BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER

Vipers · « **Reply #60 on:** 11 Jun 2012, 03:30 pm »

Quote from: DaveNote on 10 Jun 2012, 12:42 am

This is very good news for us LCD-2 owners.

Dave

Yes, I have to say after reading that I'm seriously thinking that I should audition a pair of LCD-2's to go with my PS1000's once I get my BHA-1.

larevoj · « **Reply #61 on:** 11 Jun 2012, 03:45 pm »

Now I am tempted!

Actually I have been planning for it...just waiting for the right moment to strike!!

Blackstone · « **Reply #62 on:** 17 Jun 2012, 09:35 pm »

I had a chance to put the BHA-1 to the test with HD650, HD700, and HD800 headphones at Audio Consultants yesterday. I tested with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones: UFO Tofu and Terry Evans: Blues for Thought, two of my favorite test discs. I had never heard the HD700 before or the Bryston. My ears are still ringing! You know you are having a good time when someone comes by to close the door to the headphone room because you are scaring the normal customers! Yeah it was one of those sessions. This amp is perfect for those phones. It tamed the 650's bass so it was nice and tight and punchy. On the other hand it smoothed out the treble on the HD800 and they sounded better than I've ever heard them.

I compared it to the Pro-ject Headbox SEII and Lehmann Black Cube Linear headphone amps. I switched back and forth between the amps on each track on each CD several times. The cables were single ended. Ultimately I liked the Bryston better than the Lehmann. The Bryston's sound was fuller, richer, more musical and less fatiguing than the Lehmann with all three headphones. I felt like perhaps there was a bit more ambient information being put out by the Lehmann, but it also sounded anemic and unnatural compared to the Bryston.

I never thought a headphone setup could do justice to Victor Wooten's bass, but the Bryston came as close as I've heard to that. With the HD700 and HD800s the experience was more like what I would expect from really good speakers. There was a LOT of synergy between the HD700 and HD800 phones, and neither the HD700 or the Bryston were broken in at all. So I'm sure it will only get better.

The HD650 sounded great too but the other phones were leaps and bounds better. With the Bryston I heard three very distinct levels of performance with those three phones.

I was using a middle of the road source, some very good but not great CD player. At home I'll be feeding it with an Ayre QB-9 at 24/96 material. The Bryston HD800 combo was the best combo I've heard so far. I ordered one. I'll write more when I get it home.

mkaiser · « **Reply #63 on:** 19 Jun 2012, 04:51 pm »

Quote

I was using a middle of the road source, some very good but not great CD player. At home I'll be feeding it with an Ayre QB-9 at 24/96 material. The Bryston HD800 combo was the best combo I've heard so far. I ordered one. I'll write more when I get it home. /quote]

I completely agree with all of your findings. I've owned the Senn800 for 2 years now and have tested it with many moderate to expensive electronics and found the Bryston/Sennheiser combo hard to beat.

James Tanner · « **Reply #64 on:** 21 Jun 2012, 04:49 pm »

From: Andrew Gilbert
Sent: June-21-12 12:44 PM
To: James Tanner
Subject: RE: AUDIO ARK BHA1 17 Black

Hello James

Thanks, we did receive the BHA ser# 000018 yesterday. Client has been called and is looking forward.

Your new products are exciting, you've quite a hit list lately.

The BHA Headphone demo sounds sublime, thanks for that.

Andrew Gilbert
AudioArk

Todd R · « **Reply #65 on:** 22 Jun 2012, 01:53 am »

James,
I see black ones on the bench, which one is mine?

When will you'll be shipping to TTVJ?
Todd R

Quote from: James Tanner on 30 May 2012, 06:24 pm

Hi Folks,

FINALLY - first 6 Bryston Headphone Amps on the Burn-in bench.

james

James Tanner · « **Reply #66 on:** 22 Jun 2012, 05:52 pm »

Hi Todd,

I believe a few have been sent already but I will check.

james

Todd R · « **Reply #67 on:** 22 Jun 2012, 09:11 pm »

Quote from: James Tanner on 22 Jun 2012, 05:52 pm

Hi Todd,

I believe a few have been sent already but I will check.

james

He's gotten silver ones, but none in black.

Blackstone · « **Reply #68 on:** 25 Jun 2012, 02:28 am »

Is a blue LED standard for this unit? Is the green light special order only?

mkaiser · « **Reply #69 on:** 25 Jun 2012, 02:41 am »

Quote

Is a blue LED standard for this unit? Is the green light special order only?

i believe it's the other way around.

James Tanner · « **Reply #70 on:** 25 Jun 2012, 09:48 am »

Quote from: Blackstone on 25 Jun 2012, 02:28 am

Is a blue LED standard for this unit? Is the green light special order only?

Blue is special order.

james

simmac · « **Reply #71 on:** 25 Jun 2012, 10:41 am »

Hi do you think there would be a significant improvement using this with an sp3 using grado ps1000 headphones
thanks
jimbles

James Tanner · « **Reply #72 on:** 25 Jun 2012, 10:49 am »

Quote from: simmac on 25 Jun 2012, 10:41 am

Hi do you think there would be a significant improvement using this with an sp3 using grado ps1000 headphones
thanks
jimbles

Hi jimbles,

I have the Grado 1000's as well and as good as the SP-3 headphone section is it is not as good as the BHA-1.

Something I would like to add - I have been looking at headphone measurements and maybe someone can educate me - it seems that the frequency response graphs I have seen are all over the map

So unlike loudspeakers, headphones seem to have serious flaws when it comes to maintaining an accurate frequency response. I guess that may explain why certain people prefer specific headphones with specific headphone amplifiers

I'm all 'ears'

james

DaveNote · « **Reply #73 on:** 25 Jun 2012, 11:25 am »

Quote from: James Tanner on 25 Jun 2012, 10:49 am

Hi jimbles,

I have the Grado 1000's as well and as good as the SP-3 headphone section is it is not as good as the BHA-1.

Something I would like to add - I have been looking at headphone measurements and maybe someone can educate me - it seems that the frequency response graphs I have seen are all over the map So unlike loudspeakers, headphones seem to have serious flaws when it comes to maintaining an accurate frequency response. I guess that may explain why certain people prefer specific headphones with specific headphone amplifiers

I'm all 'ears'

james

Maybe this can help.

http://www.head-fi.org/a/frequency-response-of-headphones

James Tanner · « **Reply #74 on:** 25 Jun 2012, 11:52 am »

Quote from: DaveNote on 25 Jun 2012, 11:25 am

Maybe this can help.

http://www.head-fi.org/a/frequency-response-of-headphones

Thanks Dave

James

JohnR · « **Reply #75 on:** 25 Jun 2012, 11:58 am »

Or this:

http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/headphone-measurement-proceedures-frequency-response

James, I have come to much the same conclusion recently. It seems that correlating headphones subjectively to objective measurements is far behind speakers at present. My take on it is that if one has found a headphone with a "tonal signature" that particularly appeals then it may be best to search for similar next time around.

I assume you're aware that you can plot multiple phones against each other on www.headphone.com. Here is an example with my current HD650s and a (cheaper) Grado phone that is probably representative of my first "serious" headphone some number of years ago. Coming from speaker measurements, it would be hard if not impossible to know which one might prefer from these curves:

James Tanner · « **Reply #76 on:** 25 Jun 2012, 11:59 am »

A lot of the frequency responses I see though are not flat with a roll off as frequency increases

A lot show serious dips and peaks at the higher freqencies

James

JohnR · « **Reply #77 on:** 25 Jun 2012, 12:08 pm »

My understanding at present is that may be simply the nature of the beast. I reckon it would be fantastic for you to contact Tyll Hertsens to get more information on the technical nature of this.

http://www.innerfidelity.com/contact-us

James Tanner · « **Reply #78 on:** 25 Jun 2012, 01:14 pm »

Thanks John,

Some great info there

james

Jeff Arrington · « **Reply #79 on:** 25 Jun 2012, 05:16 pm »

If one were to place an order for the BHA-1 today, approximately how long would it take to get it, given the current production schedule and the number of orders already placed?

Jeff