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Preamp Advice for my System

I am considering changing the preamp in my system. I have a BAT-42KSE and have started to look for something different. How would you compare a Pass X1, Bryston BP-26, or Classe CP-800 to the BAT?  How are those 3 different from each other. The BAT sounds a little laid back to my ears. 
richmos
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,931 posts
 
Your amplifier has a balanced input.
The BAT is a tube unit- the others are not- do you have a preference in that regard?
FWIW as far as I can tell, the BAT does not support the balanced standard. There are tube preamps that do.
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richmos OP
127 posts
 
The BAT-42KSE is a solid state preamp. It only has XLR outputs, but I connect my Bel Canto amps through a Paradigm crossover for my Paradigm Reference Servo 15 subwoofer. So, the connections go XLR to RCA at the crossover, then RCA to RCA at the Bel Cantos.  
markwatkiss
508 posts
 
You really should consider a tube pre amp.
yyzsantabarbara
4,937 posts
 
I owned the BAT 42KSE and thought it was a real fine unit. I did not find it laid back as you are describing it. I was using it with Bryston 7B-SST and the speakers were Thiel SCS4 and previously Revel Salon1.

Maybe you should check out a different amp with the 42KSE. I sold mine due to down sizing and I knew I would miss the BAT, I did.
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