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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
whitecap
118 posts
 

@ronkent:  its the original REX (circa 2008, I think), with all new tubes specified by BAT.    Amp is the BAT VK-655se, which is a fabulous beast, best amp I have owned.  Upgrading to the REX 2 is a possibility for us in future, or REX 3, but for now the REX was a wow improvement.   Am sticking with the 655se.   

BTW, in a different system we are going to try out the VK-80 (still on hand) with Luxman  M900U (monobloc pair).   Will A/B vs Luxman C-900U.  

ronkent's avatar
ronkent OP
364 posts
 

wow that should be some interesting comparisons.  please let me know what you find out.

i almost  bought one of those amps but was intimidated by the size and the weight.  had shoulder surgery recently and the thought of moving my 100 LB. Coda out of the system, and the 120 lb. 655se into the rack was a bit more than i could handle.  plus my rack is 18" deep and the 655 is 23" deep

mammothguy54's avatar
mammothguy54
947 posts
 

@ronkent  An amp stand between the speakers, with a run of XLR cables, and you can put any amp there that you want, regardless of size.  Just sayin'....

 

ronkent's avatar
ronkent OP
364 posts
 

thanks and true.  but the way things are set up i have to live with the configuration.  truthfully just the thought of lifting those beasts gives me pause.  i had shoulder surgery recently and am not a big guy anyway.  i am thinking long term about the REX 300 amp because its size is manageable 

dweller's avatar
dweller
3,779 posts
 

It would be nice if the Wizards at BAT would make it easier to strap their amps for mono operation. Having to send them to the factory is a real pain. 

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