PS Audio BHK signature preamp

Terrific preamp at a terrific price. Some caveats…resale for PSA is always a little soft due to their trade-in policies and other components of the business model. Also, their generous trade-in policy will always gently nudge you in the direction of the PSA family. For me, this is no problem at all. YMMV. There is no tape out which matters to almost no one but is a deal breaker for me. Almost all of the recommendations here will make you deliriously happy. Spouse maybe not so much. But it is the holiday season; go for it.

Thank you for all your thoughts and recommendations! Fortunately (or unfortunately) the BHK preamp is now sold out, so I can focus on other areas more in need on my system. I think the Coda #8 will be my next purchase. Will let you know when I pull the trigger. Thanks!

@signaforce it’s for the best. You will be amazed by a better amp in that system. Keep us posted. 

OK, slight change in plans. The PSA BHK signature preamp is back in stock, so pulled the trigger on a black one last night. 
I know I need focus in other areas, but I could not pass on this deal.
As I said in my opening It has excellent reviews, the audiogon forums speak highly of it, (as did most of you), it is the perfect size, has an excellent headphone amp, uses the same tubes as my Rogue (I have 3 different excellent matched pair NOS tubes) & is fully capable with my Logitech Harmony One remote… seemingly a match made in heaven. I want it… 

Two other factors, it is fully balanced and my amp was designed to be used balanced, and in rereading its reviews, Jim Austin in his Stereophile review stated: “PS Audio's BHK Signature preamp is one of the finest audio components I've had in my home”. I can’t imagine better praise than that!
Coda #8 will have to wait, but probably not for long. Thanks again for all your thoughts and recommendations!

Congrats! Keep us posted. 

Thanks! Just received shipping confirmation.
I’m excited with the direction I am going based upon the many recommendations.  

I plan to run streaming through it with my amp tuned off and with the stock tubes until broken in.
Anyone have a recommended break in time? 

Run it with amp on to break in the output as well. Keep it on 24/7 for a week even if not playing to let the power supply settle. Usually after 100hrs pretty much any component I ever bought new starts showing its character. Also, I wouldn’t rush with tube rolling.
One other thing…since you got the PS Audio preamp, if you like the sound, go for a matching amp. Eliminate synergy and compatibility concerns. Just my $0.02

I agree with audphile1 about not rushing to tube roll. The latest tubes that PSA ships the BHK with are very decent tubes. After the preamp is broken in and you've got a handle on the sound is the time to think about whether it might be tweaked in one direction or another to suit preferences. However, I wouldn't worry about getting a matching amp at all. I had a BHK250 I used with my BHK pre and it had no special synergy at all IMO. I also used the BHK pre with PS Audio M1200 monos, Luxman M-700u, Modwright KWA99s, and a Decware Zen Torii. The BHK sounded fantastic with all of them. I sold the BHK250 and preferred the PSA Audio M1200s in my system. Paul @ PSA would always insist the BHK250 was a better amp than  the M1200s but I always thought that was just PR talk to reinforce their pricing structure. 

@audphile1 @photon46

Thanks for your thoughts and recommendations. The BHK finally arrives tomorrow (hopefully), thanks to FedEx’s ineptness.
I will wait to tube roll. The Siemens silver plate had been my favorite in my Rogue. Tele’s seem to be the tube of choice for the BHK. I am excited to try those, plus my Brimar’s, vs the stock tubes. PS Audio tube swapping (cover removal) is significantly easier than Rogue.
I had struggled with audphile1’s recommendation on synergy & house sound. The BHK 250 is big, hot and heavy, they don’t have it in black, and I would prefer to stay away from class D. The Coda seemed perfect. Glad to hear you based upon your experience I can still move in that direction without degrading sound. Thanks!

"Best" tubes will depend on the rest of your system and preferences. I preferred unusual choices: red label CBS/Hytron 5814a or Raytheon black plate 5814a tubes. Siemens and Telefunkens were just too bright with my Tidal Piano Ceras for my tastes. The BHK one was one of the most universally adaptable components with different partners I ever owned. Adding a PS Audio Power Plant to the mix took the BHK another level of performance as well.  Enjoy your new preamp!

@signaforce keep your RCA cables just in case. If and when you get around to try Coda I would recommend trying it with both XLR and RCA. Reason for that is Coda’s low input impedance on the XLR inputs. It will most likely be fine but I would not automatically assume that the balanced cables will be better. Just a thought. And reach out to Doug of course and mention the specs…get his take on it when ready. 

@audphile1 

Thanks. As I understand it, pre output impedance should be at least 10x less than the Amps input impedance. The Coda’s published input impedance is 5x less XLR vs RCA at 10K ohms, so Coda XLR is tougher to match.
However, the published output impedance of the BHK pre balanced is <100 ohms or 100x less. Will verify with Doug, but unless I am reading this wrong, should be no problem. 

I can vouch for the build quality of CODA amps. I have the Coda s5.5 and it is outstanding, a sonic gem. I have had it about 6 months.

I have a CODA #16 today (love it). For the BHK preamp I would try the AHB2 over the CODA #8 since I do not like too much warmth. I owned the #8 before.

The AHB2 is available for home trial. I like the top end of the AHB2 over the #8. If your speakers are not very demanding nor do you play very loud then a single AHB2 in stereo would be great. A better version of the AHB2 is the SimAudo  Moon North Collection 761 ($$$)

Instead of the BHK pre, I would have gotten the Benchmark LA4 and paired it with the CODA #8. I had this combo with KEF LS50's a few years ago. I think the LA4 or HPA4 are the best gear Benchmark makes. The LA4 and AHB2 combo are best for me with warmer speakers. 

@yyzsantabarbara I had CSiB in my system and I would not classify it as warm. It’s open, detailed and clear. Benchmark with OP’s Kef speakers might lean towards cool and analytical. Especially with Chord Qutest DAC. I would be hesitant to pair Benchmark with Kef. But that’s just my opinion.

@signaforce how’s the preamp sounding? I think you’ll be fine with XLR between BHK and Coda. Good idea to confirm with Doug though.

I found the benchmark amplifier to be on the sterile side, and boring. Good thing they have a return policy. You can try it out. I have never heard a coda, but would love to.

@audphile1 @peter_s @yyzsantabarbara 

I don’t think anyone has ever accused my R11’s of being warm. I agree the Benchmark would not be a great pairing with my KEF’s, both from a power and sound signature standpoint. I am completely in on the BHK pre, and 90% on the Coda #8. Thanks.
@audphile1 My BHK has still not arrived due to continued FedEx ineptness. I got PS audio (as the shipper with much more influence) involved yesterday evening, since FedEx was completely unresponsive to me. They set up a 3 way call with FedEx. FedEx assured us the pre would be delivered between 2-4 today. Excellent service from PS Audio!  We shall see on FedEx … 
BTW, we need to talk about my Qutest replacement… and/or buying the chord upscaler Thanks!

@signaforce hope FedEx comes through!

as to DAC replacement…I’d tackle it after the amp change is in and everything had settled including your ears adjusting to new sound. 
Many choices there in DAC space.

@signaforce The following link has a comparison of a rather cheap DAC with Chord Dave, which I assume is better than the Qutest. The cheap DAC was mine and it was at a headphone show in Colorado over the weekend (I was not present).

Headphones can really show the ability of a DAC.

https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2653214  (link is messed up)

 

Another Head-Fi’er, @yyzSB, sent his Schiit Audio Yggdrasil+ OG DAC with Danny, and I got a chance to listen to it not only driving my Immanis through my Zahl HM1 and VM-1a, but also through Danny’s Feliks Audio Envy. It has great tonal density—more than my Dave. And it does bass drum better than I think I’ve ever heard. Not only with the impact of the drum strikes, but the hollow reverb (I mean hollow in a good way here) of the sound of that strike bouncing around inside the drum. Timbre across the rest of the FR, and technicalities, were a touch behind my Dave, with the Yggi+ sounding a hair more digital. But the Yggi+ is also much less expensive and offers insane SQ per $.

Signaforce  congrats, Keep us updated.

@yyzsantabarbara 

Thanks. I probably should have bought the Yggi instead of the Qutest. I liked the Qutest size. Your Yggi+ OG, is that less is more or more is better? 
 

@jayctoy @audphile1 

Thanks  Tracking says it is out for delivery. 

Awesome! Looking forward to read your impressions. 

@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.

Schiit Audio Yggdrasil DAC - The Absolute Sound

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! 

For my sanity, I was doing some research to try to understand the significant perceived improvement from the RP-1 to the BHK. I found 4.

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…
2. This ties into #1. The published THD distortion of the RP-1 is <1%. The published THD & IM distortion of the BHK is <.03%, That’s more than 3x the THD distortion for the Rogue and the IM distortion of the Rogue is not even published. 
3. Capacitance mismatch. From another audiogoner: “the RP-1 is very sensitive your amp's input impedance. My amp's is around 40Kohm and it sounded lifeless....an obvious loss of high frequency air and detail”. My Warp 1 is 47Kohm, and suffered the same issue.
4. As i stated earlier, my amp is designed to run balanced. The BHK accommodates this.

End result, my ears were not deceiving me! Thanks!

Congrats on the great purchase.

Now you need to not read the forums so that you stay happy wilt your gear.

BTW - I spoke with my friend who had my Yggi+ OG for the past month. This guy has incredible hearing, and I am buying his new speaker line. One reason being because of his hearing. He and some audiophiles compared my Yggi+ OG with the Dave and also the Mola Mola Tambaqui with the best headphones in the world.

The Dave and the Mola are in the $15k region and maybe $20k for the Dave if you add the upscaler (not sure if that was used). He liked the Mola Mola the best but given the price delta he thought the Yggi+ was incredible and the easy choice for him.

I was watching a video with one of the Schitt founders and they are going to release some new features on the Yggi+ lineup in 2026. The existing Yggi+ units are all upgradeable.

I am also a BHK Preamp owner and it had been one of my best accusations for about 5 years now. One of the best things I like about the pre amp is “tube rolling” aspect as well. I have also enjoyed changing out the safety fuse (3] times to get what is best for my system. Really, is are you getting the unit in silver or black? Personally,I have silver with the shiny black top. And the final close of the sale is the (THE SPECIAL SALES PRICE”  So there it is! All your questions and thoughts all answered!  So go enjoy the sound.

cheers,

sandroc

@yyzsantabarbara Now you need to not read the forums so that you stay happy wilt your gear. 
Much easier said than done!
A side note, I will probably replace my turntable next. Given the same cartridge, it is probably the least sonic improvement I can make. I am a vinyl guy at heart & the joy of vinyl is not only its sound, but also the process of playing albums. My Pro-ject even though part of an analog that is slightly sonically superior to my digital, gives me no joy. 
@sandrock Thanks, mine is black. Not as attractive, but love the solid utilitarian look. I know tubes are very system dependent, but what tubes do you most enjoy? I will be rolling tubes, but unless someone can convince me otherwise not fuses. 

@signaforce glad to hear you’re enjoying the nee preamp! Not sure what tubes are used as stock but may be better to direct the funds towards amplifier and DAC upgrades and tackle the tube rolling after? I wouldn’t waste money on fuses. At least not until you have all the components in place. 

@audphile1 Already own the tubes that fit the BHK from my RP-1. Matched NOS Tele’s, Siemens & Brimar’s.
Won’t be spending any money on more tubes, nor fuses. Thanks.

Perfect you’re set!

Congrats on the BHK preamp. Great piece. I have the full PSA stack with the BHK250 and DSD and am very happy. That being said I did get a chance to try the Coda 8 mated to the BHK preamp for a week. Nothing to be afraid there. I think it was a great match and the Coda is a phenomenal piece too. Super resolving, dead quiet and about the same big soundstage as the BHK250. Its bass is in one word subterranean. Fast and deep. Superb quality too and able to drive very low impedance loads (single ended bipolar design vs differential balanced mosfet for the BHK). I would seriously listen to the Coda especially with difficult loads. No issue being driven by the BHK preamp.  

Congrats on the BHK preamp. Great piece. I have the full PSA stack with the BHK250 and DSD and am very happy. That being said I did get a chance to try the Coda 8 mated to the BHK preamp for a week. Nothing to be afraid there. I think it was a great match and the Coda is a phenomenal piece too. Super resolving, without being sterile, a touch sweet, dead quiet and about the same big soundstage as the BHK250. Its bass is in one word subterranean. Fast and deep. Superb quality too and able to drive very low impedance loads (single ended bipolar design vs differential balanced mosfet for the BHK). I would seriously listen to the Coda especially with difficult loads. No issue being driven by the BHK preamp.  

@digilog5 Thanks for your observation confirming the Coda was very good & compatible with my BHK PRE. But it sounds like you prefer the BHK 250… wish they had one in black, I might overlook the size, weight & heat. Sorry to ask but what does it mean to be “a touch sweet”? Thanks!

The below info is direct from the late Bascom King when i was looking into the preamp and asked the same questions to my dealer. Direct from BHK: "No problem! 10K is an easy load. it can drive loads down to 1K. There are no series output coupling capacitors to roll off the low bass either."

Also running all my gear balanced and tested the Coda 8 balanced as well.

Re. the 250 vs Coda, frankly I would be super happy with either. By a touch sweet I meant its not dry or analytical. It will dig in and show up tremendous detail and depth, just not in a sterile way. Its polished like a top Hegel kind of sound. It might not have 100% of the "bloom" or kind of halo-space of the tubed BHK but its insanely good and from the moment you have the pre with tubes in there should be totally fine. I am contemplated actually to change to the Coda as in the future will be driving electrostats. BHK has nearly twice the filtering capacitance of the No.8 but 1/3 of the 8’s power supply. Would joke that the Coda has its own gravitational pull! hhaha.

@digilog5 Thanks!