2. amps-preamps
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Anyone out there

I have been thinking about "downgrading" my main 2 channel system. Am I a fool?
I have been enjoying a BAT VK75SE for the past half year being driven by a Theta Miles and driving a pair of North Creek Rhythm Revelators Sigs. There really is nothing wrong with this system and it offers everything I value in listening, in short, I love it. However, I have a 2 year old son who knows how to touch things and say "Hot!" and I have a listening room that has the system on one side and a TV on the other. Integrating the tv to my main rig seems sinful but inevitable. I also have the desire to set up a second system in a different area of the house that we spend most of our time in. So extra cash from the "downgrade" may be put to a good use. May result in more time in front of the stereo!

So to make a long story short... Does anyone have a recommendation for an integrated amp that would provide musical pleasure and fit nicely into or on top of a rack away from fingers? This would replace my lovely VK75Se and also eventually take inputs from a cable box (argh!!!) and a DVD player.

I'm thinking about the Bat Integrated, the Cary SLI80 or the YBA Passion. Of the three I've only listened to the BAT and never in my system. Any experience with these units compared to the VK75se? I would prefer to stick to tubes, I would prefer at least one balanced input on the integrated.

Thanks for any opinion. -Karl_desch
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Showing 2 responses by karl_desch

karl_desch's avatar
karl_desch OP
422 posts
 
Thanks for the responses. Unsound, Rgurney, actually, the danger of burning little fingers is pretty minimal and not my cheif concern. I just thought one advantage of an integrated would be getting it away from the boy.

Rlew, sounds like you just went through the same thing. Do you know the BAT integrated well? Thanks for the tip about the tube cage. Viktor has always been great to me.

I guess another way to look at the problem here is that I need a preamp for functionality (getting the TV into the mix), and can't afford a VK31/51 level of quality piece. The inspiration to sell the VK75 and go for the integrated was based on the ability to generate funds for a nice integrated. I realize that there will be some sonic comrimise but I was looking for insights from others who have listened to good integrateds.

My ultimate goal is to actually listen to more music, and get more use out of my main rig.

Keep the comments coming. Thanks.
karl_desch's avatar
karl_desch OP
422 posts
 
Jackaroe,

Nice solution. I beleive the NAD pieces are L53 (2 channel) and L73 (5).

I would love to get the main rig away from the TV, but that room has the best acoustics. Upstairs, we have a nice family room with great space but it would be hard to acoustically treat it and keep it good looking. So I'm not excited about putting the good stuff in that room. I just don't think the components can shine through up there. But a second system would work great there, like a Music Hall/Epos thing.

I will just have audition some integrated in the main rig to hear the comprimise. Or just get a good preamp and integrae the system into the TV.

-Karl
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