B&K Ref 50

[Don]

<font color='#000000'>Just wondering if anyone has experiences with this one (ref 50). Is it better than the Rotel rsp-1066/68? And the $2K price a good deal?
Thanks.</font>

 

[RLA]

<font color='#000000'>Hi
I just acquired the B&amp;K line and will have a Reference 50 and Reference amp in my showroom in a week or so &nbsp;I will be comparing it to the Aragon &nbsp;Stage One, Denon 5803 and Yamaha Z-9
I will let you know how it compares to the others &nbsp;I looks like a barging in the under $2000 pre amp
category &nbsp;with its Balanced outputs and THX Ultra Certification
Cheers
RLA</font>

 

[Audio1]

<font color='#000000'>I currently own a B&amp;K Ref. 30 and it has been a good performer.  I was considering selling the unit for a Ref. 50 or upgrading my current model.  
One of my main reasons for doing this was to get component up-conversion and on-screen display with component video monitor out.  
Two days ago I called B&amp;K to inquire about the upgrade.  They immediately answered my call and gave me the details, but much to my dismay I learned that the upgrade nor the Ref. 50 perform either of these functions.  They gave me an explanation, but I really want these features so I will probably sell my Ref. 30 and use a Yamaha or Denon piece for processing only.
It seems to be increasingly harder to find separate processors that have better surround processing capability than some of the receivers that are currently being released.  

I wish that there were a processor in the $2k range that would perform all of the functions as a Denon AVR-3805 or Yamaha RXV-2400 but it seems that many have some shortcomings speaking strictly on theater related issues.
I noticed that NAD has a newer piece, the T-163 but their website gives little details.

Buddy</font>

 

[gene]

<font color='#000000'>Audio1;

I too would love to find a processor for $2-3K that can offer all of the features of a $1K receiver. &nbsp;The AVR-3805 will likely make for an excellent pre/pro! &nbsp;LEt us know how it works out.</font>

 

[Audio1]

<font color='#000000'>Gene,

So the tough decision is:

Do I buy the Yamaha RXV-2400 or  Denon AVR-3805??

Since most of my time is spent viewing Dvd's I am leaning toward the Yamaha, but the Denon has some compelling features as well. &nbsp;Any feedback or opinions Would be greatly appreciated.

Buddy</font>

 

[ED27]

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Audio1 : <font color='#000000'>Gene,

So the tough decision is:

Do I buy the Yamaha RXV-2400 or  Denon AVR-3805??

Since most of my time is spent viewing Dvd's I am leaning toward the Yamaha, but the Denon has some compelling features as well.  Any feedback or opinions Would be greatly appreciated.

Buddy</font>

<font color='#000000'>I would recommend a different solution. &nbsp;Stick with your Ref 30 since there is not going to be an audible difference with the Ref 50. &nbsp;For your video switching dillema, go with the DVDO Iscan HD ($1499 list). &nbsp;It has 12 inputs to handle multiple video sources from component, composite, s-video and DVI connections. &nbsp;The unit will bypass any HD signal (720p or 1080i) and scale anything else to your TV's native rate. &nbsp;It can then output a single DVI connection to your TV. &nbsp;The Iscan HD will also switch digital audio. &nbsp;Check it out at www.dvdo.com</font>

 

[Rip Van Woofer]

<font color='#000000'>Did the Ref 30 have Pro Logic 2 (not just Pro Logic)? If so it might be a possible answer to my used prepro quest, even if over $1k. I've heard good things about B&amp;K gear in general. Don't care about HT, just music.</font>

 

[Audio1]

<font color='#000000'>Rip Van Woofer,

The Ref. 30 did not have Pro-Logic II, however since B&amp;K will upgrade this unit it is available. &nbsp;For $500.00 B&amp;K will upgrade the Ref. 30 to what the Ref. 50 is which includes Dolby Pro-Logic II. &nbsp;The only basic difference is that the Ref. 30 will not have the balanced outputs, but essentially it will have the same features and performance of a Ref. 50.
So considering that a used Ref. 30 can be purchased for around $900.00 and the upgrade is $500.00 that would be a pretty nice piece for sure.

Buddy</font>

 

[Unregistered]

<font color='#000000'>Gene,

So the tough decision is:

Do I buy the Yamaha RXV-2400 or *Denon AVR-3805??

Since most of my time is spent viewing Dvd's I am leaning toward the Yamaha, but the Denon has some compelling features as well. &nbsp;Any feedback or opinions Would be greatly appreciated.

Buddy</font>

Have you considered the Integra 6.4 or 7.4
You might want to compare them.

 

[hopjohn]

<font color='#000000'>
One of my main reasons for doing this was to get component up-conversion and on-screen display with component video monitor out.
</font>

Having the ability to have the setup menus on all video outputs is actually a bad thing in terms of video quality. This is because the source has to be routed through the prepros components that generate the setup menu. Not having it there means your ref 30's component signal is a pure one. If you need the menus just hook up a second video source using composite or s-video and save your money if at all possible. The small inconvnience isn't worth buying a 1500 dollar scaler for goodness sakes. I've known people that complained of this very issue and solved their woes by programming macros into their learning remote so that they never actually needed to see the setup menu to make changes. Others bought a small monitor to see the menus, while simultaneously watching their main display.

If you are curious if the NAD T163 will solve this, you'll be disappointed to know that it behaves precisely the same as your Ref 30 does in this regard.

 

[hopjohn]

<font color='#000000'>Audio1;

I too would love to find a processor for $2-3K that can offer all of the features of a $1K receiver. &nbsp;The AVR-3805 will likely make for an excellent pre/pro! &nbsp;LEt us know how it works out.</font>

Better yet, how about a 1k prepro that does what a 1k receiver can do?

I think this may yet happen when Outlaw releases a long overdue successor to their first prepro effort.