2. amps-preamps
  3. 159821-2881

Balanced Audio Technology (VK-56SE, VK-76SE or REX 3)

I’d love your opinion/thoughts on any of these amps listed in the title. 
I know they run pretty hot. I’ve never heard these or their previous versions and was curious about the sound. 
Can anyone briefly describe what they love about them?

 Thank you!
joeinid
arnor
3 posts
 

I am even later, but am new to this forum. I just received my BAT VK-56SE to replace my 23-year old AES AE-25 Super Amp that I assembled from a kit. The Super Amp developed some yet-to-be-determined issue and is going to be repaired      
I have the VK-56SE paired with my VK-30 pre-amp that was recapped by BAT last year. My Super Amp had the balanced input upgrade. Sources are a MH MMF 7 and a Technics SL-G700. Speakers are ProAc Studio 125s. 
First impressions are really fantastic. With the Technics, high end is clearer and more nuanced with the VK-56SE. The bottom end is tighter. I ran KT-120s in the Super Amp and I think the midrange was warmer than the VK-56SE.  But this is not a true A/B comparison. The 6C33C tubes on the  VK-56SE are massive and put out a tremendous amount of heat in my 14x16 foot listening room. I am really happy with the new BAT addition to my system. 

gadawg58
43 posts
 

I’ve run a BAT Rex II preamp for the past 5 years with Mark Levinson Mono’s but recently got a great deal on a pair of REX II mono amps that I had to buy and try. Levinson’ s went up for sale the next day.  Now with the full BAT REX system I’m enjoying music to a degree I didn’t think possible. The Rex II mono’s really transformed my listening experience and really improved on my prior amps in almost every way. My first thought was my goodness Mark Knopfler really sounds like he’s in the room singing now! I’m in a 20X24 room with dedicated AC so I’m not noticing any heat issues with the pair of these bad boys! Now I can only imagine how good the REX III’s are …

George 

berd
2 posts
 

I got a Rex 3 about a month ago and love it. Was running Pass Labs XA 25 and X 250.8 before that.  While my Pass Amps are great, I prefer the Rex. Instruments and voices are more solid / fleshed out than with the Pass Labs.  I've been into audio for over 40 years and my wife says the system has never sounded better. 

I never heard the VK series but the Rex 3 is a very special Amp.

It does produce a lot of Heat so probably not ideal for small rooms in hot climates. 

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