Sumo 9 and B&K EX442

From my experience, the Sumo is more like the older Thresholds, 400A, 800A and so on.
The B&K is probably a little "lighter" and "faster" but not as warm.
From what I know, I'd rather have to repair a B&K than a Sumo. When class A amps blow, they really BLOW. Also, B&K is still in existence.

I used to have a B+K EX442, it was a low hrs factory rebuilt when I got it. It was a very good amp indeed.
But when I later got a Threshold S/150 and a Forte Model6 along the way. I sold the EX442. It was a good amp but not in the same class as the others. Not sure how it would compare to the Smuo 9.

Danosol,

The post under Amps & Preamps which has the link to the chart listing the specs for all the older models is titled "B&K St-202 vs St0202+ plus". If you scroll back 2-3 pages you'll see it.

Danosol,

Sorry, but I don't know the difference between the two models. Someone recently posted a link under this Amps & Preamps forum to a .pdf file on the B&K amps. If you can find the post, you'll be able to see all the older models. The B&K website may have some information too.

Mark do you know what the difference is between the EX442 and the EX4420 other than looks.

I have an EX-442, which I use with a BAT VK-31 preamp and inefficient, 9-driver speakers from Fulton. The combination is warm and comes close to what I heard using the same equipment with a pair of Aleph 2s. I paid $450 for the EX-442 on Audiogon, and I consider the amp to be an excellent one at that price.

I also found that B&K's repair facility has fair prices. They repaired the amp for a nominal charge and shipped it back to me in a new box and with new packing materials.

I used to biamp with two Sumo 9's and have nothing but good to say about them. They were reliable, sounded good and and I did not find the fan noise objectionable.

Is 500 too much to pay for one, and what about the fan noise.

Sumo is Class A rated. Very warm and tube like. Definitely in the class of Threshold or Pass.