I love my BHK Preamp driving BHK 300 mono blocks into Magico A5. It is beautiful sounding set up, but the tubes can be finicky. If you go for it be prepared to swap tubes to manage hiss and popping and get the sound you like. I've also found this set up exposes weakness in cabling and sources, but that might be my speakers. Good luck!
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!
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Looks like the amp first people are winning. My contenders are: Coda #8. Recommended by @audphile1 @mm1tt77 @zlone Great reviews, good price point and size. Talked to Doug today. He recommended starting with the V1 also. PS Audio BHK 250. Great reviews, very good price point. A monster. PS audio is selling refurbs at half price. @oldschool1948 you are using. Anyone else? Thoughts? Then either buy the BHK pre or keep my RP-1… OR Macintosh MA352. For those who recommended integrated, I have coveted Macintosh for 50 years. Recommendations anyone? |
@signaforce I’m very happy with the LTA microZOTL Level 2 preamp/BHK 250 combo pushing my Tannoy DC8Ti speakers. IMHO, depending on your system, I think you would be happy with either the PS Audio BHK or LTA microZOTL. I moved to the LTA preamp for two reasons (1) it does sound noticeably better, and (2) I took my Teac X-10R R2R out of mothballs and needed a preamp with a tape loop. |
- 41 posts total