2. amps-preamps
  3. 180210-144705

Simaudio 400m / 860A vs PS Audio BHK250

Any thoughts on the Simaudio 400M vs 860A? My PS Audio BHK250 is blasting me with heat and I'm looking for other options. My tiny room is 9 by 13 by 8 and is upstairs and south facing so it gets the sun and heat all day. Running the home AC will get the downstairs cool, but this room doesn't stay comfortable with the BHK running and is causing me to end listening sessions short and irritated. I'm not sure I'm open to class D since I'm not willing to have a bigger cash outlay for class D to try to hopefully get to an equal playing ground ats the BHK250.  

The Simaudio 400M runs cooler, but then again is two chassis so maybe not. I'm concerned I'll loose detail and sonics moving to a less costly amp. I'd love a 860A and know the sonics would improve, but according to Stereophile the fins get up to 110 degrees which would only be 10 percent cooler than my BHK 250 and I'm curious if I'd even notice the change. Thoughts and opinions?

128x128j-wall
overthemoon
419 posts
 

@randyhat I've not heard the 760A though I've heard the 700i and it sounded great through Wilson Sashas with Moon 6 series streaming dac.

When I bought my M400s specifically talked about the option of 760A versus 2 M400s.  The owner of the store told me Moon told them the M400s are for folks who appreciate 'fun' over 'refinement'.  The 760A is a good choice for someone who is desiring a reference type of sound experience. 

Or as said to me - your listening levels are too high for the 760A though it will provide more finesse in the details over the M400.  (I had McIntosh MC302 and was evaluating upgrading to the 462).

I don't know enough about your speakers and rest of the system to suggest which may be the better option.  I can say I often have the volume between 50 and 55 on a scale from 1 to 80 and I am happy with my selection on the M400s

Good luck on your journey.  And for what it's worth - I think it may be worth enjoying your Bryston a little longer and saving for a bigger jump - say the 860A. 

 

dynguy's avatar
dynguy
66 posts
 

The 760a is interesting as my dealer I’ve only seen this amp around on a couple of occasions. I have heard the 800 series many times and they are pretty spectacular.

I just sent an email to Sim about a serial number of a used unit I was looking at. I threw in a quick question about the 760 vs 400m. I got a single line response from Sim. The 760a will make the 400m sound broken. 

j-wall's avatar
j-wall OP
369 posts
 

@dynguy that's what I imagined we would hear from Sim and I believe it. From what I've heard the chassis is a major input cost so the 760 should hopefully blow away the 400m. I guess in moving on front considering the 400m for sure now. More in the 760/860 world. 

randyhat
156 posts
 

Thank you all for your responses.  Just to add a bit of diversion to the discussion, has anyone compared the Simaudio Moon amps to Ayre?  I am also considering the Ayre VX-Twenty power amp.  It is similar in price and power to the Sim 760a.

More to discover