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Question from someone having difficult time with amp upgrade decision. New to this forum, but over the last few weeks I've been impressed with some of the questions and answers posted here. Currently running five year old Integra 7.1 receiver with PSB Strat Silvers front, Mini's rear, Denon 2900. When I started this quest, had about $4000 in mind for an amp and processor ($2000 each+/-), wanted 200w/ch. Can't afford everything all at once, so I'm planning on getting the amp now, then this time next year, getting a new pre/pro. Local availability limits my choices to B&K, Rotel and Anthem. One problem - neither Rotel dealer in the area has a 1095 demo unit, meaning I had to audition the 1075. Currently B&K 200.5 is still selling for about $2400, so price wise, its Anthem MCA 50 or Rotel 1095 (both between $1800-$1900 out the door). I've seen a number of listings for B&K 7250's on the internet, probably obtainable in the $1100-$1200 range. Not having an opportunity to listen to the 7250, any current owners out there that came give some insight? Is it basically the same as the 200.5 minus the level controls? I've read through some of the postings here, and its seems people love the sound of B&K, but they also say B&K products tend to be "problematic." Was the 7250 problematic? If I back off on the $'s, then the choice is between a Rotel 1075 and a used B&K 7250. Any thoughts on that? That would save me a substantial amount of money, any may allow for an Anthem AVM30, Rotel 1098 or Ref 50 (if they get rid of the clicks, pops and audio drop outs) down the road. Thanks for any responses.
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Last edited by rdram; 23 March 2005, 09:28 Wednesday. -
Both Rotel and B&K make killer sounding gear. There amps are excellent. This will have to come down to personal preference.
I will give you an example what I feel is key.....
Rotel sounds really good driving B&W speakers. I feel B&K does a better job.
B&K sounds excellent running Dynaudio speakers. But Rotel seems to mate better and sound a bit better to me.
Rotel and B&K drive the Polk Lsi series speakers very well. As the top 2 you have to decide which sounds better to you.
I have owned both B&K and Rotel. I perfer one or the other depending on what speakers I own at the time.
Dan -
Thanks Dan. Your right, speaker/amp interaction does differ. From store to store, its near impossible to tell. I go to store A and listen to B & K with Martin Logans, store B, room 1 for Anthem & Maggies, room 2 for Rotel & B&W. I think what I'm really auditioning are speakers. So, rather than bring my speakers with me, the dealer let me take a Rotel 1075 home for the weekend. Wow, what a difference running a separate amp makes! Next Saturday I take the Anthem home. Best way to decide I guess.
RichComment
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Rich,
very cool. It would even be better if the dealer would allow you to take the B&K and Rotel home at the same time and try em.The you will have a better understanding on which amp is right for you.
Whatever you decided to get, there both are great amps,
DanComment
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One local audio store carries both Anthem & Rotel. They're closed Sunday and Monday, so as long as I get amp back to them by Tues AM, they're ok with taking stuff home. The only local B&K dealer is Tweeter. Being open 7 days a week, don't think they'd part with the amp for a few days....but I guess it can't hurt to ask.
RichComment
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Rich,
What decision did you make in the end? Were you happy with that decision? I am in the same boat right now.
Thanks!
BryanComment
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Tweeter doesn't carry B&K anymore. I'd like to know about your findings as well.
DanComment
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I've been using a B&K 7250 for three years now. No problems. Lots of enjoyment!Comment
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B&K
I own a B&K Reference 30 (upgraded to Ref 31) and a 7270 amp. I had one minor problem with the amp which B&K serviced quickly.
I bought them from Sound Advice (owned by Tweeters). They gave me lousy service And I believe they were the reason I had the problem with the amp in the first place.Comment
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Did you buy the amp used? How did they cause the problem?Originally posted by majorloser
DanComment
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Hi guys,
I'm new here. Found this forum while searching for comparisons between B&K and Rotel.
I know this is not the right place to post, but I don't understand why I can only view 2 threads under the B&K club. Is there some nomination process to be able to view the other threads?
In any case, here is my question I thought I'd place on a more proper thread. My interest in B&K started from searching for a new amp or receiver for my NHT 2.5i speakers. I currently own an Onkyo Integra integrated amp (85 W/Channel) and it's high time for an upgrade. I'm not sure if a B&K/NHT combination would be good, but I recently listened to a B&K AVR-507 at Magnolia Audio which was hooked up to some electrostatic speakers (Didn't get the name since I parked at a meter and was in a hurry). The B&K sounded real nice with those speakers. I had also visited another store and was told that the NHTs would sound real nice with a Rotel receiver and they advised me to bring my speakers in for a test drive (not an easy feat I must say). Having waited all these years for an upgrade, I would think it's better to go for the higher power... you never know when you might need it. Right now I see the used B&K AVR-305/307s selling for around $1000 on Audiogon, Videogon, and Ebay. I mostly listed to 2-channel audio and was wondering if any of you had good suggestions for my setup?
ThanksComment
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I think the used B&K AVR507 would work very well. It's powerful and has plenty of current to drive those speakers well.
B&K is very neutral and basically goes with just about all speakers that it can drive. Rotel may sound alittle different and here is where personal taste comes to play. I have owned both Rotel and B&K products and perfer certain speakers with them.
Good luck with what you decide. Really can't go wrong with them
DanComment
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Hi Dan,
First of all, thanks for the prompt response (sure helps when I'm contemplating on placing a bid on Ebay). I've read many message boards as of late and gotten familiar with the various features that I should be looking for and have learned about some new brands that I hadn't heard of before. I was leaning towards the a used B&K AVR-307 (not the 507) after all my research, but a local delear was trying to swing me towards a demo Rotel which he could give at a good discount. My search for Rotel on the message boards introduced me to Arcam's AVR300 which I have yet to listen to. Seems like that model has a cult following on the message boards. I'd love to be able to compare the B&K, Rotel, and Arcam when hooked up to the same components... but I don't think that's possible since not all dealers nearby carry all 3 brands, let alone the NHT speakers.
Listening to the B&K at the Magnolia Audio Video store the other day made me want to lean towards that receiver. However, there seems to be some reliability and humming issues according to some owners on the AudioReview site and it seems like B&K doesn't have the best customer service to address such issues. I should also take in to account the fact that B&K's warranty is not transferable and even if it was, it's most likely that AVR-307's surpass the warranty period of 5 years. So all of these factors are making me more confused!
Have any of you on this thread compared the B&K to the Arcam receiver? Is it possible to biamp the B&K receiver as can be done on the Arcam? Even if you leaned towards the Arcam at one time, did you choose the B&K because of the extra power capabilities?
Thank again for the help,
ZComment
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As far as B&K customer service I have to disagree with the negative comments you've been hearing/reading. I believe the humming issues that you've been reading up on are with the series 1. I've had my ref 50 s2 for a year and a half now and I've yet to have any of those issues.Comment
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I agree with that. It seems to be the Series1 because I have the Ref50 S2 and silent no humming just great sound.Originally posted by RenoReno2Comment
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I was wondering what the difference was between the Series 1 & 2. Good to know that the Series 2 has no humming issues.
I called B&K the other day and asked about bi-amping their receivers and they didn't recommend it. I told them I wasn't concerned about the warranty issues, but they stated that they still wouldn't recommened it for various reasons (can't remember all the tech stuff). So I was wondering if any of you have tried it & if so, have you experienced any problems associated with it?
By the way, I still didn't get a response from anyone in regards to the number of threads I see on the B&K forum. I'm seeing 3 today as opposed to the 2 the past few days. Before I enter this club, it states that there should be 168 forums... any reason why I only see 3? I'm I too new of a member to access the rest of the boards???Comment
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I believe the biggest difference between the series 1 and 2 is the notch filters. I have a series 1 that has only one notch filter and the series 2 has three for filtering out bad lows or bass. I don't get any clicking. I have read that some have had issues with clicking and it could be cleared with a B&K upgrade.
P.S. 500$ for the upgrade to bring to a series 2BlakeComment
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I have a series 1 AVR-507 with no hum, very quiet! I do have the popping when making changes with remote, not that bothersome though. I am pushing B&W 803s's with this reciever and it seems great although some suggest I need more power which I am researching now. May grab a 200.7 using the reciever of the AVR, then see what the next generation of the ref 50 is (rumor says this fall).Comment
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The S2 also offers Transcoding (one video out for all video souces regardless of connection type). The Series 2 also dropped THX. I was told by a tech at B&K, They dropped THX because it would overide (when used) notch filter settings, as well as, any other EQ settings. Thus, the S2 with B&K's own cinema settings, will keep all notch and eq settings intact."I have come here, to chew bubblegum and kickass. And I'm all out of bubblegum!!!"Comment
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WOW I didn't know that. We don't carry B&K(such a damn shame 2) so I'm not current on B&K anymore. I wonder when they will come out with a new series? I'd like to see the next generation of there preamps/receiversOriginally posted by John Holmes
DanComment
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Yes, so would I. But, B&K seems to be one of the last to step up to the plate with the release of next gen items."I have come here, to chew bubblegum and kickass. And I'm all out of bubblegum!!!"Comment
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