B&K preamp question

geppy1

I would like to hear from those that may have experiences with the b&k PT 3 and PT 5 tuner preamps.  I know the PT 5 has balanced inputs which i do not care about but it also sold for $250 to $300 more then the PT 3  when new yet they appear to be the same thing except for the balanced inputs. Iis there a sonic difference between these two? Are the insides different parts wise?  Thanks

DollarDave

The pt5 has balanced outputs, not inputs. While they are supposedly the same otherwise, the pt5 seems to have a higher output and a cleaner sound. I've owned several of each and prefer the pt5 hands down.

tonyb

I prefer their reference pre/pro's like the ref 30 or 50 to either of those preamps. They are built better and sound better, have quality dacs in them and connections up the ying yang.

mantis

I also like the Pre Pro 30 or 50 over the PT series. I have owned all 3 and for some reason or another the Pre Pros sound better.

geppy1

OK problem is I do not need any of those 2 million inputs

tonyb

geppy1 wrote: »

OK problem is I do not need any of those 2 million inputs

So don't use them, not a crime to have more than you need. If the goal is better sound though, with B&k gear, that's the avenue I'd take.

geppy1

Compared to say NAD C160/162 or Yamaha mid 90s CX 2? If I was smart I would just stick with integrateds.

RamZet

The B&K Ref30 is a monster of a pre-amp.

The unit sounds awesome and has loads of options for sound adjustment.
However the best part is the AKM DAC. AKM is hands down one of the best.
For $130-200ish you get a crazy awesome Pre and a awesome DAC. Hard to beat this unit.

The PT3-II is all analog and you will need your own external DAC.
My favorite feature about this unit is the outputs. It consist of the following:
Full Range out, High Pass out, and Mono Left+Right (for subs).
Awesome to have these outputs for Bi-Amping.
I gave this same unit to a buddy because I couldn't keep it in the closet, it was a crime.

I use the Ref 20 for my headphone station and the better version of the PT3-II for my main rig.

There are Ref 20s on ebay for $99, just get one and never look back.

Gerres26

Not to hijack the thread but how do these reference series pres compare to the older B&K Pro10mc preamps? I own one and really like it. It mates well with my reference 200.2 amp but sometimes i miss having a remote The phono stage is great on it too.

tonyb

Imho...the ref pre/pro's are a step up from any 2 channel pre B&k made. However you'd lose the phono as I don't believe any of their pre/pro's had phonos.

gmcman

I have a Ref 50 paired with a 200.2 and it sounds very, very good. There were quirks with some of them, I believe the Ref 30 is as good as the 50 in terms of 2ch audio, both would work well for you.

For the price, it's a difficult combo to beat for the $$.

Gerres26

tonyb wrote: »

Imho...the ref pre/pro's are a step up from any 2 channel pre B&k made. However you'd lose the phono as I don't believe any of their pre/pro's had phonos.

Is it possible to use the pro10mc as a phono stage by using tape out to go to the reference pre? And would that allow me to use the reference remote volume control?

Gerres26

Are the reference 30 and 50 pres the ones to look out for or is the reference 20 just as nice? Mind you this will be for strictly 2 channel listening so a lot of the other features wont mean much to me.
Thanks

tonyb

Ref 30 and 50 are better than the 20. I would shoot for a ref 30, as those pre/pro's can be had for around 200 bucks. The ref 307 receiver adds a 7 channel amp to the ref 30 pre/pro and can be had for about 350 bucks.

Gerres26

Would you say that a reference 30 and a musical fidelity v90-lps phono stage would out perform the phono stage on a B&k pro10mc preamp?

tonyb

I'm not familiar with that phono stage so I can't say but I do know the ref 30 is better than the pro 10. You will also need a set of decent cables to plug that phono into a ref 30 pre/pro.

soundfreak1

Have used the 20,30 both capable pre''s. And remotes. If you can go to the 400. Range you can do a lot better for two channel. But (unless a steal comes along) it will take about that much to beat them.

Gerres26

I cant go 400 just yet, I've been saving my pennies to be able to buy some 1.2tls lol. Im thinking if i can get a reference 30 and then maybe a phono stage like the MF above or a parasound zphono, i should be a happy camper for a while

soundfreak1

The 30 does (if I remember correctly ) also have input gain control so you can match gain on all your sources.

Gerres26

Nice...now off to find one at a decent price with the remote

tonyb

https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/ele/5936341200.html

Gerres26

Im in MD so thats a little bit out of reach, but a very nice looking piece

soundfreak1

That 50 is at a good price, sold my 30 for that 5 years ago. Another 50.00 or so for shipping would still be a decent deal, if all''s well with it.

Gerres26

I do a lot of buying/selling on Craigslist but i worry about not physically checking it out without any buyer protection...I'll be patient and find one local or epay maybe

soundfreak1

Gerres26 wrote: »

I do a lot of buying/selling on Craigslist but i worry about not physically checking it out without any buyer protection...I'll be patient and find one local or epay maybe

Actually good advise! The "patient" part can be a pita though.

Gerres26

I agree...i should have said "try" to be patient

soundfreak1

When opportunity knocks you have to be home AND answer the door!

mantis

I own all 3. I have a Ref 20, Ref 30 Upgraded , and a AVR507s2. I sold my AVR307 years and years ago which I regret. I would have loved to hold on to that one 2.

Gerres26

Yep2 wrote: »

Ive had all 3.
Liked the Ref 20 (20 bit dacs) & the 30 best.
The 50 was just too complicated to set up properly IMO...

Would you agree that a ref 20 and a parasound zphono or similar would outperform the B&k pro10mc for strictly 2 channel?

srr

Hello I am thinking of buying a B&K AV ref 50 S2 unit as preamplifier for stereo preamplifier. A used one is available for $250.
Is the AV version ref 50 the same as the ref 50 that is mentioned in the above thread above?
Anyone have an opinion on sound quality. Another option is a PT3 or PT5 as a preamp which are stereo only preamp

One other concern is that on some forums they mentioned that the B&K AV ref 50 S2 suddenly jumps the volume and that there are clicks that you hear on the speaker as you switch the inputs. Since B&K is out of business there is no way to upgrade firmware and the person selling it does not know what version of firmware is on the unit.


My other option is to go with a parasound P/SP 1000 av processor and use it for stereo only.
Any thoughts ?