BAT VK 75SE vs 150SE's or maybe a VK600SE?

Have you checked out the Feb 06 TAS? It has a review on the VK-600M SE's by RH. It also has an interview with VK in it and a response from BAT. In BAT's response to the glowing review, they claim that the VK-600SE and the VK-150SE's sonic signature are identical. Supposedly they were 'voiced' to sound alike.

I've heard the VK-75SE and the VK-120 mono's, but I've never owned either. I've also never heard a pair of the VK-150SE's. That being said, I own an all BAT system, with the VK-600SE as my amp, I'm very happy.

Cheers,
John

Jmcgrogan2 - Be cautious of BAT reviews in TAS, when TAS reviewed the VK300XSE, some of the 'reviewers impressions' were an exact duplicate of what was written on the BAT website. E.G., effect of pre-amp section type on sound. I suppose it could be coincidence.

Jeff, thanks for the warning. I'm not that familiar with TAS. I've owned my VK-600SE for 8 months now, and as stated, the review in TAS just came out, so it had no bearing on my choice.

I did chat at AA with someone else who claims he visited the BAT factory and heard the VK-600SE and the VK-150SE and claimed he could not tell them apart. He also said that BAT claimed they were voiced alike. I guess that's why I leaned towards the VK-600SE. I already have 22 tubes in my system, why add the cost of more tubes if it sounds the same?

John

If these amplifiers truly sound EXACTLY the same, what is the benefit of the 150SE's? They cost more, there's the issue of tube replacement/maintenance, they have far less dynamic headroom, etc. I have to believe there are some differences in ambience, decays and portrayal of space here.

Owner of BAT 75SE. Even though never heard the solid state BAT gears, but I am willing to bet my whole system I can tell them apart, 10 out of 10 times, between 150SE and 600SE.

Jafox's statement is dead on, what's the point of making 150SE if 600SE does the job for less?