I'm thinking of getting into tubes, what do you

Thanks again Swampwalker. After much consideration, I'm thinking about going with a later ARC preamp like the LS 16 mkII or one of the BAT models. It will work as long as the preamp has 1 tape loop and at least 1 set of aux inputs. It would need two sets of aux inputs if it doesn't have phono. (Yes, I'm an analog junkie--tape and vinyl.)

Get a separate phono stage. Most internal ones aren't competitive for the money.

Spencer

Does the BAT VK5i have a tape loop and 2 aux inputs? Is an SE version available with the six paks and/or the Russian 6H30 tubes?

Think yes, but they changed the model number to, pehaps vk30. Call BAT to know for sure.
It's been a while but I think it does have tape loop & 2 aux.

Spencer

Thanks again Spencer. OK, I'm going to put the BAT VK30 on my 'short list'. (I just missed a nice one on Audiogon.) But they are very spendy compared to an ARC SP-9 mk II. Would they sound 2 or 3 times as good too?