ARC LS 25 MK II vs. BAT VK30SE

I am considering these two preamps as well. While I have auditioned the LS25 in my system I have not been able to audition the BAT VK30SE. The nearest BAT dealer to me is a 3hr drive. What are the sonic characteristics that folks who prefer the BAT feel are superior to the LS25MkII, or the latest ARC preamps in general?

I believe the 3 hours drive would be worth it. ARC's largest undoings is their design indecision and their insistance on using large amounts of feed-back. The BAT is better.

Hello Eg1 and Tom, Although I haven't compared the pre-amps in ?. Everytime I've compared Bat to ARC (pre-amps and amps) Bat IMHO has won and not by a small degree. If you can please make the comparison and trust your own ears. All the best, Tom

Having done head to head listening comparison in my system of ARC Ref 1 and BAT VK50SE the 50SE was the clear winner. ARC makes a good product, don't get me wrong, however I find their "house sound" a little much. To me the ARC's have a bump in the upper mids that is annoying and a sheen or sibilance that is just not present in the BAT product. BTW, I was a happy owner of an ARC SP-11 for many years, UNTIL I demo'd BAT preamp in my home. After that.......

Sold my LS15 to upgrade, thought I would get LS25 or Ref 1 or 2. I bought a Sonic Frontier Line 3 without audition to it, but what a surprise! Much more open and transparent, more neutral as well. ARC always tries to retain that little bit of "warmth", so music can be colored.