Hello everybody,
I have read this thread all the way through and I must say it is a fascinating story, filled with drama, suspense, and a lot of great information.
I am a recently retired software engineer who has loved music for many decades, along with the pursuit of excellent equipment to enable an optimum listening experience.
When I was 11 years old I built an Arkay integrated stereo tube amplifier from a kit. In college I had a Dynaco amp with AR-3 speakers. Over the years I have had a series of tube and solid-state equipment, constantly upgrading in search of better sound.
I bought a PS Audio DirectStream DAC last year and have been amazed at each OS release from Pikes Peak through Yale Final and now Torrey's. This DAC has been a series of delights with each upgrade and I have no doubt the best is yet to come.
Since I liked the DS so much, I ended up buying a PS Audio BHK 250 amp and BHK preamp also, along with a PS Audio P10 Power Regenerator to power all of it. Every new component was a revelation with the P10 perhaps the most surprising of all since I had no idea how much pure A/C power could do to improve the musical experience.
When I damaged a connector on the DS a couple of months ago I called PSA and they gave me an RMA number without question. They fixed it for free and shipped it back via priority shipping within 3 days.
My BHK preamp is registering 592 hours and 30 minutes of tube time and still the system continues to improve. The synergy of all PSA components working together is absolutely marvelous.
With all the discussion of mixing and matching various components, of questions, expectations, trials, and disappointments, I thought it might be helpful to describe a different approach. By choosing all components from one manufacturer designed, developed and tested to work together, I have finally stopped worrying about improving my system and am simply reveling in the joy of music.
I have read this thread all the way through and I must say it is a fascinating story, filled with drama, suspense, and a lot of great information.
I am a recently retired software engineer who has loved music for many decades, along with the pursuit of excellent equipment to enable an optimum listening experience.
When I was 11 years old I built an Arkay integrated stereo tube amplifier from a kit. In college I had a Dynaco amp with AR-3 speakers. Over the years I have had a series of tube and solid-state equipment, constantly upgrading in search of better sound.
I bought a PS Audio DirectStream DAC last year and have been amazed at each OS release from Pikes Peak through Yale Final and now Torrey's. This DAC has been a series of delights with each upgrade and I have no doubt the best is yet to come.
Since I liked the DS so much, I ended up buying a PS Audio BHK 250 amp and BHK preamp also, along with a PS Audio P10 Power Regenerator to power all of it. Every new component was a revelation with the P10 perhaps the most surprising of all since I had no idea how much pure A/C power could do to improve the musical experience.
When I damaged a connector on the DS a couple of months ago I called PSA and they gave me an RMA number without question. They fixed it for free and shipped it back via priority shipping within 3 days.
My BHK preamp is registering 592 hours and 30 minutes of tube time and still the system continues to improve. The synergy of all PSA components working together is absolutely marvelous.
With all the discussion of mixing and matching various components, of questions, expectations, trials, and disappointments, I thought it might be helpful to describe a different approach. By choosing all components from one manufacturer designed, developed and tested to work together, I have finally stopped worrying about improving my system and am simply reveling in the joy of music.