B&K Reference 30/31/50?

AndyGwis
AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
edited May 2008 in Electronics
Anyone have much experience with either of these three models?

I just bought the $hit out of a B&K reference 31. It's basically a Reference 30 with about $500 of factory upgrades to bring it up to specs with the ref 50 s1.

Got a good deal on sleezebay. Told myself I wouldn't upgrade my HT, but this is a lateral move money-wise (if I can sell my HK 635 for a decent price). Now wishing I would've won that ST-2140 from Agon to have 5 channels of matching B&K power.

I missed out on a bunch of good deals last week (speakers mostly) so glad to finally get something new. It's been a few days!
Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
Post edited by AndyGwis on
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited April 2008
    I have the same idea, just in the AVR317, which was previously a AVR307. It's internally identical to the AVR507 S1, after the upgrade but "aesthetically" minus a knob and one(1) set of component video inputs.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited April 2008
    AVR507 s2 here! It's not going anywhere for a long time.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited April 2008
    I'm hoping that B&K markets the gear they had at CES so I can upgrade into HDMI. Otherwise, I'm off to another manufacturer.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited April 2008
    They are starting to run a little behind! Not sure why they aren't moving a little more toward the center of the market? For me, HDMI is just a convenient way to connect my DVD or BR player to my TV, nothing more needed. Give me a good 5.1 analog out from a BR player, and I'm happy.

    Where does the HDMI cable plug into my 2 ch system?
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited April 2008
    WAY behind but it exists. HDMI has nothing to do with my 2CH rig but it's the predominate connection for HT right now and I love a single cable solution. The HT gets completely redone this year and it's a deciding factor for me.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited April 2008
    I was being sarcastic on the 2 ch comment!

    Hopefully by the time I decide to redo the HT rig, the new audio codecs are more fully mature as far as integration into HT gear. I'm pretty happy with my HT system right now. In fact far more impressed with it than I thought I could be with an HT system.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited April 2008
    I know but neither of us utilize the emoticons to any satisfactory extent....

    I don't think it's beyond "future proofing" your system now as it's been wrangled out for the most part. It's a manufacturer support issue if anything but we pay the price. Naturally, there will be something else down the road but my bet is on wireless and alot of that already exists.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited April 2008
    B&K is supposedly coming out with their HDMI gear. . . just don't know when. Think it will be Ref 70 for the pre/pro.

    I'm probably going to ride this pre-pro for a year or two and then jump on an HDMI pre-pro once their cheaper and less buggy.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,403
    edited April 2008
    yes the ref70 is suppost to be out this month.I personally are waiting for this as if it's what I need I will be buying it.

    I have alot of experience with B&K. I have Intalled there products for years and I'm factory trained. I spend 3 days at B&K in Bufalo , NY. I love there stuff. I used to own the avr307 and went to Rotel. I plan on going back to B&K.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,684
    edited April 2008
    What, you need that 2 channel amp back?:D
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • MKZ
    MKZ Posts: 1,068
    edited April 2008
    Are those reference 30 still worth to use it? Does it really need an upgrade? I'm just looking to get one.
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  • Gaara
    Gaara Posts: 2,415
    edited April 2008
    I'm perfectly content with my Ref 50, I got it during my Freshman year...so about 4 years ago. Sounds great with 2ch music and does amazing with movies. My only issue is the random noises that B&K can't fix. (not the normal pops that were fixed with the 2.0 update)
    The Basement HT
    PC Rig
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  • MKZ
    MKZ Posts: 1,068
    edited April 2008
    Can you tell me the difference of 30 and 50?
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited April 2008
    MKZ wrote: »
    Can you tell me the difference of 30 and 50?

    A math major will tell you it's 20

    A statistics major will tell you it's in a range of 15 to 23

    A lawyer will tell you it can be whatever you want if you pay him/her enough :eek:
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • Gaara
    Gaara Posts: 2,415
    edited April 2008
    MKZ wrote: »
    Can you tell me the difference of 30 and 50?

    Can't remember, I thought the 50 could decode more, had the notch filter, and had a nicer remote...but I could be making all that up. Sound quality wise I think there was very little if any difference, at least according to my dealer.
    The Basement HT
    PC Rig
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  • MKZ
    MKZ Posts: 1,068
    edited April 2008
    Do you have any idea about the average price for ref 30? Thanks.
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  • Gaara
    Gaara Posts: 2,415
    edited April 2008
    Check Agon, last I saw 30s went for around $500 and the 50s for around $800.
    The Basement HT
    PC Rig
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited April 2008
    Yeah, $400 - $500 seems to be the going price for Ref 30s. Ref 50s from $700 - $800 shipped on Agon these days.

    I got my Ref 31 for a good price, and it is supposed to have all of the functionality of the Ref 50 except missing the balanced connections (which I don't need anyway).

    Mine just got in today. However, probably won't be hooking it up for a while. It does have 5.1 analog inputs so I can hook up a HD-DVD / BluRay player with multichannel analogs to get the latest audio formats.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited April 2008
    BTW, Keith, not currently interested in the ST-202. Great amp, but I need a fancier looking piece for my updated HT :) Looking for a ST-2140, ST-1400 to match my current ST-1430.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • MKZ
    MKZ Posts: 1,068
    edited April 2008
    Thank you. One more questions. Is Ref 30 good enough to do the job for movies or Ref 50 worth the price difference?
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited April 2008
    I would guess the Ref 30 would be adequate for most any situation. Even though it may not have the latest audio formats, you can use the multichannel audio ins from you source.

    I think the Ref 50 probably has better video processing (not a big deal if you run video straight to display/TV, balanced inputs, and some additional audio processing options.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited April 2008
    As a reference, the AVR317(Upgraded AVR307) is identical to the AVR507 S1 aside from two(2) issues. No source selector knob(Left Side) and one set of component inputs....that's it. The guts are identical, including the upgraded DACS.

    The REF30 is in the same boat and it's upgradeable.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited April 2008
    I've had a Ref 30 in my HT for about 6-8 years, maybe longer. It has been a solid performer with no complaints from me. It does not have the the latest DSP's or HDMI connections.

    It crapped out this weekend and is on it's way to B&K for repair. They asked if I wanted to upgrade it and I said no. Just get it running to original specs. They were kinda suprised, but HT is not that big a deal to me.
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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  • andrew_mac
    andrew_mac Posts: 95
    edited April 2008
    I just bought a Reference 200.7 Amp. Now I need one of these three as well. The 200.7 has left me flat broke though. Ugh...what did I just do?....I don't even have seven speakers lol
    This hobby is a ridiculous racket to get into. Fun though :)
    Front - RtiA5's
    Surround - RtiA1's
    Center - CsiA6
    Sub - Velodyne DPS12
    B&K Ref 50 Pre
    Amp - B&K AV5000 II
    Ben's Silver IC's
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  • MADGSF
    MADGSF Posts: 603
    edited April 2008
    Don't worry Andrew, you can always use the spare channels to bi-amp the mains and see if there is a difference. Otherwise the un-used channels will just leave more reserve for the others. That is a great amp and you will love it. I had the demo A5's in my system for a while and they sounded wonderful.
    AVR: Elite VSX-21TXH
    Amplifier: B&K 7250 Series ii
    Misc: Velodyne SMS-1
    Mains: RTi-10
    Center: CSi-5
    Rear: Boston DSi460
    Sub: SVS PC-Ultra
    TV: Panasonic TC-P58V10
    DVD: Panasonic DMP-BD60K
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  • MKZ
    MKZ Posts: 1,068
    edited April 2008
    Can you guys tell me what are the setting of Ref 30 like VARIABLE EQUALIZATION, SETUP ROOM EQUALIZATION, etc..? Thank you.
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  • Gaara
    Gaara Posts: 2,415
    edited April 2008
    I don't currently use the Room EQ, and I make sure the variable eq is set to 0, or whatever the setting is so it is off. I personally don't like tone controls of any kind but do see the benefit of eq, i just haven't gotten around to redoing it since I got my SVS.
    The Basement HT
    PC Rig
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  • MKZ
    MKZ Posts: 1,068
    edited May 2008
    Is there any DSP simulation mode like in Denon?
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited May 2008
    Just saw this on Agon. . . http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/auc.pl?preatran&1211421232

    Does that mean B&K Ref 70s with HDMI are hitting the street?

    Anyone want a Ref 31 :)
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • andrew_mac
    andrew_mac Posts: 95
    edited May 2008
    I'll take it.
    Front - RtiA5's
    Surround - RtiA1's
    Center - CsiA6
    Sub - Velodyne DPS12
    B&K Ref 50 Pre
    Amp - B&K AV5000 II
    Ben's Silver IC's
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