2. amps-preamps
  3. 1015877387

BAT VK-200 vs Classe amps in general?

I've owned a number of SS amps over the years including several Classe amps. I'm thinking about trying BAT and was curious to learn if anyone has direct experience with the BAT VK-200 vs other solid state amps. My speakers will be modest Thiel CS 1.5's but I may go larger at some point. Thanks!
abecollins
drewfidelity
178 posts
 
I have owned a BAT VK-200 and a Classe CA-150 and I liked them both. They both had very good qualities. In my opinion the BAT VK-200 was the more musical of the two. That is not to say that the Classe was not musical, it is to say that the BAT was extraordinary musical. The bass response was similar in both amplifiers. The midrange was very good in both amplifiers (I would give the nod to the BAT but reasonable people may disagree). It is in the treble that the BAT distanced itself from the Classe. All that being said, they are both very good amplifiers and great values on the used market.
abecollins OP
219 posts
 
Thanks everyone. Since I have owned a number of Classe amps over the years, I thought it was time for a change and I'm seriously thinking about trying a BAT ss amp.

I have a CJ Premier 11a tube amp that I'm using at the moment and I plan to keep it at least until I find a ss amp with very similar qualities but with improved bass dyanmics. I'm not sure if this is possible but thought BAT might be worth investigating.
davewavaolcom
193 posts
 
Hi Abe,

I while auditioning at a dealer, I listened to Thiel 2.3’s and pass labs x-150, x-1, pass aleph mono-blocks and arc 200 monos (I did not like the ARC Tubes w/Thiels).

Now I own x-2 and x-250 and Thiel 2.3’s. Match made in heaven. You get all the magic of tubes without the hassle.

At least audition.
More to discover