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Mystery B&K ST-140. Never seen one like it (pics)

74.214.45.198
Posted on May 26, 2015 at 07:26:48
Opus 33 1/3
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 Clearly has a 3rd generation (blue/red) ST-140 faceplate, but the case, chassis and internal layout look more like an ST-1400. Go figure.

Anyone seen one like this?


















Opus 33 1/3

 

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Looks Familiar To Me, posted on May 26, 2015 at 14:33:19
Luminator
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In early 1993, I purchased a B&K Pro-10MC preamp. Sorry, I do not have any photos of that unit. In the lead-up to that purchase, I concentrated on the Pro-10MC itself, not any other product. However, the Pro-10MC shared the cosmetics of the ST-140 shown in your photos. I believe that earlier versions (perhaps the late-80s?) had different cosmetics, and added rack handles. In fact, in the May 1991 Sam Tellig review in Stereophile, the photo shows the Pro-10MC with rack handles. My February 1993 unit did not come with rack handles.

-Lummy The Loch Monster

 

My previous ST-140 had the same faceplate as this one but it had, posted on May 26, 2015 at 15:21:11
Opus 33 1/3
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Location: D.C. Area
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 the usual external heat sink on the back of the chassis. This one has an internal heatsink.





Opus 33 1/3

 

It's Been Almost A Quarter Century, posted on May 26, 2015 at 21:17:07
Luminator
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 I had the $300 Adcom GFA-535. In my brief auditions of the early-90s B&K ST-140, I didn't like it. I found it too hazy, too lifeless.

For a lot more money, money I didn't have (I was a college student), the M-200 monoblocks (stock form; not the more highly-biased version Sam Tellig liked) appealed to me. The M-200s I saw looked like the ones pictured in the ad (click on link below): similar cosmetics to my Pro-10MC, but with handles. IIRC, there were no external heatsink fins, unlike the dangerously sharp ones found on my Muse Model 100.

 

RE: Mystery B&K ST-140. Never seen one like it (pics), posted on May 27, 2015 at 05:13:28
fantja
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 Nice looking amp- Opus.

 

RE: It's Been Almost A Quarter Century, posted on May 27, 2015 at 05:14:12
fantja
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 Yes, Lummy- the Adcom was a great product back then for not much money.

 

Totally Agree, posted on May 27, 2015 at 05:40:44
Barry
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 I was not a big fan of the ST 140 for the exact same reason. Internal PS was very puny for its output rating.

 

Sam Tellig and B&K, posted on May 27, 2015 at 10:30:10
M3 lover
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 Sam was/is (?) friends with an original owner of B&K. Maybe he has an answer.

"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made." Groucho

 

B&K Rack Handles, posted on May 27, 2015 at 15:29:01
Luminator
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In the early 90s, B&K used to buy advertising in Stereophile magazine.

The B&K ad in the February 1992 issue of Stereophile was the first to depict product sans the rack handles. So it is plausible that your ST-140 could date as far back as this time period. Do note that my Pro-10MC, which shared the same cosmetics as your ST-140, was purchased in 1Q93.

Yes, when I received my copy of the February 1992 Stereophile, I was listening to Genesis' We Can't Dance. "Hold On My Heart," which wasn't released as a single until late spring '92, fit the cool and dry weather of early February. I severely regretted getting the awful and overrated Muse Model 100. I could have spent less, and gotten something better. Or, I could have waited, saved up, and gotten the B&K M-200 monoblocks.

 

Are you implying . . . , posted on May 27, 2015 at 22:09:27
Billy Wonka
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 Someone might have bought someone lunch?

 

You'd need to ask Sam about that. ;^), posted on May 28, 2015 at 10:04:46
M3 lover
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 I was merely suggesting he knows a bit about B&K products and might have an answer for the OP.

"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made." Groucho

 

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