Not in the market for a pre or power amp but it is a generous offer from PS Audio. Not surprised. Paul McGowan is a great guy who is trying to leave a positive mark on the industry and audiophiles.
If you sign up to receive them he sends an email everyday where he answers a question sent into him by others interested in quality sound on a video. Quite informative and it reveals his affable nature. NOT a sales pitch. Very refreshing.
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Agree on the general positive vibe about dealing with PS Audio - always have had good dealings as a customer. The sale seems to be presented as a temporary discount but you can often find new PS Audio amps on Amazon for heavily discounted prices (way below MSRP). Not sure how those prices get set, they seem very elastic, but I suspect few other high end companies will follow that particular tack. |
I believe that the amps and preamp at the special price is a very positive option for someone in the market, and I do receive Pauls daily message.
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I ordered a preamp to go with my DirectStream DAC and BHK 250. I was happy without a preamp, but thought I’d give the preamp a try at the great price they offered.
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I doubt that other companies will follow suit. If you offer aggressive deals then your business becomes hooked on sales discounting because people won't buy during the year and instead will wait for the holiday sales. |
pmotz, How do you like your BHK 250? How would you characterize the sound and what speakers are you using, if you don't mind telling us? |
Tomcy6, I very much like the BHK250! I’m using with Vandersteen 5 and I think it is a good match. I was using an Audio Research Classic 60 and the BHK has better definition and low end. Not to mention I don’t need to change expensive power tubes any more (there are two input tubes on the BHK but they are cheap).
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PS Audio has been segmenting the market for a long time, with big trade-in allowances, refurbished offerings, and huge discounts at certain times (usually around the time they’re discontinuing a product). And I’m sure a lot of those "call for best price" ads, listing at full retail, are a gateway for deep discounts if you bargain at all. It’s the coupon booklet of high-end audio.
That’s cool and all -- and the PS gear I’ve owned has been pretty solid and sounds good -- but it’s unfortunate for anyone who pays anywhere near retail prices on this gear. They’ll have a nasty surprise if and when they find out just how much they have to discount for the 2nd hand market. It doesn’t have the resale of some of the gear from the more traditional brands.
To be fair, I’m a big proponent of people doing their own research to be informed buyers. But I’ve seen a few cycles of new PS gear being hyped as the next great thing, and now I just think "here we go again". |
I've enjoyed a PS Audio DirectStream DAC, which I purchased soon after it was released, and have added their P10 PowerPlant and DirectStream transport. The few times I've needed to obtain support from the company, I have nothing but good things to report.
I may get hammered for this, but I've been enjoying a McIntosh C2500 tube preamp and MC452 solid state power amp, which work very well with the PS Audio gear, and my speakers/sub woofers, so although the deals on the PS Audio pre and power amps were tempting, I'm "good" with what I own now, and I don't have a place to audition the pair driving the speakers I own (Focal Sopra No2's).
If I was looking to replace my McIntosh components, I'd snap up the PS Audio units as a replacement in a heartbeat. I bought the DAC without first auditioning it, as it had a money-back guarantee. I agree with the other posting, I think Paul is a genuine guy, not feeding us marketing BS to support his products. |
Paul McGowan is a strong advocate for the audiophile community, passing along information daily in "Paul's Posts" and also his videos, "Ask Paul" where he answers a question emailed to him about anything audio. One thing I admire about his approach to the questions is that if he is asked about an aspect of audio that he does not consider himself to be expert in, he will preface his answer by saying so. He also does not use these posts to sell product. The only time his own creations are mentioned is if it has historical significance to the issue he is addressing.
There is whispering in the wind that his next new foray in audiodom will be designing a line of speakers. Paul was involved with the late Arnie Nudell in creating the Genesis line of speakers.
Paul's reference speakers are the truly monumental Infinity IRS5 double towers also created by Arnie prior to the Genesis line.
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I admit to jumping on the deal. I bought both the BHK Stereo 250 amp and the BHK Signature Pre-amp during the Black Friday sale. It was a significantly large purchase for me, but I see it as something that I will keep for years. I’m trying to build a core set of components that will last for years and produce good/great sound.
I’m replacing a Classe Sigma 2200i integrated amp, which I have been very happy with. Hopefully the Classe will bring a reasonable price on the used market.
In the last year have upgraded a Sony HAP-Z1 to an Aurender N100H, upgraded from an Auralic Vega to a Directstream DAC and upgraded my Wilson Sophia 2s to Focal Sopra No. 1s.
i still have all the previous equipment I replaced so will have to sell some of it to pay for my new purchases!
Should have the new amp and Preamp in a few weeks...W00t! |
Although I already had a DAC in Gungnir but I found a great deal on PS audio directstream DAC through their authorized dealer, on black Friday sale So I purchased it . I have connected it to Don Sach's custom made Pre-amplifer DS-2 and Odyssey audio Stratos Kismet amplifier ,the DAC just took my system to another level all together
PS audio service is exceptional ! when i was having trouble with software on the DAC they simply replaced the unit with another new unit and for my trouble they discounted the price of power chords for me .
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I own both the BHK-250 Amp and the BHK Pre Amp. Unfortunately, I bought them several months ago. I did get a 10 to 15 percent discount at the time of the purchase. All that aside, both components are well built and sound great. The professional reviews of them are off the charts. PS Audio's customer service is first rate as well. Anyone contemplating buying a new amp and /or pre amp, by all means give the BHK-250 and associated pre amp a look. |
Have the BHK PRE, DMP, DSJR and P5 all great stuff |
I purchase the BHK preamp and the BHK 300 monoblocks on the black friday deal thru my dealer. The preamp arrived and breaking it in. Amps have not arrived yet.
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I also jumped on the sale. I already had the BHK pre-amp, DS Jr DAC, and the P10 power regenerator, and will now be adding the BHK 300 monos to the system once they arrive. Very much looking forward to them. |
What kind of discount was the black friday sale? |
It was decently large IFRC - in the order of 25% +. I just missed out. |
