2. amps-preamps
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Got a BAT VK-225se ... Holy Moly!

So, yesterday I took delivery of a BAT VK-225se power amp, and all I can say is WOW! It’s like having an entirely new system, not a mere component upgrade. Bass slam, grip, and control are simply astounding, and soundstaging has a great deal of three dimensionality. I’m hearing lots of detail, and have never heard my rig sound so good. Instruments sound more real than I had heard in my rig previously. The amp it replaces is a Musical Fidelity A300cr with more wattage (225 wpc, dual mono), yet the VK-225se blows it away completely. I had never before run balanced between my VK-3i and a power amp, but it really makes a huge difference. I am really digging my system more than ever, and I never thought that a power amp could have such a positive effect.
rlb61
mrdecibel
3,064 posts
 
Glad you are enjoying it. Didn’t you recently get a Don Sacks preamp ? How does this new BAT amp play in the mix. ? Don Sacks with MF in a 2ndary system ?......Jond, I think the circuit configuration has a lot to do with it as well, agreeing with you about parts and power supply being significant. 
rlb61 OP
789 posts
 
@mrdecibel ...I returned the Sachs preamp. There was some damage to the unit due to shipping, and the wait in the queue was too long. Don was great and gave me a full refund. However, I was able to hear the Sachs preamp for a couple of hours and it sounded quite good; however, it was not a night and day difference to my existing BAT VK-3i.

So, I decided to keep the BAT preamp and match it with a BAT power amp for purposes of synergy. They work great together, and I like the BAT combo much better than the Sachs/Musical Fidelity combo.

@gochurchgo ...I did not pay list on the amp.


mrdecibel
3,064 posts
 
Awesome ! Happy listening. 
jafox
1,458 posts
 
however, it was not a night and day difference to my existing BAT VK-3i.
I had the BAT 31SE in the 2002-2005 years and loved it......until I heard the Aesthetix Callisto Signature in my system.  Such is progress, right!

The 31SE would certainly be a night and day difference to the 3i.  The 31SE was a significant step up from my long time (7 years) reference ARC LS5 II and III with that product's great 3D but the BAT had much more extended and smooth bass and a presentation back at the speakers and behind vs. the in-your-face ARC presentation. 

The 31SE pops up from time to time in the $2300 or so range.  And if you use the phono board in the 3i, the 31SE supports that too.  So keep your eyes out for it....or perhaps its successors 32SE or 33SE which I have no experience with.  Oh, and I have a mono pair of 600SE amps driving Sound Lab A1s and the pairing is outstanding so I can understand your excitement with your new BAT amp.  Congratulations on your purchase.

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tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,935 posts
 
enjoy ! every time I hear a system w BAT amps, pre or phono I tend to smile :-) they make great music..

enjoy !!!!!
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