Got a BAT VK-225se ... Holy Moly!

@stereo-one ... it depends what you’re looking for. The VK-255se is a Mosfet amp and runs kind of hot (Victor told me that as well). Victor told me also that he thought the VK-225se was an under the radar amp, and that it hasn’t gotten the kind of attention it deserves. IIRC, the VK-250se also is a Mosfet amp and may run hot as well.

As to sound, I’ve always found BJTs (like the VK-225se) to have a very nice overall balance while Mosfets seem to have a bit more slam. Given that I have a small room, I felt that the 225se was more appropriate for my application. Of course, YMMV.

Remember that this is just a generalization, and could change based on how the circuit is implemented by the designer. You may want to try both in your system, if possible, and listen for a synergy that satisfies you. In any event, one really can’t go wrong with a BAT amp and pre-amp combo.

Rib61,
I recently bought the BAT VK-43SE.  Which is a great sounding preamp. I was hoping to find a 42SE  but could not.  From what I've been told it's pretty accurate that the 42SE is more tube like.  Where is the 43SE is definitely more three-dimensional with a lower noise floor.   The highs at times are a bit harsh for me.  I auditioned The Mcintosh MC152 which sounded amazing with the BAT VK 43SE.  Very balanced but I can't remember if it softens the highs which is what I was looking for.  At that time I was having a turntable issue.  I now have had the VK-225SE which gave me a little more rich deep bass.  More of a little punch that some of my CDs and records needed In my opinion.  But the characteristics have changed.  Now I thing the VK 225SE Is a little too bloomy in bass.  The Macintosh MC152 was much more Refined. That added to the three-dimensional sound of the VK-43SE.  So Right now I'm a little confused About the VK-225SE.  You mentioned Transformer hum of which I just noticed recently.  And the noise floor is much higher.  At the beginning with the VK-225SE it was very low and quiet.   The VK 225SE Volume levels are much lower with the 43SE on both sources.  I did like the Mac because right now the BAT sounds a little dark.   I'm wondering if the Mac would round off the highs a little more.  Any thoughts?

Brand matching can’t be better.....I have an all Ayre system and have confidence my system is at its optimum too

@stereo-one ... I think any bass bloom with the VK-225SE is due to having matched the amp with a SS preamp. I have never had luck matching SS with SS. In my case, I have an older VK-3i tube based preamp which works very well with the SS power amp. Also, you may want to check on your room treatments. If the room is untreated, then call GIK Acoustics for an opinion as to how to treat yours. If the room is treated currently, then you may be sucking up too much bass ... so, start to remove some treatments incrementally and that may help. As to the noise, that was an issue with hash on my house lines, which was remedied by the Emotiva CMX-2, and I suggest you try one if you don’t have a dedicated line.

If you get too obsessed with gear and sound you'll never be satisfied with anything no matter the cost! (Professional musician & Audiophile for over 45+ years).