• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

B&K Reference 2220 Power Amp

SubWolfer

SubWolfer

Well-Known Member
I've been looking for a decent SS power amp that's rated at 200 wpc or more that will likely hold up for years to come. My budget is $750. I found a B&K Reference 2220 for $450 but I'm wondering if I'd be over-paying at that price for an amp that's probably over 10 yrs old? Kind of thinking that I should look for the newer B&K Reference 200.2 Series 2. I could probably find one close to my budget if I'm patient. :scratch2:

I'd appreciate any input on what these amps are worth and of course I'm open to suggestions for other stereo power amps in my price range or slightly above. TIA
 
Register to hide this ad
I have the same budget as you, and i' m torn between the QSC PLX-3602 and RMX-4050HD. I' m convinced that going pro is the best bet for me (i have a pair of IRS Sigmas to drive). Also the $150 rebate doesn't hurt either.
 
Wow, those a certainly a lot different than the amps I'm looking at. Of course my speakers, Paradigm Export Monitors, are not nearly as tough to drive. I also remember reading somewhere that pro audio doesn't have the same sound as home audio. Can't remember where or if it was better or not, just different.

I was just wondered if anyone could tell me if that's a good price for the B&K Ref. 2220 or if it would be better to put the cash towards the newer Reference 200.2 S2 amp. Anyone?
 
bastek said:
I have the same budget as you, and i' m torn between the QSC PLX-3602 and RMX-4050HD. I' m convinced that going pro is the best bet for me (i have a pair of IRS Sigmas to drive). Also the $150 rebate doesn't hurt either.
Click to expand...

Sorry for the post hijack!

Choose the RMX-4050HD if you go pro amp. The conventional design will get you more than the PLX-3602. Bass response will be tighter. Or if you really want to light it up with a pro amp, look for a Crown Macro-Tech 5000VZ or 5002VZ. these have a far higher damping factor than the QSC's, and the bass will be tighter still.

I have a DJ business and I run both Crown Macro-Tech and the QSC RMX and PLX amps. All are good, however my PLX-3402 (earlier series) is the weakest on my JBL SR4718X or SR4719X woofers. I either run a Macro-Tech 5000VZ or a pair of RMX-1850HD's strapped mono on the JBL's when I play out. The Macro-Tech is the clear winner for most punch AND bass clarity. The strapped 1850HD's work well however the bass is noticeably boomy compared to the Crown.

Paul
 
Thanks beemer. I will look into the RMX4050 as it is local to me for $700. I guess the PLX series made in USA don't make' em any better than the RMX series which are made in China.
 
Subwolfer. Did you hear about the Emotiva XPA-2 power amp? It's in your price range and very favorably reviewed. That was my first choice, but they don't spec power at 2 ohms (i have hard to drive speakers), but that's not a problem in your case.
 
Yep, I have considered the Emo. I know it's a good amp but was kind of leaning towards a used amp with a little more in the way of build quality. Not saying Emo's aint well built. I just think the B&K amps are better. Also looked at the Sunfire 300 x 2. What's the big deal about that glass base though with the Sunfire?
 
In your shoes, I would definitely be looking at B&K. They make superb stuff and all the reviews I have read indicate their gear mates well to a wide variety of other components. I agree that B&K, which is made in America, is going to have better build quality than Emotiva.
 
My B&K ST-140 amp has performed flawlessly for 21 years.
It mated perfectly to a 10K home brew passive pre-amp.
Even played through a pair of 40 year-old KLH 17 speakers.....the sound is stunning!

Steve
 
I have a B&K ST2140, which I paid $450 for, used, five years ago. It has been a great amp, no issues. It runs a pair of a/d/s M9s, a fairly inefficient set of speakers. At moderate volumes, the sound is fantastic. B&K gives you a lot of bang for your buck.

$750 for a Reference 2220 might be a little high though.
 
rkcran said:
$750 for a Reference 2220 might be a little high though.
Click to expand...

The Reference 2220 I can get for $450. The Reference 200.2 Series 2 is the amp that's $750, which is what my original question pertained to; Which is the better deal?

I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to spend the extra $300 on the newer amp that comes in the original box, or go with the older and less expensive 2220 amp. Both are about the same power (225 wpc) but the 200.2 S2 is the latest model from B&K. Not sure what other differences there are between the two amps, other than age.
 
Last edited:
It depends on your other gear as to whether or not you'd ever perceive the difference between them. What speakers do you have?
 
Older Bookshelf style speakers, Paradigm Export Monitors. Click HERE to go the thread about my speakers. My preamp is a Parasound Model 2100.

So I take it there is some differences between the two amps. But I may not be able to tell is what you're saying? I also looked at the Adcom amps as obviously I'm on a tight budget while trying to get some beef into my system.
 
In my opinion, you would never hear the difference on those speakers, between the two B&K amps. Even if you were to upgrade to $1000 speakers, you might still not hear the difference. In my experience, (and again in my opinion) the differences between different amps from the same manufacturer are not going to be apparent on mid-fi speakers like you (and I) have. That's the territory of fancy high-end speakers (essentially above $2k).

In your shoes, I would not spend over $500 on an amp. Take the other $250 and spend it on room treatments.
 
Last edited:
80sKid said:
In my opinion, you would never hear the difference on those speakers, between the two B&K amps. In your shoes, I would not spend over $500 on an amp.
Click to expand...

Hey thanks for the wise advice. I assume then you feel that $450 is a fair price for the B&K Reference 2220 amp, providing it's in good condition and functioning properly, correct?

I've seen the Adcom 5500 and 555 MKII go for about the same price and I'm using that as a guide that the 2220 should be in the same ballpark, price-wise.
 
i tried finding some comparative reviews between the Adcom GFA-555 MKII vs. the B&K Reference 2220 and came up empty. Have you or anyone had both? Is one a warmer sounding amp compared to the other? I've given details about my system; Paradigm Export Monitors, Parasound Model 2100 pre. Of the amps I'm interested, would the Adcom sound noticeably different and better than the B&K?
 
For guidance on used equipment pricing, I look at closed auction prices on e b a y. There are always B&K amps (and Adcom) being traded on there.
 
SubWolfer said:
i tried finding some comparative reviews between the Adcom GFA-555 MKII vs. the B&K Reference 2220 and came up empty. Have you or anyone had both? Is one a warmer sounding amp compared to the other? I've given details about my system; Paradigm Export Monitors, Parasound Model 2100 pre. Of the amps I'm interested, would the Adcom sound noticeably different and better than the B&K?
Click to expand...

IME, the "warmth" factor (or lack thereof) is dominated by your upstream components, not by your amp. that being said, common knowledge would say the B&K should be a bit warmer since IIRC they usually used MOSFETs in their amps. but depending on the system, it could end up being the other way around - components often interact and interplay in ways that aren't totally predictable. that's why it's always advisable to try more than one amp if it's feasible (especially if you're investing fair coin in whatever you finally keep, as opposed to scoring the amp). in an absolute sense, i'd suspect that the B&K is probably a bit better, but in your system it might not sound that way.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom