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And B&K owners here?

I have the ST 140 (105 w version) powering my ZU Omen Defs. Great low end and very smooth, non fatiguing mids and highs. More than enough power ( my Zus are 101 Db efficient). 

Although I love the amp, I will be upgrading this year. I’m thinking of a new Yamaha AS2100 or a used MAC. I want SS.

I thought about the Musical Concepts B&K upgrade, but figured I should go newer.

I heard a Yamaha as2100 a while back with the standard Omens and was taken back how deep and wide the music sounded. It was fantastic.

I’ll hang on to my B&K for a second system. I had a custom faceplate made so it would fit in cabinet.

Just curious how how others like their B&K amps and what they upgraded to?


aberyclark
lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes
702 posts
 
I had an ST140 many years ago and also the EX442 Sonata, both were great amps and very tubelike.  I replaced them both for tube amps.  Scary how tubey those B&K's sound.

If replacing the ST140 for another SS amp, I'd look for Mosfets like a PS Audio Vs. getting an amp with bipolar outputs.  I think the Sonographe and cj solid state amps are very warm sounding as well.  VSP Labs were incredible amps back in the day too.  Perreaux, Tandberg, and Aragon made nice amps too but never heard them.   I did have an Acurus at one time, an 80 wpc one, was warm like the ST140 but probably not any better....Forte, Muse, and PSE are also other very musical amps as well.  

aberyclark OP
1,410 posts
 
Just curious, how much sound characteristic differences between the st140 vs the ex442? Which did you prefer?
mesch
3,530 posts
 
Loved my B&K ST-140! Bought it n 1985 and sold it here on AG in 2012. If I had it now I would consider talking to Musical Concepts regarding a refurbish and/or mod.  
lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes
702 posts
 
The EX442 is 200 into 8, 360 into 4 with 75 amps peak to peak, while the ST140 was only 105 wpc and 28 amps I think.  The EX442 just sounded much beefier.  I had them at 2 different times so I couldn't A/B them.  When I sold the EX442, I immediately hooked up a pair of custom Paoli M70's (60 wpc - 8417 monoblocks) and immediately remarked that it was extremely difficult to tell the two amps apart.  The EX442 Sonata is that tubey sounding.

Which is better?  I think its all about system synergy and the speakers you are using.  Both are great amps & there are many who think that the lowest powered amp in a mnfr's lineup sounds best because there are less outputs in the amp.  Many think power corrupts (I'm talking hifi here, not politics :)
aberyclark OP
1,410 posts
 
Thanks for info. I thought about the Musical Concepts mod, BUT, I'm still thinking new amp. The new Yamahas really look appealing to me. I can catch a refurbished SR2100 for about $2500 on Assesories4less. It's just waiting for one to pop up. The SR3000 really looks nice, but for $6000 + we are looking at McIntosh territory. I know I could get a vintage MAC for $2500 -$3000, but I think I'll go new
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