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BAT to BAT - What's Best?

In the wild and wooly world of subjective 'discernment' or taste with system synergies, and the uproarious and ridiculous costs of cables these days. I am at a loss in deciding upon the appropriate IC between a BAT VK5i and VK500.

I suppose what I am trying to figure out here is how to narrow the "must try" IC's for the BAT gear.

Any experiences from previous BAT owners that have had tube preamps, and solid state amps, would be more than appreciated.. . for there are far too many to go through as far as I am concerend.

the end I seek is one with richness, and a quality sound. with emphasis on the mid and bottom ends.....naturally the highs should be natural and sweet. Great imaging and tonal balance is most important.. . given the above info.

....and cost IS an object.

ones I've already tried, or currently own...
Monster M1000, - just not for me...
Nordost Blue heaven - far better but still lacking...
shunyata Aries - a definite NO
Harmonic Tech Magic - Not bad but lacks the imaging thing
MIT Magnum 3 III - thus far the better cable overall, with little compromise

...and the one I am using now
Cardass Neutral Ref - Just a real good value, but lacks bottom end, and only average in imaging. Nothing outstandingly good or bad here. just not what I'd like....

So what's your experiences? It would be a real help for me to "cull the herd" so to speak.

MANY THANKS
blindjim
jafox
1,466 posts
 
I do wonder why the Aesthetix Calypso at $4,500 comes stock with a full function remote, while a Aesthetix Callisto Signature at $11,000 comes with no remote at all......seems strange.

I went with the Callisto simply because it has far more tubes. These Minnesota winters can be quite brutal so having a space heater helps much. And with me having to stand next to the Callisto to stay warm, there's no need for a remote.
blindjim OP
3,092 posts
 
John, yes, he's a Calypso dealer. Knows my tastes. We were speaking of a VAC pre at the time too.

I think it'l be worth looking into though at any rate. Quiet is important to me. I'd be willing to sacrifice some dynamic thrust for a greater sense of musicality, and better harmonics. Funny thing though... listening late into the night recently I had to ask myself, "Why do I want to get another pre?" Oh, yeah, remote functionability... but the sound was super. We'll see.

Perhaps the answer for the remote with, and sans remote at a higher level is that at the extremes of the audio spectrum.. for the serious Audio nut... is a remote something one must have? Or, is it the sound. there are others that are sans remote at that level too... perhaps aesthetics wants a portion of that market share. Seems to me the more one pays the less one gets... in bells and whistles... but the signal integrity (likely) takes precedence.

Jafox
I applaud your choice for seeking warmth in your musical purchases..
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 

I went with the Callisto simply because it has far more tubes. These Minnesota winters can be quite brutal so having a space heater helps much. And with me having to stand next to the Callisto to stay warm, there's no need for a remote.
Jafox

LOL John, but what about the heat in the summer time? Do you have to sit around in your skivies to listen? :)
That was a rhetorical question BTW, I don't think I want an answer to that.

Jim, I know that a lot of high end tube gear (Hovland, CAT, etc) doesn't come with a remote, unfortunately, I've become accustomed to one. I lived w/o a remote until 2000, now I don't think I can anymore. It's not just the volume control either, but I like being able to adjust polarity and balance from my listening seat. Not to mention the ability to mute when interrupted (happens more than I'd like at my home.....kids). I also usuually mute the output when the LP side is done, saves maybe two 'pops' at the end of the record until I can get up and get to the 'table.
I'm not getting any younger you know.....just ask my wife. :)

John
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
3,159 posts
 
My krell evolution kit heats my entire basement...warmth comes in many packages!
blindjim OP
3,092 posts
 
John,

I understand. that's what I'm talking about. I see this whole she-bang as an experience... and I do see both sides... as i have lived both sides. With & without remote flexibility.

my issue is simple impaitience, or the inability to relegate myself to one source or content. No attention deficit disorder, just like hearing different things now. Wasn't always that way... and when the disc is good or a jazz show is good on NPR, or the like... I'm in no mood to change things.

And yeah, I'm getting older too. So conveinences are more well recieved. given also things like warm up time, let's check the news... etc.

it's niether a bad thing or a good thing IMO. it's a prefference. Plain and simple. I'm opting for some greater flexibility and ease. given my choice of the next contestant to sit on the rack from hell... I'll be fine, I'm sure... and the rack is about to see it's way to it's original destiny. it took a left somewhere along the way.
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