New B&K Products

[okiepolkie]

While B&K is usually a little late with the newest technologies, they typically come through with something that will keep them going for several years at a time without any major updates.

On Thursday, at CEDIA EXPO 07, I got to see the new lineup.

There is a new look to the home theater series, which does/will carry over into the 2 channel side as well.

The AVR707 is the new receiver, as shown below. The REF 70 is identical on the back, except the speaker binding posts.

The power is the same, but the inputs have been improved upon greatly. There are 6 HDMI inputs, and 8 component video inputs. Everything can be converted to HDMI. The only down side is that it is not full 1.3 yet. They should be available first quarter of 08, so they might have the latest dolby and dts decoder.

The fronts are completely different as well, although I didn't get a picture with everyone flocking the booth.

They are also coming out with several digital amplifiers (AV30.2, AV60.2, and AV100.2), which should be available by the end of this year. These were about a third of the width of a standard rack mount piece, so you daisy chain several, via RJ45, to create a multichannel home theater or distributed audio system.

[MADGSF]

Finally! Not that I can afford one but eventually I can pick up a Ref 70 used :).

[woofiepaws]

I'm starting my drooling effective immediately.

[dorokusai]

The biggest downside is for owners of the older series as there are zero upgrades available for the previous AVR series.

[AndyGwis]

Really? I thought B&K offered upgrades for almost all of their processors (I know they do for Ref 20, Ref 30, etc.).

Although, when I inquired about upgrading a Ref 20 (that can be had for like $200 used), they wanted like $900. And more if I wanted it "fully" upgraded.

[dorokusai]

You can get the previously offered upgrades but nothing that will bring you up to the level of the new AVR series. I had my 307 upgraded to the 317 awhile ago but that's it for me, no more B&K support.

[MikeC78]

What else do you expect?

I guess Toshiba should upgrade my old SD DVD player to play HD DVD's? Wouldn't that be nice!

[bondslex]

That B&K stuff is really hot...

[dorokusai]

What else do you expect?

I guess Toshiba should upgrade my old SD DVD player to play HD DVD's? Wouldn't that be nice!

That's not the point Mike. B&K gear was, and still is, sold with the future in mind through software and hardware upgrades. Unfortunately, the new line is so different, that it simply cannot be done on the older units.

For example, my AVR307(2000) was upgraded to the AVR317, which is basically the AVR507 S1(2003) inside. Aside from a knob and an input, they are the same unit but manufactured a few years apart.

[MikeC78]

Obviously you missed the point...

Didn't know B&K claimed to update their hardware and software for life? BTW, I didn't know you were a B&K engineer, genius?

[dorokusai]

There's alot you don't know about me, thanks for reading.

[dorokusai]

Really? I thought B&K offered upgrades for almost all of their processors (I know they do for Ref 20, Ref 30, etc.).

Although, when I inquired about upgrading a Ref 20 (that can be had for like $200 used), they wanted like $900. And more if I wanted it "fully" upgraded.

I'm not sure of the prices across the board but the AVR upgrade was $425 if memory serves me at all.

[wallstreet]

I talked to B&K last year about incorporating HDMI into the 307 and I got the same sad story. At that point your really gutting the internals and just saving the amplification and shell. Not that I was happy to hear the end of the upgrade cycle for my 307. As a result, I've now had to start thinking about upgrading once again. I guess I could go get an HDMI switcher in a pinch, but what fun's that?

[MikeC78]

There's alot you don't know about me, thanks for reading.

You'd be surprised, I had you from day one.

[dorokusai]

You'd be surprised, I had you from day one.

That's fantastic and it means alot to me. Happy Listening!

[Lasareath]

Does B&K make a non-amplified version?

Eventually I want to upgrade my Onkyo reciever.

[dorokusai]

Does B&K make a non-amplified version?

Eventually I want to upgrade my Onkyo reciever.

Yes, the REF70.

[Lasareath]

Yes, the REF70.

Ok, Thanks!, I will look into it.

Should I be looking into a seperate surround processor so then I can get a really nice tube pre-amp for 2 Ch listening and when i want to watch a movie I just tape loop the surround processor?

[dorokusai]

I don't know, that's up to you.

[wallstreet]

I would think that 2ch listening on a Ref70 would be outstanding.

[Lasareath]

I would think that 2ch listening on a Ref70 would be outstanding.

Does anybody know when the Ref70 will be released?, I don't see it on their website.

Sal

[mantis]

Ahh yes, Finally.
Im so cool with that. I can't wait to get my hands on both the preamp and receiver. B&K receivers are so damn good, seperates are really not nessary unless you have the most demanding speakers and a very large room. Even then the receiver will pull it's own weight well.

This is exciting news for me. Rotel is also releasing there new Preamp soon so I will have 2 to look at for upgrades.

I'd be very cool going back to B&K.

Dan
T