B&K ST 202+


Hello,
I am new here and I have a few questions. I have an old B&K St 202+ amp and a matching Pro 5 pre. The amp works great and in fact, it is too powerful for the PSB B25's that I used to test it. The preamp has a burned out power light and the lettering on the units is blue. The RCAs on the back of the amp are not marked and I have no way of knowing how much power there really is. These units were built by a B&K employee for my former neighbor. I do not need this much power and I am leaning toward a smaller Arcam and Rotel system in the near future. This equipment seems in pretty good shape and does it have any value? How do I know the wattage?
frisco64
One other thing, it seems you some-what are new to this game, Try a better cd/source, you wouldn't believe the difference that alone can and WILL make. Try Audio Refinement by YBA, I did and I have never heard a finer player under $3k, I am proud to say, it kills my Denon 1650AR player and made a HUGE difference in sonics.
Alpha_03

Yes, I am relatively new to this game and perhaps I am in over my head. The truth of the matter is that I try to make the best moves possible because it is hit or miss with me. I just do not have the finances to play real hardball right now. I speak very highly of PSB because they have always been loyal speakers to me. Furthermore, perhaps they are all that I know. I grew up on Marantz, Pioneer and Harmon Kardon. When I Bought my first NAD in the 1990's I thought I hit the big time. I am in the midst of a career change right now after realizing that I am not going to save the world. Its tough to be roaming a college campus again in my early 40's. Next year I will be in a better position to purchase what I want again, but I have to start somewhere.
Another thing. I realize there are better speakers and I absolutely drool when I see them. Dynaudio has a Contour series, the S 1.4 that I just know is superior. Thiel looks outstanding also. I still believe PSB is a great speaker, but like I said, I do not have the window of experience that most of you have.
I gave up my older Bryston Amp for a rebuilt B+K EX442. The older B+K amps are great. I have since moved on to a Threshold Amp. But if you don't keep the B+K the McCormack is a very good choice.
Hello Benie,
I like my B&K but I am trying to move on. I am trying to sell the amp and pre, and I sometimes I debate whether I should just take it in and have it updated. Is this possible? I don't even know the year these units were built. Circa 1992 I am guessing. Maybe even newer. The markings resemble the Sonata Series. I do know one thing, the previous owner had litle knowledge of what he had. He was friends with some B&K Techs and they custom built it for him. He relied on his friends to install it for him also. I live near Buffalo and B&K headquarters but the price of restoring these units would probably equal the expense of a new amp...or close to it. This time last year I had a house and more room. I just want something in the 100 watt range anyway. I'm switching speakers also.
Hello again,

If you decide to switch speakers, the Dynaudio lines, Vandersteen's, and the Theils (expensive and require very good amplifiers to really "sing") are good, but for the money, have a look at B&W's 600 or 700 series line, they are very good- depending of your choice of music of course. If you are into jazz or classical, give the Maggies or Martin Logans an listen they are more real then ANY speaker I have ever heard, however, for live output levels they will require a sub and good amplification.

What exactly are you looking for? What type of music do you mostly listen to? Consider this before you buy.