2. amps-preamps
  3. 1109155985

BAT vs. Mcintosh?

I currently own a VK-60 amp that I absolutely love but have often been intrigued by Mcintosh products. I will be able to spend about two thousand dollars on my next upgrade & have always considered purchasing another VK-60 but don't really have the room to run two of these massive amps based on the size of my listening area. Would I be better off trying a Mcintosh product, maybe a MA6500 or one of their other amps? I realize my VR4 jr's could use some more power which is why I'm considering the switch to a big Mcintosh solid state. I listen to clasic rock exclusively.
fishwater
gunbei
2,327 posts
 
As a happy BAT owner I must say that I really like the look of the Macs. The blue lit meters are cool!
theo's avatar
theo
2,664 posts
 
aball-it was in Denver at Audio Unlimited
fplanner2000
616 posts
 
Theo-

Listened to the 501's and BAT at Audio Unlimited based upon your post above, and noticed pretty much the same differences you did. In fairness to Mac, however, I will point out that the BAT I listened to was not merely the VK-600, but the VK-600SE, which retails for $11,300, considerably more than the 501's. The BAT SE had the BAT-PAK and SUPERPAK built in - the sound was pretty amazing.

Do you recall if you heard the 600 or 600SE?

Thanks
theo's avatar
theo
2,664 posts
 
You know I don't recall ever being told. I was just told that is was the 2 channel version of virtually the same construction as the VK6200, which was what I would have been buying. ( I am tring to save some rack space ) But I would expect a 11K Plus amp to out perform a pair of 8K mono's. That may have been the case in which re-inforces my decision to stay with my Mac setup. For the time being, I still enjoy the sound of my 352 and I can wait before plopping down any funds right now. I want to look at a few other amps as well. The Jeff Roland mono blocks intrigue me in what they deliver for the size they are. They are priced about the same as the BAT. But I really am on hold for the moment, I am having pre-separation anxiety with my blue meters.
By the way had you been to Audio Unlimited before? They are great guys there and I would like to business there on a larger scale just haven't yet. Was going to buy the JM Labs 936's but went the Revel route instead. But I like the manner in which they do business. If wishes were amps dreamers would have Boulder Amps...but that is way out of reach for me. Thanks for getting back.
larryken
537 posts
 
For rock music the best amp I heard was a Pass X series...very detailed and a forward, powerfull presentation....I bought the BAT VK500 because I liked it's open, detailed, not in your face presentation.It seemed to go well with all kinds of music...just a matter of taste.
Regards,
Larry
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