BAT VK-200 vs VK-220?


I've seen a lot written and discussed on VK-200, but not much on VK-220.
Would it be because VK-220 is still relatively new?
Or, because VK-200 was so famous but its following VK-220 was not much different?
Or, because VK-200 is simply a better amp?

For power wise, I think both measures pretty much the same (125 WPC on 8 ohnm), even though a bit different on paper.

Any direct experience on two?
ihcho

Showing 4 responses by samzx12

Ihcho I owned the VK-200 twice in about 2 yrs. It was one of my favorite amps. It is 100 wpc and the VK-220 is 125 wpc. I have not owned the 220 but some say it is about the same as the 200 but with more power and finesse. You can't go wrong with either IMO. I think they are about $500 difference on the used market? I am sure there are some threads or reviews here. I really liked the BAT sound and paired mine with a VK5i.
Yep small world ;)

I have tried various Levinson amps. 27, 27.5, 29, 331, 331.5. For some reason I came back to the 200 because it is a classic and just sounds good to my ears. It does sound like it puts out more than 100 wpc and overall the sonics are smooth, powerful, and detailed. Compared to the ML amps, the bass is deeper and the soundstage is wider. The ML amps seem to be more analytical or neutral which is not a bad thing. The ML amps had better center fill where as the BAT was broader in comparsion. IMO the ML amps have better midbass punch and are built like a tank. They are a pleasure to own and look at but for overall musicality I like the BAT amps. This is not saying the ML amps are bad because they are very very good. I just preferred the BAT in my system.

As far as Preamps the VK5i was the best match. It makes sense and I used NOS tubes. One of the best improvements was to replace the 5881 tubes with TungSol. This was the most noticeable sonic upgrade with this preamp. Replacing the eight 6922 tubes were another improvement but the TungSols were more noticeable IMO. The 6922 replacements I used were Matsushida 6DJ8's. Hope this helps.

What speakers do you have and what kind of sound are you looking for? The Rogue is a good preamp. Does it have XLR? Remember the BAT is XLR. If you dont have XLR you will have to get adaptors if the amp does not come with them.

Hope this helps.

Sam
Ihcho which Signature system do you have? Ty custom built my previous speaker (Signature) and it had the 10" SEAS bass driver. Does yours have the 8" driver? I sold mine this past year and went with the new Decade line.

Rogue and BAT should go well with Ty's speakers. If not, then proceed with plan :)
Yep we did have almost the same system...lol. I sold off my BAT gear last year. I bought Ty's D4's with a sub so I didn't need the power anymore. I have a Cayin 265Ai Class A integrated at 40wpc. This integrated is a sleeper trust me. My CDP is a Muse Model 9 Signature Generation 3.

I am on the powercord merry go round right now so this has been fun changing pc's out. Good to have some local buddies around that enjoy swapping pc's in and out of their systems also. One buddy called me last night and he just bought a VK200 again to play around with while he finds another big amp for his system. These damn VK200's seem to find their way to Lexington all the time...lol.