B&K PRO-10MC Pre-Amp & B&K ST-202 Amplifier

[dorokusai]

B&K PRO-10MC Pre-Amplifier - 8/10 - Black - *SOLD*

This is one hell of a pre-amp/ amplifier combination but I listed the pieces individually. Both have been completely gone over and I've added Dynamat, internally, to both components. I would prefer to sell them as a pair but I'm flexible. They both have a few chassis scratches but they're still very presentable and the heat sink fins are perfect. Neither unit has EVER been rack mounted.

These are from the early days of B&K, when it was just BK Components(1981), the gear is circa 1985. They pulled out the stops for their debut lineup and it shows in the build quality and internal component choices.

The pre-amplifier is sought after for it's solid Noble potentiometers, great phono stage and straightforward design. It reminds me of NAD in the 80's, of which the pre-amps are still highly praised for their phono stage and design. It's a sonic upgrade over the previous PRO-5MC and not as electrically cluttered as the later Sonata.

This was a Stereophile Class C component, way back in the day....sure, not a Class A but it certainly made the list of memorable gear. The sound is clean, detailed and warm...almost tubelike.

Inputs? There are 6, including a tape monitor for you old school folks. The rear end is a plethora of high quality, gold plated RCA terminations straight to PCB. There's are two pairs of pre-outs for those of you that own a 2CH subwoofer.

It's 100% functional and all connections have been cleaned and treated with CAIG products. It will be packed to withstand an atomic blast.

UPDATE: The unit recently had a factory checkup. A new switch was installed and its been fully bench tested. You won't find a better PRO10MC on the market unless you find it new in box. This is THE one.

Includes: Original everything, including factory packaging and a fancy velcro strap for the power cord.

B&K ST-202 Amplifier - 7/10 - Black - *SOLD* to OPUS

This is the second piece and it's just a ballbuster amplifier. This is the first old school B&K amp I've actually owned and simply loved it.

I rated it a 7/10 because it has a few dings in the faceplate edge and some very small spots on the faceplate that I can't seem to remove with GooGone. I have no idea what they are and not a big deal but worth mentioning.

This is a Class A pre-driver, dual mono, common ground design. It has a 300kva, dual wound toroid transformer with 12 oz. soda can sized capacitors. You won't have ANY power delivery problems. It's 4ohm stable.

150wpc@8ohms
200wpc@4ohms

It's been spec'd and some internal tidbits seemed to have some wiggle, so I tightened down EVERYTHING in the chassis. It has a couple straps of Dynamat added to the chassis for resonance control. The inside is immaculate, dust free and the heatsinks are downright dangerous.

It's 100% functional and all connections have been cleaned and treated with CAIG products. It will be packed to withstand an atomic blast.

UPDATE: It recently had a complete factory checkup. A new lighted switch was istalled, B&K spec fuses installed and a component level upgrade on both the L&R channels. It was bench tested, the bias was set and it was tested @ full power. You won't find a better working example of this amplifier. It might not be a physical 10, but it sure as hell runs like one.

Includes: Original everything, including factory packaging nd a fancy velcro strap for the power cord.

S002CM01ORPBK
S003202STBK

[dorokusai]

Thanks go out to new member, and new SDA owner, SCOOTCHU for sending me these PDF's of older B&K gear. Thanks man!

The previous pictures are prior to the Dynamat being applied....if that wasn't allready obvious :) I'll post them later.

[ben62670]

Thanks for the pics. Straight up no BS clean well built stuff like that just brings tears to my eyeshttp://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/sad/sad0049.gif

[dorokusai]

Thanks for your service to all things Adcom :D

[ben62670]

I noticed that the grout line on one of your tiles is off:p

Seriously. Seriously please. How do you get all of your stuff so clean before you sell it. I am going to be selling a GFA-545 soon, and it has some dust in it. light, but I would like to get rid of it anyways. What works well inside, and out of older amps like these. I so respect the build quality, but would like to have a like new look on all my amps. I am going to be running my 565's, and a 585 on my speakers, and a fresh clean look would be nice.
Thanks
Ben

[dorokusai]

Ancient Japanese secret.

It's mainly incense, naked women, squirrels and long batons made of bamboo....the rest just works itself out.

[ben62670]

I knew this wasn't going to work "Seriously. Seriously please."
But I am good at riddles. I am off to purchase much Calgone.
Thanks dude.
You rock!

[dorokusai]

Great 2CH rig, ready to plug into the wall and power whatever you want.

[sucks2beme]

The st-202 is a great amp. It has a nice, warm sound.
It took a good tube amp to beat it.
The only down side is the rca connectors are in a PITA spot.

[jakelm]

Great 2CH rig, ready to plug into the wall and power whatever you want.

This would work perfectly for me. It would blend very well with my current B&K. But my wall sockets cant take anymore...lol:eek:

[dorokusai]

I'll throw in an outlet strip for free :)

[bopicasso]

Would this amp be an upgrade from the amp in my onkyo 805 for my rti8s?

[Ricardo]

Yes, definitely an upgrade from your receiver.

That pre is also very nice; I have one around as back up and my only complaint is no remote. Age makes you lazy. It does have a great MM/MC phono stage.

[stereo_luver]

comparison of the Rotel 1070 and the B&K 10. Your thoughts please.

Chuck

[dorokusai]

Would this amp be an upgrade from the amp in my onkyo 805 for my rti8s?

Bopicasso - Absolutely, and thanks Ricardo :)

I agree. There are ALOT of smoking vintage pre-amps, this included, and a remote control is a nice feature for us old folks ;) I wish it had one.

[dorokusai]

comparison of the Rotel 1070 and the B&K 10. Your thoughts please.

Chuck

Welcome back sick boy....looks like both of us are getting old.

There's 20+ years between these units so they will exhibit completely different tonality. The B&K is warm and tube like, with a lush midrange. The Rotel is and should be a bit more crisp on the top end. I've not found Rotel gear to exhibit any particular sonic signature that stands out to me. However, that's one of the things I like about Rotel.

The phono stage on the Rotel is generic but has more gain than the B&K. That may or may not be a factor for you, depending on your turntable or lack thereof. The B&K was designed with vinyl in mind, the Rotel phono stage is included as an afterthought.

The remote is nice and so is the IEC but the latter can be easily integrated into the B&K. If you want, I'll do it if you're interested. I may do it anyways if I get bored while I'm recuperating, like you I guess :)

That's about all that pops into my head at the moment. Let me know if you have any additional questions.

[AndyGwis]

I have owned both of these models before. They make a GREAT 2 channel setup on a budget. If you can live without remote, you won't find better sound for the money anywhere.

Good phono stage as well. Great build quality. I like the looks a lot as well, very handsome together, but YTMV.

[dorokusai]

Thanks Andy!

[beardog03]

I like the no BS design...

dead sexy IMO

I wish I had the $$....I would be all over it
I`m just a tad extended right now



A No Brainer

[bopicasso]

I was told that no matter the amp, the speakers wont sound much different because im using the onkyo reciever as the pre. Is their truth to that or will this amps warm sound come through the onk. Also is the 20 watt difference a big sound quality difference?
And im very interested in this! I have been looking for an amp but my budget was to small for the 200wpc amps I was looking at. Should I hold off and save up for a 200wpc amp??? I am running rti8s and a csi3 center. But I only play music in 2 channel. Thanks in advance for my many questions!!!!

[bopicasso]

And only one more question lol! Sorry..
Would I need a amp for my center channel while using in ht, or would the center be ok running off the onks amp?

[daboyz]

If you enjoy 2 channel listening and not worried about going 5 channel any time soon then go for it. Your center will be OK,not great, but OK running off your Onkyo.

[BaggedLancer]

And only one more question lol! Sorry..
Would I need a amp for my center channel while using in ht, or would the center be ok running off the onks amp?

The only way to really know is set it up and listen to it. Every AVR runs centers a bit differently and if you find that the two fronts are drowning out your center the cheapest fix would be to get something along the lines of an Outlaw M200 or M2200 monoblock amplifier. For $150, you can get that center channel amped and where it needs to be if you feel it is lacking.

Whoever told you that the amplifier doesn't matter and it's only the pre is smoking some funny stuff. If that was true, everyone on this forum would have preamps that cost thousands while using all cheaper brand amplifiers. It makes a huge difference, just like cables make a difference.


This B&K is a no brainer for your rti8's. No need to hold off for 200wpc as it's really not needed. B&K is quality stuff and you won't be disappointed.

[dorokusai]

Don't get caught up in the 200wpc BS as it's an arbitrary figure picked by general nonsense and inexperience. A high powered, dedicated amplifier on your main rig should produce a noticeable difference in 2CH form regardless of the pre-amp involved, which in this case, is an AVR. You'll be able to drive the RTi8 much more in-line with their capability and to much greater performance musically in 2CH form.

In HT mode it's not going to be that obvious due to the fact you should be calibrated evenly anyways. However, you may notice better overall performance from the L&R or even the entire system beings you removed some of the front stage load, off the AVR, by use of an outboard amplifier. You may get some additional benefits from your L&R channels but that's something you'll have to evaluate onsite.

All the channels currently use the same power supply and that alone should help. Sonically, while better overall it shouldn't be "drowning" out your center channel and that's not something to really worry about.

I believe your Onkyo is a very capable unit and I'm a real fan of their gear. That being said, you can't equate AVR power to dedicated amplifier power as it's two different animals and two inherently different designs. One is for the collective, one is for two loudspeakers only.

Take a look at the pictures provided, read what I posted and then pop the top on your Onkyo. If you see the same topology for all the channels in your Onkyo, let me know. You won't, and that's easy to answer. If you saw a 6 pack of soda cans inside, it would be different. That's an exaggeration but I hope you get the idea. Imagine the compromise that has to occur to get the guts of the B&K amp, inside your current AVR.

Either way, good luck and let me know if you have any additional questions.

Mark

[bopicasso]

What kind of interconnects would you recommend with this amp? Because I would have to fit them in the budget also if I buy this amp. Is there a certain kind that pair up well with the amp?

[BaggedLancer]

What kind of interconnects would you recommend with this amp? Because I would have to fit them in the budget also if I buy this amp. Is there a certain kind that pair up well with the amp?

Signal Cable. Excellent quality and inexpensive. Many members on the forum use them with great success.

[dorokusai]

What kind of interconnects would you recommend with this amp? Because I would have to fit them in the budget also if I buy this amp. Is there a certain kind that pair up well with the amp?

Any interconnects will work fine but Signal is what I would suggest for a benchmark.

[daboyz]

Love the Signal but the Kimber PBJ's are nice also.

P.S.
Quit thinking and buy it. Awesome amp for the price and you'll love it.

[bopicasso]

Im just nervous! LOL I really really want to pull the trigger!!!!!!!! But I want to make sure I think it all through and not just make an impulse buy that I will regret.
From what everyone is saying it sounds like this is a great amp for me. I want the best sound I can get out of my Rti8s for audio. Im running a SVS 25-30pci also so Im not worried about the bass. Would it hurt to sit my 60 pound onk 805 on top of this amp? I dont have to much more room in my setup.

[dorokusai]

There's no need to rush and you should feel comfortable with the purchase.

I would not sit your Onkyo on top of this amp because of heat. The sinks and vents are on the rear but it does get warm.

[stereo_luver]

Over analyzation will lead to a missed deal. I find going with my first impulse eases the pain.

Chuck

[bopicasso]

What about sitting a power conditioner ontop of it? Is that ok? Its not that big. Maybe 12'' by 5''

[BaggedLancer]

The power conditioner would probably be fine. Get some of those pucks from the puckguy(can't remember his name) that people talk about on the forum.

[dorokusai]

What about sitting a power conditioner ontop of it? Is that ok? Its not that big. Maybe 12'' by 5''

If by 12x5 you mean it's only 5" deep....I agree with BL, that shoud be fine. Just place it as close to the front of the amplifier as possible.

[dorokusai]

I still have a smoking pre-amp available....in all this amplifier talk, it seems to have been lost in the shuffle :)

[daboyz]

The power conditioner would probably be fine. Get some of those pucks from the puckguy(can't remember his name) that people talk about on the forum.

Me thinks it was avriser.net

[bopicasso]

Im gonna go home tonight and check some measurements to make sure I have room! lol

[dorokusai]

I added a couple pics of the PRO-10MC w/ Dynamat. It's a logical application and not some newbie hackjob w/ every square inch covered. A whole sheet was used on the pre-amp for a .25lb gain. I also touched up a couple scratches and the unit looks really nice.

I didn't take a picture of the amplifier yet. The Amplifier has one(1) 5"x11" strip on each side of the chassis. The faceplate is 1/4 thick, w/ rack handles so I may or may not add a spare piece before it goes out the door.

[daboyz]

Now you got me wondering if I want it.:eek:

[dorokusai]

It's not on hold or anything.

[dorokusai]

Im gonna go home tonight and check some measurements to make sure I have room! lol

No room?

[bopicasso]

No :-( Before I buy a new amp I need surround speakers. I just want everything! lol

[dorokusai]

Here's a shot of the Dynamat panel that was placed on each side of the ST-202. The rest of the chassis made no sense as it's heavy gauge to begin with, and the front panel is solid billet. The sides were the only spot that "sounded" thin....but not anymore.

P.S. Check out the soda can capacitors.

[tonyb]

Couple of nice well built pieces here folks.Can't say enough about B&k products.Any of you with RTI's or LSI speakers looking to move up from that receiver,here it is,and at a price you could sell the wife on.The amp alone is worth it.If your trying to figure out what to do with that 600 clams uncle sam will be sending you,take a hard look here.

[DaveMuell]

PM sent on the pre-amp.

[dorokusai]

Thanks Tony, I appreciate the kind words.

Dave - Oki doki.

[treitz3]

Hey Dave, if you don't take it I'd like to give it a whirl.

[DaveMuell]

I'll take the pre-amp. We did our taxes tonight and the wife was in a great mood. Thought we were going to owe 1,000's and it wasn't too bad.

Doro, PM me payment method and such.

[treitz3]

Enjoy it brother!

[dorokusai]

Thanks Dave, will do.

Tom - Thanks for the interest and email man.

[bopicasso]

The amp still available?

[dorokusai]

I don't believe it is but I haven't received an update from the buyer yet.

Opus? Email me as I have something for you.

[dorokusai]

The amplifier is sold but the pre-amp is back on the market.

I had some additional switch issues with the unit and didn't want to hold Dave up any longer. I have a B&K connection and its off for a factory refresh and spec check. When it returns it will be blessed by the B&K service team including a small upgrade.

I also picked up the factory schematics for each unit so they will be included. No reason, other than to be thorough and be a cool extra for your records.

[biswampyankee]

Is this B&K equipment still for sale?
B&K PRO-10MC Pre-Amplifier - 8/10 - Black - $180

This is one hell of a pre-amp/ amplifier combination but I listed the pieces individually. Both have been completely gone over and I've added Dynamat, internally, to both components. I would prefer to sell them as a pair but I'm flexible. They both have a couple chassis scratches but they're still very presentable and the heat sink fins are perfect. Neither unit has EVER been rack mounted.

These are from the early days of B&K, when it was just BK Components(1981), the gear is circa 1985. They pulled out the stops for their debut lineup and it shows in the build quality and internal component choices.

The pre-amplifier is sought after for it's solid Noble potentiometers, great phono stage and straightforward design. It reminds me of NAD in the 80's, of which the pre-amps are still highly praised for their phono stage and design. It's a sonic upgrade over the previous PRO-5MC and not as electrically cluttered as the later Sonata.

This was a Stereophile Class C component, way back in the day....sure, not a Class A but it certainly made the list of memorable gear. The sound is clean, detailed and warm...almost tubelike.

Inputs? There are 6, including a tape monitor for you old school folks. The rear end is a plethora of high quality, gold plated RCA terminations straight to PCB. There's are two pairs of pre-outs for those of you that own a 2CH subwoofer.

When I received the unit it was inoperative. It turned out to be a bad power switch, which has been replaced with a PE SPST Rocker Switch w/Neon Lamp(#060-300) and the rest has been spec'd out. I also swapped the power switch on the ST-202, so it would match. I'll include the original switches in case you want them.

It's 100% functional and all connections have been cleaned and treated with CAIG products. It will be packed to withstand an atomic blast.

Includes: N/A. A nice, new velcro strap for the power cord.

B&K ST-202 Amplifier - 7/10 - Black - *SOLD* to Opus

This is the second piece and it's just a ballbuster amplifier. This is the first old school B&K amp I've actually owned and simply loved it.

I rated it a 7/10 because it has a few dings in the faceplate edge and some very small spots on the faceplate that I can't seem to remove with GooGone. I have no idea what they are and not a big deal but worth mentioning.

This is a Class A pre-driver, dual mono, common ground design. It has a 300kva, dual wound toroid transformer with 12 oz. soda can sized capacitors. You won't have ANY power delivery problems. It's 4ohm stable.

150wpc@8ohms
200wpc@4ohms

As mentioned previously, it has a brand new power switch, ONLY to match the pre-amp as it was 100% functional out of the box. It's been spec'd and some internal tidbits seemed to have some wiggle, so I tightened down EVERYTHING in the chassis. It has a couple straps of Dynamat added to the chassis for resonance control. The inside is immaculate, dust free and the heatsinks are downright dangerous.

It's 100% functional and all connections have been cleaned and treated with CAIG products. It will be packed to withstand an atomic blast.

Includes: N/A. A fancy, high end velcro strap for the power cord.

S081CM01ORPBK
S082202STBK

[dorokusai]

The PRO10MC is still available but the amplifier is sold. I have other gear if you're looking for a stereo amplifier.

[dorokusai]

OPUS - Hey, just got the amplifier back from B&K with a clean bill of health.

They bench tested and biased the amp, replaced the power switch, replaced all the fuses to B&K specs and upgraded some board level components. It's in new B&K packaging and ready to go, let me know if you're still interested.

[jakelm]

Doro... not to get off subject here, but I am thinking about doing the same thing with my B&K amp, what was the approx B&K charge for the refresh?

[dorokusai]

Jake - We had worked something out prior so I'm not sure what the cost would have been.

[shawn474]

Mark,
If Opus isn't interested I may be for the workshop rig.;) I'll wait to see what his plans are.

Shawn

[opus]

I will still take it, but will gladly step aside to let a local polkie grab it.

Let me know shawn474

[shawn474]

Mark, How much was the amp?

[dorokusai]

OK, I added some pics of the gear in their fancy new boxes and packaging in the first post. I'd like to move these as a combination since they would work so well together but that's up to you. This would make a STELLAR 2CH rig :D....hell, buy that nice Lector CDP in the FM to go with it.

You certainly won't find a more up to date or factory fresh pair on the used market, period. I really wish I had somewhere, anywhere to use these but I don't.

[Ricardo]

Shitttttttttt.

Both units just checked by the manufacturer!!!!!!!!

B&K makes great gear and I can speak for the great sound of this preamp, with a very good MM/MC phono stage. Yes, I know I already said this, but I can't believe these are still here.

[dorokusai]

OK, the amp is back on for Opus :D It wasn't his fault as we just kept talking about other stuff and wishful thinking......then Shawn got in the way. JK Shawn ;)

Thanks Kevin. It will ship by Monday.

One factory spec'd pre-amp ready for shipment folks.

[shawn474]

Sorry guys.........I thought Opus was still taking it. Didn't mean to throw a wrench into the plans.

[dorokusai]

Shawn - Just messing with you. He wanted it, we both got sidetracked and tried to use you as a scapegoat ;)