Need opinion in searching for new pre-amp

Maintaining system synergy is tough if you start mixing brands together - especially amp and preamp. It boils down to pure luck so experimentation is required if you want to try brands other than BAT. Since you asked for my opinion, I would have to suggest looking into a BAT VK-50SE since synergy is absolutely critical. Good luck! Arthur

I second Aball's suggestion unless you dislike the BAT sound and want to have a change.

Of all the TUBE preamps I've heard and used the two best are the vk30SE and the 50SE. Though I heard them about a month apart, I didn't recall a huge difference between them. I would try upgrading the amp or maybe a cable or source change. If budget allows I would keep the vk30se and buy a set of vk-150SE monoblocks. A world class combination by any measure.

For less cash, I found the vk-30SE and ARC vt100m2 combination to be absolutely wonderful. I preferred it to the sound of the vk60, but not the vk-150SE. Not by a long shot.

I've had both an LS-25, and an LS-5 mk 3 in my system. Both of them were not even in the same building as my vk-5i w/hotrod tubes. I seem to recall that the vk-30SE was better than my vk-5i. Heard them a few months apart.

I find my BAT setup a little harsh sounding, not as refine and full texture sounding as other systems, eg. ARC LS 25MKII or Sonic Frontiers Line 3. Do you guys have the same problem? I will have a chance to demo the ARC Ref.1.

Hello Waynek, I strongly recommend you listen to the BAT31se. I had my 50se upgraded to the 51se and I was blown away by the improvement. After hearing my system with the 51se my friend bought a 31se the next week. Good luck. Tom