To the other responders. I haven’t heard the BHK preamp and I’m not saying it’s not great, probably is. I just don’t think it’s the first thing that should be addressed.
PS Audio BHK signature preamp
I was reviewing another preamp post and stumbled upon a recommendation for the PS Audio BHK signature preamp currently half price ($7,000 - selling for $3,500) directly from PS Audio & (unfortunately) decided to research it. I say unfortunately, as I was not looking to buy a preamp.
It has excellent reviews, the audiogon forums speak highly of it, it is the perfect size, has an excellent HF amp (I need one), uses the same tubes as my Rogue RP-1 (I have some excellent NOS tubes) is fully capable with my Logitech Harmony One remote… seemingly a match made in heaven. I want it… and if not happily married, I would get it.
So looking for someone to talk me out of it. I know it will give me a good HF amp, full remote vs partial remote control, and better pride of ownership, vs an albeit excellent ‘entry’ preamp. But given my other components, will it sound the same, slightly better or significantly better? Is it too good for my system? Would I be better off upgrading another component? I currently wasn’t looking to upgrade my Rogue, but this seemed to be too good to pass. My current system:
Rogue RP-1 pre with NOS Telefunkon medical, Siemens nickel plate & Brimar CV4003 NOS tubes (rolling)
LSA Warp 1 amp
KEF R11 speakers
Rythmic F12SE sub w/miniDSP equalization
Aurender N150 streaming Qobuz
Chord Qutest DAC
Pro-ject 1Xpression carbon classic with Hana ML cart
Rega Aria phono stage
Focal Clear OG HF
Transparent + speaker cables, Mogami 2549 interconnects & Maze audio power cables
Prior to seeing the PS Audio deal I was considering the following upgrades: (I am very component space constrained in my choices):
Pro-ject TT > Rega P8
Warp 1 amp > Benchmark AHB2
Please let me know your thoughts and/or recommendations. Thanks!
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Be happily married and still get it a understanding spouse will respect the things that make you happy and join in to listen to good music together. If then f there is a hobby she wishes to pursue respect her hobbies. I am married almost 25 years and sometimes you have to sit down and explain ,to a non audiophile they May never come to your logic. I have had to be creative if you earn the money to pay for it ,then the end justifies the means , I recently spend $4k+ on digital cables ,I just kept the cost to in part to myself . I am 66 and life is to short . you get your preamp and promise to take her on a nice get away ,it sounds fair to me .my wife spent $3500; on a Prada bag she hardly uses ,I thought that was not too well thought out but men and women Donot think alike .a sit down may be in order !! |
Thanks, I agree, my Rogue is not my weakest link, just attracted to the PS audio price / features. What component would you address first? 44 years of marriage. Could work, but she is very practical. I even tried once to convince her to buy a Prada bag… she wouldn’t Thanks
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I am also a PS Audio BHK preamp owner, and may have been the one who alerted another member of the current bargain. I really think it is a strong piece that elevated my system, is responsive to tube rolling, and actually drives my Audeze LCD-2 headphones very well, which is not always the case. You can't lose getting that preamp and building around it. But I am a source-first kind of guy, so spending your resources on a turntable and a phono section might be even more rewarding. For example, the maker of my tonearm, Pete Riggle, swears that the Merrill Gem Dandy Signature Polytable is one of the best turntables he has ever heard, and he has been doing this a long time. And it is around $3000, which in this market is reasonable for what could be a "final" turntable. And a good phono section, like that of PS Audio - the Stellar that Michael Fremer enthusiastically blessed, might also matter more. A nice alternative might be the new Zesto Andros Spirit. The other way of looking at it is that the Merrill and the phono stages I mentioned are at full price, and will likely stay around those prices for the foreseeable future. Right now you could have the the BHK Preamp at half price, and that might not happen again for a new pre-amp of that quality for awhile. Decisions, decisions... |
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