Broken wrote: Hi thanks for your thread. You mentioned that I should look at the 75se or 220/250 ss. If you were I I assume you would go for the tubes? Correct? I hears these are pretty high cost in maintenance... Comments?
The BAK Integrated is a SS amp coupled with a tubed gain stage pre-amp. The 6H30DR tubes (super tubes) are somewhat pricey ranging from $250/pair here on the 'gon, and upwards of $360/pair at tube stores. With a lifespan of 10,000 hours the cost is not so bad. Alternatively, ther are non DR versions of the 6H30 that retail for $25-$30 per tube.
I've not heard BAT Tube amps, so I can not in good faith make a recommendation on preference between their amps. A common theme often mentioned is that BAT ss amps sound more like tubes, and their tube amps sound somewhat ss like. There tube preamp reviews are genreally most favorable. Please let us know what you ultimately decide.