2. amps-preamps
  3. 1068071395

BAT VK500 upgrade struggles

Hi,

Before I begin let me describe my current system setup

BAT VK500 with BAT/PAK
CJ PV10A (With new Mullard tubes)
Ah Njoe Tjoeb 4000 with Upsampler
Vienna Acoustics Bachs
Tara Labs RSC Prime 1000 Interconnects

A couple of weeks ago I got my new (used) BAT VK500. I was immediatley impressed with its detail,openess and control. Unfortunatley it was also bright and harsh. My local dealer loaned me a pair of Tara Labs RSC cables and that has helped quite a bit. The last issue I'm struggling with is that my system sounds "hard". It sounds very clean and lean but there is none of the lushness that I had before.
My previous amp was a Sonographe SA 400. Any thoughts on what I can do to "soften" up the sound a bit? I'm really confused. Someone suggested that the BAT is just overwhelming my pre-amp and I need to upgrade? Any thoughts?

Thanks
cmach
cmach

Showing 2 responses by aball

aball
2,018 posts
 
This is a classic sitution where you are realizing what type of sound you actually like. Most people fall into 2 catergories: warm or cool. You are of the warm camp, along with CJ, McIntosh, and Rowland mainly, and most tube amps. You will have to return to the warm camp since you apparently don't like the cool one! I am the same as you.

I suggest you get somthing from what I mentioned above. For the price of the VK-500, you can get a McIntosh MC352. It will have exactly what you are looking for. Trust me, I have been down this road already. Take care and have fun experimenting! Arthur
aball
2,018 posts
 
I agree, Classe is another possibility. I have noticed in my amp swapping that higher power amps of one brand lose some "lushness" compared to lower powered ones of the same brand. That is somewhat the idea behind SET amp magic too but it's very true for SS if both amps use the same basic circuits. Good luck!
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