PS Audio, any plans to make a class AB integrated to compete with Hegel 390/590? - BHK Signature Integrated?

Check this out. The preamp section is derived from the $35k Grandioso C1 model. The amp modules come straight from the Esoteric’s $26k S2 amp. Esoteric claims it sounds dangerously close to those 6 times more expensive sibling separates. Even has a built in reference phono stage. But it only comes in silver. Only $10k.

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As we are just talking about „quality by pictures“:

Compare this to the Gryphon above of 25 years ago…so much for „innovation“ in high end :wink:

I enjoy looking under the hood.

Same here…nearly the first action I take when I have a new piece is open it…well not before listening, but…

I actually didn’t think about this before…even though I own a P12.

PS Audio already makes a small form factor class AB amplifier - its the P12, see below:

They add another toroid to that(for true separate dual mono) and then(in the same box) add the BHK preamp(that would share from from the 2x toroids somehow). Thats it - no DAC, no Phono, no streamer…just integrated class AB muscle in one box.

This would all fit in a box roughly the size of the current BHK 300 or a P15. They could sell this for $10-15,000USD and it would kick butt.

Imagine having THAT(the BHK signature integrated), a directstream DAC and a P15 power plant. This is audio nirvana in three boxes - clean clean clean.

The kid(me) can only dream :slight_smile:

Hope you can make it work, but the whole point Ian trying to make is, that the enclosure of the BHK 250 is not compact nor attractive for an integrated, if you have room for one of such apparatus, you most likely have room for the separated. The Hegel, which you started this thread with, is more compact, even including phono stage DAC and streamer.

It is a matter of taste. From a sound quality perspective you are right. But if one spends 10-15 000 $ I guess the looks also matter.

Yeah, id agree with that. It would be on the large size.

I bet it can be made shorter.

If that would work, it would be a good deal I agree.

I have carried out a lot of work on BHK amplifiers! There is no-way BHK300 mono blocks and BHK preamp could be built, in their current form/design, into one box… BHK250s and 300s use “two” hefty transformers. One transformer for the tubed input board and a huge transformer for the output.

Then there’s “4” channels and 4 large heat-sinks to contend with. BHK300s are effectively doubling-up a brace of BHK250s. Imagine the work (weight!) involved fitting 4 power amp transformers and a 5th transformer for the preamp section in ONE box… Then there would be the work involved designing a way of isolating the preamp section from the power amplifiers. The mechanical integrity of the box would have to be doubled…. One would require a forklift to lift an integrated amplifier!!

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The Quad Artera Solus, which just got a superb review in Stereophile. All that is missing is a streamer, but that is apparently on the way. Quad have had problems getting their streaming working.

Does the BHK 300 already have two toroids??? I didn’t know that…wonder why a mono block needs two toroids.

It that one for the input stage and one for the output stage?

I don’t mean to be “that guy” but the Hegel doesn’t have a phono stage. (The statement caught me eye because I’m very interested in the H390.)

Yes. Two transformers. The smaller of the two transformers is used for the tubed input board, hidden away under said input board.

Top photo I attached: BHK300 with input board removed - with the transformer on view . Other photo is a BHK250 with the input board in situ’ the transformer is hidden beneath the input board…

@terzinator Sorry about that, you are right.

This might seem strange but if you need a lower price point A/B amp, check out Niles 250 from Crutchfield. I just upgraded but they are not bad for the price.

…just FYI, this is not in english…I like to listen to music and watch this guy unbox equipment on mute.

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this one also popped out a month ago

Cant wait for this covid to wrap up so i can go and have a listen

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I am more and more and MORE into Esoteric! They seem to build their stuff LIKE A TANK and are simply amazing! I also LOVE they actually show the inside of all their products unlike some other companies.

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Hopefully that is a phono preamp.