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B&K owner's appreciation thread

hatrack71

hatrack71

distracted by everything
It's time. This brand gets very little love on AK and I just can't figure out why. They had all the ingredients for greatness. And in my opinion, B&K has it's own distinct sound that I have only found elsewhere in tube gear I own. Its the only solid state left in my collection. Basically the only sand amps that I have been able to listen to for extended periods. And I want to get out of solid state, because I detest so much of it soundwise. But everytime I hook that ST-202, ST-2140 or 140Ms up after listening to tube amps for months, I'm always blown away by the bass control and the absolutely huge baby soft image the amps throw. I'm expecting something so much harsher and constricted but the B&K really sing and astonish. I am definitely a fan of these under appreciated amps for life. They will kick many boutique amps to the curb- I mean the ST-202, ST2140s and 140Ms specifically. B&K obviously spent more on the parts that matter and less on appearance. Most of these have massive power caps that would cost a small fortune to replace. The soda can sized ones. Kinda why all their stuff is fairly plain to look at maybe? They ran out of money for the frills. I have had similar experiences almost across the board with B&K amps being giant killers. Even their little baby amps. Anyone else a closet B&K fan here? Let's praise these awesome amps!
 
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I'm not a CLOSET fan - I'm very OUT about my fondness for B&K amps!!

In my multichannel room downstairs, I have a B&K St202+ amp running my Vandersteen 3As (front mains),
the surrounds are on a lesser but still nice B&K AV 5000 II 5ch amp ...
Best sounds in that room evah!

in 2ch, music is very good,
and when I play good TV or movies, folks are quite impressed!
 
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I have enjoyed my B&K Pro 5 Preamplifier for a number of years....especially it's neutral, transparent character.
 
I've had a EX442 amp for almost 25yrs - like it a lot and you're not kidding on the Coke sized caps.

I've always wanted to pick up a Pro 10MC to pair with it - hopefully someday I will.
 
captouch said:
I've had a EX442 amp for almost 25yrs - like it a lot and you're not kidding on the Coke sized caps.

I've always wanted to pick up a Pro 10MC to pair with it - hopefully someday I will.
Click to expand...

Those are both great pieces. The Pro10 is well worth picking up for what you can get them for. By far the best SS pre I've ever owned. But I sold it in a moment of confusion. Make sure to get the one with the totally separate power supply (either the Sonata or the non rack handle split faceplate). they're both a little beefier than the version with the power supply permanently connected inline on the power cord.
 
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I used to own a PRO-5 Pre and the ST-140 stereo amp. Those amp caps were more like soup cans. Great sounding pieces. Kinda wish I still had them!
 
Those massive Soupcans came undone on a ST-140 I bought off of e-$)^@.
Luckily those gigantic caps didn't wreck any other components inside. I was able to reinstall the capacitors and the ST-140 was as good as new.
 
darth said:
Those massive Soupcans came undone on a ST-140 I bought off of e-$)^@.
Luckily those gigantic caps didn't wreck any other components inside. I was able to reinstall the capacitors and the ST-140 was as good as new.
Click to expand...

Phew! (wiping brow):thmbsp: That was a close one.
 
I was fortunate with this ST 202 I found. It did suffer some minor scratching. I was even able to get the DC offset to 0 + or - 2mV on both channels well within the potentiometer range. It still freaking sounds great albeit just the slightest bit of idle hum. But I only listen from a couple feet away from my monitors so I hear all the evil. And I was told it sat a long time without use- years.
 
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Former and future owner here. When I get back into separates it will be with them! Pro-5 & ST-140 (2), but couldn't take them all on a move...

Edit: You know, I had one of their AV Pre's too. The on-board DAC was fantastic!
 
I have or have had all sorts of B&K gear.

A Pro-5 and a 202+ I sold to a fellow AKer, a stack that included a MC-101, M-200 mono blockas and a tuner that I bought when I shouldn't have and had to sell, another 202+ that I got from a fellow AKer that I sort of lent/sold to a friend because I needed cash and the MC-101 that I have now that I don't see me selling any time as it sounds wonderful, has a great and very versatile MC capable phono stage.

I also have an AVR 202i that is probably the best sounding HT receiver I've ever heard.

Good stuff.

Eric
 
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