PS Audio Bascom H King Signature 250 stereo and Signature 300 mono block power amps

[Still-One]

I have no idea what is used to build the PS Audio amps. What I do know is that the PA Audio room at RMAF was in the handful of great sounding rooms this year. Whatever they did it was done right. A large room. Speakers (large YG's) in the center with lots of space around them. The electronics seemed to be doing their job.

[Vhiner]

The BHK 250 just earned its first award, I believe.

http://www.theaudiobeat.com/rmaf2015...log_awards.htm

[Lenny]

Finally got an answer.

From: Dave Paananen
Sent: Thursday, October 22, 2015 11:39 AM
To: Travis Townes
Cc: Alex Paananen
Subject: RE: Product Enquiry - BHK Signature 250 Stereo Amplifier

1) The transformer for the output stages is 1000VA
2) Yes there is only one transformer for the outputs, but each output has separate transformer secondary windings
3) Capacitors for each output are separate
4) Each output has 80,000 microfarads
5) Each output has 16 FETs, for 32 FETs total for the BHK 250

Any comments?

[4N6]

Originally Posted by Lenny

Finally got an answer. From: Dave Paananen Sent: Thursday, October 22, 2015 11:39 AM To: Travis Townes Cc: Alex Paananen Subject: RE: Product Enquiry - BHK Signature 250 Stereo Amplifier 1) The transformer for the output stages is 1000VA 2) Yes there is only one transformer for the outputs, but each output has separate transformer secondary windings 3) Capacitors for each output are separate 4) Each output has 80,000 microfarads 5) Each output has 16 FETs, for 32 FETs total for the BHK 250 Any comments?

Hello Lenny,

Welcome to AA!!!

[corgidog59]

I may pick up a BHK 250 to replace my Parasound A-21. Spoke to a rep at PS and he told me that a great review would be published next month...not sure what publication / web site. I have never own a component with tubes before...anyone know how long a tube lasts before it needs to be replaced?

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by corgidog59

I may pick up a BHK 250 to replace my Parasound A-21. Spoke to a rep at PS and he told me that a great review would be published next month...not sure what publication / web site. I have never own a component with tubes before...anyone know how long a tube lasts before it needs to be replaced?

Depends on design, but can be a few thousand hours.

[j3brow]

Originally Posted by corgidog59

I may pick up a BHK 250 to replace my Parasound A-21. Spoke to a rep at PS and he told me that a great review would be published next month...not sure what publication / web site. I have never own a component with tubes before...anyone know how long a tube lasts before it needs to be replaced?

My money is on Jeff Dorgay at Tone Audio as the mystery reviewer. He has a world exclusive review of a mystery component slated for next month. Looking forward to reviews of the BHK amps.

[cmalak]

Originally Posted by corgidog59

I may pick up a BHK 250 to replace my Parasound A-21. Spoke to a rep at PS and he told me that a great review would be published next month...not sure what publication / web site. I have never own a component with tubes before...anyone know how long a tube lasts before it needs to be replaced?

The tube in the BHK 250 is a small signal tube on the input stage of the amplifier and not in the output stage. Typically output power tubes last 1500-3000 hrs depending on circuit design and how aggressively or conservatively it is being pushed. Each manufacturer will have their recos on when to replace. In this case, we are talking about a small signal tube and usually these last from 4000-10,000 hours, again depending on tube and circuit design.

[corgidog59]

Originally Posted by cmalak

The tube in the BHK 250 is a small signal tube on the input stage of the amplifier and not in the output stage. Typically output power tubes last 1500-3000 hrs depending on circuit design and how aggressively or conservatively it is being pushed. Each manufacturer will have their recos on when to replace. In this case, we are talking about a small signal tube and usually these last from 4000-10,000 hours, again depending on tube and circuit design.

Great feedback...thank you all.

[doggiehowser]

The latest issue of The Absolute Sound (Jan 2016) has a glowing review of the BHK Signature 300s.


Reading the section on BHK's accomplishments.. I think part of why the BHK name was obscure for most of us was that he was involved in pretty esoteric gear like Infinity back when they stood for something more than car speakers.. stuff I would never have been able to afford anyway. But his first major amplifier for Infinity was also a hybrid tube/SS power amp (called the HCA).

[color=rgb(35,31,32)]Of [/color][color=rgb(35,31,32)]the HCA in 1979, [/color][color=rgb(35,31,32)]Stereophile[/color][color=rgb(35,31,32)]’s founder J. Gordon Holt had written, ‘It is the best-sounding amplifier I have ever heard.’ [/color]

Here's a snippet of the 300 review

[color=rgb(35,31,32)]This amplifier isn’t cheap, although it represents a bargain in sound quality compared to all too many of its higher-priced [/color][color=rgb(35,31,32)]competitors. A pair of BHK Signature 300 monoblocks costs $14,998, and a BHK Signature 250 stereo amplifier costs $7499. Top-of-the-line prices should mean exceptional sound, and any amps that are not truly exceptional at any comparable or higher prices are simply a rip-off.[/color]




[color=rgb(35,31,32)]You do, however, get your money’s worth with the BHK Signature 300s. They have truly exceptional imaging, depth, and natural soundstage width, and they really can get the best out of the naturally miked and produced recordings that have a real- world soundstage. Once they are broken in, they have very little sound character of their own, but to the extent they do, they have a rich, natural musical timbre without any loss of highs or air. [/color]