I have a full-range Acoustat system, and I have both the VK-30 and VK-42se preamps from BAT. I can't comment much on amps because I use Acoustat direct drive amps. I will say that when I drove my Acoustats through interfaces and a conventional amplifier, it seemed like the damping factor played a role. One of the best I heard was a Crown Macro Reference on a pair of model II speakers. It was very extended and controlled in the lowest octaves.
Back to the preamps, I think the BATs are excellent. You may want to try some good NOS tubes in your VK-30. I tried both the Telefunkens and the Siemens disc-getter 6922s in mine. To my ear and in my system, I thought the Siemens were great. Very linnear top to bottom and a somewhat lean, fast, extended bass. The Tele's were a little laid back for my tastes.
Ultimately I like BAT's own VK-42se better - it is more detailed and more accurate, and it has world-class bass reproduction, at least in my system.
Hope this helps - happy listening!
Back to the preamps, I think the BATs are excellent. You may want to try some good NOS tubes in your VK-30. I tried both the Telefunkens and the Siemens disc-getter 6922s in mine. To my ear and in my system, I thought the Siemens were great. Very linnear top to bottom and a somewhat lean, fast, extended bass. The Tele's were a little laid back for my tastes.
Ultimately I like BAT's own VK-42se better - it is more detailed and more accurate, and it has world-class bass reproduction, at least in my system.
Hope this helps - happy listening!