B&K Components Ref 20 A/V Preamplifier
B&K Components Ref 20 A/V Preamplifier
USER REVIEWS
[Dec 27, 2014]
Joshua hale
AudioPhile
This is my 7th preamp. I started with an Adcom GFP 400. Next was a B&K PT3. Then I tried a marantz avr600. Then I used a Kenwood C1 preamp. Then I had a Rotel RSP 1068. I finally quit playing around with used preamps costing under $200. Bought an Audio Research LS3B on EBay for $565 included shipping. The Audio research sounded the best. No surprise. However I discovered the balance dial doesn't works and the left input doesn't work. If you plug in just the right input it somehow plays both outputs for speakers. I'm sending back to seller for repair. In the meantime I bought a b&k reference 20 for $82 including shipping on EBay. Rated #1 to last goes as follows:
|
[Jul 01, 2011]
benlouie1372@hotmail.com
Casual Listener
I just got this on ebay for $150 no remote. Hooked it by with a avr6000series 2 . It blown by mind away. i was going to throw away my MB quart Domain 55. After 5 mins warm up, DTS comes to live. Dont waste you money to buy a Denon receiver with HD DTS. I had a 4308ci with all the features but B&k 20 with an amp will blow any receiver away. Seperates is always better that Receivers. |
[Sep 24, 2004]
Q-surf
AudioPhile
Strength:
Great 2 ch sound, solid build quality, factory support, onscreen setup menu
Weakness:
Slow volume response time and the volume knob is too heavily sprung. NO BALANCED OUTPUTS! Primarily a 2 channel listener but wanted the ability to upgrade to 5.1 in the future. The Ref20 offers no-compromise 2 channle hi-fi, and the flexibility for HT needs. Very happy with the sound. Tamed vocals/horns, and reaches deeper than my previous Denon pre. Not sure if it's the last word on soundstaging but it isn't suffering either. I wish like hell they'd put some balanced outputs (on a $2600 pre?!), Similar Products Used: Denon, Adcom, Proton |
[Nov 11, 2003]
Rob
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Remote is good. Button layout is not optimal but you can do a lot with it. Sound in DTS was great. Nice highs, tight bass. Bass in DD was ok, seemed to get out of control. Could be my speakers though, except that the bass is DTS was much tighter. Steering through the 5 surround channels was really good I think. You only notice the whole sound track experience and not just a channel at a time if you know what I mean. Get a cheap spl meter and set the delay correctly and it will sound good! Two channel sound was fine. I think if my speakers weren't so anal this puppy would sound better in 2 channel mode. I wanted to hook the ref 20 to a rotel amp to check it out. Pretty easy to use as well. I like that you can customize the startup message to put in something funny. Low level listening resulted in good quality. Hi level sound stayed together.
Weakness:
The button response time could be faster. Slight click when changing surround modes, but again I think its the speakers and the fact I have TERRIBLE power at my home. Power conditioner is next on my list. Bass management is basic. As well as the speaker setup (only small, large, etc). Not a big deal to most but I like to mess around. Video switching is ok. The onscreen display works, but with 90% of video switching equipment, you will see a loss of quality. Bass gets a little muddy in 2 channel mode. I have heard tighter. Really not bad though. At current used prices I think its a deal in the pre/pro area. I liked it but I that didn't stop me from selling it after 2 months, plus, I needed the money. I hear the lexicons are fun to play with, but the sound is ok. The Sony 9000 is good I hear and cheap now, so I'm gonna try that one. One plus on the sony is the fact you can find the service manual on the internet. Very conducive to mods.. that is my next move. Good pro/pre for the money. I think a warm sounding amp with very tight bass make this puppy sound pretty darn good. Good/great surround performance. Decent 2 channel. Good remote. Overall, good. Similar Products Used: Sony 9000, meridian 56X my uncle has. I have 2 meridian m60's and 3 M33's (amps are built in and are meridian, of course) |
[Mar 19, 2002]
kevineads
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Clean un colored sound
Weakness:
none I shopped a lot of pre amps before choosing the Ref 20. THe sound is uncompromising in HT mode and the Stereo mode is great also. The unit is upgradable to almost the same specs. as a Ref 30 for $900. Similar Products Used: Parasound AVC 2500u |
[Oct 18, 2000]
Allen
Casual Listener
Just a fast comment about the *great* service if you need it on your B&K Ref20. Mine has the very first Bios codes and wouldn't work with the newest digital satalite receviers for Dolby Digital. I called B&K and talked to Jerry in tech, and he personally watched for my unit to arrive and is running tests on it and giving it a complete update to the lastest everything. They are extremely nice and effecient in dealing with *any* problem that you have and I have *never had a better experience with a post-purchase piece of equipment. I have had my B&K for almost 2 years this next February and it has been a great addition to my setup. |
[Mar 23, 2000]
dzuy
Audiophile
Strength:
Flexibility, sound quality, digital inputs/outputs
Weakness:
no component video switching. Needs more bass management Let me begin by saying I love this preamp. It has so many inputs that you may never find enough source equipment to fill this thing. the beauty of this preamp is the large quantities of digital inputs and the flexibilty of using them. for example you can connect up to 3 cd players by using the analog, optical, and digital inputs to one input and let your preamp automatically switch between them. The soundquality is outstanding. The D/A converter is definitely a step up from most cd players. The unit is also beautiful to look at also, not one of these huge preamps. |
[Feb 24, 2000]
eb2cool
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
See Below
Weakness:
See Below This is an update to the review I posted below. After doing an initial evaluation, I selected the Sony TA-E9000ES over the B&K. Since then, I had to return the Sony because of a hardware problem (cross-talk). Now that I am in the market again for a preamp, I have widened by search to the: Similar Products Used: See Below |
[Nov 29, 1999]
Bob
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Sound quality for the money.
Weakness:
None I am very pleased with this pre-amp. I have had it for 6 months with no problems. I feel for the money it is an excellent buy. This unit out performed the Nakamichi and Adcom pre-pro's and was very close to the Sunfire in sound quality. I chose the B & K because of the price difference. I would recommend this unit to anyone looking for a preamp in the $2000 - $2500 price range. I was a little concerned about the qualty concerns that have been reported about this unit on this sight, but I have not experienced any problems with the Ref. 20 in the 6 months that I have had it. Similar Products Used: Nakamichi CA-1 |
[Aug 01, 2000]
Jason
Audiophile
Strength:
Sound Quality, Flexibilty
Weakness:
No direct surround sound options First of all, a little background story on my Home Theater addiction. Similar Products Used: H/K, JVC, Tested MANY (Arcus, Denon, Yamaha, Marantz, ect) |