I feel that the PS Audio "hype" is warranted. For my system, their BHK 300 mono's and their Signature preamp proved to be compelling fits. They power a pair of TAD CR-1's, and I find the total system sound to be very revealing, while giving the timbre and harmonic structure of music that is the best I have heard. If they were overly hyped types of gear, my TAD's would make 'em scream! (TAD's need to be influenced away from that edge, IME.) I just feel like I get an uncanny view into the recording studio or venue with each different record I play, with the differences being starkly revealed, but not at the cost of the music. In fact, I feel that emotional connection to the music is a BHK strength. I guess you can tell that I really like the BHK gear.
I was able to audition them in my system at length before deciding to purchase (Audio Surgeon is my dealer for these, and he is very good to work with for auditions). They ushered out a VAC Phi 200 amp (I believe that no tube amp is actually up to the task of driving the TAD's, so....) and a VAC Renaissance Signature II preamp, which I had enjoyed for 7 years.
I have tweaked them by rolling the triode input tubes (a must, IME, for best sound), and I did end up feeding them with a PS Audio P10 regenerator which all of my gear loves (especially my Lampizator Goldengate DAC). At this point I am just working on my analog front end for improvements, and grinning.
I can see how some get a skeptical sense about PS Audio, as Paul does have a tendency to seem a bit of a "marketing" focused guy, and it can feel like he is "over-selling" his wares at times. And their gear does seem to get discounted strongly off of list price. But I believe Paul and company truly do care about delivering great sounding gear that they stand behind with first rate customer service. My impression is that their recent DAC, preamp, and amp products do "punch above their weight class", as tired as that statement may be.
I was able to audition them in my system at length before deciding to purchase (Audio Surgeon is my dealer for these, and he is very good to work with for auditions). They ushered out a VAC Phi 200 amp (I believe that no tube amp is actually up to the task of driving the TAD's, so....) and a VAC Renaissance Signature II preamp, which I had enjoyed for 7 years.
I have tweaked them by rolling the triode input tubes (a must, IME, for best sound), and I did end up feeding them with a PS Audio P10 regenerator which all of my gear loves (especially my Lampizator Goldengate DAC). At this point I am just working on my analog front end for improvements, and grinning.
I can see how some get a skeptical sense about PS Audio, as Paul does have a tendency to seem a bit of a "marketing" focused guy, and it can feel like he is "over-selling" his wares at times. And their gear does seem to get discounted strongly off of list price. But I believe Paul and company truly do care about delivering great sounding gear that they stand behind with first rate customer service. My impression is that their recent DAC, preamp, and amp products do "punch above their weight class", as tired as that statement may be.