BAT VK-5i more tube-like than new VK-50SE?

"Warm lush sound with a bit of bite"

Reading that I'd say the 50SE would be right up your alley!
I have one, and am more than pleased with it. As to the 5i,
it would be a bit more "tubey" than the 50SE. I have a VK3i on another system, and the tube euphonics of the 3i match the rest of that system to a T. I find that BAT preamps, up and down the line are excellent value.

I have been using a VK-50SE for about 15 months. Compare with the 5i, the 50SE is much more dynamic and transparent. I particularly like its layered 3D soundstage which, when playing large orchestra or pipe organ, produces a kind of grandness that 5i lacks. The 50SE does require a very long break-in period. When it was new, it sounded like a bad solid state. It became more acceptable after a couple hundred hours. And now, after more than 2000 hours, I won't tread it for anything else.

I agree with Nar_com. At this price level you really should audition it in your own system. My taste may be different from yours.

I am thinking to get either BAT VK-5i or VK-50SE for my ARC-VT100? Are they work well with ARC VT-100? Your comments will be greatly appreciated.

Don't forget the VK30 - all the nice features of the vk50, sweet tube sound from it's 6 6922s (many rolling options), newer than the 5i, cheaper than the 50se. IMHO, the best of all worlds. I have compared to a 50se and haven't found it lacking (30).

IMHo,
-Ed

I would certainly check the archives of Audio Asylum before I'd match a BAT Pre with a Krell Amp.

I tried a Spectral Pre with an ARC VT130se & it didn't work IMHO. I ended up with a BAT VK30SE and an ARC VT130 and a pair of Coincident Super Towers which seems to work.