2. amps-preamps
  3. 176224-139996

BAT Preamp Output Design Changes - Why?

I’ve been looking at the recent preamp offerings from Balanced Audio Technology (BAT). I notice that they are now touting transformer coupled (2nd generation) outputs – moving away from capacitor coupled.

 

When the company first debuted (to much acclaim I might add) their highly regarded preamps: the VK-3 and VK-5 (and variants), they were transformer coupled designs, but then BAT moved away from using output transformers for many years. They have now moved back to transformers. Any idea on why this flip-flop in preamp design? Afterall, neither transformers nor capacitors are new technologies – why such a major change in design approach?

captc2

Showing 2 responses by captc2

captc2 OP
5 posts
 

Fascinating. Thank you for this insight!

 

captc2 OP
5 posts
 

Gentlemen,

Thank you for your thoughtful replies. Your comments confirmed my suspicious as to why the move back to transformers, which were: 1) market access - compatibility with more amps; 2) The sound (bass roll-off), and; 3) reliability as caps sooner or later will need to be replaced. While I agree there has been some evolutionary movement in materials/caps/transformers/wire/cores, etc., it does make me wonder why BAT moved away from transformers in the first place – seems like the first approach was the right one. Regardless, I’m looking forward to hearing my first BAT with transformer coupled outputs very soon.

 

Cheers.

 

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