B&K Reference NEED ADVICE!

[gwh]

Reference 50 pre
Reference 200.5 amp 375@4 x 5
MX-850 universal remote

I have an opportunity to pick this package up for $800.

I'm currently using an outlaw 950 and a Sonance 5150 amp 200@4 x 5

I have a blu ray with onboard decoding so I'm not real concerned about hdmi.

That amp looks like it would really be a step up.

Thanks for any input.



G

[tcrossma]

That's a steal for that price. I was very happy with my B&K Ref 200.5 amp when I had it. It's a very solid amp that does a lot of things well.

[concealer404]

2nded on the good deal.

[polkatese]

That's a deal...used market price for REF50 is about $500, REF50S2 at $650.

[tcrossma]

Actually, the Ref 200.5 amp usually sells used for $1100-$1200.

[gwh]

Thanks guys I'm heading out to take a look & listen.




G

[MADGSF]

Have to agree with all here, that is a steal if in good condition. I paid more than that for the amp in my sig. when I bought it.

[polkatese]

Actually, the Ref 200.5 amp usually sells used for $1100-$1200.

no dispute here. I am strictly quoting REF50 used prices, since I have one that will go on the market in the near future (if and when I find a comparably priced features or better replacement, which I find, sadly, to be close to impossible)

[dorokusai]

C'mon man...you gotta know a good price when you see it ahead of time.

[gwh]

C'mon man...you gotta know a good price when you see it ahead of time.

I know man but sometimes I need a little push from CP.


Finally got the guy on the phone this evening and arranged to pick up the gear Tuesday.





G

[polkatese]

Grats, G! Welcome to B&K! he he.

[gwh]

Just got back from the pick up, here is a crappy pic.
Cosmetics good except for a couple small marks lower left on the amp and some fingerprints I need to clean off.

Might get some time this weekend to install if I can run everybody out of the house.





G

[tonyb]

Congrats, can't trump that combo for sound quality and processing power. Your gonna love it.

[reeltrouble1]

wow..........great find, I paid way more for my B&K stuff......worth every penny.

RT1

[AndyGwis]

Nice snag! Next time, don't drag your feet!

When you can sell something for twice as much as you bought it for, if are not 100% happy with it, it's probably worth doing.

Congrats! You'll get to enjoy these for years to come and break even (or make money) whenever you do choose to sell.

[polkatese]

G, don't forget to calibrate notch filters on that puppy...it makes a huge difference.

[gwh]

Nice snag! Next time, don't drag your feet!

It was a craigslist AD so I was a little sceptical.
As of 4:45 CST the AD is still up.http://enid.craigslist.org/ele/1541583395.html Guy had it listed in the NW Oklahoma section, which probably does not get a lot of hits, instead of OKC where the gear was actually at.

Also after I recently added a blu ray player and did the driver upgrade on my 25-31 CS I thought damn this sounds pretty good, I'm done.

G, don't forget to calibrate notch filters on that puppy...it makes a huge difference.

Getting familiar with the manual while I work the night shift this week, looks like a lot of stuff you can tweak, hope I don't get overwhelmed

[polkatese]

It was a craigslist AD so I was a little sceptical.
As of 4:45 CST the AD is still up.http://enid.craigslist.org/ele/1541583395.html Guy had it listed in the NW Oklahoma section, which probably does not get a lot of hits, instead of OKC where the gear was actually at.

Also after I recently added a blu ray player and did the driver upgrade on my 25-31 CS I thought damn this sounds pretty good, I'm done.



Getting familiar with the manual while I work the night shift this week, looks like a lot of stuff you can tweak, hope I don't get overwhelmed

Let us know if you run into snag. There are several polkies have REF50.

[gwh]

Let us know if you run into snag. There are several polkies have REF50.

Thanks!




G

[andrew_mac]

Sick deal! I want that amp! (jealous)

What speakers will you be running with your new gear?

[gwh]

What speakers will you be running with your new gear?

9's/C/ FX

All hooked up and sounds great.

Software update? Is that something I can do myself or does the 50 have to be sent in?
Installed version is 1.04.




G

[smglbrth]

Congrats on your new-to-you B&K gear! As others have said B&K is nice stuff but I have to admit, sometimes it seems as if it gets the "no respect" Rodney treatment...

I first got into separates with older Carver gear, then the B&K and never looked back...

[tonyb]

B&K gets tons of respect around here. What they lack is keeping up with connections, slow for new releases,as compared to other brands. Sound quality and build quality coupled with tons of reserve power and it's processing power are what most buy it for.

Congrats on your new toy, pay close attention to speaker set up and the many formations you have to chose from for each input. Also pay attention to the way the sub setup works.

[andrew_mac]

9's/C/ FX

All hooked up and sounds great.

Software update? Is that something I can do myself or does the 50 have to be sent in?
Installed version is 1.04.




G

That software version is good to go. It's the same that's on my Ref 50 s1 (which is up-to-date). You can upgrade to the Series 2 firmware but you have to send it in to have the firmware updated and its a big waste of money, if you ask me. I can't remember what the b&k guys said but it didn't make me want to upgrade it to the series 2 firmware. I think it was mainly just a couple extra processing options for a 6.1 set-up - Dolby EX or something.

Oh and btw, the Analog inputs are turned off by default. If your using a blu-ray player with analog outs, to take advantage of the new loss-less audio formats you'll have to enable those. Just a heads up as this was something I recently had to deal with.