Ps Audio BHK preamp Vs ARC best preamps

Having an Audio Research LS27 I have found that when I connect my approximatly 35 year old Stax headphone systems using Stax either solid state or tube Stax amplifiers with them that when I hook the Stax systems thru my LS27's record out outputs that the audio reproduction itself improves drastically for the better.  Recently I replied in an Audio Research internet listning from someone who previously worked in a recording studio that they in fact hooked various audio devices themself thru the record outputs of a then top end Audio Research  preamplifier.  I also recently looked over a Pul McGowan video in which he himself learned, from his good friend, the late Arnie Nudell, how at the time a truly great preamp can itself vastly improve audio quality.I believe to achieve such results depends upon the quality of the preamplifier itself as when I tried the same experiment with a Classe DR5 solid state preamp, the sound quality is deminished.  It is a simple experiment with even 35 plus year old Stax headphone systems.  With a true quality preamplifier such as a recent Audio Research ls 27 the sound will in fact be much better than running the audio source directly into an amplifier.  With a less than perfect preamp, but still not too bad, most likely the sound would be better running without a preamp than with one.  By the way my present Audio Research LS27 on paper looks so simular to the PS Audio BK preamplifier.  Both are solid state using only 2 small tubes, both offer single ended and ballanced inputs and outputs plus one is able to adjust the gain settings on all audio sources.  Thus I get great results using only a Odyssey Khartago, 110 watts per channel, tu run my MartinLogan SL3's easily with great results.  One of these days I will visit PS Audio as it is only4-5 miles away from me.

That is a Rega Osiris integrated amplifier, not preamplifier

The only way to find out which is the best way to go is to actually do a comparison.  You could use the mono BHK amplifiers first with the BHK preamp, next go to a top end recent Audio Research tube preamp.  To make it complete try substituting a recent top VAC preamp.  I notice that over the years Richard Vanderstein, besides his own solid state amplifiers for his model 7 speakers, has used VAV with Audio Research, Audio Research by itself, and at last October show in Denver used only VAC electronics. All three are truly great.  It might depend upon the combination of actual electronics used as well as the chosen speakers.  It might depend upon the person doing the evaluations personal prefrences.

On my speaker based audio system I am presently using an Audio Research LS27 preamp, but only a simple Odyssey Khartago amplifier.  The reason is right now simply finances.  But why I am mentioning this at this time that I still am able to achieve a quite presentable audio system in spite of the vast cost differences betwen the two.  In my opinion the preamplifier being used is more important than the amplifier being used.  Thus I would bet than having a PS Audio BHK preamplifier to use with their stereo Stella amplifier would create a much sound than using their $1500 preamplifier with their 250 amplifier.  With my Audio Research LS27, using high gain, I get excellent sound with my little 110 watts per channel amplifier.  Which helps explain why Alan Wolfe of Magico used to use the same exact Odyssey for his own audio dydtem as I presently do.  And on paper the simularities between my LS27 and the BHK preamplifiers seem very simular.  Which one sounds best would a direct comparison between the two.  Again, thru going on 50 years in audio I personally think the preamplifier isthe single most important part of a high quality audio system, and that an audio system should be centered upon it for best results.

I meant the PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell Dac for $1799.  But my point is, as owners of the top of the BKH electronics have replied already that the addition of the BKK preamplifier adds great to the quality of the audio quality, it the just comes to which paticular preamplifier with what amplifier works best.  With the quesstion of speakers used on what combination.  In fact in many situations the most important factor may be the amplifier-speaker combination.  Perhaps a tube amplifier driving a digital system might work.  But again in my experience the addition of a preamplifier such as my Audio Research makes everything played thru it sound better.  Much, much better.  And the BHK preamplifier is very simular-each using just two little tubes to help make magic.