PS Audio DirectStream DAC

[Weirdcuba]

Unless you did an in home audition, which I think you can do and just return the PSA stuff, I would stick tight. I love PSA also, but you’ve got great mc gear. Need to see how it sounds in your house first.

[jrsystems]

Thanks guys.

I’ve been displaced and I’m moving into a new house next week. My systems have been split up for months and I’ll finally be putting it all back together again.

I’m going to do two separate systems. A two channel only room and a small home theater. The two channel room will consist of my Raidho’s; JL sub; McIntosh C2200 and 2 MC501s; the PS DirectStream DAC; Oppo disc spinner; and Thorens turntable. I think that will be a hell of a system. I’ve yet to hear the Raidho’s with the PS DAC and I’m looking very forward to it.

[timm]

I have heard good things about the BHK line as well but have not heard anyone that has done any type of 'shoot out' against other quality gear like you have.

Saying that - i think the DS and your Mac gear will sound great. If anyone has done a head to head with the BHK it would be nice to hear their impressions

[jlbrach]

I am using my 452 Amp with my PS Audio DS Dac and memory player and i love it!

[longbowbbs]

Consider that Bascom King (BHK) was also one of the designers of the Constellation amps. He feels this is his best work with the BHK amp line. Something to consider.

[doggiehowser]

I normally hear the B&W 800 D3 series with Mac gear.

But the other day I set the BHK Monos with BHK Pre with the 800D3. Out of the box, they were phenomenal. Great bass control and a beautiful realism.

[doggiehowser]

On the power amp side - I have compared them to Plinius SA Reference and Electrocompaniet Nemos. I’d take the M300 BHKs over them. And I own all of them.

The preamp is a bit of a tougher evaluation.

I thought my Audio Research Ref5SE had a wider soundstage but the dynamics on the BHK Pre was better. A lot better. More PRAT. More like a direct connection to my DS DAC. but with better deeper soundstaging.

But I recently put in a Ref6. And I think the Ref6 is a better preamp. Still the same wide soundstage of the Ref5SE but with better dynamics.

Then again I’m not really comparing like for like price wise.

[kaarmstrong]

Doggiehowser, how many hours do you have on the BHK preamp? Out of the box, mine sounded good but not great. After about 200 hours it got much much better. I would not of thought it was the same preamp based on the improvement in sound. I am not saying it is better than the Ref6, for I have never heard one. Just saying, need to be sure the BHK is broken in before any critical comparisons.
Thanks

[JMD]

Broken in and change out the stock tubes to either a NOS set of 12AU7's or change to NOS tubes from the 6 volt family of tubes.

[doggiehowser]

My BHK pre had 500 hours.

Out of the box soundstage was very narrow and it did improve but not to the way the Ref5SE was.