Upgrade Phonostage

Hi I had your phone stage about 6-7 years ago and upgraded. The Superpak is a big deal. The tonality and everything you like about your P10SE stays, however everything is presented with ease and flow that your current phono stage just can't do. Background is a little quieter, allow more info (details, soundstage cues, etc) emerge better also.

It's definately a worthwhile upgrade given your cartridge (not sure what a classic TT is? VPI?). Also if you're not running a balanced tonearm cable, this should come before the superpak upgrade. (and a balanced cable to your ref 3)

The big caps in the BAT VKP10 SE SuperPak take a while to fully break in, but you notice the improvement immediately, just get's better over a month or two of playing time...

I do believe if you search, I posted some other comments here soon after I did the upgrade...good luck, post back if you do this and what your thoughts are...

Personally, I wouldn't bother. I did not go through the upgrade process like Jfrech did, but I did own a new BAT VK-P10SE with Super-Pak for a year or so. I wound up replacing it with a Klyne 7PX 5.0 which I thought was much better. That Klyne was the best phono stage that I've ever owned. As always, YMMV.

I guess I should also say I replaced my VK P10SE Superpak with a Nagra VPS/VFS. Very happy ;-)...had the Nagra now a few years...

Also I know the Audio Research phono stages are getting great press...

So jmcgrogan2 has a point here...if your spending 2k +/- for the upgrade, you might as well check out other options. Looks like the 2 of us did and seem happier...

Where do you live? If you happen to be close by, welcome to stop by...

At the levels you are thinking about, upgrades become more a matter of taste than actual betterment. A little deeper or tighter bass, more extended highs, a more liquid midrange. But often you must give up something to get the other.

As for upgrading the power supply, I did find my system to be cleaner and more open when I added the outboard Simaudio FSX5.3 to my LP5.3 phono. Als a greater ease to the sound.

Jfrech saw your review on the superpak I am still leaning in that direction. Want to thank you for the invite but in reading your system review I saw you live in Texas I live in Southern California. I purchase the BAT because of their midrange, it is magical, and my main concern with the upgrade is that I don't lose that magic.What improvements with the Nagra made you take that step. Noticed you have the Triton conditioner thats another avenue I might pursue before the superpak currently have no conditioning other than upgraded outlets. Jmcgrogan2 and Manitunc want to thank you for your posts. Jfrech terrific system. Enjoy