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PS Audio BHK 250 - Is it still a good amp?

I want to move away from tube power amps, but not tubes in source components.
Have read so much good about the BHK 250, but it’s an old lady now, and I wounder if there is something better out there for the same money.

This is what I want form a new amp.
  • Power to drive any speaker
  • Sound that reassembly tubes
  • In the same price range as the BHK

My current speakers are the Tekton DI, 4 ohm with a sensitivity of 96db. Would like to have a amp that can drive a 87 db speaker.
I also don’t want think about replacing expensive tubes, and live with the heat the generate.
There are many used BHK 250 in the states, But I live in Denmark and there are not many used BHK's in Europe

I would like to thank the audiogon community for there knowledge and there willingness to share and help, your are the best (:Just hope that we will get an updated platform to work on. The Audiogon software is so yesterday.
Wish you all a Happy New Year
martin-andersen

Showing 6 responses by larryrs

larryrs
132 posts
 
I agree there was a problem.  But, to the best of my recollection, whether or not the problem lay with that pair of LRS speakers was not investigated.  The problem was cured when they were replaced, however, with a pair of 17i's, which technologically are very similar to the the LRS's.  Again, I've had no issues driving my 1.7i's or 3.7i's with the 250.
larryrs
132 posts
 
I have the BHK Signature 250 driving a pair of Magnepan 1.7i's and I think it sounds really, really good.  It replaced a Bryston 4B SST2 and there is no comparison for me.  I, and a friend whose ears I very much trust, both preferred the BHK.  It simply sounded more natural to both he and I.  We were using as a basis for comparison our common experience in attending live (mostly classical) concerts.  
larryrs
132 posts
 
I haven't seen that with any of the BHK stuff.  I suspect that since PS Audio is now selling direct only price stability is going to be the norm.  I would agree that the 250 can be an end game amp for many, especially if you don't need the grunt that the BHK Signature 300 monoblocks can provide.  I replaced a 250 with a pair of 300's in a system with Magnepan 3.7i's and its just goodest on top of gooder than anything else I'd had in those systems.  The 300's joined the party only because they showed up used at a really good price locally.
larryrs
132 posts
 
I can tell you that the BHK Signature 250 will drive both the Magneplanar 1.7i’s and 3.7i’s to some pretty loud levels with no problems. Both are described by Magnepan as 4 Ohm speakers. I have used the 250 in systems with both. I’m not sure what speaker would provide a problematic load for the 250, but I can say its isn’t either of those. Right now I’m listening to Duke Ellington/Johnny Hodges "Back to Back" using the 250 driving the 1.7i’s and it sounds great to me.
larryrs
132 posts
 
I remember that thread well and puzzled about it. I’ve never had any problem in driving either the 1.7i or 3.7i with the BHK Signature 250 and wondered to myself if 1. the LRS can be that difficult a load or 2. if there was a problem with the speaker itself. In any event, the starter of that thread rendered the discussion moot when he bought a pair of 1.7i’s. I can only go by my experience with the 250 and my 1.7i and 3.7i’s.
larryrs
132 posts
 
As I said above, my BHK 250 has been used to drive Magneplanar 3.7i’s and 1.7i’s with no issues at all.
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