help ... BAT or QUAD


Really appreciate any input from fellow friends here...been pondering past week on decision. Speakers are 86db vandersteen 2ce sig 2...

the show down is on between

BAT 3xi + VK55 - (pre,power)
or
QUAD QC-24 + QUAD II-80 - (pre, monoblock)

Price range for both similar as getting demo sets frm reputable dealer...

Mainly listen to jazz, vocals, blues and classical, orchestra...

BAT combo scores on their unique musicality especially the 'thang' and the 'dark piano bar' sounding that seems to be elipsed in other brands. QUAD combo scores in solid, controlled lows and taller sound stage. musical presentation is larger and more powerful all round. But mid range (vocals) not as involving as BAT. BAT combo is apparently less expansive sound stage wise but the musical presentation is thoroughly INVOLVING. QUAD sounds big,powerful,clear,dynamic (remarkabe for tube power amps) BUT somehow does not involve u as much. mindbearing that we are comparing a mono block set up (QUAD combo) against the pre-power(BAT Combo) hence.....

checked reviews/discussions but yet to see anyone comparing against either of these. Aware pitting the entry levels of BAT pre power against the classic ref of QUAD may not exactly seem fair but still....

heritage wise, QUAD is heads up against BAT but deem both to be equally reliable in terms of after sales but then again this may not exactly be the most important element for comparision...

Option for adding an additional BAT VK55 as monoblock may be possible later but not to be considered at this point due to budget.

speakers seems to run equally well on both with 86db efficiency. ie. BAT combo equally involving .... wherease QUAD combo really power up the speakers albeit lacking that emotional involvement.

The emotional involvement of the BAT combo is magnified when listening to VOCALS, JAZZ, BLUES but not really applicable in classical and orchestra which is where classical/orchestra gains a notch with QUAD combo...

Thanks very much for reading this far ... thanks your patience and further gratitude if u have any input...
art80342
"Is BAT regarded as a notch below QUAD?"

Nope. But what do you care? It's how you respond to the sound that counts. You're lucky because you have been able to listen and compare in the same circumstances. If you have not been able to make up your mind yet, you haven't let your musical intuition work on the decision long enough.

Get in some more listening time and pay attention to your emotional and physical response, not to sonic characteristics. Your body will tell you what it likes best: tappy toes, the urge to dance, a feeling in the heart or the stomach... something like that.

For my 2 cents, you already know which one moves you most. Trust that.
i'm guessing here that don't already have the marantz or mac integrated. if you do, you're already in fine shape. speakers will still be the key. if you're still determined to get seperates,and the choice is those you've listed, i would be inclined to pick the quad, for the very reasons you have listed above.