Inflation and supply chain issues have impacted every company in high-end audio and there is no question that products have become a lot more expensive. We have seen some rather popular loudspeakers and turntables rise in price by almost 30% over the past 12 months; a change in price that has certainly impacted what some consumers are willing to spend. At the extreme top end of the market, products like the PS Audio PerfectWave BHK 600 Mono Power Amplifiers are designed for those who don’t to worry about spending $30,000+ on a single component (or a pair of amplifiers in this case).
PS Audio has just introduced a flagship 600-watt monoblock power amplifier for those with deep pockets and large loudspeakers. At $32,498 for a pair, PS Audio says their new PerfectWave BHK 600 Mono Power Amplifiers is the finest amplifier ever created by the company.
Could it be the perfect amplifier to complement PS Audio’s Aspen FR30 Loudspeakers ($28,499/pair)?
With 600 watts of power into 8 ohms (1,500 watts into 4 ohms), each BHK 600 is likely to need its own circuit breaker — probably rated 20 amp. That’s higher than the typical 15 amp breaker for home wall outlets, which means you’ll need an electrician for this install. Plus you may need an extra person or two. They’re 108 lbs each.
The PerfectWave BHK 600 is fully balanced in operation from input to output, and can also be used in single-ended mode, offering a choice of balanced XLR or single-ended RCA inputs.
It features an input stage with two hand-selected vacuum tubes, operating in conjunction with a rectifier tube and an exclusive N-channel MOSFET output stage. The tube rectifier was chosen rather than a solid-state device because of its improved sonic characteristics that result from the reduction of switch-mode noise common to solid-state rectifiers.
The BHK 600 features a separate output-stage power transformer with a massive 1.6kVA capability – more than twice that of the PS Audio M300 mono amplifier – enabling the BHK 600 to drive even the most inefficient loudspeakers and difficult loads with ease.
The power supply has more than 300,000µf capacitance, and multiple N-channel MOSFET output devices for a high damping factor of greater than 100. The BHK 600 has two pairs of heavy-duty gold-plated copper binding posts, to facilitate speaker bi-wiring.
The amplifier is engineered for safe, reliable operation, with continuous microprocessor monitoring of power supply performance, bias levels and other parameters, and it features extensive protection circuitry. The BHK 600 can be left in Idle mode if desired, to assure optimum sonic performance at all times.
Like every PS Audio product, thorough attention has been paid to parts quality and construction. Though substantial in size and weight, the BHK 600 has a refined, understated appearance with angled and curved design elements that create a contemporary, yet classic look. The BHK 600 is available in silver or black.
Paul McGowan, PS Audio CEO noted: “We are honored to present the BHK 600 as a fitting tribute to the talents of Bascom H. King and his remarkable career. The BHK 600 is a statement product that conveys music with extraordinary clarity, resolution, and musical accuracy. But mostly, authority. In my nearly fifty years of high-end audio, I’ve never heard any amplifier take command as does the mighty BHK 600.”
Features
- Vacuum tube input stage with vacuum tube rectifier
- Fully balanced circuitry
- RCA single-ended and XLR balanced inputs
- 600 watts RMS into 8 ohms, 1,500 watts into 4 ohms, stable to 2 ohms for musical transients
- >100 damping factor for exceptional loudspeaker control
- Dual, solid copper-plated output binding posts facilitate bi-wiring
- 1.6kVA output stage power transformer
- Power supply with more than 300,000 µf capacitance
- 12-volt input trigger for automated operation
- 108 lb. (49 kg) each; 17.1″ wide by 11.2″ high by 14″ deep
Price & Availability
The PS Audio PerfectWave BHK 600 Mono Power Amplifier will be available in September 2022 at a US manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $32,498 per pair.
For more information: psaudio.com/products/bhk-mono-600-power-amplifier/
