BAT SS power amps?

Given that I prefer a warmer sound (after owning sterile sounding electronics such as bryston and musical fidelity)I think I may prefer the sound of an older 500 to the newer 250. Thanks Blindjim.

you're on the right path. That was me all over, after the Krell experience. the ML sounded like a blanket was on the speakers... Just heard (if you can call it that, it was so brief it was like the dealers electric bill was past due), the 400wpc Ayre monos on Sophias with the Ayre 5 pre, and my previous BAT vk5i pre.... with the BAT pre it got more musical but it had it's stock tubes in it... still it did a better job than the Ayre 5 pre IMO. Sort of dry with either pre.

The McIntosh 402 isn't bad. not at all. Though it didn't really outdistance the vk500 w/BP. They were pretty close actually. the BAT comes off a bit warmer. but system stuff could make either about the same sounding.

The 602 is one I would buy. No question. On the Mac speakers at 86db (LS340, LS360, and then the XR2? THE ONE WITH ALL THE TWEETERS lined up) it was pretty stellar. With the LS 360, having a sub is no longer a thought... maybe not with the 340s. depending on room size. I'd go with a diff pre than a MAC to gain more warmth. Very nice sound however with the top Mac SS pre and Mac CDP, which is how I heard it/them.

For value though, and build, it's mighty hard to beat the VK500 w/BP. Just know this, by itself, the VK500 won't be the end all be all in adding warmth to a system. it'll help, but it's not the complete answer. it's a real chameleon. Mainly IMO the pre, if one is used, has the greatest efffect. The PCs you use with it are vastly going to change it's pallet too.

After a couple years, and several PC combos later, the best I've been able to do for it is listed in my virtual system. the flexibility in driving spkrs by having one is also nice.

Good luck.

The BAT is nice, a little warm, like a Levinson but the Levinson has more bass slam, (testicular fortitude).

The Krell is the winner here but you've already had analytical sound so -----

BAT is nice, 600 is even nicer.

Pass is between the Krell and Levinson as far as balance but in a different league if detail and shadings are you forte.

McCormack os warmer and a nice amp at a great price used, if you can find one. Edge/Grypon are also nice and linear sounding.

My VK500 was bettered by the McCormack DNA500. That said, for the current used price, the BAT is a good value. In my system at the time, the BAT had a musical midrange, was a touch dark and rolled off in the high frequencies (not necessarily a bad thing on all music), and had impactful and extended bass that was not the last word in definition. I have better ancillary components now and would like to hear it again in my current system vs. the McCormack. For about $500-$1000 (used) more than the VK500, you might try the Belles 350A Reference. I would have to disagree with the VK-500 being their best amp and would think that honor goes to the VK-600M SE for SS and the VK-150 for tubes.

The mention of rolled off frequencies with the VK-500 is actually quite attractive to me considering my very bright B&W dome tweeters (CDM 9 NT) and my choice of recording material (indie/underground). At the risk of sounding "shallow", my only problem with the VK-500 is it's appearence. There are similar highly regarded amps such as the MC402 and X-250 which are quite appealing in both look and sound. However, the more I read about the VK-500, the more it seems like the perfect sonic fit for my system. However, I am still open to other options and would love to hear from some VK-250 owners.