Well I disagree with the above statement. Don't under estimate Bat gear. How do I know. I listened to about 30 different amps, before I finally said buy the bat cause the rest don't work in your system. I choose the bat over; to give you afew(AR,McCormick,classe,roland,rotel,audiomat, macintosh,signature,marsh,meridan,quick silver,krell, plinius and I could go on forever, there's quite afew I haven't tried including the Levinson so I can not comment on it). But the bat with Martin logans Aerius i, which I have is out of control, deep detailed base, seperation, midrange and highs to die for, did I mention it just disappear. Martin Logans are not noted for there base, but hook up the bat to it and it is unbelieveable, truely. Crank it up and the bat just stays completely incontrol. Now to be fair about it, I tried the bat tube cd player, the vk50se and vk200 together and I did not like it. Maybe the cd player or the 12 tubes in the vk50se just did not mix or just to many tube stuff happening between the cd player and 50se. Though the, my pioneer elite dv f07, bat 3i(6 tubes), and the vk200 solid state, is out of this world. Yes the surenergy is completely there... When I heard it I just knew the search was over. the vk200 is only 100watts but I think they were to conservative on that, it should be more like 200 or 250watts. Now not to say Lev335 is wrong but its all on what creates that surenergy with the rest of your equip.. Hell I say audition both side by side in your home, thats the only way I buy. If you have a good relations with the local audio shop, it shouldn't be a problem. I'm not sure if I would go tube pre and tube amp all together. I like either one or the other; tube pre/ss amp or ss pre/tube amp. Hey what do you got to lose, it doesn't take $$$ to audition. Trust your ears. And I don't think you would regret bat. Heard alot of people say they have the best tube preamp around. Judge for yourself. I would go for the vk30. Good luck. Pete
