Will buy Pre-amp today, help please !!

I don't know your situation exactly, but my mentality has always been "if its either this one or that one and you have to decide "now"--neither of them are the one." It is saved me a headache or two if nothing else.

personally, i'm spoiled by remote control for wolume/balance, so the cat wouldn't be on my list. but, if ya really are set on one or the other, then yust buy both, compare 'em both side-by-side at yer leisure, then sell the one that doesn't cut it. as yure buying used, ewe shouldn't have to worry about losing much (if any) money. if ewe decide ewe like some tings about one, & others about the other, keep the best one, & use it as a comparison to newcomers, 'til yure satisfied. i yust went thru this last year; my preamp situation is now under control... ;~)

doug s.

I've owned the 5i but never heard the CAT. The 5i is a great preamp. It was Stereophile Class A, if that means anything to you. Be advised that it only has XLR inputs and outputs. You may need to buy XLR/RCA adapters for it, depending on your system requirments. Overall I was very pleased with the 5i. I only sold it after upgrading to the 30SE. Good luck.

I just received and hooked up my BAT VK3i yesterday, and
if the VK5i sounds even better than mine, you're going to love it! I'm using an Odyssey Stratos amp and Hales T-5 speakers, and I love the BAT! Good luck.
Dave

If I had to make a decision right now between the two,it would be neither.They are both good products however you can do better for that kind of money.Have you looked into any used ARC gear?