B K Reference 30 Audio/Video Preamp

The reviews in "The Perfect Sound" (TPS) and other similar A/V mags usually include the Parasound 2500 among the group of "best" pre/pro's. The 2500's price is close to the SP-1, but it is sometimes available used here on A-gon at a fairly good discount. If you can find a used SP-1 for around $2500-2800, it's a great unit that has a fully discrete analog circuit plus excellent digital surround processing. The SP-1 is modular, and Bryston will offer upgrades as the home theater and digital recording standards change.

The other pre/pros that I am familiar with for less money, such as the Adcom GTP-760, are a notch below the B&K 30 in audio quality, so you may not be satisfied. I am quite familiar with the Adcom 760, and think it offers very good performance for the money -- and the recent issue of TPS agrees.

The B&K uses the same preamp section on the 30 as their 307 receiver, so if it sounds no better then a receiver that is why, in that price range I would consider a classe ssp 30, the sunfire theater grande 2, personally I would go with the sunfire because imo their upgrade policy is the best around, if you can live without video switching the bryston sp1 is a good choice, good luck

I bought my B&K reference 30 about a month ago and I'm pretty happy with it.Before that I listened to quite a few pre/pros in it's price range including the parasound 2500u. My decision came down to choosing between the Anthem AVM2 and the ref 30. I posted here on Audiogon and listened to advise from some people who had the ref 30 and my decision to buy the B&K was sealed by the upgrade options on the B&K.
For the $2000 that I paid for my unit and it's performance I think you have to go up to the Tag McLaren or Krell to be able to better this unit once it is setup correctly with the right equipment.

Happy Hunting

Rommel