If I were in your shoes, I would upgrade the TT first. You can get some good open box deals on VPI Prime 21, Classic Signature, and Signature DS out there, especially if there’s an additional 10-15% off during a holiday sale. Your cartridge is already excellent. The phono preamp would be my next upgrade, then amp, then preamp. But since PS Audio has a good return policy, it doesn’t hurt to try it out.
PS Audio BHK signature preamp
I was reviewing another preamp post and stumbled upon a recommendation for the PS Audio BHK signature preamp currently half price ($7,000 - selling for $3,500) directly from PS Audio & (unfortunately) decided to research it. I say unfortunately, as I was not looking to buy a preamp.
It has excellent reviews, the audiogon forums speak highly of it, it is the perfect size, has an excellent HF amp (I need one), uses the same tubes as my Rogue RP-1 (I have some excellent NOS tubes) is fully capable with my Logitech Harmony One remote… seemingly a match made in heaven. I want it… and if not happily married, I would get it.
So looking for someone to talk me out of it. I know it will give me a good HF amp, full remote vs partial remote control, and better pride of ownership, vs an albeit excellent ‘entry’ preamp. But given my other components, will it sound the same, slightly better or significantly better? Is it too good for my system? Would I be better off upgrading another component? I currently wasn’t looking to upgrade my Rogue, but this seemed to be too good to pass. My current system:
Rogue RP-1 pre with NOS Telefunkon medical, Siemens nickel plate & Brimar CV4003 NOS tubes (rolling)
LSA Warp 1 amp
KEF R11 speakers
Rythmic F12SE sub w/miniDSP equalization
Aurender N150 streaming Qobuz
Chord Qutest DAC
Pro-ject 1Xpression carbon classic with Hana ML cart
Rega Aria phono stage
Focal Clear OG HF
Transparent + speaker cables, Mogami 2549 interconnects & Maze audio power cables
Prior to seeing the PS Audio deal I was considering the following upgrades: (I am very component space constrained in my choices):
Pro-ject TT > Rega P8
Warp 1 amp > Benchmark AHB2
Please let me know your thoughts and/or recommendations. Thanks!
- ...
- 77 posts total
@signaforce I know you’re constrained by space for each component. But here’s a thought…would you be under the same constraints if you replaced separates with integrated? Given you’re always going to be bottlenecked by that amplifier you have, I would think with the space limitations and to stay within reasonable price range, you can pick yourself up a very nice integrated that will get your speakers sounding closer to their full potential and will most likely beat the preamp/amp combo whether it’s Rogue or PS Audio. It will most likely have to be more or less a full sized component though but perhaps you can rearrange things to make it work… |
Thank you for your recommendation, but integrated doesn’t solve my space issue. I think I have a resolution… remove a section from my L shaped sectional & install another rack there. |
- 77 posts total