Karma - B&K Amplifier Comparison

zingo

I recently purchased a B&K ST202 from Jeff (bikerboy) and am now borrowing a B&K ST1400 ii from KC (kcoc321). My goal is to do a comparison between the two and keep the one that sounds best with my 4 ohm SRS 2s, fed my Forte F44 preamp. The specs on the amps are close, with the ST202 having more power, but the ST1400 ii 10 years newer. I will be connecting all of them with RCA cables as only one amp has XLR connectors, and using a test tone to set the volume with my decibel meter each time to ensure there isn't a volume bias. Both amplifiers are stock and in good condition, and music will be a set playlist of 24/96 lossless files via my Squeezebox Touch.

Here is where you come in: Predict which amplifier will sound better with the SRS 2 speakers with an explanation of why. From the winning group I will randomly draw one name and send them $10 via paypal. Contest closes when I post the comparison between the two, and that might be next week, or the following weekend; I'm not sure...

I know this isn't the most scientific way to do a comparison, but it seemed fun to have an interactive wager component that would Karma a few bucks into someones pocket at the same time.

DollarDave

The ST-202 because of the higher damping factor.

BlueMDPicker

The ST-1400 ii because two ii's are sexy

Dawgfish

ST-202. Why, the older B&K amps have a warmer, smoother overall tone to me. Also they have better bass and slam. I'm probably cheating on this a bit because I currently have my SRS 2s hooked up to my former ST-202+ at a buddies house who also happens to own my former ST125.2 (about the same generation as your ST-1400 II). Because of this throw my name out of the drawing (if you decide on the 202).

tonyb

I'll go for the 202 also. Honestly though I think either is a tad on the light side ampere speaking. My B&K 307 receiver had 27 amperes. Don't get me wrong, they'll work fine but at higher volumes you'll have to listen carefully.

kcoc321

Interesting you say that Tony, Jake and I were talking last night about comparing my 307 as well...but that is another story..
FYI: B&K has the AVR307 listed as 42 amps, least on their comparison sheet.
AVR 307 150W@8 ohm 185W@ 4ohm 42amp dynamic head room: 1.1dB dampening factor: 180

Sorry to divert the tread...
NICe Kristmas Karma Jake

smglbrth

202, better control of the drivers, "tad" more umph, and a little more sparkle (forwardness) maybe with the headroom being slightly higher..

tonyb

kcoc321 wrote: »

Interesting you say that Tony, Jake and I were talking last night about comparing my 307 as well...but that is another story..
FYI: B&K has the AVR307 listed as 42 amps, least on their comparison sheet.
AVR 307 150W@8 ohm 185W@ 4ohm 42amp dynamic head room: 1.1dB dampening factor: 180

Sorry to divert the tread...
NICe Kristmas Karma Jake

Nope, I believe it's 28....peak to peak is key. Have to pay attention to the wording in these specs quoted all over the internet....for any piece.

Pycroft

I'll go the 202. I've heard a similar b&k amp with my monitor 7s and sda 1cs and I thought it was a great pairing. Enjoy the
Comparison.

James

kcoc321

Here is the Spec page I was referencing from
And the 42 amps is P to P, per the headers.
http://www.bkcomp.com/fileadmin/content/bk_support/FAQ/Previous%20Amp%20Specs.pdf

It is from B&K's web page

tonyb

That link won't load for me, but you can look up countless others that all claim the same 28 including HT magazine specs. Don't want to derail the mans thread, so lets get people back on track.

202 and don't look back.

kcoc321

Sorry for any derailing Jake :-0
I'll PM you the link Tony

B Run

I vote the 202 as well, interested to hear how they compare though.

agfrost

Hoping you like the 202, as I currently am running the 202+. Not sure that's a vote, so no need to add me to the Karma drawing. :redface:

gmcman

I will vote for the 202, I'm biased since I have one driving my 2B's. The 202 does a lot of things right...looking forward to the matchup. I'm sure you probably know this but I would leave both units on for a day or so before you start testing.

bikerboy

I vote for my former amp. Better dynamic capability.Fun karma Jake

seabeerob213

the 1400, higher current

zingo

gmcman wrote: »

I'm sure you probably know this but I would leave both units on for a day or so before you start testing.

You are correct. I usually leave my main amp on, but I'll plug in both before the comparison so they are warm and can perform at their best. On this, I will also check the bias on both units and adjust to factory spec if necessary to ensure a fair fight.

PhotonDon

Love my 202. It quit working last year after 23 years of stellar service. I will have it repaired someday. Enjoy!

zingo

I will most likely finish my comparison of the amps tomorrow, so this is the last call to include your educated guess in this Karma!

zingo

Sorry for the late posting of this, but I'm busy, or tired, or lazy, you fill in the blank... :redface:

As a recap, I purchased a B&K ST202 from Jeff (bikerboy) and am now borrowing a B&K ST1400 ii from KC (kcoc321). I did a comparison between the two amps and will keep the one that sounds best with my 4 ohm SRS 2s, fed by my Forte F44 preamp. The specs on the amps are close, with the ST202 having more power, but the ST1400ii 10 years newer. I connected each of them with DH Labs RCA cables as only one amp has XLR connectors, and used a test tone to set the volume with my decibel meter each time to ensure there isn't a volume bias. Both amplifiers are stock and in good condition, and music was a set playlist of 24/96 lossless files via my Squeezebox Touch.

I'll start with both amplifiers being good equipment purchases, and both performing over the few hundred dollars that they fetch on the used market. Both of these were the first B&K amps that I had experience with and that defunct company does provide a very nice sound at a reasonable price, with good build quality; the filter caps in both amps are the size of soda cans. I happen to like MOSFET based amps and the sound they provide, so these amps were already in my wheel house; which afforded the opportunity to evaluated them on their differences, not what they aren't in comparison to other amps. Both amplifies provided a very enjoyable listening experience, with good musicality and tone, and neither was ever harsh or offensive. Both amplifiers pair well with the the vintage Polks, as it they were a match made 25 years ago. Here is my over simplification of the comparison of the two amps:

The ST202 is a dynamic amplifier with a big sound, and big bass. The dynamics have an interesting twist though as they are also a little soft, never in your face. Vocals are warm and full, and both singers and instruments have good body and weight to their sound. The ST1400ii is a well balanced amplifier (not including the balanced inputs ). It plays well from top to bottom including strong bass, and warm highs and mids. It provides a clean sound stage and image, without anything hyper real or exaggerated.

Both amplifiers are great, and I would have been smart to choose the ST1400ii (10 years newer, XLR inputs, 12V trigger), but the ST202 came across as more fun to me. It sounded a little bigger, and provider a little more two tapping. The ST1400ii was a little cleaner and neater in the details, but also was a tad more reserved in presentation. I'm sure I'll kick myself in 6 months when I have to replace caps or blow a transistor on a 25 year old amp, but it sure will be a fun 6 months!

zingo

And now for the most important part, the winner of the $10, from the members who initially voted for the ST202: tonyb!

Pycroft

Congrats, and nice write up!

James