2. analog
  3. 1267909259

How good is vk-p3 phono?

I posted the same question in the amp/preamp forum, but it would be more appropriate in this forum, and hopefully to get more responses. ;-)
vk-p3 is sold at $750 and can be used with vk-3x preamps as add-in module. I wonder whether vk-p3 users feel that it outperfroms (or at least as good as) most separate phono preamps at $1000~$1500 new.
128x128ihcho
ihcho's avatar
ihcho OP
612 posts
 
I mean BAT vk-p3 phono module.
kipdent
65 posts
 
I believe the BAT plug-in module is absolutely as good or better than most separate phono stages in the $1000-$1500 range because I auditioned several before choosing it for my VK-31SE. In fact, and I know this is weird, but I think it even sounded better than the separate VK-P5 I auditioned in my system. To beat it, I had to go above $3000, and eventually I ended up with the VK-P10SE with SuperPak which is stunning, in my opinion.
gjrad
145 posts
 
I had a VK30 with the BAT phono module and thought it was just OK, not bad but not great either. Moved on to a VK5i with VK-P5, much better but overall still kind of dull and dark. Since then have moved on to a Joule OPS1 and EAR 834P Deluxe with upgraded tubes and and both of these easily beats out the BAT gear. OK the Joule costs much more but the EAR is in the same price range and overall its hard to beat.
More to discover