Looking at B&K Reference 30 & 50 preamps

gmcman
gmcman Posts: 1,806
edited November 2013 in Electronics
I started looking at these a few years ago but was brief, so now I am back in the hunt. Looks like my 2CH setup needs a good pre, so with the age of these in question, are they still a good unit? Doesn't seem to difficult to find them both for under $500 and the 30 seems to go for less than $300.

I am currently using a ST-202 so why not compliment it, so with a sub-$500 limit are these the wise choice?
Post edited by gmcman on
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited October 2013
    I would PM Mantis on this as he's very familiar with them but IIRC he's a BIG fan of these. Pepster was as well (RIP Ruby Pep if your reading). I looked at them myself at one point but ended up with a Sunfire TGP-II for a price I couldnt pass up.

    I think either is a solid buy.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited October 2013
    Also a fan of the B&k and former owner of the 307 receiver, which I regret selling btw. The ref 30 is a HT processor, do you need all those bells and whistles ? If not, and this is a 2 channel rig, why not look at the Dared sl2000 pre ? There was a nice Parasound pre too in the FM but I think it sold.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • gmcman
    gmcman Posts: 1,806
    edited October 2013
    I don't mind the extras of the 30 & 50, 2ch is my primary concern but added channels is welcome.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited October 2013
    I dig the sound of either one then, and the used prices right now pretty much make them a steal. Cary cinema11 would be a good choice too.

    http://app.audiogon.com/listings/processors-cary-audio-cinema-11-original-one-2013-10-11-home-theater-94304-palo-alto-ca

    A tad over your budget, but make the dude an offer.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • gmcman
    gmcman Posts: 1,806
    edited October 2013
    tonyb wrote: »
    I dig the sound of either one then, and the used prices right now pretty much make them a steal. Cary cinema11 would be a good choice too.

    http://app.audiogon.com/listings/processors-cary-audio-cinema-11-original-one-2013-10-11-home-theater-94304-palo-alto-ca

    A tad over your budget, but make the dude an offer.

    Yeah, thanks for the link....that's a nice one for sure. I have a bead on a ref 50 and for $360 it may be the way to go.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited October 2013
    Cool man, just make sure your able to run that ref 50 before buying, make sure everything works. Some of them have some glitches.

    Wow...can't believe I just used that word, "glitches". Add another one to the PC world.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited October 2013
    tonyb wrote: »
    Some of them have some glitches.

    Units with "glitches" wind up in "ditches"

    My humor for the afternoon.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,194
    edited October 2013
    As I said in PM, if they have the things you need, go for it. Sound quality wise IMO there is absolutely NOTHING that sounds better in there price class then. They where class leader by a long shot.

    On a side note , if B&K ever comes back , I will be the first to own their new Pre or AVR. I truly miss that company.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • agfrost
    agfrost Posts: 2,428
    edited October 2013
    No experience with the preamps, but I sure am enjoying my ST-202+. Bought it on a whim and haven't regretted it once.
    Jay
    SDA 2BTL * Musical Fidelity A5cr amp * Oppo BDP-93 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8 (x2)
    Micro Seiki DQ-50 * Hagerman Cornet 2 Phono * A hodgepodge of cabling * Belkin PF60
    Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
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  • gmcman
    gmcman Posts: 1,806
    edited October 2013
    Well.....it's a done deal. The ref 50 will be on it's way this week, I couldn't let this one go.....it looks brand new. Will post pics upon arrival. I appreciate the push and I had to act quickly, debating the 30 for mainly 2Ch but I think this was the better choice.
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  • gmcman
    gmcman Posts: 1,806
    edited October 2013
    Mantis........need to clean out your inbox. :)
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited October 2013
    Good call- The Ref 30 is my backup when I'm between 2ch preamps and their serial control protocol is quite easy to learn -I've got mine hooked up to an Extron ethernet/serial bridge, so I can control it from my iPhone. As others have noted, you can do better with dedicated 2ch preamps at that price point, but not much better, especially if you do need a few of the bells and whistles.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
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  • gmcman
    gmcman Posts: 1,806
    edited November 2013
    tonyb wrote: »
    Cool man, just make sure your able to run that ref 50 before buying, make sure everything works. Some of them have some glitches.

    I did read about the "glitches" and apparently I found out a lot more about issues with the some 50's after I bought it. Another bummer is it won't be here till Monday now but no biggie, this weekend is full already.

    Owner said he had zero issues with it, lets hope so. I will post up some pics when it arrives.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited November 2013
    Cool man, that B&k sound is addictive for sure.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,194
    edited November 2013
    DSkip wrote: »
    http://www.bkcomp.com/index.html

    Not sure how the company has changed, but they're around.
    They where supposed to have products out in 2011, it's now the end of 2013 and nothing. I believe they are officially gone my friend, Sad but true.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,194
    edited November 2013
    gmcman wrote: »
    Mantis........need to clean out your inbox. :)
    Done.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited November 2013
    My first taste of really great sound was back in 1988 when I heard a pair of ProAc Studio 1 monitors mated with a B&K ST-140 amp & the matching B&K Pro 5 preamp...I simply fell in love with the sound but still continued to listen to other systems in other stereo shops in the area. After about a month or so I found nothing that moved me like the B&K & ProAc combo. Needless to say I went back & grabbed them. I had that system for many years & simply loved it...the sound was so soothing & relaxing.

    I'm with Dan if B&K ever does make a come back I would give B&K another serious look especially after my experience with them. And I also swear that someday I'll own another pair of ProAc speakers.

    Just for nostalgia here is what I paid for the system back in 1988: I still have the original receipts.
    B&K ST-140 amp - $475
    B&K Pro 5 preamp - $375
    ProAc Studio 1 monitors w/ Target stands - $1350
    Van Den Hull speaker cables - $92.00

    To this day I'm still kicking myself for selling them!!!

    To the OP, I can only imagine how sweet either of the two pres your looking at must sound after my pleasure of having the Pro 5. I'm sure you'll be happy with either.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • gmcman
    gmcman Posts: 1,806
    edited November 2013
    mantis wrote: »
    They where supposed to have products out in 2011, it's now the end of 2013 and nothing. I believe they are officially gone my friend, Sad but true.

    From what I understand a few of the B&K techs (could have been George only, not sure) either started or went to Eastern Elite AV www.ee-av.com

    Just recently they posted that as of 10-01-13 they are no longer accepting B&K products for repair. Who knows...perhaps they are starting up again....how great would that be. I believe the founder of B&K just recently passed (RIP) and could have been legal issues causing this but haven't heard of anything yet.

    I'm sure that simple repairs could be made but the brainchild of these pieces just aren't working on them right now. Would like to know who actually does repairs just for a worst-case scenario.

    A risky avenue to pursue right now but I really want to give this thing a whirl, way too many positives to not give it a trial. One thing I noticed using the B&K amp with my AVR's as a pre, is some hiss when the volume is about halfway up and I was thinking the line-out voltage is just slightly low or something else. After speaking with a former B&K salesman he said a lot of the Japanese receivers have lower line-out voltage of just under 1V and these amps like to see about 1.5V. That's something I'm not well versed in but makes sense.
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