TAPE MONITOR
BALANCED O/P 1 - 2
Easy, no confusion
What about a separate power supply?
I see pics of the new pre in Munich!!! How close to pricing decision and build dates are we? I am presently going straight from DS to my amp but, at times, need a bit more volume so the pre-amp is being considered. Since I will NOT, unfortunately, be able to afford the new amp I am wondering if the new pre will lend some of the “magic” of the amp to my setup while it offers additional gain. (being “transparent” and adding “magic” seems to be an oxymoron!?!?)
It has been months since the last post on the new preamp. Is there an update either of specs, when it will be built, are there problems, anything?
It’s been slow and I apologize. The very first working prototype was finally delivered to BHK in Santa Barbara. He had his first listen, even before me, and said “it sounds extremely promising.” But then there’s a whole bunch of problems, like the volume control jumping around, hum, this, that, etc. All things typical with a hand built prototype at this early stage.
Much work remains.
Paul or Bascom,
Is there, by any chance, an external processor or tape loop in the new BHK preamp? For some of us (maybe not Paul
) acoustic correction is a desired addition to our systems and, as the situation currently stands, an external acoustic correction processor is the only way to add it to a system with multiple source components. I know it’s very late in the process, but if not too late, I would like to request the addition of a processor loop in this or the next iteration of the BHK preamp.
I know I am a little old-fashioned but I really want to join Denis’ call for a true processor loop. Seems that this is becoming a rare thing, and I’m not happy about it. In any case, both fixed-level outs and preamp outs are for sure absolutely necessary!
re the headphone out- the headfi people will drive you bonkers (I see they already have :)) but impedance switch, gain switch, and crossfeed would all be awesome features if they can be done. (actually I have never liked crossfeed, myself, but for some folks it would make the difference between needing or not needing to buy an external amp.) Also in this regard: I am currently using an integrated in one of my systems (Hegel H160) which is an awesome piece but they made a few slightly funky design calls re their headphone jack - to be specific, when you insert 'phones into the jack, it cuts output to the speakers but not the preamp outs… so if one is using those to drive a sub, the sub keeps playing. Of course one could just switch the sub off, but I’d vote for everything except maybe the fixed level output being cut when headphones are in use.
I am really looking forward to this one!
All inputs can be assigned fixed volume status, like the way home theater bypassing is implemented and this has typically been fine if used as a loop or bypass. What do we think of this solution?
Not that well for some of us who would use both outputs for other than a tape-loop or processor (I assume only two outputs will be available). For example, I would use both outputs the following way: pre-out for my big rig’s amplifier and the line-level out for my integrated amp, which I would use to drive outdoor deck speakers. In my situation, with only two outputs, I wouldn’t have one left to use as a tape-loop or processor input.
In my situation, the above set-up is fine. Note, I love being able to assign one input as a home theater input (sorry if that makes me less then serious - 64 oz surgery drink holder in my sports car) and using the outputs as described above. I would probably never have the need for an additional tape/processor-loop (another line-out would provide that). Some might though.
I think Paul and company need to look at what’s out there and see what makes sense to have . Perhaps post some thoughts here . In my main home theater all inputs and outputs can be assigned a diizining task when you start down that road . If this is a real preamp I would think 2 outputs min is needed just for biamping or using a sub , 3 would be better but again that’s going away from just two channel. If it were me I would load it up with features to attract more sales . But I do see pauls point of keeping it grounded in high end .
I can add a separate psu box would allow for more power output for headphones too . But again it’s what Paul resides in what his product is to be. I cannit think of any preamp that has a hewdphone output to drive demanding headphones that’s really high end . Even some separate headphone amps made by the makers then selves are outdone by others made for the masses .
If ned be they should go to other forums to read what’s hot and why .
al
The preamp cannot have enough outputs, IMO.
This amp has 3 outputs plus headphones that all can be driven simultanously and I need all 3 when bi-amping and driving my subs:
I had or owned a few of his products.
I own a M7 DAC and an m8 it is still a good combo but warm . This combo drives the he6 but it’s volume needs to be near max for me
the M1 has much more power but warm as well.
The m1 was Made t to drive the he6 headphones. I had it on loan , nice product . In the end it was too warm for me Glad you own some of his stuff .
the master 7 DAC was also warm and had a loose bass I could never get to go away even witha server . The chips inside are very musical though . Pauls pwdmkii was a bit better all around and the new ds is just on a complexly higher level .
Back to this new preamp my king I have all the confidence to will be a hit like your amps .
Al
Paul.
Have you in mind an intergrated version of the BHK. I’ve read about the preamp and its 4/5 balanced inputs. No surprise there as your company does distinguish itself from the pack of other high end audio companies because you just do things a little bit differently. I can list a number of examples.
One of the most infuriating things I find about the audio industry is the abundance of source products with XLR outputs and yet so few amplifiers that have more than single XLR inputs. They’re are a few that have 2 inputs but cost silly money. However, I ask myself are multiple analogue needed any longer. Your DS can handle a host of different digital inputs and so if you rely only on digital sources then XLR out of the DS into the BHK XLR in should be enough. All well and good until you add the pure analogue side of your system. Having read the signatures of many of the contributors to your forums, seems very few have analogue sources other than vinyl.
There are a number of us out there that like to keep digital and analogue apart as far far as possible. Though I have now replaced my GCPH with an NPC and have compared the unbalanced analogue out from the NPC against the digital out into the DS via I2S then balanced into my amp, I prefer the analogue chain though is a close race. I can explain and its do with distortion in the source material.
In a nutshell, all many of us need is a BHK with 2 inputs and a volume control, being and XLR to receive the DS and another for the NPC or other phono amps.
John
It’s a great question and a well thought out request. I am certain there would be customers wanting it. Yes, it would be possible, technically to do it, though a bit of a challenge. And here’s what makes me hesitate. Integrateds traditionally do not sell well. I do not know why but I have some suspicions.
First, it requires a setup different from many people. An integrated requires the amp to be close to the source. You don’t want long runs from DS and the NPC or whatever your phono stage is, so that means one of two things: your setup is near the speakers, or you use long lengths of speaker cable to connect the integrated. This seems limiting in and of itself. But that’s just a guess.
Frankly, I wish I knew. Remember, it was PS Audio that introduced the first integrated amplifier to the high end world with our Elite. So it’s not new to us.
I’ll add it to the list of thinking about things. On my mind recently has been a series of lower cost electronics - an entry level line of products that could form whole systems - and that may be the best place to start with an integrated and see if it flies.
Just thinking out loud.
I am very surprised to hear you say that intergrated amps don’t sell well. I had assumed the main reason for having pre/power combinations was because preamps traditionally housed a phono stages. I did originally own a Nain pre/power amp/psu set up (forgive me but am from the UK) as my main source was vinyl. As time passed and the Naims became very outdated, I found myself asking the question as to whether I need go down this route again. By that time phono stages bacame relatively abundant (bought a GCPH) and all other source products had enough output to drive a power amp direct, seemed all I needed was a power amp with a volume control and switching.
I do appreciate your business is selling high end audio and you will know the market better than I ever could but I do ask myself which direction is it heading in. What I’ve seen on the forums is an abundance of users that store music on harddrives controlled by various forms of “computers” which themselves are controlled by tablets. Is the future preamp going to be a tablet operated device that controls volume and switching or will it be something more sophisticated. The idea of a single plain faced box devoid of any controls that can combine several sources and drive speakers might actually generate interest.
Just to finish off with a rather ironic observation of myself. I mentioned above the three piece Naim combination of pre amp with external psu plus power amp. I’ve now set my sights on adding a BHK to my NPC and a Power Plant. Nothing really changes! Would add its The BHK Kontrol (integrated) and have even spelt Kontrol in Scottish for you.
Keep up the good work.
I suspect the relative lack of interest in integrated is grounded partially in a general view that they are not as good as separates and akin to a receiver. One is also bound to the preamp/amp choice of an integrated (yes, some have pre outs and separate amp but many do not, and you are stuck with the bigger form factor if you want to add a separate amp or pre).
It is like active speakers. Engineered well they are excellent as the built in amp compliments the speaker. But then one cannot change amps, tweak, etc.
I’m in general agreement with the assessment about integrateds, but like everything I think there’s been a bit of a resurgence in the last year or so. I think Hegel was among the first to set a higher benchmark for an integrated amp in the current era. I think Moon is also in there, and Pass recently introduced their 250W integrated. I heard it at RMAF this year and must say it was quite impressive. Not saying there will be a slew of these things showing up, but it seems like we’re in the middle of a small but decidedly high end upswing.
There are more high quality integrateds available in the last couple of years, a resurgence of in supply. I wonder how they are selling.
Paul McGowan saidMcIntosh was making integrateds starting in 1963 with the MA230. In 1966 I bought a MA5100 which I believe preceded the PS Audio Elite by a couple of decades. McIntosh was and still is part of the high end world.Remember, it was PS Audio that introduced the first integrated amplifier to the high end world with our Elite. So it’s not new to us.
I guess that’s where we differ in what McIntosh represents.