SR009 or SR007 ? )
haven't made a final decision yet. The SR-009 should be incoming next week. The SR-007 a few weeks later. Right now, I'm leaning towards SR-007.
SR009 or SR007 ? )
That VAC is a pretty damn nice preamp (I used to own its lower sibling the Renaissance III); its overall distortion should be quite low, and what it does add is likely to be euphonic in nature.
I can see the need for some extra gain with a BHSE coupled to a low-output source (e.g. a vinyl rig with a very low output MC cart). The BHSE gain is among the lowest of the various KGSShv/Carbon/KGST amps I've used -- and for that, it pairs well with balanced digital sources, but those sources have a really hot output. Furthermore, a full-feature preamp like the VAC has tone of ins/outs along with a remote-controlled volume (which VAC implements very well), which might be relevant for some setups. If I ever hook my turntable up to BHSE, I've considered that I might have to hook in my Rogue Hera preamp for extra gain (0.3mV Koetsu cartridge).
The hard job here is pushing 100's of Volts into the Stax drivers, and the BHSE does a fabulous job of that; inserting an extra high-quality preamp that's running into a simple 50K attenuator doesn't necessarily bump the sound quality down a notch.
Received my (silver) BHSE #246 this afternoon. Thanks again, Justin. Also thanks for the lighting quick delivery…I only received shipping notice yesterday afternoon and received the amp at about 12:00PM today and I'm probably about 8-10hrs away from HeadAmp!
I'm listening with the stock tubes (for now) to Two Of A Kind by Earl Klugh with the 009, and I'm having very positive impressions right from the start…just beautiful! After already owning the KGSSHV/KGST I thought I would pretty much know what I was going to hear…definitely not the case!can't wait to throw in the NOS Amperex (Bugle Boy) EL34's and also try the 007 which I didn't own at the time I owned the two former amp I mentioned.
I am happy for you that you finaly get your new toy.
we are very interested to head what you feel of the Bugle Boy v/s the stock tubes ?
Received my (silver) BHSE #246 this afternoon. Thanks again, Justin. Also thanks for the lighting quick delivery…I only received shipping notice yesterday afternoon and received the amp at about 12:00PM today and I'm probably about 8-10hrs away from HeadAmp!
I'm listening with the stock tubes (for now) to Two Of A Kind by Earl Klugh with the 009, and I'm having very positive impressions right from the start…just beautiful! After already owning the KGSSHV/KGST I thought I would pretty much know what I was going to hear…definitely not the case!can't wait to throw in the NOS Amperex (Bugle Boy) EL34's and also try the 007 which I didn't own at the time I owned the two former amp I mentioned.
Blue Hawaii SE #233 arrived here on Thursday. The build quality and finish is just superb! I've had the chance to admire it on a few occassions before, but now that I actually have it at home, it's even better than from what I remembered.
The package (shipped via Fedex) arrived in 6 days with no delay at customs whatsoever. I noticed that with other couriers this is often a whole different story. Definitely not bad for a shipment from United States to Belgium. According to the shipment history, it actually sat idle in the nearby Fedex distribution center for nearly 2 days before they decided to deliver it on my doorstep. How cruel of them!
I waited until today to unbox it and fire it on for the first time. Unpacked the BHSE is actually quite big and heavy (the power supply is actually heavier than the amplifier itself). I'll have to do some desk cleaning before I can place it at the desired location. Here are some pictures as promised.