Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
M60Tis, Aragon 4004 MKII vs, B&K 2220
#10052 04/15/03 03:21 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8
regular
OP Offline
regular
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8
Hi,

I have been listening to M60Ti for a year without knowing what sound these speakers can produce!
All I did was an addition of the B&K 2220 2x200W power amp to my system. I was using Denon DRA-685 stereo amp, then replaced it with Denon AVR-3802 (downgrade for the music quality), then a combination of the two (DRA-685 driving the fronts). It sounded OK to me until I visited a couple of the high-end audio shops and had an opportunity to compare it with the really good stuff.
So I decided to shop for a power amp around $1000 assuming this is the most critical part of the system after the speakers.
To make a long story short I ended up borrowing a used Aragon 4004 MKII from a dealer and listening to it for a week. The difference from Denons was unbelievable in detail and clarity, the bass improved substantially.
I was almost ready to make a purchase as I came across a brand new B&K 2220 selling at an open box price as the last year model. I could not resist at least comparing it to the Aragon. I told the salesman that I am not giving a lot of chances to this amp and most likely I am going to use their 30-days return policy.
You might guess by now that I was wrong. B&K beat Aragon in all aspects most noticeably in the bass department. The sound was so rich and musical that I could not stop listening to many of my old CDs every time revealing a new detail that was hidden from me before. No hint on harshness at high volumes (where Aragon was failing despite its superiority in power). The amp sounded fantastic right out of the box that substantiated my suspicion that the “break-in” theory if anything applies only to the speakers.
Then I could not resist temptation to open two boxes and see what is under the hood.
Aragon – two big toroidal transformers (one per channel), not so large power capacitors, power delay circuit (allows power to stabilize before the speakers connected to the output), 8 bipolar valves per channel, power section is physically separated from the signal path, shielded cable from the line input to the board, heavy 10 (or even 8) gauge wires for power and speakers.
B&K – single toroidal transformer (a size of one of the Aragon’s), VERY large power capacitors (I could not read the values, but given their size and 8-9 years difference I would estimate them to be five times bigger than the Aragon’s), no shielded cables, modest size wires (14 gauge I would think), no good separation between the power and signal sections, lots of connectors as oppose to hand soldered connections, MOSFET output stage (10 valves per channel), A-class preamp stage.
Overall, from engineering perspective Aragon built much better.
Here are my conclusions:
1. Average surround receiver cannot produce high quality stereo music.
2. Not all amps sound the same.
3. Better engineering does not always means better sound.
4. M60Tis are incredibly good speakers when a good amp drives them.
5. Expensive speaker cables are the scam for naïve audio enthusiasts with extra money to spend.
My last conclusion based on the simple fact substantial part of the amp->speaker path is hidden within the amp and speakers themselves (it can easily be 3-5 ft. long) and I can assure you that the vendors are putting the cheapest, not the most expensive wires there. And I did not mention numerous internal connectors, relays, fuses in the signal path. Some “purists” refuse to blind test different cables claiming that external switches degrade signal quality. What a joke!

Vitaly


Re: M60Tis, Aragon 4004 MKII vs, B&K 2220
#10053 04/17/03 07:05 PM
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1
newbie
Offline
newbie
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1
Hi, I read your post with great interest. I think what you have discovered or demonstrated to your self and possibly others is that the amplifier/speaker interface is an important factor that will affect how your system will sound.

As I own an Aragon 4004MKII, I found your comments about this amp very interesting. I too think it is a well engineered. With my early 90's system (Nuance 440's and PSB Passive Subwoofer 1, the bass control is amazing and I find the midrange and treble neutral yet still musical and detailed.(not harsh like some solid state amps-Adcom 555 comes to mind) It was an audible step up from the components that I had before. I like the sound of it and find it interesting that you found the B&K had better bass than the Aragon-must be the amp/speaker interface thing because Aragons are very well known for their bass control and driving ability.

Though I do not own Axiom speakers, I have heard a few models and I respect the company and the value it offers in it products. I also believe that the factory direct companies like Axiom, Newform Research, VMPS and others represent the best value to the consumer regardless of your budget. Axiom defintely has the under $2000CDN market covered. I thought my Aragon would be very compatible with the M80Ti with its higher current demand as compared to the M60. I'll have to do a 30 day trial or something to find out.

Congratulations on finding the B&K that is creating the magic with your M60's. As I do not want to part with my Aragon, I will dedicate its use one day as a subwoofer amp or use on a biamplified tower such as the M80Ti or something else perhaps. Now that you've professed to hearing differences in the sound of power amps it looks now like you have definitely caught the audio bug that many of us have as well.

Enjoy your system!


Jeff
Re: M60Tis, Aragon 4004 MKII vs, B&K 2220
jlmtjoy #416455 01/13/16 03:46 PM
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 33
E
enthusiast
Offline
enthusiast
E
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 33
I just read this with interest because I'm now looking at an aragon 4004 mk ii. I wonder if the B&K sounded better because it does Class A up to a certain wattage whereas the aragon is class AB all the way?

Re: M60Tis, Aragon 4004 MKII vs, B&K 2220
vrizhevs #416456 01/13/16 04:05 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 635
aficionado
Offline
aficionado
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 635
Ahh, don't forget this post is ah like 13 years old lol


Anthem MRX520
M5HPv4
VP160HPv4
QS10v4

Re: M60Tis, Aragon 4004 MKII vs, B&K 2220
vrizhevs #416458 01/13/16 04:26 PM
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 33
E
enthusiast
Offline
enthusiast
E
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 33
haha. true smile


Moderated by  alan, Amie, Andrew, axiomadmin, Brent, Debbie, Ian, Jc 

Link Copied to Clipboard

Need Help Graphic

Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics24,940
Posts442,457
Members15,616
Most Online2,082
Jan 22nd, 2020
Top Posters
Ken.C 18,044
pmbuko 16,441
SirQuack 13,840
CV 12,077
MarkSJohnson 11,458
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 565 guests, and 1 robot.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newsletter Signup
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4