Hi Dirk -
Hoping you can comment a bit more about the comparison between the Lamm and BHK, as both are on my list to upgrade my amp section. And you are the only person I’ve read so far who has experience with both (the Constellation One also hit my list.) If it matters, my front end is Lamm L2Ref pre, LP2 phono, and PS DirectStream all feeding Verity Parsifal through Transparent cables. The Verity’s definitely want power, when biamped (briefly) with Wells Audio Innamorata 150w stereo amps, they sang. But I’ve got one, not two of those.
I’ve been considering the Lamm M1.2, Pass X260.8 or XA160.8, and having now discovered the BHK 300 mono hybrids - it might be closer to the hybrid Lamm amp for about the same $ if the Lamm is picked up used.
Thx
That’s going back in time… The Lamm’s were excellent!
I take it you have been out of the loop for quite some time. Over three years have past since I posted that. For me to answer your question ‘accurately’ ‘truthfully’ I would have to open up a big can of worms. All BHK amplifier issues, etc, etc, etc.
Best I just stay quiet. Would definitely cause ructions… Elk would be working overtime. Brodric would be on his third strike = lifetime ban. Falling out with the apologist-in-chief. Then the forum member who acts like an apprentice adjudicator would keep fanning the flames!
This will sound like gobblygook to you but it could/WOULD in all probability happen. I still own a pile of BHK amplifiers but I don’t use them.
I am sorry, this isn’t what you expected to hear, but I simply don’t want to go there.
Thx - Yup, I’ve definitely not been in the loop on this - sounds like its both entertaining and frustrating. I’m just now finding myself in the quest for a v good amp with plenty of power.
I would suggest trying a BHK 250 and hear for yourself. I did the same
when I had Benchmark monos and kept the 250. I now have the BHK 300’s
and like the additional control they give with Magnapans. The hybrid design
joins musicality with muscle and the 250 is a great system foundation. The
proof is how it works in your system and PSA’s return policy can make that
happen. Use your ears, not others.
Only 4 ohms? Pffle! The MartinLogan ESL’s go down to one ohm at 20 kHz and my BHK 250 has been running fine with them.
One thing I do notice that others haven’t corroborated yet is that when I upgraded the BHK 250’s rail fuses to HiFi Tuning Supreme the sound got WAY better. I wonder if it’s because of the lower impedance of the speaker. When you get your amp, wait for it to break-in, then change the rail fuses and see if it gets any better for you.
Mine sounded better, and it was mucho cheaper than buying the pair of 300’s.
Good point on fuses. I upgraded the 300’s with SR Blues but just on
the mains and not the rails as Paul indicated some time ago that this
was probably the better first choice. Now you and some others have
indicated a performance bump at this area. Oh well, what’s another
$500 for some thin wire.
I tried Synergistic Blue fuse in my Innuos streamer,and hated it. My friend bought Oranges for everything so I tried leftovers. And yes,the Oranges sound very good. But Blue was much worse than original glass fuse. Hi-Fi tuning fuses works like a charm in my amps.
My friend is using the Lamm M2.2. We have compared it to the Pass X600’s, the Bryston 28b’s, Parasound JC1’s, and many more. But did not have the opportunity to compare it to the BHK 300’s. Forget it, the Lamm is much better than these other ones. Much more visceral sounding. Here is a picture of it.
Sorry for the delay, as I’ve been out of town on travel. On the BHK250 the difference was significant (to me, at least. ) No one else had confirmed it and it’s like I was never able to convince anyone else to actually try it. (And it’s been, like a year now)
Awesome, I’m glad I wasn’t imagining things. The Supreme’s were cost-effective, and it seemed like a significant jump in performance. I just wonder how the BHK250 with the Supremes in the rail fuses compares with the stock 300’s.
But Paul isn’t going to do that, he wants to sell more 300’s. Can’t say as I blame him.
But good to hear they improve the 300’s, too!
BTW, I noticed the change immediately after changing the fuses (amp had broken in for years, tho). To me it seemed like there was a performance bump with the main fuse to the Synergistic Black (The Blue had just come out, so the Black were on sale) and I was too cheap to put in Black on the rail, so I settled for the Supremes. Boom! Seemed like a huge difference.
Best of luck, thanks for being the second to verify the improvement!
Can’t say as I blame him.