CAT pre-amps

I have a CAT sig. mk. III and although I have only heard a BAT preamp once( I dont remember which model ) it has been my impression that the CAT gives one of the largest soundstages around. This is all also dependent apon one's other equipment, speakers, room set up, etc. The CAT also has a rich prominent midrange. A great preamp for Jazz, classical , voice , etc. Also one of the better phono-sections. Hope this helps-Jim

I have the CAT mk. III which I bought after auditioning a mid level spectral and the top of the line cary. The CAT struck me as the most natural of the 3; the Cary was more romantic (but I could easily live with it) and the spectral seemed to 'extract more detail' (as they always say). I think in general you'll find better soundstaging with tubes overall.

The CAT is the most un-collered pre-amp on market, it has one of the best phono section available, very un-collered. The preamp can change sound signiture bassed on tubes in unit, factory tubes sound hard, if replace with NOS tubes unit can sound warm and romantic or very detailed, depending on soun preference. The new unit Ultimate is better than MKIII, but not at the price differential. You can buy used MKIII for around $2700, great deal.

I have a CAT Ultimate. While I haven't heard everything, if these are not the best preamps available anywhere, they are WAY up there. I have even heard a 8-10 year old CAT Reference and, while it sounded slightly different (a little brighter, maybe slightly less smooth, and even more dynamic than my Ultimate), it is also a great preamp. The CAT is, above all things, musical like nothing I have heard. But they also are grain free, have great extension at the frequency extremes, dynamic and have a magically transparent midrange. I have heard a BAT VK-50 with BAT amplifier (don't remember which) playing through a B&W Matrix 802 and found the sound uninvolving. Uninvolving sound, I believe, is something a CAT is incapable of.