A friend of mine sent me a great photo of what he’s managed with his 250. It uses a DIY wooden butcher block and an inner tube for support. Says the difference is “staggeringly good”.
I am still sold on using the PowerBase as an isolation platform myself. I don’t use the PowerBase internal AC conditioner, instead I plug directly into the PowerPlant, but as an isolation base, the PowerBase works great - though I wonder if as good as this?
I have placed mine on an amp stand and the difference was also “staggering”.
Originally on a block of wood…“I am so happy with this amp!”
Then out the back to make a nicer 2 piece stand, sized to fit with rubber ring between layers…“mmm ok well it was fun to make, but same same, maybe a bit better.”
Fork out money for a stand made by someone that knows what they are doing…swear words come out haha. Good luck with going to bed.
Fair chance if anyone feels this amp is not what they expected, it is sitting on the wrong thing…From what I have experienced anyway.
Now just waiting for the pre to arrive
From what I have read so far, sounds like more swearing coming up.
I am using 3 Stillpoints Ultra 6’s under the BHK250. I also swapped the Golden Lions for a pair of Tungsram PCC88’s. I am very pleased!
Which made a greater difference longbowbbs, the Stillpoints or the tubes?
Both added something. The stillpoints provided a blacker background and the tubes had a nice improvement on midrange and top end. The tubes are certainly a cheaper starting place!
Paul McGowan said A friend of mine sent me a great photo of what he's managed with his 250. It uses a DIY wooden butcher block and an inner tube for support. Says the difference is "staggeringly good".Interesting to see this as usually I've gone the reverse way, putting the component on a solid platform then placing the inner tube (usually a wheelbarrow inner tube) on the floor and placing the component +platform on top. This way may work better, or get rid of the platform all together. Paul, is there any issue with having the bottom of the amplifier (250 or 300) sitting directly on the inner tube - ventilation / heat dissipation?I am still sold on using the PowerBase as an isolation platform myself. I don’t use the PowerBase internal AC conditioner, instead I plug directly into the PowerPlant, but as an isolation base, the PowerBase works great - though I wonder if as good as this?
Paul McGowan said A friend of mine sent me a great photo of what he's managed with his 250. It uses a DIY wooden butcher block and an inner tube for support. Says the difference is "staggeringly good".I am still sold on using the PowerBase as an isolation platform myself. I don’t use the PowerBase internal AC conditioner, instead I plug directly into the PowerPlant, but as an isolation base, the PowerBase works great - though I wonder if as good as this?
I tried this tonight with a 10" inner tube. I tried several PSI amounts, but I could not get the amp to balance at all! Is there a certain psi that works? I tried from 10-40 psi
Here is my try of a similar setup. One photo below shows the size of the innertube with the P10 beside for scale. These tubes are wheelbarrow innertubes. I inflattthem to ‘reasonable’ pressure so they would support each S300. I then placed the amp’s on top and adjusted the position of the amp until a bubble(or “t” ) level placed on top showed the amp was approximately level. I’m not sure this setup has made significant improvements but it hasn’t made it worse.
I gave up on the inner tube idea. I did install some SVS isolation feet. These are rather cheap and seem to work great!
just installed the tube damping rings from Audio Research (part #20004660) on the Tugsgram tubes. Wow, I can hear the difference immediately! The effect is almost as big as the LanRover in my system but these rings only cost $16 (2 rings per tube). Just want to share with everyone here who wants to make the best out of their BHK amp.
Thank you for posting this. I have used tube rings in the past with good results. I thought that perhaps the fact that the tubes on the BHK are enclosed would more or less shield them from vibrations – looks like that’s not the case. I have the Tungsrams installed, so now it’s off to get the rings.
I have also used rings on input tubes with good results. Silly I did not think of them for this application.
a25105 said just installed the tube damping rings from Audio Research (part #20004660) on the Tugsgram tubes. Wow, I can hear the difference immediately! The effect is almost as big as the LanRover in my system but these rings only cost $16 (2 rings per tube). Just want to share with everyone here who wants to make the best out of their BHK amp.Do you order the rings from the dealer or from Audio Research directly?
Thanks for the tip.
I ordered it through sales@audioresearch.com directly.
Thanks!
You can also order them from The Tube Store, which I did a couple of days ago.
While waiting, I located a pair of tube dampers from Herbie’s Audio Lab that I used on an amp in the past. I thought they might be too big to go in the tube compartment of the BHK, but they do fit. Like a25105, I heard an immediate improvement: the dampers tightened up a little loose bass and produced a clearer, cleaner sound that was also easier to listen to. Definitely recommended for anyone running the Tungsram PCC88s in the BHK amp.
It would be interesting if someone running an amp with the stock tubes would try tube dampers and report back. The results might not be as dramatic, but considering how cheap tube dampers are, it’s a certainly worth experimenting.
Would they be something I might want to try for my BHK pre ?
The same question occurred to me. I am still running the original tubes in my pre. I will try dampers on them before I switch over to the Tungsrams that I have waiting. Stay tuned 
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Is PS Audio AC-12 the best sounding cable for the BHK amplifier? I would like to hear what you guys think.
I have installed the Tungsram into my 250 amp and Radio Technique 1958/59 12au7 in the pre, absolutely delighted!