Bryston BHA-1 Headphone Amp

[dmacg]

Originally Posted by doggiehowser

I don't own the BHA-1s but I do own the LCD3 and the HE6, along with the HD800. I used to own the LCD2.2 as well in the past.

I found both the LCD3 and HE6 improved significantly with a balanced amp (in my case a Schiit).

I like the LCD3 for its relative ease to drive so I can actually get decent sound when I am on the road, but IMHO the HE6 is a superior sounding can. It doesn't look as good as the wooden LCDs but in comparison, the LCDs always sound too dark to me. It's not something you notice when you hear the LCDs in isolation.

doggiehowser;

Appreciate the input, if you were to take one last step up from the HE-500's, would it be the HE6 or perhaps something else ? Also I wonder if the Bryston will drive the HE6 too it's potential, from what I've gleaned, their notoriously hard to drive.
Cheerio; Doug

[doggiehowser]

I know STAX lovers always claim the 009s are the ultimate but I can't say I was bowled over when listening to them.

I think the HE6 would still be my go to cans at home.

I've a friend who's very happy with the Abyss.

Have a look at the headfi forums to see the reviews of the HE6 with the BHA-1. I believe it was quite a good combo as well.

[Grit]

I have a BHA-1 and originally had it paired with HiFiMan HE-500's. My opinion (and that's all it's worth) was that the HE-500's deconstructed the music. Of course, this will depend on what you are listening to. I use my cans for a huge variety of things (pop music, classical music, stuff in between, movies, TV, etc).

The best example I can give was Michael Jackson's Thriller (just because it's so familiar to most people). It's a studio recording with several effects blended in (creaking door, etc). The HE-500's made it very obvious that the synthetic effects and music were just that, synthetic. I found it similar to motion correction on LCD televisions that cause a false 3d/"soap opera" effect.

I replaced the HE-500's with LCD-2's, and I'm far happier for it. The LCD's brought back literal toe-tapping enjoyment to EVERYTHING I listened to. And they are easier to wear and less fatiguing to listen to.

Again, that's just MY impression and experience.

Both sets of cans were initially used with the balanced input. I ultimately upgraded the cable on my LCD-2's though. And the BHA-1 was able to drive both equally well. It does get warm, so keep it well ventilated. The only thing I'd wish for in a BHA-2 is remote control.

[MoNelly]

Is it okay to use an XLR to RCA cable to run the preamp outs on the BHA-1 into an unbalanced amp?

[James Tanner - Bryston]

MEMO: To All Bryston Customers
SUBJECT: Bryston BHA-1 Headphone Amplifier Review

May 2014

HI Folks,

Stellar review on the Bryston BHA-1 Headphone Amplifier fro Enjoy The Music.Com

Click on link!

Bryston BHA-1 Headphone Amplifier The Bryston BHA-1 is one heckova high-end Class A headphone amplifier. Review By Ron Nagle

James

[Masterlu]

MoNelly... Welcome to AA!

[James Tanner - Bryston]

Originally Posted by MoNelly

Is it okay to use an XLR to RCA cable to run the preamp outs on the BHA-1 into an unbalanced amp?

No problem - it will not be a balanced connection though.

james

[HDPhonic]

Mr Tanner,
i'm using the BHA-1 as my new reference headphones amplifier for critical listening sessions and gear evalutation for my reviews.The BHA-1 it's really an excellent amplifier!
I think that Bryston, on the BHA-1 manual,should point out that the high gain setting correspond not only to an increase of volume output but also to an increase of power output! With my hd650 and hd800 in balanced mode i can clearly hear at the same sound pressure level that the high setting has more bite and focus because of more power output.Transients are sharper and the bass is more articulate.

Then i'd like to know if Bryston is planning to release maybe next year a BHA-2 with some new features like stepped volume control,more power output etc
I ask you this because there are some new balanced amps on the market that could be serious contenders for a product like the BHA-1 (Violectric V281, Simaudio Moon HA430, a new balanced reference amp from Northstar Design coming out in september etc)

i can clearly state that i'm a high satisfied Bryston customer and user!

I'm just curios to know if Bryston wants to put out a new amp,

Please let me know what you think.

thanks

Francesco

[James Tanner - Bryston]

Hi There,

No we do not have any plans for a BHA-2. A lot of our customers are using the BHA-1 as a preamplifier so we were looking at adding a remote volume control but it would mean a redesign so we have not gone down that path.

If you need more power than the BHA-1 we would recommend going to a power amplifier like our 2.5B SST2 with the caution that high power into headphones can cause serious ear damage!

Glad you are enjoying the BHA.

james

[LooseLeaf]

Just picked up my Bryston BHA-1 today, Nice work Bryston it looks lovely in the silver finish with a high level of built quality.
Currently it's simmering away with a signal flowing threw it , brief listening I like it.

I recently put together a second system with digital play back after a long hiatus from CDs .
A purchase of a slightly used ModWright Ultimate Sony 5400 SACD player and a Mcintosh C2300 preamp used to drive Audeze LCD 2 head phones.
The second system with head phones solved the issue of late night listening as others slept. Over the past few months with this set up it became apparent I should look into a dedicated head phone amplifier.
So , my choice , the Bryston BHA-1 and tonight's music , Ella Fitzgerald to Pink Floyd.