PS Audio BHK Signature 300 Monoblock Power Amplifier

Would you spend $15,000.00 USD getting into shape, and then, how would you reward yourself?

PS Audio has recently spent quite a bit designing and developing a new audio amplifier by Bascom H. King, also known for his headphone amplifier ($4,000.00 USD).


The practice of designing audio and hiring an outside designer is recently most known by Constellation Audio. Their Altair Amplifier, Orion Phono Preamplifer and Hercules Monoblock Power Amplifier in particular (and their successors) are all considered high-end products.

Not being enamored by their design nor their specification, we more consider them for their use of e-paper as use integrated into an audio product.

It is their remote control, really, shaped like a traditional car AM/FM receiver which we find most delightful, and their lack of power doubling in such a large package (Hercules Reference) we find most distressing.

While we find multiplication (summing of multiple, identical circuits) in a DA converter most enlightening (and interesting), somehow we do not find it rather interesting in a power amplification product worthy of our interest.

It is for this reason, that we would sincerely disparage the NAIM Statement Audio Amplifier along with the Constellation Hercules, no matter how the former mimics the aesthetic of the Steinway D, no matter how on a larger scale, and interesting aesthetic, they are like favourite tube amplifiers to our fashioned eye.

Simply items that would have a limited amount of use, and then require a rather large over-haul. In a sense, an amplifier like the NAIM Statement reminds of us the Vacuum Tube Computers of old.

Would it be the PS Audio BHK Signature 300 Monoblock Power Amplifier ($15,000.00 USD)?

The classic 300 watt amplifier is the Krell KSA-300S  ($8,900.00 USD), while the contemporary is the ...

Let's contrast it with the Classé CA-M300 ($5,500.00 USD, $11,000.00 USD / pair) and CA-M600 ($7,000.00 USD, $14,000.00 USD / pair) Monoblock amplifiers.

This is a mid-level amplifier in the audiophile world.


Classe CA-M300 PS Audio BHK Signature 300


300W rms into 8Ω (24.8 dBW)
600W rms into 4Ω (24.8 dBW)

1 Hz – 100 kHz, -3dB
-116dB



To us, it is a power supply. That is, that is what PS Audio is known for.

What would you mount on top?

Would it be the MSB Technology Select DAC ($89,950.00 USD+) or more likely, would it be the PS Audio Direct Stream DAC ($5,995.95 USD)?

The PS Audio BGK Signature 300 Monoblock Amplifier has tubes inside and is by Bascom King. It's reputed to be one of the top five amplifiers around.

What would the top 5 be?

1. Technical Brain TBP-Zero monoblock
2.  BAlabo BP-1 Mk.II
3. Solution 701 Monoamplifier
4. FM Acoustics 2011 Amplifer
5. Soverign Acoustics The Sovereign
Analog Domain Apollo


Let's take a reader poll.

JP 2016/02/03
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