Ps Audio BHK preamp Vs ARC best preamps

Hi tomcy6,

thank you for your compliments about my english and for your reply.

Actually what I've been able to experience in my long audiophile carreer is that there is not such a large gap between some LS and some Ref preamps models, I own an LS 25 mk1 and it is really a good piece of gear but it still add "something" that characterize it as a bit less than completely transparent, probably the mk2 series with the 6H30 tubes is a bit more transparent.  I've tried to bypass it connecting my DSd directly to the power amp (ARC 100.2) and apart a light hummm what I perceived is a way better sound with more details, dynamics, harmonic content.

So what I really would like to know is if the BHK preamp is more transparent than the best ARC preamps and if it is transparent in absolute sense.

My final purpose is to try to understand if I can give up in using a preamp, connecting the DSd directly to my new BHK 250 power amp which is arriving from my dealer.

Ciao!


Mario

Mario,
i know a dealer that runs DSD direct to BHK 250. 
Works great. 

Mario I also use a DSD directly to an ARC 100.2 and with a balanced connection is dead quiet.  I must admit that I am also curious about adding the BHK pre.  On the PS Audio forums there are a few posts where ARC pre's are removed and the DSD is connected directly to the amp and they all agreed it sounded better.

 

Mario, it seems that no preamp is the way to go, but I must tell you that Paul McGowan the owner of PS Audio says that  he finds that using a BHK preamp sounds better than not using one.  Of course he wants people to buy his preamps, but if you can borrow one from a dealer or friend I would try it out and see what you think.

Thanks to all for your advices and suggestions, and yes, I've heard that a lot of people gave up in using preamps, especially in the case of DSd which has been specifically designed, when Mr McGowan didn't sell preamps and he was absolutely convinced that that was the right way to go, to work in this modality.

And yes, the way is to wait for the arrival of my BHK 250, to listen what will happen then and in case to have a BHK preamp borrowed by my dealer and investigate what will be the differences, 6000 $ in addition apart ;-)...


Mario