Balanced Audio Technology (Bat) Vk33se

Thanks velocityofhue,

I am really enjoying the vk-33se with a Mcintosh mc452 amp and Merason Dac1. 
It’s very holographic and smooth with an incredible soundstage that on most recordings is airy and magical. 
I couldn’t  be more pleased. 
 

starboard

Totally top of the line preamplifier starboard. An absolute Music Machine , Mate it with a BAT amplifier and run balanced XLR for the best sound. Congrats on the purchase!

Sorry for the slight thread drift but on the back-cover of the last two issues of S'Phile BAT has been advertising something to the effect that they offer "solid state, for the very best in audio". Kind of surprised me since BAT sold lots of tube designs, much like Atma-Sphere proclaiming it's Class-D amp is the best amp they have ever made. 

Forgive me for being a skeptic, but the bottom line is the bottom line. If tubes are not readily available, than what other option is there for a manufacturer that wishes to remain in business? 

I bought the VK-33 (not the SE) because I wanted to tube roll. I have it paired with a BAT VK-225se power amp. This combo sounds astounding, and I never cease to be amazed at how good BAT gear sounds. Built like a tank, too. 

To correct myself, the vk-33 has been discontinued and replaced by the new Vk-80 for $10000. 
starboard

I found and took a leap of faith and bought a like new vk-33se. I have bought used gear in the past and was disappointed with the purchase. Not this time, Dweller is spot on. Like Dweller, This also is the best sounding preamp I’ve ever had in my system. I’m surprised there are no professional reviews on this preamp. It’s not bright nor forward or fat and boring. It seems to play everything I throw at it beautifully. I can’t find anything it does wrong, it’s purely musical. 
Steve at Bat answered all my questions politely even when I was asking about a used vk-33se. 
The preamp is built like a tank. It weighs 40 pounds and looks as good as it sounds   
list price is $10,000, and can be found used for $4500-$5500. In this crazy high priced hobby it is a steel used. 
So there it is, I easily can recommend this pre to anyone shopping for a preamp. 
 

Starboard

@bluethinker - Nothing but love for the VK-255SE. I used tube amps most of my life (now 70). Audio Research Classic 60, VT-100, VT-100 Mk-III, two Almarro low-power amps. I've concluded that tube amps, as good as they are, tend to homogenize textures making things too smooth sometimes.

The VK-255SE does everthing I want, is not crazy priced (used) and mates well with my VK-33SE. Read about the design of this amp on BAT website for more info. They say converting to mono doesn't increase wattage much but doubles the current. Would like to hear that sometime. Thanks 

@dweller - I would love to hear your impressions of your BAT VK-255 SE amp. I’ve heard that it’s voiced to sound a bit like tubes, which would be appealing to me. I currently have a Linear Tube Audio reference preamp which I absolutely love paired with a 100 watt Audio Hungary tube amp. It’s a great pairing, but I’m interested in getting a solid state amp to avoid maintenance issues down the road. 

I found one review on the BAT VK-255SE amp which referenced a tube like tone with buttery textures, but was somewhat critical on some other items which I’ve now forgotten. 
 

I’d love to find a power amp that has a level of warmth to balance the detailed nature of the LTA preamp. Thanks in advance! 

BAT could be the most underrated brand out there. They don’t use fancy chassis, instead putting $ into what matters.

I sent you a message dweller. I’m in Duluth Mn. 

Current user. Best Pre ever owned. Can’t rate it highly enough. Have seen these for sale for $4500. BAT just doesn’t do well on the used market. Highly resolving and extremely musical. Also use the VK-255SE amp. Top quality. Where are you located?