Who has switched from a PS Audio BHK Preamp to something else?

@aberyclark I own the BHK in a second system and have played around with it a lot. In honesty, with the right tubes it can really come alive, and has a wide, deep, 3D soundstage that most other preamps don’t have.

I compared it against an Arc Ref 6 SE like others above, but I felt the ARC to be too “lit” and did not have the warm harmonics that the BHK makes possible. It was good in other ways, but not good enough to justify replacement. 
I also tried a Cary SLP-05 Ultimate, which retails for double the BHK, and the BHK easily bested it.

If Gold Lions are the best tubes you’ve tried in the BHK, you’re missing out. Did you know you can switch the current and voltage settings internally? With a proper adapter, you can use 6SN7s. My favorite is a pair of Sylvania VT-231 - really opened up the preamp in every dimension while adding dynamics and authority. There are many other great tubes, like Tungsram 7308 and Psvane T-II CV181.

Also, if you haven’t yet, try a Synergistic Research blue or orange fuse in the BHK. That makes as much or more of a difference than tube rolling.

I’ve since also purchased an Allnic L-3000 Mk 2. It, too, is an incredible preamp, but different. The Allnic is a tad bit more euphoric with the midrange bloom - it’s just gorgeous, but the soundstage isn’t as wide as the BHK. Still worth keeping at the price I got it for.

After investing in the fine tuning, the BHK isn’t going anywhere.

@jslateiv The Supratek is definitely one I’m curious about, nicely done. 

Regarding the 6SN7 adapter, I use a good one from garage1217.com. They’re not cheap at about $60/pair shipped but they are audiophile grade. 

http://www.garage1217.com/garage1217_diy_tube_headphone_amplifiers_012.htm

@jslateiv Thanks for the info on both fronts!

I will definitely look into the safety of using these adapters.
  
Also, I do agree that in general 6SN7s can be a hit or miss with the BHK. I tried rolling a few, and the Sylvania VT-231 was the set that came out winning over the other 6V or 12V tubes. I’m not trying to recommend 6SN7 as a whole for the BHK - more just that it is possible (if done correctly, as you point out). And with tube rolling, it’s all system dependent. We recommend the things that work out for us, with the rest of our chain, in our rooms.


I’ll definitely consider the Cortese when I have the itch down the road, as it has come in my view in the past. I hear nothing but great things.

@smodtactical The T+A is “blacker” than the C900u, and the C900u is more refined overall. T+A is more emotional, exciting and engaging in my opinion. But everyone’s preferences vary!

@smodtactical I had the Cary with ultimate upgrade, and even beyond that, I suited it up with very neutral and open tubes such as Sylvania VT-231 and Psvane CV-181. I used Synergistic Research Blue fuses. I used a very good aftermarket power cord. My speakers in this second system ranged from high efficiency Zu to Quad 2805, both which are very revealing despite their different characters.

The Cary was slow as sludge. Warm? Yes. Euphonic? Yes. But the lack of blackness and speed was a huge expense, and being able to hear the dynamics, resolution and imaging the BHK delivered, in addition to the musicality and soul, there was no comparison. I couldn't unhear what I heard with the BHK to make me like the Cary one bit. No disrespect to Cary... I've owned some of their other products which I absolutely loved.

I did consolidate that second system since, but I did move on from the BHK to something else in a much higher price range - a T+A P3000 HV, and that made it into the spot of my primary system.

And FWIW, as good as the BHK was, it too had the slightest roundness at the top that could not be resolved by any tube or cable change, and it affected it from being an endgame piece. It was my one gripe, as the rest of the unit performed like a 5-figure preamp. 

@smodtactical Yes, the P 3000 HV. I got an incredible deal off it last year from a fellow friend. Probably the most musical, resolving, natural, all-in-all wonderful preamp I ever heard and owned. And I’ve owned a lot of preamps. Loved it so much that I ended up getting the matching and power supply from him, too. I might be set for life.