PS Audio BHK signature preamp

I mean on, not standby

@signaforce I owned RP1 and it’s a great preamp. In your system upgrading the amplifier and the DAC would make a lot more sense. A better amp will make a ton more difference with the RP1 than the BHK pre will with your current amp. After you upgrade the amp you should look into a DAC upgrade. Qutest is good but you can do better. And leave the cables alone - components will make a more profound difference.

Look into Coda No.8 amplifier. Find a good used one. Your system will sing with this amp paired with RP1.

@signaforce I know you’re constrained by space for each component. But here’s a thought…would you be under the same constraints if you replaced separates with integrated? Given you’re always going to be bottlenecked by that amplifier you have, I would think with the space limitations and to stay within reasonable price range, you can pick yourself up a very nice integrated that will get your speakers sounding closer to their full potential and will most likely beat the preamp/amp combo whether it’s Rogue or PS Audio. It will most likely have to be more or less a full sized component though but perhaps you can rearrange things to make it work…

@signaforce I had Coda CSiB integrated that I just sold to my friend. The CSiB is essentially Coda #8 with built in preamp. Amazing integrated…it replaced my Pass Labs separates. I had the V1 and it drove my Wilson Sabrina (notoriously difficult 87db speaker that dips into 2ohms) without a hint of strain. Your Kefs are much more efficient. 
I would go with Coda 8 V1 and pair it with RP1. 
@zlone confirmed it has a trigger. 

What @zlone said. 
If you want more power yes go fir v2 or v3. It’s worth starting with V1 though…Doug can always upgrade your amp to V2 or V3. Give him a call get his take on it. 

@signaforce I am familiar with McIntosh. Coda will be better. More articulate, clearer, more detailed, textured and extended without a hint of harshness. McIntosh will sound warmer and duller in comparison. 
PS Audio makes decent stuff which is easy to buy, hard to sell. I do not think it will beat Coda that has better components, is quieter with lower noise floor and if you want tubes in the chain you already have RP1 that will add tube magic. 
 

Just my $0.02. You decide.  

@signaforce it’s for the best. You will be amazed by a better amp in that system. Keep us posted. 

Congrats! Keep us posted. 

Run it with amp on to break in the output as well. Keep it on 24/7 for a week even if not playing to let the power supply settle. Usually after 100hrs pretty much any component I ever bought new starts showing its character. Also, I wouldn’t rush with tube rolling.
One other thing…since you got the PS Audio preamp, if you like the sound, go for a matching amp. Eliminate synergy and compatibility concerns. Just my $0.02

@signaforce keep your RCA cables just in case. If and when you get around to try Coda I would recommend trying it with both XLR and RCA. Reason for that is Coda’s low input impedance on the XLR inputs. It will most likely be fine but I would not automatically assume that the balanced cables will be better. Just a thought. And reach out to Doug of course and mention the specs…get his take on it when ready. 

@yyzsantabarbara I had CSiB in my system and I would not classify it as warm. It’s open, detailed and clear. Benchmark with OP’s Kef speakers might lean towards cool and analytical. Especially with Chord Qutest DAC. I would be hesitant to pair Benchmark with Kef. But that’s just my opinion.

@signaforce how’s the preamp sounding? I think you’ll be fine with XLR between BHK and Coda. Good idea to confirm with Doug though.

@signaforce hope FedEx comes through!

as to DAC replacement…I’d tackle it after the amp change is in and everything had settled including your ears adjusting to new sound. 
Many choices there in DAC space.

Awesome! Looking forward to read your impressions. 

@signaforce awesome news! Let it cook for two weeks and it should get even better.

@signaforce glad to hear you’re enjoying the nee preamp! Not sure what tubes are used as stock but may be better to direct the funds towards amplifier and DAC upgrades and tackle the tube rolling after? I wouldn’t waste money on fuses. At least not until you have all the components in place. 

Perfect you’re set!

@signaforce 330a is a nice amp. But I believe it might be a bit forward with your Kef. When I compared it to Pass XA-30.8 in my system I preferred the Pass. And my speakers are probably slightly warmer than the Kef.

I would stick with Coda. It has the right amount of sweetness up top and plenty of  resolution without getting cool or forward sounding.

Go for it! Definitely worth a shot. It’s a great little amp. 
Keep it on 24/7 if when you get it - this amp needs a day to open up to full potential after it’s been off for few days. 

Simaudio is excellent. It will be purely a matter of synergy - hope you like it!

@signaforce congrats!!! Keep us posted. 

Here I sit, cheeks a-flexin’, giving birth to another Texan…don’t worry about our power here in jersey we got plenty…

Great news @signaforce !

It’s a nice little amp. Keep it on for few days straight it will sound even better. Hope there is synergy and you can enjoy it!

So what’s next in 2025? New DAC? Hehehe  You got to hear your system properly! Lol

@luvtubes69 that little amp has plenty of juice. Drove my Wilson Sabrina no problems. Cool thing is when you go up the line the you don’t just get more power, design gets better

The 760a is great…although I never heard it but can imagine the improvements you get

vs 330a here

Happy to hear you’re enjoying music! 
DAC next?

Had TT2. It’s very different from Qutest. Was actually a bit quirky with my N200 requiring frequent reboots (used USB to connect the two). Sound was OK but sensitive to power quality. Overall good but not my cup of tea. You might like it though so give it a try if you can pick it up cheap. 

@signaforce Lol we need to have some fun once in a while