A friend loaned me the NCORE Kit Amps and I haven’t done a “A/B” comparison against the M700’s. My personal bias tells me the M700’s will win due to the Class A Discrete Input Stage that feeds the ICE Amp’s.
Not enough boxes or wires or buttons for me 
3 Likes
I thought it but didn’t say…
In Australia the Gryphon Diablo 300 without options and BHK300 are the same RRP - one last shoot out before making a decision
I have heard the Diablo 120 standalone and its one serious integrated amp which is why i am still thinking - someone has one for sale in the marketplace
1 Like
@mr-ryan-eickmeyer With regard to amps, I practice monogamy.
3 Likes
Both are excellent choices.
I didn’t want to steer you away from PS Audio with this thread - that wasn’t my goal. I was more trying to twist Paul’s arm into making more PS Audio integrated amps.
Definitely give both a good listen. Make sure the BHK is using the best interconnects they have at the hifi shop(or ask if you can bring your own). Interconnects will play a big part in properly comparing the BHK against the integrated imo.
1 Like
Those NCORE Kit Amps look really cool! Let us know how they sound.
Those NC-400 kit amp using just the standard Hypex buffer will probably lose the contest. A fairer comparison would be the Nord amps with their custom designed buffer that allows for swapping op amps. All of the Class D amps that I have run through my house benefited from having a tube preamp in front of them.
No drama I was already in the last compare mode have heard the bhk300 and almost pull the card out - I have had the gryphon integrated amps in different versions for the last 15 years so keen to compare just to be sure. When you see what they do in these models strengthens the argument that a ps audio integrated could be a great option.
As a footnote my current gryphon integrated which I have had for a while has never ever sounded better than it does today and the reason is a new P20 and The DSD upgrade
1 Like
Savage, Minnesota.
1 Like
If I was looking to buy a new integrated and didn’t want to spring for the cost of the Diablo 300 it would be the new Modwright hybrid integrated.
2 Likes
I was just reading about the Diablo 300 on what hifi - holy crap!
I bet it sounds amazing, has some killer specs.
That’s got curves as well … (the timber is curved)
They really do know how to make some really good looking stuff at Sonus Faber
I have a friend that owns a pretty “high end” audio store in Central Florida. He carries the Pass Int-250, the Hegel 590, the Luxman 509, the Diablo 300 and recently picked up the Boulder line at a higher price point. He would tell you that while all of them have there good points the best all-rounder for the money is the Diablo 300. While PS Audio developing an integrated to compete in this already flooded market may seem like a good idea the reality is that it isn’t and probably something that BHK would not be interested in and that is their only SS amp technology. There are already plenty of great options out on the market already.
Just imagine the [BHK preamp + BHK300(Dual Mono - 2x toroidal transformers)] all in one box.
I have to change my pants just thinking about that.
And you wouldn’t be able to pick it up without a couple of friends or stand the heat it put off. If you want that type of similar technology then it already exists with the Modwright or the Aesthetix Mimas. Tube preamp couple with SS amp.
1 Like
Count me in. I can’t afford BHK, nor it fits in my house, and I also cannot ever spend top dollars on Class D, which is made by the same modules used in $300 amps… so no to Stellar. Hence, I am waiting for a Class A/B alternative to replace my Classe’ amp from a few years back… if not, I might go back to new Classe’ amps made in Japan, or alternatives.
Well, vintage is vintage… I personally have tried multiple times to find a Class D to like, and so far no luck! EVERY Amp I listen and like the sound, happen to be Class A/B without me even knowing! I’ve had dealers try to convince me, and never succeeded, nor at shows I heard any Class D that worked as well.
I think Class D at the low-medium end of price range beats most Class A/B in their price range, as it’s modular and manufacturers can’t really screw it up as much, while Class A/B needs good design, heat dissipation, GREAT power supply and good engineering to sound the best. BUT at higher end, I haven’t found any Class D that could beat a good Class A/B.
Essentially, it’s easier to build a Class D amp and harder to screw it up, while it’s easy to build a crappy Class A/B with weak Power supply, etc… BUT when done right, NOTHING beats Class A/B.
Too far, but will put it on the list, unless Corona Virus wipes us off the planet!
1 Like
The problem with integrating DAC’s / streamers:
High End integrated are not cheap. High end internal modules and measures to avoid EMI cost a lot of money too. But it’s essentially waist of money because life cycles between analogue amps and digital tech are completely different. So you will eventually be ending up buying additional digital equipment anyway.
Good example: The Hegel supports DSD (DOP) on all inputs except the streaming input. So it can not stream DSD. How the hack do I get my DSD music files off my computer/server to my speakers. Either buy an additional streamer with USB output or an additional server with USB output to be placed next to the Hegel. Not very efficient, it defeats the purpose.
To me the solution is an all analog integrated. Like the Octave V-series integrated amps.
Add an AURALiC ARIES G1 (Server/Streamer/DAC integrated) a separate box and you don’t have to worry about sound quality, digital to analog EMI and digital formats for a long time.
If and when digital tech trends change or the PS Audio Octave gets released you just replace the AURALiC.
In case PS audio would ever build a BHK integrated, it could never compete to the other candidates mentioned here.
The size would at least be of the BHK 250. If you have room for the behemoth sized BHK 250 you should have space for separates.
All the above mentioned down sides seem to disappear if you talk about the Stellar Strata or any reasonably priced Class-D based integrated.
Class-D enables to keep everything really nice compact and in a price range where you do not have to be concerned about burning too much money in case you add a separate compact streamer like a SOtM. Or if PS Audio wishes to provide access to Octave for budget minded customers even a dedicated Stellar Octave server/streamer.
1 Like