Sonic quality. Room EQ settings Lot''s of memory settings for modes of operation

No bass mix for stereo "direct" mode

I recently had my B&K Ref10 upgraded to the Ref20+, which has pretty much the same guts as the Ref30 but without the component video switching, firewire interface, THX, and DVD-A analog inputs. Except for component video switching, I could care less about those features-- especially that miserable THX post-processing. The sonic improvements with the upgraded 96/24 A/D/A conversion circuitry were definitely noticeable. I actually did not expect any change, and was pleasantly surprised to hear a smoother, more detailed sound. This is true with DD5.1 as well as straight 2 channel PCM sources. With this upgrade, I now have an easier time arguing that the unit is in the realm of high-end audio. DTS is very nice. I''m becoming a believer that there''s generally an improvement in their soundtrack over the DD5.1 equivalent. Glad to finally have it on board. Relays clicking and popping? Yep. Whenever I switch sources, surround modes, and speaker configurations. It doesn''t bother me at all, since I really don''t switch sources/modes a whole lot. It''s the sound quality in between that''s important. I really like the software/firmware features and programmability of this piece. Lot''s of memory settings and all accessible through a PC interface. Love, absolutely LOVE, the room EQ settings. Was able to notch out an annoying bass hump quite easily. I''m amazed at all the features packed into this thing. Even though the on-screen video overlay lacks any graphical sexiness, it is very useful and allows access to a dizzying array of modes and options. Takes a few days to get a handle on it, but definitely will provide for whatever sonic configuration you can think of. Good job, B&K! One complaint: the Stereo "direct" mode does not provide a sum channel to the subwoofer output. Therefore, analog sources such as SACD will not have a subwoofer signal in this mode. Disapointing, but not a deal-breaker by any means. The work around is to keep the unit in 2-channel digital mode, which does A/D/A on the input and provides all the bass management features and room EQ. This is acceptable to me only because the quality of the conversion in this piece is so good. Very happy with the unit.

Similar Products Used:

Ref10

Great when working properly

Have had some problems with unit.

I too have had problems with the unit seemingly overheat and all sound becomes very distorted and unlistenable. It seems to happen most after being on a long time but at low volume levels. (Like watching tv at night) It goes away after I turn the unit off for a while but this is not acceptable. I am waiting to take the unit in when I will be gone for a while to minimize my "down time". I have added a fan to my A/V rack which reduced the frequency of the problem but has not completely eliminated it. (Also creates fan noise which I hate) Does anyone know what is doing this and if permanent damage to the unit has been done?

Sound quality for music. Versatility of set up options (once you learn how to use the thing fully). Clarity of center channel dialog on dvd''s.

Perhaps I got a defective unit, but after my unit warms up for several hours, I can only listen to analog sources in "direct" mode -- any other mode severely distorts the sound.

I am quite happy with this unit overall, which I am using to drive a B&K Ref 7250 amp and Vandersteen 2ci speakers. I never new my Vandys could sound this good! The clarity of the sound is very good on good source material, but it will also reveal the warts on bad recordings. Soundstaging isn''t "incredible", but this may have more to do with my room and speakers than the B&K components.

Similar Products Used:

Upgraded from Marantz SR8000 receiver. Listened to Lexicon unit in a store (MC12?).

Notch filter, Bass setup, easy to install. Love the options this unit has

None

The Ref 30 is the best in its class and better. I never heard HT any better then this. I use this porduct with the Ref 7250 amp. Blew me out of the water with 5.1 surround. I am very happy with this product and feel i''ll have it a long time to come. Look around and really listen. You will be coming back to the product everytime. Clicking sound is so minnor i don''t know what the big deal is. Clicks between sources such as TV to DVD. Never had a clicking problem when channel surfing or change a CD. No sure what the poster below is stating. Sounds like he has another problem in his equipment? Its not the Ref 30 for sure

simple setup, upgradability, unbelievable number of inputs

rca connectors too close, no dts-es

forget about lexicon or meridian. you are simply paying a lot more just for the namesake.

b&k ref 30 certainly makes my listening level more enjoyable. be it music or home theater. naturally it has to be set-up properly before you can enjoy listening to it. so please read the manual couple of times to fully understand the available options.

my set-up:
mirage om-5 as main
mirage om-c2 as center
mirage om-7 as surround
b&k ref 7250
b&k ref 7250 amp
rotel 951 cd player (modified)
pioneer dvd-737 dvd player
audience au-24 interconnects (all)
ecosse speaker cables
barco cine-7 projector
stewart studiotek 82" screen

i auditioned several systems (krell, mcintosh, lexicon and tag mclaren) however i just couldn't justify paying a lot more. in my humble opinion, ref 30 performance is only second to lexicon, only by a shade mind you...

and do not forget that the lexicon costs you a huge fortune...

what will make the ref 30 even a better buy is when they have dts-es.. that i believe, will kill all competition.

ref 30 is definitely a high quality product and it should be at the top of your shopping list... no two way about it!

the best pre amp I ever heard

none

this pre is detail and very sweet sound better that bryston sp-1

Similar Products Used:

harman kardon

Features, flexibility, sound quality, upgradable

No Balanced outputs, slight click when swiching audio modes and when ejecting CDs.

This THX Ultra certified processor/controller has it all: Component Video switching, Dolby Digital EX, DTS decoding, flexible bass management, DVD Audio inputs, two zones, lots of inputs of all types, AM/FM tuner, plus excellent sound quality with both music and movies. It uses 24 bit/96kHz DACs and ADCs, an improvement over their previous products.

The build quality looks good from the outside, but the unit seems lightweight compared to similar products - only 10 pounds. Fit and finish are excellent.

The Reference 30 is fairly easy to setup using the on-screen menus or its large digital display. The manual is comprehensive with lots of tables to describe the various options.

There aren't any gimmicky processed sound effect modes, but you can enjoy music piped through as many or as few speakers as you'd like, i.e. I can listen to Stereo music in 2 channel, 3 channel or 5 channel; my preference is still 2 channel stereo and it serves as an excellent stereo processor/preamp.

The remote is a familiar model used by many manufacturers of audio/video equipment. It is a learning remote and I found it to be quite useful. Just about everything can be done using the remote.

The only quirks that I've seen so far seen are the following:
1. The first 2 - 3 seconds of the first track is cutoff when playing CDs.
2. Audible click when audio modes are automatically switched and when CDs are ejected.
3. Occasional weirdness with the display periodically illuminating when the unit is in Sleep mode - I only saw this once and turning the main power off and on again seemed to resolve it. But with these things running so much software, its amazing they work as good as they do. So whenever I see anything strange, I always re-boot.

The Reference 30 is an overall excellent piece of audio/video gear and a decent value considering its capabilities, flexibilty, and as B&K claims upgradability.

Huge Soundstage, Quality Build, DD, DTS, EX, DVD-A Ready, Design, Universal Remote, Tons of digital & analog inputs including component video, Designed & build in the USA, price

Boy the search is finally over ! After looking for over 8 months I have finally went for the Reference 30. I wanted to replace my Adcom Pro-Logic so I could enjoy the benefits of my soon to be purchased DVD player.

When I first learned about B&K I was introduced to The Reference 20 and was told that with the Ref 30 coming out in the summer 2000 I could get a good deal. With DD, DTS and a bigger soundstage I was prepared to go for it.

However, the ref 20 had a couple features that I did not like.

1) spring loaded gain control ( you have to turn hold for the gain to react)
2) lack of DVD-A Inputs
3) lack of componet video switching


When I was told the the Ref 30 would list only a couple hundred dollers more, I was sold.

Currently I have only utilzed this preamp for its musical abilites. The Ref 30 was brought the potential of my system. It Rocks

The on-screen display ensures easy set-up while the remote replaced all of my remotes.

For the price it is a excellent value.

My System

B&K Componets Reference 30
Adcom GFA-6000 (5 ch amp)
Monster Power HTS-2500
Sony 535 CD Changer (soon to be replaced by Sony 9000ES)
Monitor Audio MA-700 Front
Monitor Audio Center
Montior Audio M-7 Rear
Def Tech Pro Cinema 100 sub
Audioquest Coral interconnnects

Similar Products Used:

Adcom GTP-550 (REF 30 replaced it),Adcom 750,B&K Components Ref 20, Denon 5700, Denon 4800,Denon 8000 Marantz 9000

GOOD SOUND!

CONFUSING FLEXABILITY

DAVID,FIRST OFF,I HAD TAKEN YOUR REVIEW VERY SERIOUSLY ALL THE WAY UP TO WHEN YOU SAID YOU HAD AN APEX PLAYER.MAN,I HATE TO TELL YOU THIS BUT,THATS THE MAIN SOURCE OF YOUR PROBLEM RIGHT THERE.GRANTED,IT IS A DVD PLAYER BUT,A VERY LOW GRADE ONE AT BEST(IN TERMS OF VIDEO AND AUDIO QUALITY).AND,IF YOU DONT BELIEVE ME...CHECK IT OUT FOR YOUR- SELF ON THIS SITE UNDER THE APEX REVIEWS.SO,THIS IS THE LESSION FOR THE DAY:DON'T MIX AND MATCH LOW END EQUIPMENT(APEX) WITH HIGH END STUFF(B&K).THATS LIKE TRYING TO MIX METAL WITH CLAY AND EXPECTING FABULOUS RESULTS.TRUST ME,IT DOESNT WORK.SO,IF YOU WANT GOOD SOUND.MATCH A HIGH END TRANSPORT LIKE SONY'S 7700 OR PIONEER'S DV 05 TO YOUR B&K AND WATCH A DRAMATIC TRANSFORMATION TAKE PLACE.NOW,MY PIONT IS THIS,THE b&K REFERENCE 20 WASNT NOTHING TO REALLY RIGHT HOME ABOUT AT ALL BUT,THE REFERENCE 30 IS REALLY SOMETHING SPECIAL IN TERMS OF OVERALL QUALITY OF SOUND AND SIGHT.

Similar Products Used:

LEXICON DC 1

too few front panel buttons - looks good but controlling functions requires menu operation

This unit is overall fantastic. When you start to play with it and get a sense of what it can actually do you will be amazed. The sound is great, especially 2ch stereo. I listened to some more expensive units, which also sounded great, but at this price point the B&K is king. The main problem, as I said above, is that the front panel only has about 8 buttons, which looks very elegant but requires several button presses for a simple function. The remote makes up for this though. The unit comes with a B&K branded HomeTheaterMaster 9000, which has preprogrammed codes for just about anyhting on the market and can learn anything it doesn't already know. The unit also runs a little warm. I first had it on top of something else so it wasn't getting enough air space to cool it. It acted a little quirky one time. I rearranged the components, which I had planned to do anyway. Now it has about 5 inches of air above it, runs much cooler, and no problems whatsoever. Aside from a couple of VERY minor complaints, this unit is a gem. I would enthusiastically recommend it to anyone.

My home theater system:

B&K Ref 30
Bryston 4B-ST (for two main speakers)
ATI 1505 (for center, surrounds, and two Niles OS-20s outside on the patio)
Ah!Tjoeb 4000
SonyES CD changer
Sony MD
Sony DVP9000ES
Monster HTS3500 power center
Energy Veritas 2.3 mains
Veritas 2.0C (center) and 2.0Rs (surrounds)
Niles OS-20s (outside)
Kimber 8TC (double run to main speakers)
Tributaries (double run to center, single to surrounds and outdoor speakers)
Wireworld Polaris III IC's

Similar Products Used:

auditioned EAD and Lexicon