[R. Daneel]

Hello guys!

I just read a very interesting review of the Bryston BHA-1 headphone amplifier. The reviewer says the operational amplifiers were derived from the ones designed for the SP3 surround processor. He also says that the decreased number of components in the new circuitry allows for lower noise floor.

I was wondering, is this really true? Bryston's website suggests this is the case with BP17 oreamplifier but there is no mention of anything similar with respect to BHA-1.

Can anyone comment on this?

The reviewer also says tha BHA-1 is an excellent preamplifier and that it's audio performance is better than Bryston's stand-alone preamplifiers (presumably the BP6). Is this true? If I were to use the BHA-1 as a preamplifier instead of purchasing something like the mentioned BP6 or perhaps a BP17, would I be missing something in terms of audio quality? Obviously, I am aware of the functional limitations of the BHA-1 in terms of number of inputs (and possibly the implementation of volume control that has a nice wide middle range).

Can anyone please comment on these issues?

Cheers!
Antun

[R. Daneel]

Anyone? James perhaps?

[budcook]

Hello guys!

I just read a very interesting review of the Bryston BHA-1 headphone amplifier. The reviewer says the operational amplifiers were derived from the ones designed for the SP3 surround processor. He also says that the decreased number of components in the new circuitry allows for lower noise floor.

I was wondering, is this really true? Bryston's website suggests this is the case with BP17 oreamplifier but there is no mention of anything similar with respect to BHA-1.

Can anyone comment on this?

The reviewer also says tha BHA-1 is an excellent preamplifier and that it's audio performance is better than Bryston's stand-alone preamplifiers (presumably the BP6). Is this true? If I were to use the BHA-1 as a preamplifier instead of purchasing something like the mentioned BP6 or perhaps a BP17, would I be missing something in terms of audio quality? Obviously, I am aware of the functional limitations of the BHA-1 in terms of number of inputs (and possibly the implementation of volume control that has a nice wide middle range).

Can anyone please comment on these issues?

Cheers!
Antun

I've compared my BHA-1 used as a pre-amp with both the BP-17 I owned and my BP-26.  All three were fed by my BDA-2 using Cardas Clear cables.  In all cases, I preferred the preamps.  That's not to say the headphone amp couldn't perform as a pre-amp but I don't agree that it works as well as the 17 or 26.

One overwhelming problem with the BHA-1 is that it has no support for a remote.  That's a deal breaker for me.  I also think that the pre-amps provide a better sound stage.

I went through the process in an effort to reduce the number of components I own.  The BHA-1's limited number of inputs would not have been a problem since I have only two main sources of music, the BDA-2 (BDP-2 and BCD-1) and music streamed from iTunes on my computers.

Of course used as a headphone amp, the BHA-1 is superior to the headphone amps in the pre-amps although they do provide remote volume control and i sometimes use the BP-26 for headphones when the music varies in volume. 

Bud

[James Tanner]

Hi Folks,

The problem with some reviews is we do not get to see them till after they are published so sometimes things get skewed a bit. Also the reviewers opinion of the sound with any given version of our preamps can vary based on the rest of his system of course. It is interesting though that we can release the same product - (lets say the BP26) into a world market and sometimes get varied opinions of their sonic performance.

Anyway - the circuitry in the SP3 does not have as much voltage and current output as the BP26 and the BP17 preamps.

The BHA-1 headphone amp/Preamp has more current and voltage output capability than the BP26 or BP17.

So our preamp proprietary discrete circuits are more similar than different. It just comes down to what primary function they are designed to operate within and the details of that circuit topology reflects those specific functions.

Hope this helps.

james

[R. Daneel]

Hi Folks,

The problem with some reviews is we do not get to see them till after they are published so sometimes things get skewed a bit. Also the reviewers opinion of the sound with any given version of our preamps can vary based on the rest of his system of course. It is interesting though that we can release the same product - (lets say the BP26) into a world market and sometimes get varied opinions of their sonic performance.

Anyway - the circuitry in the SP3 does not have as much voltage and current output as the BP26 and the BP17 preamps.

The BHA-1 headphone amp/Preamp has more current and voltage output capability than the BP26 or BP17.

So our preamp proprietary discrete circuits are more similar than different. It just comes down to what primary function they are designed to operate within and the details of that circuit topology reflects those specific functions.

Hope this helps.

james

It does indeed, thank you!

Varied opinions from different reviewers must have to do with their preferences and their location or specific market for which they are doing reviewes. Loudspeaker reviewes in particular differ from country to country of from continent to continent.

I am just trying to make a decision on whether I should have a power amplifier and use the BHA-1 as a preamplifier or have an integrated amplifier like your B135. All in the name of research!

Cheers!
Antun

[Roberto135]

Of course used as a headphone amp, the BHA-1 is superior to the headphone amps in the pre-amps although they do provide remote volume control and i sometimes use the BP-26 for headphones when the music varies in volume. 

Bud

Comparing the two headphone outputs (BHA-1 vs BP-26), I suppose there will be a significant differences, and not just shades ... for headphone listening I'm about to purchase BHA-1 and I hope to find an excellent improvement compared to my BP-26...

Roberto

[budcook]

Comparing the two headphone outputs (BHA-1 vs BP-26), I suppose there will be a significant differences, and not just shades ... for headphone listening I'm about to purchase BHA-1 and I hope to find an excellent improvement compared to my BP-26...

Roberto

If nothing else, the BHA-1 supports balanced outputs to headphones.  I have both single ended and balanced versions of Cardas headphone cables and their balanced Clear cable plugged into the BHA-1 is really good.  The single-ended output isn't bad either.

I just bought a Naim SuperNait 2.  It will be interesting to compare it with my BP-26 and the single ended output of the BHA-1 to drive my HD-800's.  The headphone amp of the SuperNait was described to me as better than the Bryston BHA-1 by someone who owns both.

After nearly 40 years of Bryston ownership and 8 new Bryston components in my family room, I'm finally going to try Naim. 

Bud

[Roberto135]

If nothing else, the BHA-1 supports balanced outputs to headphones.  I have both single ended and balanced versions of Cardas headphone cables and their balanced Clear cable plugged into the BHA-1 is really good.  The single-ended output isn't bad either.

I just bought a Naim SuperNait 2.  It will be interesting to compare it with my BP-26 and the single ended output of the BHA-1 to drive my HD-800's.  The headphone amp of the SuperNait was described to me as better than the Bryston BHA-1 by someone who owns both.

After nearly 40 years of Bryston ownership and 8 new Bryston components in my family room, I'm finally going to try Naim. 

Bud

I was hoping for a step forward in all parameters. If I compare BP-26 headphone output to my Rudistor RP3 Hybrid headphones ampli, the performance is better with the headphone amplifier (seems normal to me), so I expect that BHA-1 is significantly higher than the BP-26. Otherwise it would be a purchase almost useless.

Roberto

[James Tanner]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Hi Folks,

Think of the BHA-1 as you would amplifiers in a normal speaker setup. Depending on the speakers you have - their efficiency, power handling, impedance, room size, levels required etc. - your choice of amplifier would depend heavily on the forgoing requirements.

Same with the headphones chosen -  are the phones difficult to drive - have very low efficiency, limited power handling etc. So the headphone section in a preamp typically is an IC chip (BP26)  and is generally limited to phones with impedances above 50 ohms and reasonably high efficiency. The BHA-1 though is a fully discrete Class A circuit which has huge voltage and current output capability so driving low impedance phones with high power handling and low efficiency is where it shines.  Choosing the correct headphone amp is entirely dependent on the phones chosen - same as in a normal speaker and amplifier setup.

Hope this helps.

james

[Roberto135]

Hi James,
currently I own a Sennheiser HD-650, but I should like add an Audeze LCD-X, which has the following specifications:
• Transducer type: Planar magnetic
• Magnet type: Neodymium High-grade
• Transducer active diaphragm area: 39.8 sq. cm (6.17 sq. in)
• Maximum power handling: 15 W (for 200 ms)
• Sound pressure level (SPL):> 130 dB with 15 W
• Frequency response: 5 Hz - 20 kHz, usable high-frequency extension of 50 KHz
• Total harmonic distortion (THD): Less than 1% Throughout the Entire frequency range
• Impedance: 22 ohms purely resistive
• Efficiency: 96 dB / 1 mW
• Optimal power requirement: 1-4 W

for a great sound quality I think it is necessary to use a BHA-1 and not a BP-26, do you agree?

Many Thanks
Roberto

[James Tanner]

Hi James,
currently I own a Sennheiser HD-650, but I should like add an Audeze LCD-X, which has the following specifications:
• Transducer type: Planar magnetic
• Magnet type: Neodymium High-grade
• Transducer active diaphragm area: 39.8 sq. cm (6.17 sq. in)
• Maximum power handling: 15 W (for 200 ms)
• Sound pressure level (SPL):> 130 dB with 15 W
• Frequency response: 5 Hz - 20 kHz, usable high-frequency extension of 50 KHz
• Total harmonic distortion (THD): Less than 1% Throughout the Entire frequency range
• Impedance: 22 ohms purely resistive
• Efficiency: 96 dB / 1 mW
• Optimal power requirement: 1-4 W

for a great sound quality I think it is necessary to use a BHA-1 and not a BP-26, do you agree?

Many Thanks
Roberto

Totally agree

I have the Audeze and it is a match made in heaven.

james

[95Dyna]

Totally agree

I have the Audeze and it is a match made in heaven.

james

Hi James,

Are you referring to the LCD-X as the match made in heaven?  I've been considering it and the LCD-3 which I understand is harder to drive.  Also if I must connect single ended from the BP26 tape out is there any advantage in connecting the Audeze's to the balanced outs on the BHA-1?

[James Tanner]

Hi James,

Are you referring to the LCD-X as the match made in heaven?  I've been considering it and the LCD-3 which I understand is harder to drive.  Also if I must connect single ended from the BP26 tape out is there any advantage in connecting the Audeze's to the balanced outs on the BHA-1?

I have the Audeze 2 - have not used the LCD-X

james

[santacore]

I'm rocking the LCD-3's with my BHA1, and it's the best I've ever heard the LCD-3's. I had never been satisfied with the LCD-3's, until the Byston came in the house. Now I look forward to listening to them!

[95Dyna]

Hi James,

Are you referring to the LCD-X as the match made in heaven?  I've been considering it and the LCD-3 which I understand is harder to drive.  Also if I must connect single ended from the BP26 tape out is there any advantage in connecting the Audeze's to the balanced outs on the BHA-1?

Thanks James.  Any thoughts on my connectivity question?  I don't want to spend the money for a balanced connection from BHA-1 > phones if a single ended connection from BP26 > BHA-1 neutralizes the benefit.  Besides, it's not easy finding a preamp that has a balanced fixed level pair of outs. 

[Roberto135]

Thanks James.  Any thoughts on my connectivity question?  I don't want to spend the money for a balanced connection from BHA-1 > phones if a single ended connection from BP26 > BHA-1 neutralizes the benefit.  Besides, it's not easy finding a preamp that has a balanced fixed level pair of outs.

We will read the James answer (I also: BP-26 RCA tape out---BHA-1 RCA imputs), however I think we shall have at the same excellent benefits from BHA-1 balanced amplification circuit.

I apologize for my limited English 

Roberto