Hey all
Well I finally managed to hear a BPS in Germany while visiting a friend. Yes it's small! Really small. I'm not convinced it's actually a good enough unit for low output MCs. The unit was setup for maximum gain which is only 60dB! The cartridges we used were the Dynavector XX2 MK2 @ 0.23mV which was really noisy through the BPS and a ZYX Airy 3 @ 0.35mV which was better BUT still a tad noisy. I think the BPS is better suited to medium output MCs - which discounts just about all quality MCs! IMHO.
So, forgetting the noise (if you can), the sound is nice. It is nice, not dynamic at all compared to a really good SS at a similar price, but that might be to do with the fact that it is powered by a 9v battery. That means +/- 4.5v or less for the voltage rail compared to +/- 15v or more for a well designed SS or Tube unit. I read a while ago that your voltage rails are directly related to dynamic 'swing'.
Soundstage was not wide but far better than a Lehmann cube but nowhere near as wide or deep as a Whest PS.30R. The bass performance was good and precise but a bit veiled. The midband and Hf were also good but veiled. I wasn't really bowled over by the overall sound as you can see - I was expecting NAGRA precision but instead got a 'good' sounding phonostage sound that was coloured, veiled and lacked dynamics.
I actually don't know who this is aimed at. It doesn't have the flexibility, soundstage or musicality of a well designed full sized mains powered phonostage, it only handles medium to high output MCs or MM, and sounds good but not great for the price. I do like the size and build BUT not the 9v PP3 battery! If you want battery power then look at a Sutherland. If you want dynamics etc look at a Whest and if you want small with a 9v battery to fit into your computer case then this is it.
hope this helps.
