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B&K Components ?

estreeter

estreeter

Super Member
Hi All,

Spent some time reading old (90s) PDF editions of The Audio Critic, a very opinionated take on high-end audio, and two of their issues actually 'named names' : the so-called Black and White hats of the audio industry at that time. One of the white hats was Mr Ed Mutka, one of B&K's designers, and LinkedIn carries this listing for Ed - dont know how current it is, given that he clearly isnt the 'owner' if they have been taken over.

Owner
B&K Components Ltd

Currently holds this position
Engineering Manager
B&K Components Ltd.
1984– Present (29 years)

I have seen the odd reference to B&K's amps on AK, but generally speaking they dont get a lot of keystrokes here. Just wondering if anyone out there has any firsthand experience with their 2-channel amps ?

http://www.bkcomp.com/products/stereo-products/index.html

Thanks,

estreeter

(FWIW, the vast majority of 'black' hats were reviewers, and mostly Stereophile reviewers - no particular surprises there)
 
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I run an older, early 90's B&K EX442 Sonata. It's a nice amp and makes a ton of power.
 
I have heard a couple of their amps at different locations, not mine. I was a little snobbish in my expectations, but they turned out to be really nice sounding and plenty powerful. I'd love to have a rig myself. One of them really sang with a pair of Dalquist DQ-10s. It brought them right to life.
 
I've sung the praises of B&K here on several occasions, though all my experience with their amps has been on older units - circa 1980s. Nothing I've heard from them on audition, or by reviews, more recently, has lead me to think they have changed too much however. I've always found them to be very good sounding equipment, with a welcome tendency toward the warmer/mellower side of SS.

IME, the antithesis of Adcom in sound, but very much comparable, or better in quality. If I know someone is looking to "brighten" a slightly dull, or overly laid back sounding system, I tend to recommend Adcom, but if they have a very detailed, but slightly dryer sounding system, I suggest B&K.

Sam Tellig, and John Atkinson were always quite vocal in endorsing B&Ks, and Stereophile has recommended many of their models over the years.

I've really never heard much condemnation of any of their offerings... That's quite an achievement in it's self!
 
Guys, I can only paste the stuff ATI have in their FAQ re their designs going forward:

1) What are ATIs plans for B&K?
We are going to continue the brand and most of the products. Next, we will develop new products such a stereo preamp, Blu-Ray player, new higher-end power amps, etc. We will be exhibiting at CES in the ATI suite at the Venetian Hotel.

2) Are you going to change the current designs?
We know many of you are fans of MOSFET power amps, and ATI will continue to make power amps of that design for the B&K components brand.
....
5) Are you going to continue to update the Ref70 series or develop a new processor?
We havent yet made a decision on which direction to take.

6) Will the B&K products made at ATIs factory in Los Angeles meet CE and RoHS specs?
Yes, and be more environmentally friendly.
...
ATIs mission is to build the B&K Components brand not just to its former glory, but take it further. But its going to take some time to get it going again. The first 3-4 months will be chaotic, but by March, we expect production to be on track, and new products will follow later in 2011.


That FAQ doesnt appear to have been updated since 2010, so I'm assuming they have adopted the attitude that if-it-aint-broke .... :D

ATI does have a stereo amp of it's own, but clearly they want to trade on B&K's brand or they wouldnt have bought the company. :thmbsp:

http://www.ati-amp.com/AT602.php

Always interesting to find a company that has been plugging away for decades - in one form or another - with very little support from the audiophile press, particularly a company which claims to have kept production in the US. Appreciate the feedback here - always good to get some of the history behind the brand names I stumble across.
 
I still run a B&K ST-140 power and Pro10MC pre in my main stereo. I still enjoy this combo.
 
I've heard the B & K ST 140 amp on many occasions. It's a very nice sounding amp. MOSFET outputs, so tends to be a warmer sound.
 
Only preamp experience at my end ....but I like my Pro10MC. Good sound. Good build quality.
 
I have the B&K ST-2140 Amp that I use in my modern setup that is very nice. (The sound has a warm side to it that is still very clear and forthright packing punch @140w per channel.)
Having mostly vintage to compare it to, all I can say is the B&K running an Adcom Pre is eye opening and a reality check on how something more modern/value oriented can do so many things right. Techno jargon and a more full understanding for "audiophile" aside, it does just boil down to what one likes......all I can run with. My conclusion is ultra high value and it beats up on lesser "top vintage".

I'm not an audiophile, but can say in no uncertain terms....it's an opinion shared by all who have listened. (No audiophiles in that crowd either.) For me it is as simple as how fast appreciation hits you when swapping in (no matter what generation or type of gear your swapping ). I have these all arounders that meet that criteria for whatever reasons regarding their sound. Several other nice sets that equal when paired well....more work to do that though and getting tired of swapping to just learn again what my "easy preferences" already are:
Sansui G-9000
Pioneer SX-1010
Adcom GTF-500/B&K ST-2140 Amp

Wonderful and ultra high value.....don't pay to much attention to those sitting in "nose bleed" or "box seats" around here. I've done a lot of talking with other audio guys around locally here......they always have some very special speaks in mind when they hear about my B&K in particular? JMHO and using what I've been exposed to....mostly vintage.
 
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I have a HT room with Vandersteen speakers. I swapped out an Adcom GFA-555 for a B&K ST202 Plus (200w/ch stereo for the mains) - and was quite impressed with the sound. Later on I had a chance to grab a B&K AV-5000 series II (125w/ch x5) and have that for center, side surround and rear surround use. So - its all B&K power amps in that room, except for an old HK Citation 22 bridged that runs a JBL pro sub.

Love them to death - great sounds with the vandersteens.

I also have a B&K Pro 5 preamp with passive capability - sounded very good, but I don't have it in use at the moment.

estreeter said:
Hi All,


I have seen the odd reference to B&K's amps on AK, but generally speaking they dont get a lot of keystrokes here. Just wondering if anyone out there has any firsthand experience with their 2-channel amps ?

http://www.bkcomp.com/products/stereo-products/index.html

Thanks,

estreeter
Click to expand...
 
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About 15 years ago I helped a relative put together a setup via Soundex. I can't remember the model numbers but he got

B&K Pre
B&K amp
Rotel 5 cd player
Dynaudio Audience 72s

It ended up being a very nice sounding setup and was just right for his room size.
 
Great amps, IMO. Bought a new ST202 in 1989. Ran it reliably with Vandersteens, Snells, and Magnepans. Started running hot into the 4 Ohm Maggies and one day last year one channel died. Smooth, warm, and well built. Good stuff. It is in its original box, and some day I will seek out getting it repaired. Lots of good music/memories. there.
I hope they stay a player.

Don
 
Just found an ST-202 at an estate sale yesterday. Tag on it says it blows the fuse. I found a schematic on the web but it's a bit fuzzy. Anyone have a service manual or a clear schematic that could be posted in the AK database? Time to dig in and see what's up.

Thanks,
John
 
nerdorama said:
Just found an ST-202 at an estate sale yesterday. Tag on it says it blows the fuse. I found a schematic on the web but it's a bit fuzzy. Anyone have a service manual or a clear schematic that could be posted in the AK database? Time to dig in and see what's up.

Thanks,
John
Click to expand...

nerdorama,
Did you ever get your ST-202 fixed?
 
I owned a bunch of B&K power amps and pre's back in the late 80's and early 90's. Loved them all except for the Pro5 pre which wasn't very good and the only B&K I was glad to get rid of. The B&K gear from that era were far better than the Adcoms of the same period, IMO.

Haven't heard any of the newer stuff (post 2000).
 
From looking at the guts of the newer stereo amps, I think they're pretty much unchanged from the 90's. My ST-140 is the last iteration, as it shares it's build design with the ST-1400. It sounds a little crisper than the previous generations (doesn't have the "mosfet haze"), and adds an output protection relay. I think it's an incredibly good sounding amp, probably the best I've ever owned.
 
I've just pulled my ST-202 out and moved a pro amp in its place for some new used speakers I purchased.

Of all the amps I've had since starting this hobby, adcom..carver. The B&K ST-202 really brings out the best in my Kappa 8 speakers. I have no plans or desire to sell this one off.

It's a keeper.
 
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