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Review 2 of 2
Price Paid:
$850.00
from Audio Classics Vesta Summary:
This review is actually for the B & K Reference 200.2 version/series I power amp.
This site is a fantastic resource for researching potential audio equipment purchases. So I am disappointed with the lack of reviews for modern B & K components such as the 200.2 amp or Reference 50 pre/pro. I post this in hopes that this write up proves helpful to the next interested individual.
I purchased this unit preowned from a reputable dealer, hence, the $850 pricetag. I have owned the product for approx. two years, and in that time I have not had any problems with the unit. I love this amplifier!!!
The B & K Reference 200.2 is my first experience with separates. I had always owned and used mid-fi stereo receivers for some twenty years and was satisfied. When home-theatre became extremely popular, I acquired my first multi-channel audio/video receiver - the Denon AVR 2802 - in 2002. Shortly thereafter, I upgraded my seriously outdated BSR loudspeakers circa 1982, and slowly began adding the center and surround speakers to complete my first home theatre system.
After about a year, I began craving more volume for two-channel cd playback. I was aware that my Denon had preouts to run a separate amp. A local dealer in the Binghamton, NY area allowed me to test drive the Rotel RB 1070 130wpc amp. WOW!!! I noticed an IMMEDIATE difference in the warmth and richness of the sound. In addition, I became aware of an imaging I had never experienced before. Sad to admit for someone who has been into music and stereos for a very long time. The singer's voice seemed to be floating directly between my two main speakers as if he or she were sitting right there. I never achieved that effect with any receiver, ever. I was hooked. I loved the sound quality and power of the Rotel, however,I wanted a power amp of at least 200wpc. Never hearing of B&K before, I really just stumbled onto this amplifier.
Well..., the Reference 200.2 was every bit as rich and warm sounding as the Rotel; I cannot further compare the two units as I only had the RB 1070 for less than a week. I definitely prefer the more polished and refined aesthetic design of the B&K, however. It is just a gorgeous showpiece. The amp has plenty of power, and very pleasingly, runs only lukewarm after being pushed with two-channel material or a high-action movie soundtrack. I initially intended to only purchase an amp to supply more power to my mains for stereo listening. However, I became more and more of a home-theatre enthusiast. My main amp sounded soooo beautiful, I wanted to duplicate this in the rest of my system.
I felt that ambient surround sound effects should not require 200 watts to perform, and that buying the Reference 200.5 to match would be overkill. Therefore, I purchased the B&K AV125.5 (see review this site). This runs my center, left/right surrounds, and eventual surround rears when true 7.1 dvd's become available. I did not notice the immediate improvement in sound quality like I did with my main amp. Perhaps the 90 wpc Denon has sufficient quality power to operate the surrounds and closely competes with the AV125.5 to the point of undetectability. Perhaps over twenty years of rock concerts, garage bands, and car stereo systems have muted my ability to pick out subtleties in critical listening. Nevertheless, I am happy that I made the upgrade as I know that the quality is there in the B&K, and now my Denon can operate more efficiently as a preamp without the added strain of powering multi-channels. Plus, I now have a second showpiece in my system.
For anyone confused whether to go with a quality receiver vs. separates, much like I was. Let me tell you that this is a no-brainer for me now. A separate component system will open up and sing for you, revealing nuances and a smooth richness in your music like you have never experienced. I am only hearing the half of it as I am sure that using my mid-fi Denon receiver as a preamp/processor does not equal the sound quality of a dedicated high-end pre/pro! I only wish that I discovered this years ago.
My components:
Denon AVR 2802 (used as pre/pro)
B&K Reference 200.2 (powering mains)
B&K AV125.5 (powering center, L&R surrounds)
(2) PS Audio xStream Power Plasma power cords for amps
Monster Power Reference 3500mkII conditioner
Paradigm Monitor 9's v.1
Paradigm CC 350 center
Paradigm ADP 370 surrounds
Paradigm Mini Monitors for eventual back surrounds when discrete 7.1 is here.
Velodyne CT110 sub
outdated 27" Sony Trinitron
cheap Samsung DVD player M101
JVC HR VP656u Hi-fi VCR
Various interconnects and speaker cables from Monster, Tributaries, and Apature Strengths:
Sound quality, build quality, elegant sophisticated look, operates cool after extended use, classy protective dust shrouds on binding posts. Weaknesses:
If I were forced to come up with something, the rubber footers look cheap, and the power cord does not fit into back of amp as tightly as it could IMO. By the way, neither does the boasted PS Audio Similar Products Used:
Rotel RB 1070, AV 125.5
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