B&K 5 Channel Amp vs. Emotiva 5 Channel Amp

F1nut wrote: »

It's hilarious when they go postal.

That one came out of left field. Sounds like something I would post.

HB27 wrote: »

Geez, I had to edit in a "Welcome to CP" Sorry
Price differences?
I work on a lot of gear for a couple of different companies in the area and just an observation that may well explain the differences.
In the past 2 years alone I've seen more Emo gear come across my bench than B&K in the past 15.
The build quality is obvious and distinguishable between the two.
The B&K stuff is built to last. Emo stuff I've seen is questionable for durability.

I wouldn't think you would run across either brand on the bench much, since 90% of what has been sold by either brand is still under warranty.

The price differences fade fast when comparing longevity, resale value, vs initial investment.

Not sure how you figure that. Assuming you bought both new, the B&K will lose more value than the entire purchase price of the Emotiva in just a few years.

I use an Emotiva product because it's a cheap home theater amp with plenty of headroom. It's got an unusually high gain design which results in a bright and noisy/grainy sound quality. Doesn't matter for home theater though. Actually works very well for that purpose, but I wouldn't use one for listening to music unless it was with low sensitivity speakers. I've had no quality control problems, but a look inside shows the parts quality and build quality to be low. I think the initial impression of many who buy Emotiva gear is "Wow, that sounds so much better than my receiver." Problem is, the amp's gain structure is cranked up by around 6dB over most amp designs, so it just sounds louder for the same relative input level.

I've used B&K products for the last decade because the mosfet designs of their amps result in a warm (laid back but still clear) sound quality that has good synergy with bright or revealing speakers for listening to music. The pricing is also very reasonable for the quality, especially on the used market.

Emlyn wrote: »

I use an Emotiva product because it's a cheap home theater amp with plenty of headroom. It's got an unusually high gain design which results in a bright and noisy/grainy sound quality. Doesn't matter for home theater though. Actually works very well for that purpose, but I wouldn't use one for listening to music unless it was with low sensitivity speakers. I've had no quality control problems, but a look inside shows the parts quality and build quality to be low. I think the initial impression of many who buy Emotiva gear is "Wow, that sounds so much better than my receiver." Problem is, the amp's gain structure is cranked up by around 6dB over most amp designs, so it just sounds louder for the same relative input level.

I've used B&K products for the last decade because the mosfet designs of their amps result in a warm (laid back but still clear) sound quality that has good synergy with bright or revealing speakers for listening to music. The pricing is also very reasonable for the quality, especially on the used market.

Oh man............some people (EMO fanboy's) are gonna come unglued with this post . Duck for cover because the "idiot's" are going to be slinging ****.

The thing is NOBODY put down Emo in this particualar thread! Most simply just pointed out that because of how much longer B & K has been in business, it naturally has better name recognition and a good reputation. Therefore can charge prices accordingly.

Emo, due to their relatively young age is still working on both the above.

WTH was there to get bent out of shape about?

Just about EVERYONE who's been on this board for a while knows that I DON'T have an elitest bone in my body. I have had plenty of...discussions when I thought people were putting down other gear simply based on what it cost & the name attached to it.

There must be a full moon out cause people are acting whacky!

Again the facts speaker for themselves, and it is up to the OP to decide if he can afford one/both/listen and decide for himself!

That is pretty much what everyone here has said.

Now some of you hot heads, go take your medication and come back when you're calmer.

Been looking for prices for the B&K 200.3 but cant find any. It looks as if B&K is no longer offering this amp. Anyone know if this is true. How much does this amp go for new?

I currently own a B&K, REF 70 & 200.7 AMP, it is everything ever said about this product,
their website moto is "we simply sound better", B&K offers VERY High End Quality, at affordable prices, they are affectionately known as "Baby Krell" & if you check out Krell Amps, (Renowned) in the industry as the pinnacle, they run for about $22000.00 for a Monoaural (Single Channel Amp), B&K is known for being comparable at a fraction of the cost.
Hope this helps

Boy oh boy it's interesting how the same old forum bullies jump on everywhere time and again and resort to name calling and slander.
1.)ANYTHING TO DO WITH OUR SENSORY ORGANS ARE IS A PERCEIVED MATTER THAT WILL DIFFER FROM PERSON TO PERSON
2.)A SO CALLED "CHEAP ALTERNATIVE" CAN BE MADE TO SOUND VERY GOOD IN THE RIGHT APPLICATION IF INSTALLED AND SETUP BY SOMEONE THAT KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING!
3.)JUDGING BY THE CONSISTENT STREAM OF INSULTS FROM THE "SO CALLED INFORMED" AND NO TECHNICAL COMMENTS TO BACK THIS UP YOU MAY HAVE IDIOTS HERE THAT AREN'T EVEN USING THEIR "SUPERIOR PRODUCTS" TO IT'S FULL USE.
4.) OPINIONS ARE LIKE ****...EVERYONE HAS ONE!...SO USE YOUR OWN EARS KNOWING YOUR OWN BUDGET AND FORGET ABOUT THESE CLOWNS

Like FLYBOY9, I too am running a B&K Reference 70 Pre/Pro with the Reference 200.7 Amp. The amp is powering a full LSi setup. IMO, the sound is just amazing.

This past January, I switched from an Onkyo receiver that was very much underpowered for the LSi line. I limped along with the Onkyo until the B&K gear was in the budget. Patently waiting and now having B&K has been worth it!

I initially heard the LSi 9s hooked to B&K gear back in 2006. That is when I knew I had to go B&K.

My experience with B&K's customer service has been very positive and to top it all off, B&K is made here in the good old USA.

The older hands are trying to make a point to think long term, rather than short term.
The memory of the extra money spent will fade long before
the pain of an unreliable/poor performing piece of gear.
B&K was around long before they started making audio gear.
The amps I've listened to/owned were built like tanks. The Emotiva
is the new kid on the block. I've see threads out on the web on some
problems, but have no personal experience with them. The suggestion
to buy a lightly used B&K is never a bad idea. If your still shopping by price,
give it the Emotiva try and report back.