Choosing between 2 preamps

Quickie peek, I would pass on the BAT based on the comments about the Soviet Tube they use.

Atma-Sphere, I wish I liked it's looks because everything seems right! I wonder if they could provide a Stereo/Mono in addition to or even instead of Phase, and if not remote balance, then separate left and right volume controls.

$2200? Used? An MP3 is $5k plus new.

@noromance yes used with phono i think its mk 3.2/3.1.

Aounds too high? I don’t live in the US and all US gear is pretty pricey here.

@elliottbnewcombjr I didn’t understand if you talked about the visually look of the MP-3 , sorry.

also can you link me about the soviet tubes? It’s just normal 6h30 sovtek/ elctro harmonic from what i know.

comments re: those tubes in this review

https://10audio.com/bat_31se/

yes, I was talking only about the visual appearance, and my desired features, atma-sphere's equipment seems top notch, from both their site and remarks from owners here.

if you get the serial number, then atma-sphere can tell you about it, including optional future upgrades if they recommend any.

I have the BAT VK-80 and I can assure you the 6H30 tubes are very good. Even much of the Audio Reasearch gear has used them!

I would work on speaker positioning. Your Audio Research Ref 75 has plenty of power for your speakers. Tube amps like this are very powerful. They have deep and nuanced low end. 

@ghdprentice those were not my speakers.

my speakers Sonus Faber Electa Amator 1.

but I am right now looking for a preamplifier (i dont have)

and I can’t audition these two at home…

can you share with me your idea between BAT and Atma Sphere

I saw this right after I joined the forum

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/atma-sphere-ralph-karsten?highlight=ralph

Ralph has replied in generous detail in many discussions I read, including to me when asking for advice here.

I’ve heard the Atma-Sphere (but not the BAT.) and it’s darn good. @atmasphere service is second to none so you’re safe for service and upgrades. Going from 3.2 to 3.3 + VCap is a worthy upgrade.
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Maybe you should look at locally made preamps?

I don’t live in the US and all US gear is pretty pricey here.

I'd pass on both and consider the Audio Research SP-14 that's listed on eBay right now for $1400.00.  Especially since you have an Audio Research power amp.

I don't have a horse in this race, and I'm not getting anything from the deal, but this sure looks like a great deal on a preamp that's definitely top-tier. Stereophile said 

'In my opinion, the sound of the SP14, via line or phono, will set new standards for the industry. I can see other companies using the SP14 as a benchmark by which to judge their own products—it's that good. It is user-friendly and attractively styled, injecting its unique form of magic into the reproduction of music to a degree I've rarely experienced before. I feel it should be included in Class A of "Recommended Components." It is a very special product."

@panzrwagn my amp ihas only xlr inputs.

Got the Atma Sphere mp 3 mk3.2.

thinking about putting Gold Lion 12au7 for 130dollar or

CBS hytron 5814a 12au7 from 1960 NOS 200$

Any experience with these Tubes?

also suggests for 6sn7gt that not too costy?

You might consider everything from Modwright, all hand made to the highest standards….you can’t go wrong…

Friend has the VK-31SE and inspired me to buy a VK-33SE ... both excellent...but yours has been modified so probably no one here has a clue how it sounds...

As i said got the Atmasphere MP-3 mk3.2

Congrats on the new preamp! I'd say for the difference in price go NOS not a fan of current production small signal tubes personally.

I have owned a (stock) BAT Vk30SE for over 20 years from new. I auditioned it against an Atmasphere back in the day and the BAT came out tops. It has also proven to be extremely reliable and I've heard multiple preamps since, none of which have tempted me to upgrade. I note ARC adopted the same tube after Victor highlighted its value in audio, and continue to use it. I have replaced the tubes once  (a couple of years ago), not because of a fault but just because of a presumption that newer ones might sound better. They did, but not dramatically so. The company have also been extremely responsive to email enquiries - responses are signed Victor but it's hard to believe he responds personally to each email. 
I have recently been auditioning preamps for potential upgrade, and have found it necessary to get into the >£10k U.K./>$10k price range to get a meaningful improvement. An ARC in 10-15k range didn't come close to my current VK30SE. A Zanden was similar, Kora not as good, Ayon disappointing (in another system). Octave was very good but so far the only preamp which has significantly outperformed my VK30SE, such that I feel it justifies spending the extra money on it, is another BAT, the VK90. I have paused purchase until I hear a similarly priced Allnic. It does depend what kind of sound reproduction you value or are after. I value well placed/focused imaging, with great sense of space and depth, excellent dynamics, and great detail, although always "musical" by which I mean not over-etched/over-bright or fatiguing. Which can sometimes be the price for pursuing the nth degree in fine detail retrieval.

@honeybadgertube Of NOS 12AU7s the Amperex "Bugle Boy" 7316 has gotten the highest marks in customer feedback. A good alternate is the Bugle Boy 12AU7.

In new tubes we've had good comments about the Gold Lion 12AU7.

No matter what tubes you get or where you got them, in all cases they should be vetted on a tube tester to make sure they test good, then auditioned for low noise, low microphonics and no crackling.

I’ve owned all types of Bat gear over 27 years. They’ve produced a lot of great products over that time. I’ve never been happier than with Bat gear. And their resell market is exceptionally strong. So buy it right and you’ve zero risk. Come to think about it I owned a VK31SE at one time. These products are extremely reliable. I owned VK1000 monoblocks, and also mated them with a VK40 preamplifier. It’s simply exceptional gear.

@honeybadgertube RCA to XLR cables are made. The only meaningful advantages of balanced inputs - improvements in CMRR - don't happen unless you're running cables over 5M. Even in RF noisy environments a properly designed shielded unbalanced connection simply don't suffer at short lengths. In a recording studio with hundreds of cables and RF intrusion opportunities, it's a different story.