Donald,
Are you sure the BHK pre design has been around for as long as 15 years? I thought it was more like 9 or 10 years.
Also, when you talk about how noisy the BHK pre was in your system, were you referring to noise at the speakers during playback or noise during changes in volume? For me, the BHK is very quiet during playback and adds a bit of “tube magic” to my solid-state system.
You maybe right, I’m not good with numbers related to age. I thought in one of Paul’s videos he mentioned the age of BHK pre, but again that could be my faulty memory.
I did not hear any noise per se from BHK pre. It is an expression that often used to describe how a component can reveal more. When I listen to MU2, I just hear more of everything from a recording. It is like a veil was removed. That’s when I realized MU2 is lacking noisy background than BHK pre.
To my ears, the MKII sounded more enveloping with the Stellar than the BHK Pre with more details coming thru. I read a review by one of the PS Audio engineers where he preferred the Stellar over the BHK Pre and it peaked my interest in the Stellar. So, I picked one up and immediately noticed the difference.
I had the Stellar Gain Cell Preamp/DAC before I bought the BHK Pre. When I compared them in my system, I heard a smoother, sweeter, more natural, more 3-D presentation from the BHK. The Stellar may have presented a little bit more detail, but it lacked the “tube magic” of the BHK. I wouldn’t be surprised if the newer StellarGold preamp sounds better than the earlier Gain Cell DAC/Pre, but it would still not have a “tube-like” sound to rival the BHK.
I’m definitely open to the possibility of getting the new PMG preamp at some point in the future, but I’d also want to listen to a few tube-based preamps such as the Backert Rhumba Extreme, which uses the same 12AU7 tubes I’m already used to in the BHK pre. But I think my wallet is going to be in “time out” for a while, so there’s no hurry.
I had to look up the BHK Pre release year… 2014! I was surprised as I thought it was not that long ago. It’s going to be tough for me as I like the BHK sound, but it has some annoyances and intermittent low level noise that sounds like static. Eager to hear what people think of the PMG Pre once it comes out.
I’ve never encountered the low level static noise you mention. I imagine you’ve tried various tubes? That’d be the first place to look. I currently have Atmos Rays in my BHK, they’re 'way better than the PSVanes that were originally supplied.
Yeah, it occurs mostly after a restart and is only in the right channel. I’ve had it with PSVanes and my vintage Mullards. It’s not from a source and is not a ground hum. It goes away after 4-5 minutes when it does happen, so it is more psychologically annoying than actually impacting the quality of the sound. I’ve had a few times where after I’ve had to unplug and then start up it sometimes pops a loud buzz in both speakers - but only under a rapid power down and power up. Turning it off for 5 minutes seems to reset it and no buzz.
So, it actuality has only impacted me a fraction of a percentage of the time for all the listening I do, but yet I am bothered just the same. Really, the sound and function has been nearly flawless. Maybe I need to stop reading about other peoples’ $50k systems and $20K cables!
Agreed. I beta-tested the SG Pre and compared it to the BHK-Pre (using the DS DAC Mk2 and FR 10s) and preferred it at the time. I found music more engaging and background blacker and quieter. It was Chris Brunhaver who said he preferred the SG Pre over the BHK.
Bob
From personal experience, bottom line use your $ to upgrade from FR10 to FR20. I have two systems and thought that I might get close to the FR20 by pairing a REL sub with FR10’s. Nope. The difference is in the mids. So I replaced the FR10’s with FR20’s. I upgraded a stellar gold DAC to an MKII and the difference was clear even without A/B testing. I am in the Q for a PMG DAC to replace the other gold but I really don’t expect a huge difference between the PMG and MKII DAC’s. I am also waiting for the new phono stage and actually expect that to make the biggest difference
Welcome to the forum @JKWAustin
still need the rel sub with the fr20s? (asking because i am thinking of FR20s in my future…)
as for the dac, i expect a significant improvement from bhk to pmg, and based on my PSA experience thus far, I am usually surprised to the upside. deposit down, am awaiting what I hope to be my last DAC… but we all know how that goes
The answer is a bit complicated. The two locations have very different listening areas. The one with the sub is huge the main living area of a 2-1/2 story A frame. And the sub does add to the FR20 experience. By contrast, and despite what PMG preaches, the FR20’s in a 15x30x8 room have fine deep base. Of course, I might just be lucky that the prime location for the mids and highs is also good for deep base.
Thanks, I’m not surprised. Always nice to hear about someone else’s experience.
I have heard adifferent Paul’s and for my money I’d go with the FR-20’s and live with them for a while in your room and with your gear before investing in a sub. I think you may find a sub is unnecessary unless you go with a pair of REL 31’s or maybe a stack for that subterranean bass. Serious bass takes serious coin.
If that’s the case, I and probably many others could sell their BHK pre and DSD DAC and put it towards the PGM DAC, making the upgrade considerably less painful.
Agreed. Serious subs require a serious investment. My FR 30’s provide tight, deep bass, and any low roll-off is more due to the room.
A greater benefit of most subs is providing additional room pressurization and, reducing room nodes. Speakers are easier to place, frequencies decay without overhang, and, well, things get more fun.
thanks - so true, deep bass costs. REL sounds best of all, so bought what I could afford - a single S/510… will add a second when can, but PMG DAC and then FR20s come first…
