Pauly - my apologies for the sluggish response. The 505u I heard was a demo that I understand was well broken in, and it was indeed a great sounding amp. But there was no doubt that the 550 and the 509 were superior, with the 509 being one of the best integrateds I've heard.
Keith - from what I've read, it seems that the more recent Blue Circle integrateds are quite a few steps ahead of the NSCS, so that still leaves me wondering, but still it's great info to have - thanks. |
300XSE is the one i have owned. |
Hi Coverto,
Was the 505u you heard played in enough before you heard it? I own one myself, and after 200 hours of playing it sounded superb to me. I have not heard the 509u though, but I can compare with a accuphase 408. Especially the bass control is the best I ever heard. |
Hey Renjy - thanks for the response - I have indeed heard the Luxman L509u and agree it sounds fantastic - unfortunately, with its price tag, the choice is not mine! I was not as impressed by the 505, although I did like it. If you're saying it sounds better than the BAT at that price, that's great to know.
Thanks Keith - again, very helpful - which BAT did you hear? One of the tubed versions, I'm guessing? |
fantastic integrated---perhaps best in class, even today. i have heard both BAT and Blue Circle---i would say the BAT has more "gusto" and a slightly more liquid midrange. however, i have not heard the Ffth, only the NSCS. |
Coverto - I have listened to the BAT VK-300x before, and it sounded good. But, for that kind of price I believe you can do better. The Luxman L505u, even though it's an SS amp, sounds better than BAT VK-300x for $3,700. If you want the ultimate amp, get the Luxman L509u. All Luxman int amps put out sound that is tube-velvet, with lush detail. However, this unit costs $10k in the USA for the 120-volts model, and a little over $7,000 in Japan for the 100-volts model. The choice is yours. |
Always worth a trip to hear new stuff if you are able.IMHO. |
So are my questions still just too vague or poorly phrased, or have the BAT Vk-300x models failed to inspire a legion of fans who delight in describing their sound versus each other and the competition?
Again, I'm fully aware that only I know what sounds good to me, just trying to figure out if it's worth taking a trip out of town to audition one of these... |
Thanks - I had meant to mention that I'm basically starting over completely with my system, and the current idea is to go with a pair of Ohm 1000 speakers - I'm slightly concerned that the 300x or 6922 might be a little dark for Ohms, for example. Haven't decided on a DAC for my MacBook yet, although my ideal might be something akin to an Audio Note 2.1x. |
Remember,your other equipment has everything to do with the sound also, everything must work together.A list of your other equipment will be helpful.Reccomendations are a start but only you know what sounds good to you. |
... and especially interested in comparisons to Blue Circle integrateds... ideally, I'm looking to hit a mix of non-fatiguing yet lush detail, a weighty, ballsy sound, with a hint of organic, tubey warmth that, at the end of the day, achieves neutrality, the sound of a live performance... I need something versatile that nails everything from the Takacs Quartet to Oscar Peterson to Led Zeppelin. I'm figuring this should be a cinch, right? |
Also interested in comparisons versus the Luxman solid-states - the 505, 550, 509, etc.. |
