I’ll be honest, I’ve recently spent a substantial amount of money on a pair of BHK 300 monoblocks. The year before I had purchased a BHK preamplifier. I felt that matching the preamp and amplifiers from the same manufacturer is the best approach. My next move was to consider a pair of FR20s.
Now I’m hearing that the BHK preamp is being discontinued in favor of the Stellar Gold (SG) preamp.
I’m hearing comments on the forum that the SG “pulls me into the music more”, “more compelling”, “airness_crispness that the BHK did not have” and so on.
Even Chris Brunhaver has said that “SG preamp is a huge winner in my book”, “I want one at home”, “prefer it to the BHK preamp”.
What am I to think. At the time of purchase the BHK preamp & 300 was said to be an amazing combination that I remember reading that Arnie Nudell said that it was the first solid state combination that rivalled the tube amplifiers that he was so fond of.
Can someone, preferably from PSAudio, why the sudden change of heart in regard to the BHK products?
I don’t think the BHK Preamp is being discontinued because of the Stellar Gold preamp. It makes more sense that there is a new preamp in the wings that will be released after the BHK’s are all gone.
I didn’t get that at all - What I read is that many people feel like the SG might just outperform the BHK Pre - but PS Audio themselves have not announced what will replace the BHK Pre though they have hinted that something will.
That is all true. The BHK line, introduced about a decade ago, was the first solid-state amplifier that Arnie Nudell of Infinity and Genesis fame gave up his beloved vacuum tubes for. In fact, Bascom, Arnie, and I voiced those products at Arnie’s house, and he helped hand-tune their sound. They were then, and they are now, some of the best amplifiers ever made.
I don’t think any of that is in question. But, a decade is a long time in this (or any) field. In fact, there’s rumors that it’s close to 10 years. During those years we’ve been steadily working on new products and new designs. That’s what we do. If we didn’t do that I’d want to stop funding our R and D department (which runs our company close to a million dollars a year).
Is something better coming out? Yes.
Does that make the BHK anything but great? No.
BHK is still in my listening room and loved by me and the hundreds upon hundreds of people around the world. It makes glorious music and always will.
I know it can be frustrating to have spent the money and passion to buy the latest and best of anything only to have it superseded by a newer model. But, like a new car or a new anything, there will always be elements of the older design that outshine the newer product and vice versa.
I just acquired the BHK Pre and the BHK600 monos and just love the performance of them both, and was aware that the BHK Pre is on closeout. I have had the MKII DAC for about a year and the pairing with the BHK system is phenomenal. BTW, I have an MSB Reference DAC ($60K MSRP) running side by side with the PS Audio MKII DAC ($8K MRSP) and switching between the two, it is darn near impossible to determine which DAC is in operation, a testament to how strong the synergy is within the PS Audio system.
Regarding the statement that someone may prefer one pre amp over another is just a personal preference. And with the BHK Pre, if you enjoy rolling tubes, that is an option worth considering. I just rolled Telefunken NOS 6922 tubes from Upscale Audio in the BHK Pre and really enjoy the results.
I’m just frustrated. I watched a PSAudio video from a year ago where it was said that the Stellar Gold preamp is very good, but the BHK preamp is still better.
Now if a new product was introduced and was reviewed to be better than that BHK preamp, no issues.
It’s just that a year later, I’m hearing opposite statements that the Stellar Gold preamp is better than the BHK preamp.
It makes total sense and it’s also not true. There are parts of the Stellar Gold that sound better but overall I am still in love with the BHK pre and that remains in our reference system. SG has a bit better definition and clarity but overall give me BHK.
I’ve assumed that PSAudio wants to get out of the tube business. Supply issues (as we saw) but speculating, the tubes might require more support/hand holding and dealing with tube rollers.
Just speculation, of course.
And when I compared the SG and BHK, I preferred the clarity and definition of the SG pre. I did not say it was better, but rather I preferred it in my system. I think that’s part of what makes this whole audiophile game both fun and frustrating-different ears, rooms, speakers and tastes can lead to different choices. The goal, in my view, is to have a system that moves and engages you, not anyone else.
Welcome to the world of free market marketing. Best to ignore the hype IMO.
It’s just business after all. If you feel your your initial decision was correct then enjoy what you have.
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love my BHK preamp and 300’s. The soundstage is huge, and gone is the brightness I had with my previous equipment. No more ear fatigue. Next year I’m looking to upgrade my speakers.
My take on this is that it comes down to how you feel about tubes versus solid state. I can certainly understand how people can arrive at different conclusions. The biggest thing is, in my opinion, if you watch your pennies in this hobby it’s better to bide your time and avoid paying list price on gear in general and PS Audio gear in particular. Between occasional sales that they run, their generous trade in program, and end of run close out sales there is not reason to pay those whatever the market will allow retail prices.
I do wonder if the BHK preamp replacement will use tubes though. That should be a interesting predictor as to how PS Audio will proceed in the future with their top products.
I loved tube rolling with BHK Pre, and here’s my recommendation should you want to improve SQ further:
Aptos Ray 12au7 Select (new)
Telefunken “Mazda” 12au7 (NOS)
Agree with your assessment 100%. Also tubes, which were once a fun aspect of audio have gotten nuts. I am done with tube amps but Quicksilver and Octave were my favorites. However a tube pre still intrigues me as a “sound shaper” . The tubes in most preamps “typically” last a while and are not too pricy.
During those years we’ve been steadily working on new products and new designs. That’s what we do. If we didn’t do that I’d want to stop funding our R and D department (which runs our company close to a million dollars a year).
