2. amps-preamps
  3. 1109155985

BAT vs. Mcintosh?

I currently own a VK-60 amp that I absolutely love but have often been intrigued by Mcintosh products. I will be able to spend about two thousand dollars on my next upgrade & have always considered purchasing another VK-60 but don't really have the room to run two of these massive amps based on the size of my listening area. Would I be better off trying a Mcintosh product, maybe a MA6500 or one of their other amps? I realize my VR4 jr's could use some more power which is why I'm considering the switch to a big Mcintosh solid state. I listen to clasic rock exclusively.
fishwater
rgurney
279 posts
 
You didn't say what the rest of your system is, other than speakers, and why you think you need an upgrade. As many have stated, the VK-60 is a superb amp. If you wanted to upgrade from that, you might want to somehow get to the VK75SE, slightly more power and keeping the magical BAT sound. Switching to SS, especially another brand, would require you to really listen first, to avoid making a mistake you might regret.
islandear
208 posts
 
I agree with Rgurney, if you like the BAT tube sound look for a used 75se (or two 75se's which could be converted to 150w monos). If you really feel a need to check out SS amps, you might want to check out BAT's new VK220 or, better, their VK250 which can be upgraded to monoblocks at a later date.
aball
2,018 posts
 
Hey Theo - at which dealer did you do your auditioning? I would love to do that same comparison if it happens to not be too far from me. Thanks!
Arthur
Ag insider logo xs@2x
superhonestben
199 posts
 
this is a good one, I own a fair amount of Mac gear and am curious to the BAT sound, never heard it though, at this level, you must hear them in your house,maybe tough to do but is the only way.
gunbei
2,327 posts
 
As a happy BAT owner I must say that I really like the look of the Macs. The blue lit meters are cool!
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