That Transformational piece of Gear We All Wish For

I've been a BAT man for about 5 years now.  I upgraded to a BAT VK-90 last year and was amazed at the improvement of space between instruments and the air around vocals.  BAT is an outstanding brand of product, as is the company and people there.  I really don't think I will change to another brand, but I am likely to continue to upgrade within the BAT line of products. 

To the question of the OP, transformational products for my systems, over the years, have been phono cartridges and phono stages, speakers, and most recently the BAT VK-90 preamp.  What a fun and pleasurable journey it has been.

And next up is building a dedicated sound room, shortly into the new year.  Literally, adding on to the house and making a room addition that is dedicated to 2-channel high fidelity.  I think that, along with a properly designed set of room treatments, will be the highlight of my audio journey.

agbrace, thank you for the reply.  Yes, the trade-in program.  It is handled by retailers and BAT fulfills the order.  And you are correct, the owner of Music Direct is also the owner of Mobile Fidelity, Mo-Fi Distribution, and BAT.  Best to you on your quest of audio nirvana.

Power cord does make a difference.  I am using the same Audioquest on my VK-90 preamp as ronkent.  Like ronkent, my BAT preamp provides a very wide soundstage, incredible separation of instruments, incredible air surrounding vocals, depth of stage, etc.  Dynamics are strong and most definitely "exciting" and there is absolutely nothing weak about this preamp.

Curiously, @agbrace how did you buy your VK-80 direct?  I had no idea that BAT sells direct to the end user.  Please advise.  Thank you. 

@agbrace  Right on!  Enjoy to its fullest, and in good health.

By the way, I initially had a VK-33 and found it to be very good.  I then had it upgraded to the VK-33SE and there was a marked improvement in all the areas we have mentioned already.  The VK-80 is a direct replacement for the VK-33SE and by utilizing the new capacitors I would imagine that it outperforms the VK-33SE.  When I upgraded from the VK-33SE to the VK-90 I was rather astonished by how much more space between instruments and depth of soundstage was rendered.  Bass is more visceral, but certainly not overdone or bloated.  Just more realistic. 

I would have to say, over the past few years I have found that a top-flight preamp is definitely a transformational component to a great high-fidelity music system. 

@ronkent  If you really want to beat your Coda 16 then settle only for the best solid state amp from BAT, the REX-500.  I am not so sure that the REX-300 will do you any better than what you already have (the CODA 16 is fabulous).  I am considering selling my fairly efficient speakers (next year) and opting for a speaker that is more power demanding.  At the top my short list is the Sonus Faber, Amati G5.  At that time, I would sell my BAT VK-90T power amp and get the REX-500 power amp.  Time will tell, but first up is completing the new sound room addition.  I just received the construction quote yesterday and it is within my financial plan.  Ultimately, my end-game system, in total.  Life is too short, enjoy it while we are able.

@ronkent  An amp stand between the speakers, with a run of XLR cables, and you can put any amp there that you want, regardless of size.  Just sayin'....