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?
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?