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Lack of Bass from my BAT VK-5i Preamp...

I'm running BAT VK-5i tube preamp with Jeff Rowland Model 5 SS amp with really good result but kind of thin in lower frequencies. Here is my comparison in my system between using BAT Tube preamp and EAD Signature SS Preamp with my JR 5 amp to feed B&W 802S3.

With BAT VK-5i Tube: Music is more refined with no grain. Image and soundstage are really excellent. You can spot each of instruments in the band in exact location. More than that, Highs are so sweet and Mids are full and rich. By the way, it lacks the excitement from bass in lower frequencies. I'm in process of getting new Amperex/Tungsol tubes to replace Sovtek tubes. I hope this upgrade would bring some improvements in lower frequencies.

With EAD Signature SS: More excitement from transient attacks than the BAT but image and sound stage are not as good.

Is it a typicall characteristic of tube gears. Or anyone have compared BAT VK-5i with other SS preamps, please give me your result.
ted263

Showing 2 responses by ted263

ted263 OP
9 posts
 
Thanks a lot Joeabrams!! I did some research on specification of both pieces and found the following number:

BAT VK-5i:
- Minimum Power Amp Input Impedance = 10k Ohms each phase

Jeff Rowland Model 5 amp:
- Input Impedance is selectable to 100K,20K, and 600 Ohms
- Overall gain is also selectable to 20, 26, 29.5, 32 dB

Then I decided to do the research a little bit further for input impedance for BAT VK-60 amp which I believe its imput impedance should perfectly match with my VK-5i. It comes up with 200k Ohms each phase.

From those figures, I assume that setting JR5 to 100k Ohms would be the closer match to VK-5i, right?

Now if anybody know how the "overall gain" on my JR5 should be set, please explain to me.

Thanks for reading. Ted
ted263 OP
9 posts
 
I just got new tubes today and already put the Tungsol 5881 and Amperex 6DJ8 Orange Globe (Holland) into my BAT 5i tonight and it did sound much more convincing with more bass attack. By the way, I didn't have a chance to compare with my EAD Signature at this time. I'll post the comparison later.

Thanks everybody for you contribution.
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