Hello Pmwoodward,
Fantastic company! Great people! Standard setting killer products! IMHO one of the best companies in hi-end today that should be around for a long time to come. I wish them all the success they deserve.
Tom |
Hmm...seems like at least one post a week here asking about info on their products. The VK51SE just had a round of stellar reviews the last 6-12 months... |
I have 2 peice`s of BAT vk51se , vkp-5 and am currenty looking for a good deal on a third. I hope the price will be driven down by people who think BAT is overpriced rubish. I could only DREAM the truth is it`s fantastic equipment that hold`s its value. Plus the service at BAT is A+++ . David |
Generally speaking, audio products create the most buzz when new models come out. BAT's hasn't released new models in over a year, so the buzz may have faded a bit, but not the quality of the product. I'm very happy with my VK-DSE, VK-P5 and VK-31SE. Long live BAT! |
I have yet to own a BAT product, though I've liked what I've heard. I inquired of them once regarding the serial number of a piece that was up for sale her eon the 'Gon. I got a response via e-mail with a production date and some product comments in about 30 minutes. That impressed me greatly. |
Any word on new products to be introduced this year? |
just one very happy audiophile with my VK-P10SE and VK-51SE, they need months and months to run in but boy do they shine now.. Januarie comes the VK-600SE and the VK-D5 SE too. can't wait !
i'm totally hooked on BAT. |
BAT does not subscribe to the 'flavor of the month' method of product release and, as such, is currently not a hot topic in the audio press. The 'buzz' in the industry tends to be about the latest rather than the most reliable or truly exceptional. This may be one reason why their glory seems a bit faded. In any case, I doubt issues exist with their products or services that would give pause to anyone in the market for a finely engineered piece of gear.
Incidently, the VK 55 was released this year, so they haven't completely dropped off the face of the Earth. |
Here in Greece BAT is like a "shadow" you can't find all the products, no listening sessions at home, in fact listening to BAt is science-fiction, no good prices........... I strongly believe that BAT is a very good company but not "present" in my country. |
typical of hi end audio, new line comes out, gets great press,then the press moves on, I do read the mags,but I never follow what they say,I just take it with a grain of salt, they are in the business of selling magazines,to do that they have to keep coming up with new and different stuff to review,just the nature of the beast. Iam sure some of their reviews are correct,but as always you have to hear for yourself....to me a good indicator of good equipment is, what dealer sells it ? and for how long and do they stock it etc....do they know it and do they like it.
I have been in some " hi end stores" and asked about a certain product and they say yes we carry it, I say great do you have one to hear...then I was told"thats an order item"
To me thats not "carrying" it at all, thats just taking orders...stores like that hurt themselves and the manufacturer....just gives good reason to shop on the gon.
When i asked why they didnt have it, they said,"well we arent the warehouse for the manufacurer" etc...and no stores really stock gear these days etc....I said your competition does....they carry alot of hi end gear, and have alot on display and most in stock....to me that says alot about the manufacturer and the dealer....It means they get behind and believe in it, not just wait for some big review and take orders...I know I am getting off the track here...just venting...it seems BAT has a good reputation and people like it, but damn if i can find a store that stocks it and displays it, to the level of say Mcintosh dealer. The store i am talking about has just about everything of Mac on display and a fair amount in stock...like I said that says something |
Probably more because Mc sells as a brand because of reputation among non-audiophiles. They also focus on HT a lot, which is where most dealers are earning the cash.
I find little correlation between quality and "stocking" of product. Most dealers don't like having a lot of inventory anyways.
My BAT dealer has 5 or 6 pieces on display/rotation, and it isn't hard to order product (just placed an order for 75SE and it will be there in less than 14 days, fresh and new) |
I have no problem with no stock, but I do have problems with no displays. A dealer doesn't even have to carry the entire line, but should at least have some pieces representative of the line. So with BAT, they should have at least 1 tube and 1 solid state amp, etc. That way you can at least get a feel for what you're ordering. |
Hi Keith,
Congratulations! All the best with the new amp. I'm sure you will love it.
Tom |
I think 5 or 6 pieces on display is good, something in stock would be better, I mean is everybody buying blind ??
The dealer I am talking about didn't have anything on demo and the amp I was interested was only 1500 retail...thats NOT what i call "carrying the line".
As we all know you cant really tell about something until you get it home....so a good dealer should at least be able to loan you something to try, but they got to have it on display to do that. |
Tom,
Thanks (as well to your previous comments off-line) and I'm really excited.
I may step up soon and get a 51SE to match :)
Ben- not sure where you live, but let us know and we may be able to help.
Cheers,
Keith |
I caught a buzzz...
I've been out of audio for quite some time now, long enough that I had not even heard of BAT. But, in my getting back up to speed I found lots of praise for their products.
I just bought a VK3i and have a VK200 on the way. Both purchases were made though Audiogon. I love this place!Once I get a CD player and speakers I'll let you know if BAT is worth all the fuss. I sure hope so!
Dean. |
I guess I would rather live somewhere where the dealer doesn't have demos or stock than live somewhere where there are no dealers. Like Memphis, where I'm living now. |
I have an all BAT system 5i, D5se and VK500...this is seriously well engineered good sounding gear....if you call the company usually Viktor or Steve the owners answer the phone...they just moved into a new facility.
Larry |
