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B&K comparison

The Sonata (built 90-93) was the precursor to the ex4420, and has pretty much the same specs.

I don't think that any of the B&K amps had reliability issues, when new. The Sonata will be an improvement over your 140, but with any amp of that age, I'd have, at least, the smaller caps replaced, and the larger filter caps checked, and replaced if needed.

If the price is reasonable, I'd say go for it. You could plug it in and it run fine for the next 20 years. Even so, I'd have the caps replaced, at some point.
 
That sounds great.

I would need the ex442 for my epicure M201 with 4 ohm impedance.

So the extra power and control of the ex442 is wanted.

My 140 is for my epicure M150.
 
I am also looking at a st2140 which has sufficient power to drive my M201.

I also like its newer.

Is it fundamentally sonic wise equal to the rest of the B&K range especially the st140 which i have and really like?

Or has the sonic gone towards a more lean forward presentation away from the naturalness of the st140?

Thanks.
 
Hi.

I did get the st2140 with the PT3 preamp eventually and it does sound good but I kind of miss some excitement.

Its like its holding itself back a little and with too much focus on the midrange. It lacks som drive in the bass. The sound is easy going and mellow but just a little boring to my ears.

Would the ex442 or ex4420 or even the st202 be better in this matter? Is it a matter of more current and power?

Thanks.
 
I have the Sonata model with approximately 200 watts per side. It sounds the same as other models I have had from B&K.

I have always loved the minimalist look of the red and blue silk screen with the treble clef.

I think B&K found their sound early on. There were a couple of refinements with their matching preamp, but overall, they produced a warm sounding punchy amplifier for a modest cost. It's not particularly refined, but it's not bad at all.

There is a later preamp, that may have been 5.1 for movies. It had an led screen. I only heard it once, but it was an improvement on the earlier model.

My son has mine in his apartment now and I get to hear it when he shares his musical discoveries with me. It's a hefty sound. His girlfriend was very impressed on first listen. It's been a reliable system for decades now.

B&K was never "the best". It has no fancy pedigree, and they were pretty spartan in appearance. But always found them to have a nice set of attributes, including a clean sound that is slightly rolled off, with substantial current. Never hashy. More punch than soundstage. I found that they perform well with all kinds of music.
 
Hi.

Thanks for sharing your experience with B&K.

What preamp are you using with your sonata?

So you don't feel that your system lacks drive or excitement? I agree the sound is warm and enjoyable but i just wonder if the higher current models have more punch and drive than my st2140.
 
I wonder if the lack of 'punch' that you are experiencing, may be more the speakers than the amp. Did your ST140 also lack punch?

As the owner of a B&K ex4420, I agree with @Isotonic assessment. It's a very nice, a step or 2 above entry level, affordable amp that has plenty of 'punch' driving my KEF 104/2 speakers. However, I never realized what was lacking until, a while back, I replaced it with my Sansui AU-919 (using just the amp portion), because I wanted to drive 2 sets of speakers (although not at the same time). The difference in detail and clarity was obvious.

What made an even bigger difference/improvement was replacing the Schiit Saga with a China made (Zero Zone) tube preamp. I did try the Zero with the B&K, and while it did improve the sound some, it was not as great of a difference as with the Sansui.

I recently replaced the Sansui with a Forte Model 3 which has a little better detail/clarity, but produces much better/tighter bass control.
 
Perhaps its not a matter of punch.

Its more that the st2140 fails to involve me in what I am hearing.
The st140 is more exciting to listen to.

That's why I was thinking the older models pre the 4 digits or simply the higher current models like the ex442, st202 or the ex4420 would do the trick.

But I am not sure.

My speakers are Epi 150 and 201.
 
I doubt that a higher current B&K amp will make any difference in the sound as, IIRC, the EPI has a very simple crossover. I'd focus more on a different preamp, or recapping your current amps. Or both, if funds allow.

Here's a thread about the pre that I'm using. If you think it's something you might be interested in, I'll PM you the ebay link (which is not allowed in this thread).

New Tube Preamp - China - 12AX7

No review yet, I have not turned it on. More to come on this thread. Background: I was looking at a popular tube amp kit web site and they were selling a tube preamp (assembled) made in China as their new low-cost option ($500 plus shipping). They gave it very good reviews. I did some...
audiokarma.org
 
I think what I mean is that the st2140 is a little slow which leads to missing PRAT.

The st140 is a little better in that sense.

Perhaps I should look for a different amp.
 
I used to have the ST-1400 and is a 100W amp, decent amp but was lacking of power, was lucky to get a Pro 600 and you can really tell the difference
If you have big speakers you are going to noticed the difference
 
Is there a preamp which enhances pace and drive without sacrificing the overall tone of the B&K 2140 or any other B&K amp?
 
I sure am happy I snagged my B&K ST125.2 when I did. I cannot remember what I paid, but it was less than it is worth, by far.
 
Just get a BK preamp
The BK pro-10 and the Sonata series are the best
I have both
Also you can get a Hafler Iris, Se-100 or 915
 
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