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BAT VK-5i more tube-like than new VK-50SE?

I just purchased a Krell FPB 600C and am looking for a good pre-amp. As I search through the forum, couple names kept popping up. One is BAT VK-5i and VK50SE, and the other is Sonic Frontier Line 3. One audiogon member said not to get the 50SE because you are paying a premium to get a solid state sound, and suggested to stay with the VK-5i. Can any one share some of their experience with me? I like a warm lush sound with a bit of bite.
molarmiler
classical_man
9 posts
 
I am thinking to get either BAT VK-5i or VK-50SE for my ARC-VT100? Are they work well with ARC VT-100? Your comments will be greatly appreciated.
ed_sawyer
588 posts
 
Don't forget the VK30 - all the nice features of the vk50, sweet tube sound from it's 6 6922s (many rolling options), newer than the 5i, cheaper than the 50se. IMHO, the best of all worlds. I have compared to a 50se and haven't found it lacking (30).

IMHo,
-Ed
smotyka
62 posts
 
I would certainly check the archives of Audio Asylum before I'd match a BAT Pre with a Krell Amp.

I tried a Spectral Pre with an ARC VT130se & it didn't work IMHO. I ended up with a BAT VK30SE and an ARC VT130 and a pair of Coincident Super Towers which seems to work.
john_l
782 posts
 
Jeff Wu,
I use my nos tubed vk-5i with my vt100m2. It's one of my very favorite combinations. The warmth of the 5i goes well with the transparency of the vt100m2. It's almost like a vintage toned highly transparent system. I've heard more transparent systems, but this one seems to be 'just right'. I'm using audio physic avantis with these - the avanti's are so detailed that a warmer front end serves them well.

A friend who is a dealer brought over a vk50SE and a VK30SE on separate occasions and we hooked it up to the vt100. I used audio physic virgo speakers with vk30SE and vandersteen 5's with the 50SE. The vk30SE was much better than my pass labs aleph P with the vt100, and the 50SE demolished the ARC ref1 I was using with my vandersteen 5's at the time. It wasn't even close. Keep in mind that the vandersteen 5 is a little resolution starved, so ANY added transparency improves things. I do note that the aleph P was better with the aleph 2 monoblocks.

So, to answer your question, YES the BAT preamps are a good match for the vt100m2. I would say the 50SE is better than the 5i, but I note that I heard them 4 months apart, and with different cabling and speakers.
gendut3
52 posts
 
Jeff Wu,

John is right get any BAT preamp if you have ARC amp or SS amp. In my taste i don't like BAT amp with BAT preamp they went too warm and little bit lack of detail and the soundstage was little unfocus.
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