Okay- Im going with the Ayon Triton! The BAT VK300x-SE is for sale and the Triton has found a home in my audio rack. I have been a long time BAT fan and have owned at least eight different BAT amps, preamps, and integrated amps over the years. I have nothing negative to say about the 300x-SE. It is a solid performer but I definitely prefer what Im hearing from the Triton on my Dali MS4s. Im not sure I have a handle on all of the appropriate terms to use to explain the differentiating factors, but here goes: (1) soundstage goes to the Triton definitely more dimensional with more front to back depth. On certain cuts, I sense that walk through feel that Ive heard others reference, (2) bass goes to the Triton I was a bit surprised by this. I expected the SS piece to offer deeper bass, but the Triton held its own here. What set the Triton apart was the bass note delineation, and a kind of roundness of the notes. The bass on the Triton has a lot of texture which added richness. While the 300x-SE bass may have been a touch tighter, it was at the expense of the roundness and texture I mentioned, (3) resolution tie. The cool thing about the Triton is that it presents richness and texture without giving up resolution. Ayon has found a very good balance here. The 300x-SE presents a highly resolved picture, but it is more like turning up the sharpness control on your TV. The picture seems more detailed and crisp, but everything has sharp edges. Again, nothing negative about the 300x-SE, just different flavors, (4) tone again to the Triton I think this has to do with the roundness of notes and the texture I previously mentioned. Everything has more body and a natural feel. Both male and female vocal sound more like a live breathing person is singing. The difference is pretty big here
, (5) musical versatility tie. At first I thought the Triton would not be able to handle more complex and upbeat music, and it would be limited to the jazz side of my collection. Well, it does excel with jazz compositions (50% of my listening), but it is solid with Rock, R&B, Reggae, Soca, Calypso, and Hip-Hop (yes- Dead Prez, Mos Def, Talib Kaweli & The Roots are in my rotation!). The 300x-SE is a versatile beast, and handles everything well, (6) user interface to the 300x-SE not even close here. The 300x-SE is a fully featured integrated with many programmable features. The Triton is basic in function, and I dont think Ayons intent was to build an integrated that would complete with products like the BAT in this regard, (7) cool factor Triton by a mile! Have you seen it? No need to explain
