Has anyone tried the BK Electronics Pear Drop amp ?

[steve-z]

I am in the throes of making an amp change and this one interests me, unfortunately there is absolutely nothing about it on the net, no reviews, it’s mentioned on a few forums but nobody has come forward with any hands on opinions, I was wondering if anyone on here has one or has heard one who could give some insight into how it performs. I sent BK a message through their website to see if they were prepared to loan one for audition but they haven’t responded.


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[Pigmy Pony]

I've no knowledge or experience of this amp, but I do have one of their subs (XLS200-DF), and this has been running for nearly six years now, and has never been switched off (I use the home cinema for tv all the time, as I can't stand the sound of the telly). In all this time, the sub has never missed a beat.

No reason to think the amp's build quality will be any less.

"Try before you buy" is always going to be a bit tricky, as they don't seem to sell through dealers.

[steve-z]

I've no knowledge or experience of this amp, but I do have one of their subs (XLS200-DF), and this has been running for nearly six years now, and has never been switched off (I use the home cinema for tv all the time, as I can't stand the sound of the telly). In all this time, the sub has never missed a beat.

No reason to think the amp's build quality will be any less.

"Try before you buy" is always going to be a bit tricky, as they don't seem to sell through dealers.

I had a sub off them too a Gemini 2, I also bought a pair of Jordan Eikona 2 VTL speakers from them just over a year ago so it’s not like they hadn’t seen the colour of my money before. I thought they could have had at least the courtesy to reply to my message. I’ve no doubt the build quality of the Pear Drop is fine, it’s the sound quality I really need feedback on. Surely they can’t expect to sell very many if they haven’t had any reviews, and let’s face it positive reviews are what sell hifi gear.


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[simon g]

You can buy these direcr via ebay and seller accepts returns.

Looks to me to be yet another low cost Class D amplifier. Probably pretty good for the money.

[struth]

You can buy these direcr via ebay and seller accepts returns.

Looks to me to be yet another low cost Class D amplifier. Probably pretty good for the money.


yes here is a link
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/B-K-Electronics-Pear-Drop-Audio-Amplifier-90W-per-channel-Class-D-BLACK/371018711534?epid=1679090815&hash=item56627041ee:m:mf0zCOg_uVI6-nUSrucC6lA

[Primalsea]

Apparently it uses the module as the TEAC AI-501DA, so some reviews of this may give you a general idea.

[steve-z]

Apparently it uses the module as the TEAC AI-501DA, so some reviews of this may give you a general idea.

Thanks for that I’ll see if I can find any of the reviews online.
I’ve also been given some recommendations for the Amptastic Mini 1, same sort of idea, single analogue input, similar form factor just a bit smaller and rather nicer finished but a lot less power 20w/4ohms so probably 15w into my 6ohm Jordans, wonder if it would be enough on wide range programme in a medium sized room.


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[Shovel_Knight]

There are also some user reviews of the Abltec/Anaview ALC0180 module on DIY audio forums, such as diyaudio.com and diy-hifi-forum.eu (the latter is in German). From what I can gather many like it better than Hypex.

[steve-z]

Only managed to find a couple of reviews of the Teac amp and their assessments were wildly different WHF only gave it a 3* rating with quite a bit of criticism whereas Pocket Lint considered the sound quality to be excellent, only criticism was a slight dropout with the Dac when used with a Windows PC, who do you believe ?


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[paulf-2007]

Only managed to find a couple of reviews of the Teac amp and their assessments were wildly different WHF only gave it a 3* rating with quite a bit of criticism whereas Pocket Lint considered the sound quality to be excellent, only criticism was a slight dropout with the Dac when used with a Windows PC, who do you believe ?


Sent from my iPad using TapatalkBK didn't pay whf enough to give it a good review. Reviews mean diddly

[Pigmy Pony]

I don't know why, but I've never really trusted WHF reviews. It's just a feeling that they may give better reviews to manufacturers that provide plenty of advertising revenue, and who knows, maybe a few freebies? ;)

Plus, they harp on about tellies a bit too much.

[Dauntless]

I am in the throes of making an amp change and this one interests me, unfortunately there is absolutely nothing about it on the net, no reviews, it’s mentioned on a few forums but nobody has come forward with any hands on opinions, I was wondering if anyone on here has one or has heard one who could give some insight into how it performs. I sent BK a message through their website to see if they were prepared to loan one for audition but they haven’t responded.


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Not too surprised that BK didn't reply, not much money involved here. Why don't you just buy and try? I've heard good reports regarding the chip set the Pear Drop product uses though. One nice feature is that it can be bridged assuming you have 8ohm speakers.

[steve-z]

Pleased to report the amp situation is now resolved courtesy of Jerry (jandl100), who sent me an SMSL Q5 Pro on loan with the option to buy if I liked it. Well after 3 hours or so of auditioning today I didn't like it, I LOVED IT, it's exactly what I've been after sound wise, so much better than the Yamaha amp I've just parted company with, particularly in the treble department which is clean, clear and with just the right amount of brilliance, it's no slouch in the bass and midrange either, good solidity, speed and punch in the bass and a good degree of detail and transparency in the midrange. It certainly seems to have a very good synergy with my Jordans that the Yamaha never had. Very ample power reserves too.
I don't think it's quite a match for the Cambridge CXA60 that used to drive the Jordans but it's certainly closer to its performance than the Yamaha's, but you do have to take the price difference into context. Definitely recommend this one.


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[Pigmy Pony]

He's a good man, that Jerry is. He helped me in a similar way last year.

The amp he loaned me demonstrated that you don't need to throw huge money at components to get a good sound.

[jandl100]

:o

Thanks, guys. Happy to help. :)
I remain convinced that there isn't a very strong relationship at all between cost and sound quality when it comes to electronics.
You can get poor or great sound in any price band, ime.
Justin has recently found that out with DACs (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?1236-New-speakers-and-amps&p=956744#post956744). :eyebrows: