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<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-11383" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/bryston-bha-1-headphone-amplifier/attachment/1-55/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11383" title="1" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/167.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="399" /></a>Bryston has always been known for making high-quality, high-value electronics.* The company has now addressed the continuing growth in the personal audio (i.e. headphone) world, with its new BHA-1 headphone amplifier. *It’s instantly apparent that Bryston has done its homework on this one.* In addition to coming with Bryston’s industry-leading 20-year warranty, the BHA-1 feels like a product you’d want to keep forever the minute you take it out of the box.</strong></p>
<p>For many, the term “headphone amplifier” might conjure up a vision of something small and lightweight.* While the BHA-1 is indeed compact, only taking about 3 inches of rack height, it’s densely packed and feels heavier than it’s claimed 8-pound weight.* The inside is full of goodies, including a big torodial transformer, major power supply, Noble volume control and all discrete circuitry throughout.* If you’re thinking that the BHA-1 looks more like a linestage, you’re half right. *The BHA-1 can be used as a two-input (one balanced and one single-ended) linestage, with balanced outputs—which makes this a perfect unit for the headphone enthusiast looking to expand to a speaker-based hi-fi system (but I’ll talk more about that later).</p>
<p>The front panel of the BHA-1 features individual balanced outputs, a stereo balanced output and a traditional ¼-inch stereo jack, so no matter what kind of phones are in your collection, you will be able to plug them in.</p>
<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-11384" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/bryston-bha-1-headphone-amplifier/attachment/2-53/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11384" title="2" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/263.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="214" /></a>Playing the Field</strong></p>
<p>The BHA-1 integrates perfectly into room two, with the Thorens TD-124 turntable, SME 3009 tonearm, Ortofon VMS 20 Mk II cartridge and Lounge MM phono preamplifier providing the analog signal; the balanced output of the new Oppo BDP-105 universal player handles digital duties.</p>
<p>Listening begins with the most difficult phones to drive in my collection, the HiFiMAN HE-6s.* While the BHA-1 has more than enough current drive to handle the HE-6s, this is not my favorite combination, with the top end sounding crunchy and slightly compressed—but this is an extreme torture test.* I’ve never found these phones to sound stellar on anything but HiFiMAN’s own amplifier, which is purpose-built for these cans.</p>
<p>Tracking through Richard Thompson’s latest LP, <em>Electric</em>, with my faithful Sennheiser HD 650s (recabled by ALO Audio) proves much easier on the ears—a smoother high-frequency balance and a more dynamic presentation.* The Grado GS500s and a highly modded pair of SR60s from ALO Audio also prove easy to drive, both of them exhibiting a good tonal balance.* It’s amazing how addictive a modest analog setup can be through headphones!</p>
<p>However, my favorite mate for the BHA-1 is the Audeze LCD-2.* The dead quiet presentation of the BHA-1 and the lightning-fast transient response of the LCD-2s make it feel as if I’m wearing a pair of Magnepan speakers.* The sound rendered is airy, transparent and <em>big</em>.</p>
<p>I move on to the latest MoFi release of Duke Ellington’s <em>Ellington at Newport</em>, which underscores the dynamic ability of this headphone amplifier.* With the interplay of the musicians and the horns blasting about the soundstage, this mono recording has so much depth that it sounds like stereo—even more so through phones.</p>
<p>Regardless of the phones you choose, the BHA-1 will impress you with its ability to throw a soundstage that is both wide and deep. *<em>Dark Side of the Moon </em>is still bitchin’ with headphones on, and just to take a trip in the way-back machine, I try the album out with my original set of Koss Pro4AA headphones, which I’ve had since high school.* They sound amazing playing this rock classic through the BHA-1.* What fun!</p>
<p>Vocalists and acoustic instruments are rendered with ease and accuracy.* I won’t bore you with the list of male and female vocalists auditioned, but suffice it to say that the BHA-1 provides a high level of midrange clarity and transparency.</p>
<p>Thanks to its big power supply, the BHA-1 not only provides fantastic bass response, but also a low noise floor.* Build quality is robust throughout, with a solid chassis and top-quality connectors, which are a must when one is constantly plugging and unplugging headphones.</p>
<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-11385" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/bryston-bha-1-headphone-amplifier/attachment/3-47/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11385" title="3" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/357.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="407" /></a>Double Duty</strong></p>
<p>Used strictly as a headphone amplifier, the BHA-1 is well worth the $1,395 MSRP on the basis of its sonic performance and flexibility. *However, those wanting to make it part of a traditional linestage/power, amplifier/speakers type of audio system just got a free linestage thrown in with the deal.</p>
<p>Setup thusly in room two, with a handful of tube and solid-state power amplifiers from Van Alstine, PrimaLuna, Pass Labs and Simaudio, the BHA-1 is an excellent linestage, offering the same characteristics described in headphone mode.* It has no problems driving a 20-foot pair of interconnects and its compact profile will integrate easily into your décor or rack setup.</p>
<p>The overall sound is very much like that of the Bryston BP1.5 phonostage we reviewed in 2012: clean, dynamic, neutral and to-the-point.* The BHA-1 does not embellish or color the sound delivered.* Mating the BHA-1 to the KEF LS50 speakers and the PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium power amplifier makes for a wonderful combination within the financial reach of most audiophiles.* Even at high volume, the BHA-1 (especially in the context of a system utilizing a tube power amplifier) contributes no noise of its own.</p>
<p>The two inputs should be all that most people need to incorporate a digital and an analog source into the system.* I’m sure some have suggested that Bryston add remote control, a motorized volume control, etc., and while I’m sure the company’s engineering team did ponder these questions, the addition of this functionality would bump the sticker price up considerably.</p>
<p>At $1,395, this has to be one of the best audio buys going.* The tonal quality, versatility as a headphone amplifier and the fact that it makes a killer preamplifier are three great reasons why the Bryston BHA-1 deserves one of our Exceptional Value Awards for 2013.</p>
<p><strong>The Bryston BHA-1 Headphone Amplifier</strong></p>
<p>MSRP: $1,395</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bryston.com/">www.bryston.com</a></p>
[Source: http://www.tonepublications.com/review/bryston-bha-1-headphone-amplifier/]
<p>For many, the term “headphone amplifier” might conjure up a vision of something small and lightweight.* While the BHA-1 is indeed compact, only taking about 3 inches of rack height, it’s densely packed and feels heavier than it’s claimed 8-pound weight.* The inside is full of goodies, including a big torodial transformer, major power supply, Noble volume control and all discrete circuitry throughout.* If you’re thinking that the BHA-1 looks more like a linestage, you’re half right. *The BHA-1 can be used as a two-input (one balanced and one single-ended) linestage, with balanced outputs—which makes this a perfect unit for the headphone enthusiast looking to expand to a speaker-based hi-fi system (but I’ll talk more about that later).</p>
<p>The front panel of the BHA-1 features individual balanced outputs, a stereo balanced output and a traditional ¼-inch stereo jack, so no matter what kind of phones are in your collection, you will be able to plug them in.</p>
<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-11384" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/bryston-bha-1-headphone-amplifier/attachment/2-53/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11384" title="2" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/263.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="214" /></a>Playing the Field</strong></p>
<p>The BHA-1 integrates perfectly into room two, with the Thorens TD-124 turntable, SME 3009 tonearm, Ortofon VMS 20 Mk II cartridge and Lounge MM phono preamplifier providing the analog signal; the balanced output of the new Oppo BDP-105 universal player handles digital duties.</p>
<p>Listening begins with the most difficult phones to drive in my collection, the HiFiMAN HE-6s.* While the BHA-1 has more than enough current drive to handle the HE-6s, this is not my favorite combination, with the top end sounding crunchy and slightly compressed—but this is an extreme torture test.* I’ve never found these phones to sound stellar on anything but HiFiMAN’s own amplifier, which is purpose-built for these cans.</p>
<p>Tracking through Richard Thompson’s latest LP, <em>Electric</em>, with my faithful Sennheiser HD 650s (recabled by ALO Audio) proves much easier on the ears—a smoother high-frequency balance and a more dynamic presentation.* The Grado GS500s and a highly modded pair of SR60s from ALO Audio also prove easy to drive, both of them exhibiting a good tonal balance.* It’s amazing how addictive a modest analog setup can be through headphones!</p>
<p>However, my favorite mate for the BHA-1 is the Audeze LCD-2.* The dead quiet presentation of the BHA-1 and the lightning-fast transient response of the LCD-2s make it feel as if I’m wearing a pair of Magnepan speakers.* The sound rendered is airy, transparent and <em>big</em>.</p>
<p>I move on to the latest MoFi release of Duke Ellington’s <em>Ellington at Newport</em>, which underscores the dynamic ability of this headphone amplifier.* With the interplay of the musicians and the horns blasting about the soundstage, this mono recording has so much depth that it sounds like stereo—even more so through phones.</p>
<p>Regardless of the phones you choose, the BHA-1 will impress you with its ability to throw a soundstage that is both wide and deep. *<em>Dark Side of the Moon </em>is still bitchin’ with headphones on, and just to take a trip in the way-back machine, I try the album out with my original set of Koss Pro4AA headphones, which I’ve had since high school.* They sound amazing playing this rock classic through the BHA-1.* What fun!</p>
<p>Vocalists and acoustic instruments are rendered with ease and accuracy.* I won’t bore you with the list of male and female vocalists auditioned, but suffice it to say that the BHA-1 provides a high level of midrange clarity and transparency.</p>
<p>Thanks to its big power supply, the BHA-1 not only provides fantastic bass response, but also a low noise floor.* Build quality is robust throughout, with a solid chassis and top-quality connectors, which are a must when one is constantly plugging and unplugging headphones.</p>
<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-11385" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/bryston-bha-1-headphone-amplifier/attachment/3-47/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11385" title="3" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/357.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="407" /></a>Double Duty</strong></p>
<p>Used strictly as a headphone amplifier, the BHA-1 is well worth the $1,395 MSRP on the basis of its sonic performance and flexibility. *However, those wanting to make it part of a traditional linestage/power, amplifier/speakers type of audio system just got a free linestage thrown in with the deal.</p>
<p>Setup thusly in room two, with a handful of tube and solid-state power amplifiers from Van Alstine, PrimaLuna, Pass Labs and Simaudio, the BHA-1 is an excellent linestage, offering the same characteristics described in headphone mode.* It has no problems driving a 20-foot pair of interconnects and its compact profile will integrate easily into your décor or rack setup.</p>
<p>The overall sound is very much like that of the Bryston BP1.5 phonostage we reviewed in 2012: clean, dynamic, neutral and to-the-point.* The BHA-1 does not embellish or color the sound delivered.* Mating the BHA-1 to the KEF LS50 speakers and the PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium power amplifier makes for a wonderful combination within the financial reach of most audiophiles.* Even at high volume, the BHA-1 (especially in the context of a system utilizing a tube power amplifier) contributes no noise of its own.</p>
<p>The two inputs should be all that most people need to incorporate a digital and an analog source into the system.* I’m sure some have suggested that Bryston add remote control, a motorized volume control, etc., and while I’m sure the company’s engineering team did ponder these questions, the addition of this functionality would bump the sticker price up considerably.</p>
<p>At $1,395, this has to be one of the best audio buys going.* The tonal quality, versatility as a headphone amplifier and the fact that it makes a killer preamplifier are three great reasons why the Bryston BHA-1 deserves one of our Exceptional Value Awards for 2013.</p>
<p><strong>The Bryston BHA-1 Headphone Amplifier</strong></p>
<p>MSRP: $1,395</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bryston.com/">www.bryston.com</a></p>
[Source: http://www.tonepublications.com/review/bryston-bha-1-headphone-amplifier/]