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

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?

If you are using Krell amp then tubes preamp is not
advisable.IMHO you have to adjust something inside the
amp first,This is just a caution.

Thanks Jayctoy. Yes I know about the Krell solidstate--tubes mismatch. I sold my Krell amps a few months back. I'm going to be building a completely different kind of system now.