Hi Paul, I currently own the DMP, DSD dac, and BHK 250. What would your recommendation be if choosing between a BHK preamp and a Directsteam Power plant regenerator, for next upgrade?
BHK definitely. A preamp is the heart of the system and this one for sure a bigger improvement. But if you currently have an integrated you also need a new power amp?
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No integrate, running DSD directly into a BHK 250. Also I do hear a noticeable improvement in the sound when listening late at night, compared to during the day. So not ideal power conditions.
Then your decision is made (for me) 
Start with the source. The source being electricity because without electricity you have a static displayā¦ Electricity - the cleaner the betterā¦ You are used to the sound/performance of the DS straight into your BHK250 so Iād buy the Power Plant first then the BHK preamp later. Buy the preamp next month 
That is also what I was wondering. I am overseas right now so I havenāt had the ability to update my DSJ to snowmass yet. If I already love the DSJ now, snowmass, by all accounts, should make an already fantastic unit, even better. The BHK preamp is sounding more like the better choice for the upgradeā¦ I think.
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My integrated has a pre-in which allows it to be used as a power amp as well.
Being that I have a Line Magnetic Integrated, I have thought about finding a preamp from the same brand. But since I have the DSJ, there are some synergies for my system there too.
I seeā¦so if you see this as an interim solution, it might still be a good compromise for the momentā¦but I guess you agree that you will at the end buy an according power amp, too if you start this.
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Thatās a really tough one because both the preamp and the Power Plant make such a tremendous difference. If I were in my conservative mode Iād choose a Power Plant because thatās the sensible thing to do and appropriate building a proper foundation. If I were in a āoh hell, give me the biggest bang for the buck modeā Iād choose the preamp.
I likely wouldnāt as I love my Line Magnetic integrated and it can be used as a power amp. Just looking to see if there even is any room for improvement.
++1 preamp
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freesole
Before I went down the BHK preamp path I would do two things. First if the information is not available in the LMās manual I would contact Jonathan at Tone Imports and get the specs for the amp input of the Integrated. Specifically the input sensitivity and the input impedance. Second I would try to borrow a higher end preamp from a local dealer like the one you bought the Spendorās from and see if you see any improvement over using the built in preamp. All this after you make the software upgrades to the Jr. and let the speakers fully break-in. In the over two years I have owned the BHK preamp I have tried it in my system with at least ten different amps that I can recall SS, tube and Class D both Balanced and SE. It was not always the most synergistic match with all of them. In some cases the STP-SE or the Modwright LS-100 were better matches. Feel free to PM me if you want more info on the amps I tried it with and also a friend who has owned it twice who has tried it with amps from Mc, DāAgostino, Luxman, Job and others.
Jack
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This is slightly off topic, but how would you characterize the sound of the BHK against some other great sounding tube preamps? If one is already running a great sounding tube preamp, Iām unclear as to whether the BHK would offer any improvements.
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Thanks Jack. Iāll send you a message.
Been considering a few options here including the BHK Preamp, Linear Tube MicoZOTL Preamplifier or MZ3, and Don Sachs Model 2. I may be headed towards the Model 2 due to the lower cost and low risk effort to try out a preamp with my Line Magnetic integrated. Will see if there is any added benefit vs not having an external preamp.
Donās a great guy to deal with - I have his KT88 power amp and would really like to get his preamp in the future. For now, I use the Schiit Freya with great results.
I noticed a cleaner, darker background using the DSJrās balanced outputs vs. the SE. Nothing day and night of course, but itās there.
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P20; DS DAC; BHK PRE; DMP; BHK250; BHK300s; PF 2.16; PSA TSSā¦ done or wife killed you in your sleep because she had enough of your stupid upgrading obsessionā¦
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Apologies, when you say vs the āSEā, what do you mean by SE?
I plan to connect the DSJ to the Don Sachs through the balanced XLR as well.
SE = single-ended; e.g., RCA.
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Underwood Hifi seems to have a year end sale going on, BHK pre for 3699, I got their newsletter in email
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