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Which BAT preamp?

I got enough advice from a fair number of Audiogoners, and I'm getting ready to buy a BAT pre-amp, hopefully used or demo at an attractive price. Sold one of my amps, put my AR SP14, Audio Refinement Complete integrated, Townshend Seismic Sink, and Hitachi tuner up for sale here on Audiogon. That should raise enough cash to get a BAT preamp. I went to BAT's website, had a little trouble figuring out which model(s) I should be looking for. I want a tubed preamp, with a phono section, and perhaps a remote control. Not sure which models fit the bill, and what they'll likely cost me. Any inputs would be much appreciated, thanks for taking the time. Jeff
jeffloistarca
jeffloistarca OP
1,004 posts
 
I'm running single-ended but could change to balanced, my amp has balanced inputs. I've owned a SP9 Mark II and now have a SP14. Due to the marginally bright nature of my current set up I do need to avoid solid state and get some of that tube warmth goin' for me. From what I can tell, I ought to get a BAT 30 and perhaps an outboard phono stage rather than worry about having an integrated phono stage on the pre. Is the Lehmann Black Cube THAT good? Doesn't look like much, but obviously that has nothing to do with how it sounds. Having a remote doesn't matter, cuz I'll never use it, just thought if someday I decided to sell the pre having a remote would be a good selling feature. Again, thanks guys
zenaudio
30 posts
 
I auditioned the BAT 3i v. the Rogue 66 and found them very similar - the BAT having a slightly better low end and an overall darker balance. I chose the Rogue based mostly on price. I then auditioned the same BAT 3i v. the Rogue 99 (next time to the shop). The Rogue was MUCH better. Moral of the story. I wouldn't get the 3i (or the 66), but would investigate the 30, 5i, 50, or Rogue 99 as I believe the law of diminishing returns has not set in on the 3i or 66. Don't get me wrong, I still think the 3i and 66 are good, but there is significant improvement for another grand. I myself have not heard the higher-end BAT's so am unable to offer any evaluations there. Good luck. Mike
john_l
782 posts
 
On of my friends was shopping for a phono stage. In his system we tried the $600 black cube, a $900 quicksilver tube, and my $1700 audio research ph-3. He has spectral pre, amp, ap tempo III speakers and the gazillion dollar MIT cables. This system is high resolution to the point of pain. We were also using a rega 25 w/exact cart and a crummy MIT mid-grade cable


Anyway, of all three I liked the ph-3 the best. Mainly because I like the big gutsy AR tube sound. Just my taste. The black cube was quite excellent too. Very detailed and not harsh sounding at all. If I wanted a solid state phono stage, I would go with a built-in or a black cube. It had a nice sweet sound, similar to a very neutral tube component. Since the black cube was able to sound good in a spectral system, it should sound good enough to mate well with anything. I also heard the black cube in an all-Naim system and thought it sounded great there too. It's sound is actually the typical detailed, well paced British Sound that you hear in Linn and Naim equipment.
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