I was able to raise the top shelf above the amplifier by 3/4" (which is as high as I can go) and removed the right side panel of the cabinet. I now have 2.75" space above the amplifier and plenty of space to the sides, front and back. I am measuring 111 degrees above the heat fins right next to the case wall with a room temp of 72 degrees and playing at a low volume level. That should be OK for now. If it starts getting too hot, I will move it to the bottom shelf with more space above the amplifier.
Is there any way to get a copy of the test CD that was sent to the beta testers? Thanks.
In the new issue of hifi&records (in my view the best high end magazine we have in Germany) there is a great review of the Signature 300 amplifier. In the last paragraph of this 4 page review the writer Uwe Steiner concludes that this amplifier is one of the best around and at the same time probable the one with the lowest price. The whole article is one big praise of this device. Congratulations!
In the new issue of hifi&records (in my view the best high end magazine we have in Germany) there is a great review of the Signature 300 amplifier. In the last paragraph of this 4 page review the writer Uwe Steiner concludes that this amplifier is one of the best around and at the same time probable the one with the lowest price. The whole article is one big praise of this device. Congratulations!
Herzliche Grüsse Ulrich
Hi ulrichoskar. Is there any chance of getting a link to this review or a copy that could be read?
It currently appears to be available only at kiosks.
I found one quote on a retailer’s site, which I have poorly translated: “In terms of tonality, transparency, dynamism and spatiality [the amps] have few/no peers. Bascom H. King’s hybrid concept combines the best of the tube and transistor worlds and reconciles what would otherwise be opposites. So impulsive and quick, atmospheric and powerful. It is among the best.”
I hope Ulrich can provide you with more. His translation will certainly be better than mine.
Paul McGowan said
That sounds fine. How's it sounding?
When I first went to connect my Nordost speaker cables, the banana plugs did not seem to want to go in, like the hole in the speaker terminal was too small. Then I loosened the speaker connector slightly and the banana plugs went in. Is there something about the speaker terminals that clamps down slightly on the banana plugs when they are fully tightened?
The first thing I noticed with the BHK-250 was better low level detail. Things like finger symbols and brushes swishing across a snare drum head that had been almost lost in the background were now easier to hear, as if their volume had been increased, or whatever had been obscuring them had gotten out of the way. In general, a bit more sparkle in the high frequencies.
The second thing that I noticed was an increase in dynamic impact, where a sudden change from quiet to loud grabbed my attention, whereas before, I had a feeling that the dynamics were being compressed. The compression in dynamics is something that I had attributed to my 86dB efficiency speakers, but the BHK proved up to the task in restoring dynamics that I had been missing.
Then there was a change where vocals/midrange seemed a bit harsh or grainy compared to my first listening. Then I remembered that I had pushed my 55" TV that sits between the speakers back 3 to 4 inches. Last night I pulled the TV back forward, and the midrange was better again.
I look forward to going back through my music collection and discovering what other benefits the BHK will bring.
Indeed they are locking banana connectors - you loosen them, insert the banana and then tighten them down to clamp against it. We should have mentioned it. Does anyone read manuals anymore?
Paul McGowan said
Does anyone read manuals anymore?
Actually, I did read the manual. It should be fairly easy to update the PDF version of the manual, if not the print version, to include this information.
I am a manual nerd. I read every manual for every product I buy, back to back. It is amazing what you learn and how much better you can appreciate a product from a well-written manual.
The manual for my BMW S1000RR is 230 pages, dozens of pages on the dash, suspension adjustments, traction control setup, etc. Very cool stuff. But there is an amazing number of owners of the same machine who have never cracked the manual and are missing out.
I would love a DS manual with a section by Ted detailing how it works, etc. Just gathering his wonderfully informative posts here into a single organized section would alone be a delight. BHK’s observations are similarly excellent.
Elk. You read your entire car manual? I am impressed. I do whatever I can to avoid them - like a typical male obsessed with not asking directions when I am lost - and I don’t know why that is. I wish I had your patience.
In this case it is a high performance motorcycle. The technology is astounding and fully customizable, as well as nutty complicated. As an example, you can set it up to change traction control on the fly to allow varying levels of slip for each corner on a race track.
I find it astounding that so many just get on and ride without having a clue as to what all the adjustments, fuel mapping settings, suspension options, etc. do or how to adjust them. They are missing out on a great deal and will not even have the suspension set properly for their weight.
I adore learning, about just about anything.
And yes, I have have read every car manual for my cars. I have reading disease.
Paul McGowan said
As Bascom had correctly pointed out, the unit does get hot and requires as much ventilation as you can. Install it as best you think you can do and then keep a watch on its temperature. My test has always been to make sure it never gets too hot to touch. In my music room the amps get good and toasty - hot to the touch - but never so hot I feel like I am getting burned.
I also make sure the amps are always on, but left in standby when not in use, through the front panel logo light button.
Given the warnings about heat, I’m actually surprised how cool the amps run. You can certainly easily touch them, and they hardly warm up my relatively small room. Thenagain I once used massive class A amps which were effectively space heaters.
edorr said
Thenagain I once used massive class A amps which were effectively space heaters.
Much like my Krell KSA-150 Which in winter time really does double duty as a space heater. In the winter it stays on 24/7 and keeps the living room toasty warm. In summer it gets little use and is turned on only long enough before listening to warm up.
I received my BHK 250 on Monday. I broke it in for 24 hours by playing music and it’s been in stand-by mode since. I’ll get down to some listening this weekend. This forum has been very helpful with advice on unpacking and hooking up the banana plugs. THANKS!
