Awesome! Looking forward to read your impressions.
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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- 77 posts total
@signaforce I have 2 Yggi+ DACs. I got the very last Yggi+ OG sold by Schitt last year and also the Yggi+ LIM. I have the LIM up for sale and I am also in the queue to get the LIM converted to the More Is Better by Schitt. Whichever happens first will dictate what I do. I am selling off a bit of gear to buy a new open baffle speaker a friend is releasing. The quote above is for the OG. |
OK, the BHK arrived yesterday and did a push-pull with my RP-1, with no changes other than new balanced cables (Mogami 2549 XLR, replacing Mogami 2549 RCA) running from BHK to Warp 1. Hopefully I am not experiencing confirmation bias, but out of the box, with new cables & stock tubes, the BHK sounds wonderful. Dead quiet, tighter, fuller, crisper highs, tight solid bass, darker backgrounds, improved decay/harmonics, soundstages/separation... all the accolades we have heard so many times seem to be true. Almost like a veil has been lifted. My Aurender/Qutest digital no longer sounds lean, but great! My Hana ML sings. The slight phono hum I experienced at higher volumes is gone. Symbolism gone. (These cannot be confirmation bias). Unbelievable! I am sure some of it is utilizing balanced in my Warp 1 (according to Stereophile, it was designed to be used balanced) (BTW, just discovered the Warp 1 is rated as a Class B amp by them... my only other Class B product is my Hana ML). But the rest has to be this wonderful BHK pre making everything better. I have never experienced sound improvements like this in all my many changes. I would not believe it possible for non-source electronics. Could not be happier... set for a while! Thank you for all your recommendations. |
@signaforce awesome news! Let it cook for two weeks and it should get even better. |
Thanks! It’s cooking! 1. The RP-1 is a very good entry level pre. The BHK is a very good high end pre. Design, weight, components etc all superior. Obvious but… |
- 77 posts total