BAT VK-5i more tube-like than new VK-50SE?

I own 5i and had a bad luck trying to mate it to Krell KAV amp. FPB of cause is a different animal …
Now I have it in all BAT system and couldn’t be happier. It doesn’t mean that you couldn’t use BAT pre with different brand amps, but IMHO when trying to mix and match components at these price levels audition in your own system is a must.

"Warm lush sound with a bit of bite"

Reading that I'd say the 50SE would be right up your alley!
I have one, and am more than pleased with it. As to the 5i,
it would be a bit more "tubey" than the 50SE. I have a VK3i on another system, and the tube euphonics of the 3i match the rest of that system to a T. I find that BAT preamps, up and down the line are excellent value.

I have been using a VK-50SE for about 15 months. Compare with the 5i, the 50SE is much more dynamic and transparent. I particularly like its layered 3D soundstage which, when playing large orchestra or pipe organ, produces a kind of grandness that 5i lacks. The 50SE does require a very long break-in period. When it was new, it sounded like a bad solid state. It became more acceptable after a couple hundred hours. And now, after more than 2000 hours, I won't tread it for anything else.

I agree with Nar_com. At this price level you really should audition it in your own system. My taste may be different from yours.

I am thinking to get either BAT VK-5i or VK-50SE for my ARC-VT100? Are they work well with ARC VT-100? Your comments will be greatly appreciated.

Don't forget the VK30 - all the nice features of the vk50, sweet tube sound from it's 6 6922s (many rolling options), newer than the 5i, cheaper than the 50se. IMHO, the best of all worlds. I have compared to a 50se and haven't found it lacking (30).

IMHo,
-Ed