P.S. Audio B.H.K. 300 Mono Amps, B.H.K. Preamplifiers, PS Audio Dac


I must confess that I have owned and heavily auditioned various well known audio manufacturers "please see the list below"!  The purpose of this post is to share any questions concerns I can with you through my personal experiences. Before we get started I do want to mention that I have no affiliation with any manufacture other than my addiction to audio lol. I currently have P.S. Audio BHK 300 Monos, BHK Signature Preamplifier and the P.S. Audio DirectStream Dac playing through a pair of Focal Sopra ll's in a treated room 12 deep x 15 wide. I am 100% digital playing Tidal & Quboz MQA, Hi Res 24 bit, and DSD. I have tried tube rolling in my preamplifier and now the BHK 300 Monos. I have listened my system with my P.S. AUDIO DiresctStream Dac only as well as with my BHK Signature Preamplifier and Dac to snuff out any doubt or theory about what sounds best with this setup as well as with my ARC 160S Tube Amp.

Here is I list of amps that I have *owned as well as auditioned for many, many hours.

*Anthem Integrated 225

*Adcom 575SE

*Audio Research 160S

*Bell Canto 600M

Block Audio

*Bryston 7BSST2

Divalet Expert Pro 220

Gryphon Diablo

Krell Evolution  

Hegel H30

Luxman M900U

Merril Eliment 118

*McIntosh 452

McIntosh 601

Octave Audio V110  

Musical Fidelity Titan

*Parasound A21

*Parasound JC1

Pass Lads X250.5

Pass Labs X350.5

Pass Labs XA160.8

Pass labs XS300

*Plinius SA-250

*PS Audio BHK 300 Signature

Primaluna Premium HP

Primaluna Prologue

Sim Audio W7



128x128blumartini
Connected my BHK Signature Preamp in with Stock 12AU7 left the Tunsgram PCC88 tubes in the BHK 300 mono's. Immediately noticed  that  everything became more musical and less edgy and a lot less effort. Everything now is tighter musically less haze less edge better air around the instruments wash better under soot light on a wide soundstage. Mids are open and revealing highs are naturally sparkling when called for, cymbals are phenomenal and clear and just the right amount of tingle. Voice moved more center with a noticeable bump in texture in the vocal scale. Now for the bass, all of you that may know or knot know Bascom said "Oh and the Bass" in his expression of how powerful and forceful it is can be altered and tuned to your liking by swapping the stock tubes to these Tungsram PCC88's. Bass is awesome with the Stock  Sylvania 12AU7 if you like bass with a warmest across the spectrum, the Tungsram PCC88's seem to tighten it up more opening up from the darker warmer side either is great and Neither is a bad thing. I will also maybe move the speaker's closer to the back wall in effort to get the best optimal tune:)

I will be making some additional tweaks maybe putting the Tungsram PCC88's in the Preamp and popping in the stock Sylvania 12AU7's back into the BHK 300 monos. Will keep you all posted on findings but till then.

Cheers and Happy  New Years!


@blumartini 

Thanks for starting this thread. I know it has been awhile but I am curious to hear you impressions on the BHK Monos vs the ARC 160s that you both own. How would you describe the sonic differences between the two and which in your system is the better performer.

I’m considering either going PS Audio BHK pre/power or ARC Ref6 and 160s. Your insights would be very helpful. Thanks.
I have found that using an amp and preamp combo from the same manufacturer provides the best results and synergy in any system. That's not necessarily true with respect to ancillary components.  

I have a question about the PS audio BHK 300 monoblocks. They are connected to Soundlab A1PX speakers. Recently, one amp has turned off twice (clipping) at about 90 DB once using phono and once streaming. With that much amplifier power I am surprised by the amp turning off. Any thoughts on why. The speakers are a difficult load but still I would have thought the amps would manage the load.