Used PS Audio BHK 300 monoblock or (2) new benchmark ahb2 bridged?

I owned the AHB2 about 5x and likely going to get a pair of monos again for either my Yamaha NS5000 or Magenpan LRS+. The NS5000 would be great with the AHB2. The LRS+ maybe not the best, but I think I will take the chance. I have a CODA #16 and I will rotate the amps between the 2 systems.

The CODA #16 is likely closer to the BHK sound than the AHB2 sound. While the #16 is great, I miss the beautiful AHB2 sound. I do not think there is any top end as good as the AHB2. However, the AHB2 is not the most powerful amp, especially compared to the #16.

Speaking of noisy preamps, I had a CODA 07x preamp, and while likely very quiet compared to the majority of the preamps it was like Grand Central Station compared to the Benchmark LA4 and Holo Serene. Try a silent preamp with whatever amp you like.

@donavabdear 

I have heard the BHK preamp with the BHK 250 mono blocks and everything was whisper quiet.  If you have had problems with three of the the preamps, I’m guessing there is something else at play here. 

@curiousjim Thanks for the note, I've had 3 BHK preamps and love them because they sound great, the problem is I have Paradigm 9h speakers that are hybrid they have amplified low frequency built in and the mid and high frequency are beryllium so the speakers are very efficient. Because of that speaker efficiency the self noise of any preamplifier is very evident. I changed to boutique tubes, changed cables, moved cables many times, bought 2x P-20 power reconditions ( $20k), other passive noise removers, had home run power circuits put in my listening room, turned out I got 2x bad BHKs and PS Audio finally simply gave me a new one. Now there is no extra noise but there definitely is more noise than my other solid state preamps like my lyngdorf 60 or the PS audio DAC mk 2 or the Hifi Rose streamer. BHK preamps with the BHK 300 sound quieter with less efficient speakers if you are OCD about hiss, which I'm guilty, but the BHK lines definitely work wonderfully together musically.

@markprice 

I am buying a pair of three year old BHK300’s to go with my KEF Reference 5’s.  Do you still love them? Is there anything I should know, tricks, tubes, tweaks?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Jim

Still running my 300's with my Kef Ref 5's. 

I use a Dcs Bartok connected via XLR straight to the amps. A very simple set up. It works well and I am very happy with the sound.  The amps have tons of power and even listening at high volumes you know you could push them much further. The kefs will give you a wide soundstage and the amps will only enhance that. I haven't done any tube rolling yet but who knows in future maybe. 

As you already know the kefs produce an impressive bass from there 6.5 inch woofers but I have added 2 x Rel S812 subs to my system and the difference is "wow". Its not so much the extra low frequency you get but they really enrich the mid range and the overall spaciousness across the whole spectrum.

I hope you are as pleased with your BHKs as I have been. Let me know your houghts.

Mark