B&K 125.2 S2.... Opinions PLZ

Options
Jer.War
Jer.War Posts: 180
edited April 2008 in Electronics
I am looking at this amplifier to power my LSI15's (hoping it will open up the bottom end a bit and give more overall control (running off a Yamaha RXV1800 now). I was looking at the specs and see that the damping factor is 180. Is that too low or am I misinterpreting the specs in some way. If anybody owns this amp and can give me a review on how well it stacks up w/ adcoms or rotels that would be great. I enjoy a warmer sound with full low end.
Thanks oh wise Audio Guruus:)

[The Ever-Evolving System

LSI15's (PNF Symphony cabels, modded X-Over and subs), LSIC, LSI7's, Rega Apollo CDP (PNF ICON ICs, modified PS cct.), Yamaha RXV-1700 w/ ipod dock, B&K REF200.2 (fronts) Samsung BDP-1600, XBOX360, Patriot Box Office Media Player, 42" Samsung LCD.
Post edited by Jer.War on

Comments

  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited April 2008
    Options
    "A high damping factor indicates that an amplifier will have greater control over the movement of the speaker cone, particularly in the bass region near the resonant frequency of the driver's mechanical resonance."

    This is why I like Adcom's over some other brands. With lower dampening factor some speakers like the older Polk's will pop, because the amp doesn't have the ability to control the cone movement.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,638
    edited April 2008
    Options
    It's a solid amplifier and damping factor is not something to worry your head about.
    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.
  • phuz
    phuz Posts: 2,372
    edited April 2008
    Options
    dorokusai wrote: »
    It's a solid amplifier and damping factor is not something to worry your head about.

    Seconded. DF >100 = teh win.

    I'm lovin' my 200.2 S2.
  • tcrossma
    tcrossma Posts: 1,301
    edited April 2008
    Options
    I have a 200.5 and think it matches wonderfully with the LSi15's. So while I don't have experience with that particular amp I'm guessing you'll be very happy with it.
    Speakers: Polk LSi15
    Pre: Adcom GFP-750 with HT Bypass
    Amp: Pass Labs X-150
    CD/DVD Player: Classe CDP-10
    Interconnects: MIT Shortgun S3 Pro XLR
    Speaker cables: MIT MH-750 bi-wire
    TT:Micro Seiki DD-35
    Cartridge:Denon DL-160
    Phono Pre:PS Audio GCPH
  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,637
    edited April 2008
    Options
    I know that amp very well. After dampening factor gets over 80, you can assure it wil handle most if not all speakers properly. It goes to 185 watts in a 4 ohm load and does it very very well. It will make your Lsi's sing. I also feel you should consider a B&K preamp. This will really make a bigger difference then just the amp alone. It will provide the correct amount of current required by your speakers but sound quality is going to be still of the sound of Yamaha.

    I really like B&K gear. It's so solid.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,697
    edited April 2008
    Options
    I owned this amp for a while

    Pretty solid monster. Couldn't get it to clip.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,638
    edited April 2008
    Options
    That says alot about your listening habits on gear.....but who hasn't tried to push the envelope now and then huh? :)
    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.
  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited April 2008
    Options
    I power my LSi9's in my HT with the B&K 125.2. As noted, solidly built high quality amp with great sound quality.
    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
  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited April 2008
    Options
    This would have been a nice amp. for the money

    http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1212441203
  • Jer.War
    Jer.War Posts: 180
    edited April 2008
    Options
    Thanks for the quick replies, and good advice. Now I just need to scrounge up some funds :p

    [The Ever-Evolving System

    LSI15's (PNF Symphony cabels, modded X-Over and subs), LSIC, LSI7's, Rega Apollo CDP (PNF ICON ICs, modified PS cct.), Yamaha RXV-1700 w/ ipod dock, B&K REF200.2 (fronts) Samsung BDP-1600, XBOX360, Patriot Box Office Media Player, 42" Samsung LCD.