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B&K Components Reference 5 S2
B&K Components  Reference 5 S2
MSRP: $

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Rating
Reviewed by:

cocopeep

(Audio Enthusiast)

Review Date
November 29, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 3.00 votes

Rate this review?

Review 1 of 1

Price Paid:  $699.00 from longplayer stereo -

Summary:
A great souding preamp, this model replaces my old B&K CS117, as I needed more imputs and remote control. After 30 hours of break-in, this preamp opened up to a warm, yet open soundstage that I use with B&K ST-202 power amps that are BI-Amped. This has plenty of outputs, incliuding one for a line level sub and low pass filter.
Another feature this preamp has, is the blue display that allows the user to see (even from my chair) what source is seleted ie. video 1, cd,tuner (built in), etc. Adjustable brightness, the display is alpha-numeric, and each source except for the tuner can even be renamed by the user!
The tuner that is built in to this is ok, and features 40 presets. So after buying this and if you already have a tuner, you could sell your old tuner to help pay for this, like I did. The remote also controls this tuner which is great, because my old tuner had no remote anyway.
This preamp features gold rca and balanced outputs that felt firm when plugging in cables to them, separate AC power cord, which allows user to upgrade in the future if desired. This is a great piece of audio equipment for the money, and is comparable and well featured for something below $1k.

Strengths:
flexability in connections, great sound, full featured remote allows full programmability from chair.

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
B&K CS117, 1991 model
Harmon Kardon integrated amp (not as good) 1989 model


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