Price Paid:  $150.00 from individual

Summary:
Got this amp (second hand) from my tech. friend with AVP3000 pre-amp combo,both model 1996. I didn't take a second thought to take the units thou i knew they are several years model. It's a rare opportunity to meet this brand (new or even second hand) in my place. The dealer have already stopped selling this product few years backed 'coz of the Japanese names are dominating the market. This is my first separate amp.to power up my Paradigm Refence Studio 60v2 front channels (bi-wired with Cat-5e TNT-TTS configuration) and ease up the load of my Denon AVR-2802 for multi-channel reproductions. I could not compare with other amps 'coz I did'nt have the opportunity to test A/B between other amps and the best reviewed names are not available for compararison. All i can say is the overall improvement it made to my system. It rounded up the bass line, more detailed midrange, improved imaging, wider soundstage and crisper treble. I could not test its limit coz, my place is not favorable to do it or cops might be knocking on my door in few minutes. It is even smoother when my AVP3000 pre-amp is connected via XLR connections. It's a real music when i play my reference discs of different music genre, SADE's and EAGLE's DVD using my AVR-2802 for DD decoding. My only caveat is the balanced and unbalanced switch is shorted, I still hear sound when balanced or RCA cable is connected but the switch is off or vice-versa, so it means there is signal leakage in the switch. Associated Equipments: Denon Avr2802 (A/V-Pre/pro/Amp) - 90W X 6 B&K AVP3000 (Music Preamp) B&K ST-1400 (Power Amp) - 125w X 2 R&D VP300X (Power Amp) - 100w X 2 (bridgable) Technics ---- (Tuner) Panasonic RV32S (DVD/CD/MP3 player) Pioneer CTW503R (TapeDeck) refurbished JVC Hifi VCR JVC Interiart TV Paradigm Reference Studio 60 v.2 (Front) Bose 301 - II (Surround) - cone edge replaced JVC "mini sp" (Surround Back-Atom 1st choice) Optimus (Center-soon 2b replaced w/ cc-170) Monster Cable & Homegrown interconnects Cat-5e Homegrown Bi-wire speaker cables Accoustic Research & Proel SP Connectors Tripplite Power Adapter/Line Conditioner Stavol Power Stabilizer

Strengths:
Solid build,Sound quality,premium components, dual inputs (RCA/XLR), heavyduty binding posts.

Weaknesses:
Faceplate is very simple but not ugly. Power switch and light very ordinary type. Balanced & unbalanced switch could be on the front panel. Requires upgrade of some aging components.

Similar Products Used:
VP-300x amp use to power the Suround-Ex (american made),aging pioneer contempo model. audioned (MA-500, NAD-216THX, Denon POA-T10, Rotel amps (very expensive but rolled out from China plant of cheap l

Price Paid:  $440.00 from Tweeters

Summary:
I recently purchased a B&K ST2140 & a B&K PT lll pre amp/tuner. I've had no problems with either. The amplifier drives my Klipsch 45G'S with ease. The amp is both powerfull and clean. I am more than happy considering the price. I spent a good deal of time listening to Amplifiers that cost three times as much that didn;t sound any better. If you like good clean power at a great price give the B&K a listen.

Strengths:
Great power, definetley clean, Very tough to beat for the price

Weaknesses:
none that I have found

Price Paid:  $495.00 from individual

Summary:
This review is for the ST 2140 amplifier with the silver face.I bought this unit brand new from a fellow on audiogon.It is very well built,has solid connectors,etc.The sound is excellant. Plenty of low end power,excellant highs and lows.It really made my voice of the theatre speakers sound great.It will make a good CD sound great,and you will notice if a CD is recorded poorly.But that is what you should expect from a quality amplifier.It has excellant detail and clarity.And at 140 wpc it has more than enough power to drive any speaker. I currently have a very old pioneer CD player hooked up to this amp and it still sounds wonderful.I can''t wait until my new AMC CD8b arrives.I am sure it will make the amp sound better. My system: Audio Research SP6b pre-amp. Mirage frx-s8 sub. Altec Lansing Voice of the theatre speakers. B&K ST 2140 amp AMC CD8b Cd player soon to arrive.

Strengths:
Excellant clarity,dynamics,highs and lows. Great build quality.Removable power cord. Plent of power.

Weaknesses:
None so far.

Similar Products Used:
adcom 545 amp,audio research D52b amp, linn LK100 amp,yamaha M45 amp.

Price Paid:  $500.00 from Tweeter

Summary:
After auditioning other amps. I settled on the B&K 1400 II AMP, and the PT3 PRE AMP. Don't waste your time and money auditioning expensive equipment. The return shipping is a pain and expensive. The difference in sound is also subtle. I will stop now ( fear of being carpet bombed ).

Strengths:
3D, Good detail, Smooth, Fatigue free sound.

Weaknesses:
None.

Summary:
This review actually applies to the ST 2140 (for the model year 2001). The ST 2140 is the successor unit for the ST 1400 SII.

I do not have much to add, given the below reviews. However, I would note that the build quality of my unit appears to be quite good. After 100 hours of playing time, I have not experienced any problems with the unit; visually, the unit seems very sturdy and durable.

BTW, the sound it produces is superb: very revealing of the source material (a blessing and curse, considering the widely varying sonic quality of CDs) and muscular (the unit is very powerful and controls the low, mid and high musical ranges very well). I have not found that it colors the music at all. As much as I liked the NAD C740 that this amplifier replaces, it has transformed my system: it has significantly improved the dynamics and detail of music. It is like I have gained new speakers and CDP along with the amp. Given its price, this is a great amplifier.

Finally, I need to provide a plug for Roger Zabak at Tweeter (Kirby Drive location), who was very helpful and thoughtful.

System:
B&K pre/amp
B&W CDM1SE
NAD

Weaknesses:
none that am aware of

Similar Products Used:
Marantz, Rotel, NAD, Anthem