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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
j-wall's avatar
j-wall OP
372 posts
 

@jerryg123 I've been eyeing those Atma-sphere Class D's. Not sure if dealers allow in home trials with them or not. Don't know if there are any dealers in my area or how that process works for Atma-sphere. The tubes in the m1200's is what has me real curious though. 

jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl
1,000 posts
 

@sdw @jbuhl I like how this turned into a PS Audio thread. Lol. I was hoping to go for the Moon gear but for $3k less I guess I could give the M1200’s a try.

Full disclosure. I live just down the street from PS Audio and on occasion run into Paul at the grocery store. I have toured their facility and when I bought my S300 went down and picked it up at the shipping doc.  I fronted the S300 with a Mullard Rogue pre and IMO it was good sound for the $$.  I like Tubes and class D

jackd
1,074 posts
 

@j-wall 

After almost five years of enjoying the sound and tolerating the heat from the BHK 250 I sold it and replaced it with the Kinki Studio EX-M7 which is fronted by a Supratek preamp.  I don't feel like I lost anything except the heat.  The Kinki runs barely warm at idle or full tilt.  My 250 was in my system at the house in the Florida Panhandle with similar heat and humidity issues.  

 

rick_n's avatar
rick_n
252 posts
 

I did an extensive audition of the Simaudio gear and thought it was excellent.  I ultimately went with Hegel, bang for the buck being the determining factor.  Very similar performance to my ear and though I haven't measured it, the running temp seems acceptable.

randyhat
156 posts
 

Anyone listen to or own the Simaudio Moon 760A?  How does it compare to the 860 or the M400?  I know it has less power than either the M400 or the 860 but I think it would be sufficient for my Vandersteen Quatros.  I doubt if I want to spend the money for the 860.  A pair of 400s is about the same price as the 760A and that is a price range I would want to stay in.  Recommendations between the two?  BTW my current power amp is a Bryston 4bsst2.

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