BAT VK P5 VS P10

Years ago I made the switch from a p5 to a p10, then upgraded it to p10se, then p10se superpak.

It's a big difference on each step. the p5 to p10 will yield a much quieter background and better detail and dynamics. Another jump in performance on the p10 can be had with a balanced tonearm cable. The p10 goes to a fully balanced input if you use the xlr's inputs.

The p5 is great, but the p10 is a substantial improvement.

Good luck

Hi Jfrech:

Thank you for the update, I have removed the 8-6922 stock Sovtek and replaced them with 6-6922 Jan Phillips low noise and 2-6922 Amperex Buggle Boys on the input were they say it is the most important on my present VK P5. I also replaced the 2-6ns7 stock Sovtek with 2-5692 RCA Red seals. and heard some improvement.

Reason for the curiosity, I am using a Orotofon Jubilee cartridge that has a .340mv output and knowing that the P10 has step up transformers which I could switch to low gain and bring the gain to 62db.

I presently use the high gain on the P5 and gain 6 db but feel at 56db is not still enough to drive the Jubilee and sonically achieving the full detail/dynamics of what that cartridge is capable.

enjoy music!

I suspect the XLR input on the p10 might be the help you need. It add's 6db of gain (plus being balanced which rejects more noise) with out using the transformers...and if you still need more the transformers are available.

I used those same tubes in my P10 when i had it...yes, nice help !

Wow, as much as 6db. I guess I will shop a P10 on the used market, Victor told me there are 3 revision PC boards and he mention that I would benefit from the latest revision, even for the SE mod, because he will no later mod the first two rev. due to excessive parts replacements.

Have you also heard that.

Jfrech is exactly right in everything he says. I have a P10SE with Superpak. It sounds better without using the transformers. The XLR input will provide the extra gain as mentioned and will have a lower noise floor also.
FYI - I recently sent my unit in to get the auto DC balance mod rather than adjusting the DC balance manually which I had been doing since I purchased the unit. Several months ago, Victor changed to an AC balance circuit which he feels works better than the DC balance circuit. That is the latest mod for the P10SE.

I really appreciate all the input given and will now patiencely wait til a P10 SE with a Superpak is offered. At this point reading all the reports and reading what is being mentioned here it makes only logical sense to search in that direction.

Again thank you for all the support on the matter.

Enjoy music!

I absolutely love my VK-P10SE Superpak (which I purchased from Jfrech!). I sent it to BAT last May for the AC balance and new-style superpak upgrade. It is serial number 027, and has been incrementally upgraded over the past several years first by John and now by me. Unfortunately, due to the age of the circuit board, they did not feel comfortable changing the transformers to the Lundahl units (which is a non-issue for me, as I do not use the transformer). Whatever you do, get the serial number of the unit you are considering and check with Victor or Vladimir at BAT to determine the history of the unit and the potential for future upgrades (such as the AC autobalance circuit). I highly recommend the VK-P10SE superpak!!

That is correct, Victor has explain to me that the revision# on the PC board is important to note. BAT will only do the latest version.

I will have to request for the revision# prior purchasing.

John as you have quoted:

"I suspect the XLR input on the p10 might be the help you need. It add's 6db of gain (plus being balanced which rejects more noise)"

Should I use low or high gain. I assume that there might be some degradation, when switched to high gain output.

Thank you for your support.

Audiogalore - With my P10SE, I use high gain and direct(without transformers) for a variety of MC cartridges. I don't hear any degradation from low to high gain but I do with the transformers.

Great information, I also presently use the high gain on my present P5 setup.

Thank you for your support and look forward persuading a P10. I guess as John mentions the biggest improvement over the P5 will be P10 XLR input from the cartridge dim cable to gain the 6db.

Enjoy music!

Hi, see above, It's more than just the added gain with the xlr input. It's better gain, lower noise which yeilds all sorts of benefits (resolution, detail, better stage/cues etc). Just don't want this minimized. On this phono stage, it's a upgrade.