around. Audio Research tube amps are highly recommended for Vandersteen speakers so even though I only have the one amp for comparison I think I can say it’s a good (maybe even great) match. ---
**Author:** ![stevem2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@stevem2](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/stevem2)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2016, 5:22pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-250-stereo-amplifiers-best-match/2942/5 "2016-04-03T17:22:14Z")
My Wilson Audio Sophia 3’s love my BHK 250. ---
**Author:** ![Paul](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/paul/32/6_2.png) [@Paul](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Paul)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2016, 4:12am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-250-stereo-amplifiers-best-match/2942/6 "2016-04-04T04:12:35Z")
And the BHKs loved the Wilsons in Cordesman and Fremer’s homes as well. ---
**Author:** ![emailists](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9fc348/32.png) [@emailists](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/emailists)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2016, 8:08am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-250-stereo-amplifiers-best-match/2942/7 "2016-04-04T08:08:04Z")
The 300’s are best amp with my TAD CR1’S I’ve ever heard. ---
**Author:** ![alekz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/alekz/32/1121_2.png) [@alekz](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/alekz)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2016, 10:24am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-250-stereo-amplifiers-best-match/2942/8 "2016-04-04T10:24:07Z")
I think the thread should be renamed to: The speakers the BHK amps do not work with. Are there any? I thought my Logans would kill the BHK 250, but it did not happen (yet?) ![kiss](http://www.psaudio.com/wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-kiss.gif "kiss") ---
**Author:** ![gvalente](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/da6949/32.png) [@gvalente](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/gvalente)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2016, 9:32pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-250-stereo-amplifiers-best-match/2942/9 "2016-04-04T21:32:17Z")
Thanks everyone for the various replies. I think I will have to investigate further to understand what was not right with the ProAc/BHK and perhaps listen to a couple of speaker alternatives… ---
**Author:** ![dev](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@dev](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/dev)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 1:14pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-250-stereo-amplifiers-best-match/2942/10 "2016-04-06T13:14:39Z")
I have no doubts that BHK would easily drive my speakers, Acoustic Zen Crescendo but wanted to know how hot does it get ? I have a Pass X250.5 and its not very present in the summer ![yell](http://www.psaudio.com/wp-content/forum-smileys/sf-yell.gif "yell")One of the reason why I am very hesitant to get a pair of XA.8 (which are more musical than their A/B counterpart). Thus I have been looking for amps which are mostly cool running or maybe just warm and doesn’t increase the temperature in the room as Pass does; the Hypex Ncore 1200 based amp are in my short list. Wanted to get an idea how does BHK compares. ---
**Author:** ![Elk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/elk/32/1240_2.png) [@Elk](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Elk)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 2:15pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-250-stereo-amplifiers-best-match/2942/11 "2016-04-06T14:15:30Z")
Pass Labs A/B amps are biased quite high. The first 15 watts of the X250.5 are Class A, the vast bulk of its output at any rational listening level. Thus, they get hot. I expect the BHK to run a good deal cooler, but I do not have one so I cannot state definitively. ---
**Author:** ![woot](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/woot/32/106_2.png) [@woot](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/woot)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 7:05pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-250-stereo-amplifiers-best-match/2942/12 "2016-04-06T19:05:27Z")
My Von Schweikert 5 SE’s (Alberts first pair BTW) love my BHK! ---
**Author:** ![alekz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/alekz/32/1121_2.png) [@alekz](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/alekz)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2016, 2:11am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-250-stereo-amplifiers-best-match/2942/13 "2016-04-07T02:11:06Z")
@Dev : Yes, BHK250 runs cooler than Pass Labs x250, especially during cold seasons (5C diff in the ambient results in ~15C diff on the BHK250 fins). ---
**Author:** ![pmotz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/pmotz/32/269612_2.png) [@pmotz](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/pmotz)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2016, 8:37am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-250-stereo-amplifiers-best-match/2942/14 "2016-04-07T08:37:27Z")
Dev, I don’t run my amp to hard due to a small room and general preference for low volume but I am able to put my hand comfortably on the cooling fins of my BHK 250 and can hold it there indefinitely. I put a thermometer on top of the fins and it measured 100 deg F so that confirms the temperature is low. Probably not as low as a Class D amp would be, but that should give you a data point. ---
**Author:** ![bornie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee59a6/32.png) [@bornie](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/bornie)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2016, 4:24pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-250-stereo-amplifiers-best-match/2942/15 "2016-05-16T16:24:40Z")
I’m using the BHK Signature 300’s on a pair of custom finished Von Schweikert VR55’s and the sonics are outstanding. The VR55’s($60k) were launched at RMAF a couple of Oct’s ago using Constellation Amps/Preamps/Emm Labs Dac2, etc. For me it was love at first sight and sound. With BHK’s expertise used in the design of Constellation I felt mating the BHK’s were a no-brainer, esp considering the tubed input stage. I watched the UTube video’s 3xeach and read the TAS and Stereophile review until I couldn’t resist. My 55’s are connected directly to my Laufer Teknik Memory Player, a Mark Porzilli(Melos-Nova Physics-Pipedreams) wonder, w/internal DAC and volume attenuator. Cables are MasterBuilt. Well, to my ears the sound produced in my system exceeds that which I experienced multiple times at RMAF’s and most recently, AXPONA. Depth, width, space, detail, midrange vocals and wallop are truly outstanding and the best I’ve heard. I have lusted for the Dartzeel’s for years and thought one day I’d eventually purchase a 108… I can honestly say, not Dartzeel, not Pass, not VAC, not Constellation not anything I can think of, will replace these BHK 300’s. They have found a permanent home with me. PSAudio has done a great service to audiophiles by producing a terrific product at a very, very fair price. Kudo’s to Paul, BHK and Arnie and the PSA team! Jack/Houston ---
**Author:** ![wglenn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/wglenn/32/172_2.png) [@wglenn](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/wglenn)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 2:02am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-250-stereo-amplifiers-best-match/2942/16 "2016-05-17T02:02:10Z")
+1 ---
**Author:** ![Paul](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/paul/32/6_2.png) [@Paul](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Paul)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 4:23am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-250-stereo-amplifiers-best-match/2942/17 "2016-05-17T04:23:24Z")
> **bornie said** I'm using the BHK Signature 300's on a pair of custom finished Von Schweikert VR55's and the sonics are outstanding. The VR55's($60k) were launched at RMAF a couple of Oct's ago using Constellation Amps/Preamps/Emm Labs Dac2, etc. For me it was love at first sight and sound. > > With BHK’s expertise used in the design of Constellation I felt mating the BHK’s were a no-brainer, esp considering the tubed input stage. I watched the UTube video’s 3xeach and read the TAS and Stereophile review until I couldn’t resist. My 55’s are connected directly to my Laufer Teknik Memory Player, a Mark Porzilli(Melos-Nova Physics-Pipedreams) wonder, w/internal DAC and volume attenuator. Cables are MasterBuilt. > > Well, to my ears the sound produced in my system exceeds that which I experienced multiple times at RMAF’s and most recently, AXPONA. Depth, width, space, detail, midrange vocals and wallop are truly outstanding and the best I’ve heard. I have lusted for the Dartzeel’s for years and thought one day I’d eventually purchase a 108… I can honestly say, not Dartzeel, not Pass, not VAC, not Constellation not anything I can think of, will replace these BHK 300’s. They have found a permanent home with me. PSAudio has done a great service to audiophiles by producing a terrific product at a very, very fair price. Kudo’s to Paul, BHK and Arnie and the PSA team! Jack/Houston Thanks!! I’ll pass this along to BHK! ---
**Author:** ![murrayb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/murrayb/32/196345_2.png) [@murrayb](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/murrayb)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2016, 9:59am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-250-stereo-amplifiers-best-match/2942/18 "2016-05-18T09:59:41Z")
I’ve had my BHK 250 for a little more than 2 weeks now. Feeding the Directstream straight to the BHK. Like the OP, my room is fairly small (about 13’ x 15’). My speakers are Dynaudio C1s and the BHK matches extremely well with them. I’m still astounded with how good the system sounds now. The BHK replaced a Bryston 4B SST2 amp and BP26 pre-amp, which I thought sounded great, but there is simply no comparison with the BHK. The difference is not subtle. Perhaps for the first time, I can really appreciate the comments about black backgrounds. The resolution and soundstage are fantastic and there is now a very noticeable depth of field that I have never noticed before. Sometimes more resolution / detail means clinical sounding, but that’s not the case here. It’s simply a joy to listen to the system. The BHK heats up the room though, even with it turned off, but it’s a small price to pay. ---
**Author:** ![bornie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee59a6/32.png) [@bornie](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/bornie)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2016, 11:36am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-250-stereo-amplifiers-best-match/2942/19 "2016-05-18T11:36:46Z")
not sure if this belongs on this forum, but here’s the latest from Positive-Feedback [http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/](http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/audio-ramblings-the-ps-audio-bhk-signature-250-stereo-power-amplifier/) ---
**Author:** ![emailists](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9fc348/32.png) [@emailists](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/emailists)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2016, 12:58pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-250-stereo-amplifiers-best-match/2942/20 "2016-05-18T12:58:54Z")
Great review . While I haven’t heard the 250’s (I have the monoblocks) I am thinking pehaps any downsides pointed out or lack of a complete rave review is more a function of lesser or ill suited ancillary equipment. Hearing these amps on highly resolving and phase coherent speakers (and now with active ac conditioning) is doing things is just another level beyond what I feel I have heard even in Any other system. [Next page](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-250-stereo-amplifiers-best-match/2942.md?page=2)