BAT Preamps, why such polarized opposite opinions?

This thread is a perfect example of the inadequacies of relying on word of mouth to shape one's "experience" with a componenet. There is no substitute for getting the piece in your system or at a minimum, listening to it somewhere with similiar (to yours) mating equipment. My personal experience with BAT is totally opposite of "thick slow veiled". This pitiful description takes top place for largest disparity between "word on the street" and my experience (and others I know) with it. Other "stereotypes" have sometimes been a better match OTOH, but wow, BAT as "thick slow and veiled" is just flat out funny! It is not even worth the pixels to blab on about what pieces I heard as NONE of this matters. What matters is that YOU stop forming judgements based on others views. Do what everyone else does: get on the merry go round and try a few seats. It's the only way. Everything else is, as mr tennis stated, a total waste of time.

None of the above responses takes the place of a proper audition. NONE. This is a truth that no one worth their flux capacitors can deny.
Enjoy the ARC REF3 Elberoth2. I heard (or was that read?) somewhere that it is white hot sounding in its presentation. Perhaps someday I will take the requisite time to audition one in my reference system.

The point Audiosoul, is just buy one already and listen to it. Who cares what mega buck system something is in. That says nothing. Get one for yourself and form your own judgements. Don't write off what could potentially be a great match with the 100.2. I had that amp for a while and loved it. It is in the "exceptional" category. With it's high input impedance and powerful lucid presentation I think it would be a stunning match with the BAT VK51SE. Go for it. I have a Bat VK5i, that with my Pass X250.5 (22k ohms Zin) ...is an excellent match...I have never had PRAT like this...so much for slow/thick/veiled!!