BBE Sonic Maximizer


Hello members.

I'm new here, and this is my first post.

I'm intimidated to even ask this question, due to the anticipated response.

Basically I have a mid/low-end system.

I'm running a pair of KT-88 /12ax7 mono-blocks, with either Ohm Walsh speakers, or vintage epicure speakers.

Recently a friend of mine brought over a BBE Sonic maximiser, and asked me to try it out. I think it sounded great. I just bought one for myself. I'm really enjoying this little processor.

Has anyone else here tried one of these out? If so, was it a positive or negative experience for you?

I recently read a review, that it’s like taking the blanket off your speakers, I agree with this statement.

At first I was wondering if it just brightened things up, but I don’t think that’s the case. My soundstage seemed to be un-touched.

Is my perceived success with this item due to the fact that I'm under-powering my ohms with my low powered mono's, or am I on to something?
klama2006
I used the BBE Sonic Maximizer quite a bit in the late 80's when CD's first came out. I had quite a few concert recordings that were just of so so quality (bootlegs) and the BBE really improved the sound. I was using both EPI 100's and Boston Acoustic Towers at the time with a Pioneer 636 receiver; Teac CD player; and Dual turntable.

I tried one a few years back with some of my present equipment and I disliked the difference it made. My listening tastes have also changed (more opera and classical now and less rock).

Regards, Rich
I'm glad we had a few members with positive input to re inforce your feeling. For most of us here we're doing the upgrading one step at a time. Meaning a few years down the road our systems may have gotten better. If you like this "step" that should be "enough"/ forget what anybody says. A part of training my ears has been owning better and better as my budjet has allowed/ over a period of time.
You got one and love it--What more can be said?
Thanks for all the responses. I’m glad to see I’m not the only one here who has enjoyed this product.

Compared to many of the posters here I know that I’m very inexperienced in this subject matter, and have only found myself hooked on audio for about a year now.

Getheleadout, I'm also using the 482i, which I assume is similar. My friend has the 482, and I did not notice any difference between the two models other than the color of the case. (But, I did test them about 6 weeks apart). I may take up your advice with the DBX range expander. If it does not work in the above mentioned system, I have a couple other’s scattered around the house that it may help out in.

I do keep another tube system that I take the direct path minimalist approach in.

I'm keeping an open mind in all of this, and experimenting with many different products. I do not yet know exactly what type of sound I like yet. I’m finding that various components behave differently in my systems, and what works great for one of them, can sound absolutely terrible in another.

I starting to believe that it’s nearly impossible to set up a single system that excels in all types of music, but I have not wandered into the territory of anything that is really considered high end yet.
I too have a bbe. Mine was the first design for home audio. I just bought the 480i to upgrade to their newest chip design. I dont have it yet , but looking foward to the experience. I would not have an audio system ( within a normal budget) with out one! I have tube amps, bbe, lascalla. Not a bad start. I like this setup soooooooooooo much i may NEVER change! Keep up the bbe drum. It will change lives. :)
Has anyone used a newer BBE Sound Maximizer in a 2 channel stereo system?

I was looking at this specific model.

BBE Sound BBE882i - Dual Mono Sonic Maximizer with Balanced XLR I/O Connectors

I found that as I have improved my stereo equipment certain CDs I have just don't sound as good. I believe it to be due to how the CD is recorded.

Now none of my equpiment has XLR inputs or outputs (just conventional RCA inputs/outputs) so I was going to use XLR adapters. Would this be an issue the BBE Sound Maximizer?

Thanks in advance.
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