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BAT to BAT - What's Best?

In the wild and wooly world of subjective 'discernment' or taste with system synergies, and the uproarious and ridiculous costs of cables these days. I am at a loss in deciding upon the appropriate IC between a BAT VK5i and VK500.

I suppose what I am trying to figure out here is how to narrow the "must try" IC's for the BAT gear.

Any experiences from previous BAT owners that have had tube preamps, and solid state amps, would be more than appreciated.. . for there are far too many to go through as far as I am concerend.

the end I seek is one with richness, and a quality sound. with emphasis on the mid and bottom ends.....naturally the highs should be natural and sweet. Great imaging and tonal balance is most important.. . given the above info.

....and cost IS an object.

ones I've already tried, or currently own...
Monster M1000, - just not for me...
Nordost Blue heaven - far better but still lacking...
shunyata Aries - a definite NO
Harmonic Tech Magic - Not bad but lacks the imaging thing
MIT Magnum 3 III - thus far the better cable overall, with little compromise

...and the one I am using now
Cardass Neutral Ref - Just a real good value, but lacks bottom end, and only average in imaging. Nothing outstandingly good or bad here. just not what I'd like....

So what's your experiences? It would be a real help for me to "cull the herd" so to speak.

MANY THANKS
blindjim
jeff_jones
418 posts
 
Based on what you said about the Cardas NR & the MIT Mag 3, I'd look at Acoustic Zen's best copper I.C.. That ain't based on the hardware as you asked, but it is based upon playing with the same three cables in different locations in my system.
FWIW, seems like the NR is a good cable to keep in your tool box, they seem to have a way of eventually working their way back somewhere in your system over time. FWIW & IMHO & Your milage may vary.
Oh, the head cheese at AZ says his silver I.C. is a good one that doesn't bite hard on top, but I've never heard it and have never ended up liking a silver ic.
Good Luck!
jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
I'm pretty impressed with the Purist Audio cables. I'm using Venustas and Opis. I've also used Transparent Ultra and Reference, and well as Cardas Golden Cross and Golden Ref.

The Purist are the best I've tried. They happen to also not be the most expensive.
jafox
1,460 posts
 
If you want to retain the harmonic richness and 3-dimensionality so strong to the BAT products, NBS Signature is a phenomenol value on the used market. It often sells for the same price as the Cardas Golden Cross and the NBS is far and away more resolving and tonally coherent. I too liked the Harmonic Tech Magic One but it was a little too mellow and indeed did not quite have the "stage presence" that my system was capable of bringing out. I have since bumped up to use NBS Statement but I have a great desire to try the Purist which seems to get high praise from everyone. For longer cable lengths, the MIT 350 REF or EVO cables are also an outstanding value and retain the ambience and bloom of the BAT products.
John
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Jena Labs Symphony is the best I've found with my BAT gear.
brianmgrarcom
1,317 posts
 
I once owned a Vk200 and Vk30, this combo was on the dark side, I was using an Acoustic Zen Matrix Reference; changing to an Acoustic Zen Silver Ref II was a big improvement.
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