Review: Balanced Audio VK-P10 Tube preamp

Category: Preamps

It's time for me to post another review of a component I am extremely happy with (my previous two reviews are for the BAT VK31SE line stage and the JM lab Mezzo Utopia speakers). I've learned a lot about this component and wanted to share it with everyone on Audiogon.

As I've stated in previous reviews, I'm a vinyl junkie. The emotional connection to music and the entertainment I derive from vinyl is something very special to me. So, though at times I think I must be crazy to have even considered the stratospherically (to me, at least) expensive BAT VK-P10SE with SuperPak phono preamp, it makes perfect sense for someone who truly loves records to invest in a world-class phono stage.

In my previous review of the 31SE preamp, I made a controversial statement regarding its solid-state internal phono stage: I liked it better than the tubed VK-P5. I stand by that assessment, but it became apparent to me by listening to other stand-alone phono stages (all listed below) that I was really missing some magic. Two factors led me to the BAT VK-P10SE with Superpak. First was the complete satisfaction I had with my 31SE line stage. I figured I couldn't go wrong with this manufacturer. Second, I read several reviews of the preamp including, of course, Michael Fremer's rave review. Though I often approach such reviews with healthy skepticism, I thought I at least owed it to myself to give it a listen.

That auditioning led me to purchase the unit. Let's cut to the chase--this component is truly magical in its ability to present music from a vinyl recording in ways I can't believe sometimes. It is liquid smooth without sounding like it is hiding anything; it is dynamic when it has to be; and man can it reproduce bass frequencies! So, from classical music to jazz to rock, it appears to be absolutely faithful to what exists in the grooves.

In my opinion, its single most impressive attribute, however, is its 3-D placement of instruments. It is eerie! The rest of my system is decent, I think, and that's why I was so surprised that just one component--a phono stage for crying out loud--could make such a difference. Impressively holographic sound, for the first time in my life, is now commonly heard in my room. This happened from the moment I first listened to it, though as it has broken in, the stable position of instruments has improved (at first they "floated" irregularly, I thought), and the depth to the virtual soundstage has expanded enormously. This product has brought more smiles and fun to my listening experience than anything I have ever purchased.

Are there any downsides? Yes--and this is especially why I wanted to share this on Audiogon. First, one of the input tubes was noisy right out of the box (random popping noises). I got this replaced quickly with no hassles and this corrected the issue, but it disappointed me that a piece like this could end up with a bad tube even when brand new. Second, and this is a big one, I experienced significant hum from the right channel that no amount of tube swapping or replacing could remedy. My heart sank and I thought I had made a terrible mistake. However, with the help of a professional audio technician and designer (of mixers), the problem was diagnosed and fixed. Take a look at the enclosed photographs of the inside of the VK-P10SE SuperPak. It's a beautiful design with two separate power supplies along the left and right edges just behind the front panel. The wires exiting these power supplies do come fairly close to components on the circuit board that can pick up hum. By loosening the central screw of the right side power supply and slightly rotating the toroidal transformer so that the wires exiting it were a bit farther away form the circuit board eliminated the hum entirely! Now this thing is nearly silent! Amazing. Even BAT's outstanding customer support did not come up with this as a possible source of the hum, but that was it. Needless to say, I was extremely happy that the fix was so easy. Finally, the only other complaint I have is that this unit really pumps out the heat--but with ten tumbes, that is no surprise. Just make sure it's in an area that is well ventilated.

To summarize, I can't recommend this phono stage enough. I have to agree with the overused line "I have a whole new record collection now" when describing what this phono stage did for my listening pleasure. And even though it lists for $8,000, this does appear to be a unit that dealers will significantly discount (don't ask me what I paid, but it was quite less than list, and worth every penny!).

I hope this review has been helpful. Thanks--

Associated gear
Transfiguration Temper W phono cartridge
Basis Vector tonearm
Basis 1400 turntable
BAT VK-31SE line stage
Krell 350 MCx monoblock amplifiers
JM lab Mezzo Utopia Speakers
Cardas Golden Cross interconnects
Audioquest Cheetah interconnects
Analysis Plus Oval 9 speaker cables

Similar products
EAR 834P phono preamp
ASR Basis phono preamp
BAT Built-in phono stage in VK-31SE
BAT VK-P5 phono preamp