# Bryston BP-26 vs PS Audio BHK preamp **URL:** \ **Category:** Preamplifiers\ **Created:** [August 26, 2022, 4:10pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bryston-bp-26-vs-ps-audio-bhk-preamp/30280 "2022-08-26T16:10:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![onehorsepony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b5ac83/32.png) [@onehorsepony](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/onehorsepony)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 4:10pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bryston-bp-26-vs-ps-audio-bhk-preamp/30280/1 "2022-08-26T16:10:56Z")
Hi all - I am thinking of replacing my Bryston BP-26 preamp with the PS Audio BHK preamp. Can anyone give me a sense of what difference I’d be hearing between the two? thanks in advance… ---
**Author:** ![adifferentpaul](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/adifferentpaul/32/282181_2.png) [@adifferentpaul](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/adifferentpaul)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 4:55pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bryston-bp-26-vs-ps-audio-bhk-preamp/30280/2 "2022-08-26T16:55:21Z")
I know this does not answer your question directly, but it does answer the question you didn’t ask… You might possibly be floored by how good it sounds…(and uses only 2 12AU7 tubes) > **[Conrad Johnson PV-12 Stereo Tube Preamplifier; PV12AL; Gold](https://tmraudio.com/components/preamplifiers/conrad-johnson-pv-12-stereo-tube-preamplifier-pv12al-gold/)** > > The Music Room is the go-to source for the very best in new, used and vintage home audio products. The Music Room is now the largest online retailer of pre-owned HiFi equipment in the world. Headquartered in beautiful Erie Colorado, The Music Room is... ---
**Author:** ![adifferentpaul](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/adifferentpaul/32/282181_2.png) [@adifferentpaul](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/adifferentpaul)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 5:28pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bryston-bp-26-vs-ps-audio-bhk-preamp/30280/3 "2022-08-26T17:28:52Z")
There will not be any hint of brightness. Female vocals will be smoother and sweeter. Instruments will sound more real. Music will be more engaging. There will be a “magic” in your system that you did not have before. And when that magic does eventually fade in time, just replace the tubes (most likely every few years). ---
**Author:** ![onehorsepony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b5ac83/32.png) [@onehorsepony](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/onehorsepony)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 5:39pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bryston-bp-26-vs-ps-audio-bhk-preamp/30280/4 "2022-08-26T17:39:45Z")
I’ve found the Bryston to be lean and lacking in bass, perhaps bright in my system. Recently, borrowed and old Aragon Aurum preamp, found the sound not as bright, and the midbass better, punchier drums as well. I am hoping that this trend continues if I purchase the BHK, sight unseen. ---
**Author:** ![adifferentpaul](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/adifferentpaul/32/282181_2.png) [@adifferentpaul](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/adifferentpaul)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 5:48pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bryston-bp-26-vs-ps-audio-bhk-preamp/30280/5 "2022-08-26T17:48:48Z")
You might have mentioned before, but are you using rca or xlr cables between pre and power amps? ---
**Author:** ![onehorsepony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b5ac83/32.png) [@onehorsepony](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/onehorsepony)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 5:49pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bryston-bp-26-vs-ps-audio-bhk-preamp/30280/6 "2022-08-26T17:49:59Z")
xlr audioquest water for the Bryston rca Cardas for the Aragon (no xlr inputs) ---
**Author:** ![onehorsepony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b5ac83/32.png) [@onehorsepony](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/onehorsepony)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 5:57pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bryston-bp-26-vs-ps-audio-bhk-preamp/30280/7 "2022-08-26T17:57:37Z")
oops…my mistake pre to power… xlr audioquest water on both preamps the previous post was between the CD source and the preamp ---
**Author:** ![adifferentpaul](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/adifferentpaul/32/282181_2.png) [@adifferentpaul](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/adifferentpaul)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 6:24pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bryston-bp-26-vs-ps-audio-bhk-preamp/30280/8 "2022-08-26T18:24:38Z")
You can’t go wrong with a BHK Pre. You also wouldn’t go wrong with the CJ Preamp. (It’s not that often that TMR mentions that a product sounds wonderful) (I have both a CJ PV10AL preamp and a BHK Signature Preamp) I also have a 24 year-old CJ amp that I sent back to CJ 3 years ago, and they upgraded the capacitors to teflon. ---
**Author:** ![kcleveland123](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/kcleveland123/32/45645_2.png) [@kcleveland123](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/kcleveland123)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 9:41pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bryston-bp-26-vs-ps-audio-bhk-preamp/30280/9 "2022-08-26T21:41:17Z")
I’ll add an alternate option that’s fully solid-state but sounds as sweet and wonderful as any hybrid tube gear that I’ve heard in my system. Pass Labs XP-12 in my rig sounds wonderful and not at all bright. I replaced a BHK preamp with the Pass device and couldn’t be happier.