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That Transformational piece of Gear We All Wish For

I suspect most of the music/audio lovers on this web site have wished for that piece of gear that literally transforms their system?  I know i have.  I have been going down this audio rabbit hole since the mid 70’s, and there have been a few pieces that made a really nice improvement to my system (the PS Audio P20 Power plant being one of them).  However (and this comment only applies to pre-amps and amps and no other category), nothing that I can ever recall has so energized and improved my system in so many ways as my new pre-amp.  I have owned some really fine brands in the past including Pass,  Coda, ARC, PS Audio,  Rowland, and more, but now I am a BAT Man for sure.   The new pre-amp is the BAT VK-80 and I love that beast.  I hope everyone reading this will get a chance someday to try one in their system.  I know he is a controversial figure,  but Kevin Deal's review of this piece is so right on.  He really loves it too and rightfully so.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv2swa55JXo

 

My system consists of:

Thiel 3.7 speakers

Coda 16 power amp

PS Audio DSD DAC MK II

PS Audio Perfect Wave transport

PS Audio P20 power plant

BAT VK 80 preamp

128x128ronkent
megabyte
96 posts
 

If it were possible, which it isn’t, the biggest improvement for me would be to build a perfect listening room. That’s by far my biggest challenge. My equipment is great. The room is not. It’s not horrible but it could be so much better. I know it’s limiting my system a lot. 

emergingsoul
1,210 posts
 

Seriously considered a balanced audio pre amplifier but it does come with a lot of tubes may not be the greatest thing for a home theater system to be used with bypass. However it is an impressive amplifier. I went with a Conrad Johnson gat2 

The power plant you have is something I considered too but my electric supply is not a problem and would wonder how much of an improvement something like that would make if you really don’t have a lot of problems with noisy electricity source, but I do have a power conditioner from transparent that I use.

ronkent's avatar
ronkent OP
371 posts
 

you would be surprised at the improvement it can make.  it is not a power conditioner,  it is a power re-conditioner.   I would try one as they have a totally easy return policy if you do not like it.  i have owned probably five of their power plants since the premier power plant came out way back.  i consider the P20 to be a core part of my system.  

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whitecap
121 posts
 

Nice to see all the well deserved praise for BAT.   I was hesitant to add my 2cents here, but it is on point.   The VK80 is terrific for sure, we had one for about a year.  But the REX was one of those transformational changes that we all hope for.  

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