B&K harsh sound


I recently auditioned in my system a used B&K 1430 amp, which is 3x200 into 8 ohms. I have monitor audio silver 5i speakers. My current amp is a rotel rb960bx, which is only 60 watts per channel. I almost couldn't listen to the B&K. It was so bright and a little ragged on the top end. Imaging was bad as well, both right to left and depth. Has anyone else had this experience with B&K amps? I wonder if it is just a bad match for the Monitor Audio speakers, or perhaps it is just this model. Should I give up on B&K for my system?
dsk

Showing 1 response by rsbeck

I've heard B & K with Monitor Audio speakers, nothing wrong with that match.
I'd suspect other things. A bright room, a malfunctioning amp, etc. You've gone from 60 to 200 amps and to my ears, B & K is a little warner sounding
than Rotel -- the extra power may be bringing something out that clashes with the room or with your ears. You may also be playing the music louder
than usual, which could cause problems in the room that you didn't encounter with the weaker amp.