I took possesion of the new PS Audio BHK Preamps, last week. I got burn in and some listening time in and all I can say this preamp knocks it out of the park. In my previous expirimentations with preamps, I found that anything below $10K was neutral at best, and the $13K ARC 5SE was the only preamp I ever used that unambigiously improved sound - I never ventured into more expensive territory than that.
The PS Audio BHK does so (i.e. dramtically improve SQ over DAC direct) as well at less than half the price. I have made too many systems changes since I owned the Ref 5SE to conclusively say which one offers more improvement over DAC direct (which will also be system dependent), but the improvement I was hoping to get out of resinserting a preamp in my system has been delivered in spades. Just more musicality, more space and dymanics across the board.
Anyone in the market for a top notch tube preamp should give this one a listen. Interested to hear how it stacks up against much pricier competition in direct comparisons. Some reviewers on PS audio site have done just that and had very good results.
The PS Audio BHK does so (i.e. dramtically improve SQ over DAC direct) as well at less than half the price. I have made too many systems changes since I owned the Ref 5SE to conclusively say which one offers more improvement over DAC direct (which will also be system dependent), but the improvement I was hoping to get out of resinserting a preamp in my system has been delivered in spades. Just more musicality, more space and dymanics across the board.
Anyone in the market for a top notch tube preamp should give this one a listen. Interested to hear how it stacks up against much pricier competition in direct comparisons. Some reviewers on PS audio site have done just that and had very good results.