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BAT Preamps, why such polarized opposite opinions?

I've never heard a BAT preamp. But I've heard enough about them on this and other sites. What is it about their sonics that people either tend to really like or really dislike them?

I've heard criticisms that they lack air, treble openness, life. I've been told the VK32SE is too dark, too weighted to the bottom, no air or delicacy on top.

I've heard these polarized opinions from audio salesmen as well, some who carried (carry) BAT. Let's just say I made alot of long distance calls to get a broad opinion.

But others love their sound and think they are fabulous.

I know what you're going to tell me - go listen to them yourself. Well, I live rural and it isn't easy to do.

So, instead, I'd like to get opinions across the spectrum from the Audiogon guys.

I'm using a Audio Research 100.2 with Dali Helicon 400's. I've tried Rogue, ARC, Sonic Frontiers, but haven't found the right preamp yet.
audiosoul
art80342
65 posts
 
Maybe worthwhile to know that BAT actually had - via their integrated amp catered for 3 markets:

1. the solid state mkt - vk 300
2. the tube hybrid mkt - vk 300x
3. the super-tube mkt - vk 300xse (not my cup of tea)

hence its already catering to the INTEGRATED MKT via 3 different integrated models :)

my personal opinion is that the vk300x(which i own) is fun to listen to. it has the best of SS/tube in one EXCEPT its not holographic enough...other than that, it is so so so so ...nice..... :)
rilbr
100 posts
 
I have owned and modified a BAT preamp. It started out as a VK-5, then 5I, then 5 SE. Then I modified the 5 SE.

I upgraded the coupling caps, the Vishay resistors to the newer Z foil, and replaced some of the power resistors with Shinkoa tantalum.

My replacement caps are fuller sounding oil types, bypassed with copper foil teflon caps. These were best out of many, almost every cap out there except for the V-cap, which I did not try (approx. $1000.00 for a set).

All the last mods together made about as much difference as going from a decent powercord to an excellent one.

The stock oil caps were so good, that I almost put them back in !

One point I am trying to make is that I don't see anything in the BAT preamp that would make it "dark or veiled sounding".

They are Stereophile Class A, and as they state in their Magazine: Class A sound can only be achieved with the right ancillary components.

I would definetly include cables, especially power in these "components".

This would of course apply to other excellent preamps like VAC, ARC, etc., and the other components.

This is system building, and system Synergy.

Good luck !!
ckoffend
684 posts
 
Lot's of comments for and against BAT being slow, thick, veiled and others replies to this.

I have owned BAT amps and preamps (3iX and VK 60's running in mono). At the very same time I owned Krell gear and Levinson gear and had a variety of speakers - Wilson (Duettes and 5.1s), Thiel (2.2s) and Von Schweikert (4 jrs.). I also owned various front ends in conjunction with this equipment - ranging from Audio Aero Capitole (very warm and sweet sounding), EMM Labs, DCS stack, Esoteric, Wadia and Resolution Audio. Other preamps with this equipment over time were a Cary pre, JR Capri pre, and Calypso (one of my all time favorite components).

If you listen to Conrad Johnson and then switch out to BAT, you will think the BAT is cooler, faster and leaner. If you switch from Krell you will feel that the BAT equipment is warmer, slower and richer.

If you walk into a room with BAT playing and don't have a strong reference point, you are not likely to call the BAT either too rich or too lean, too warm or too cold, too fast or too slow.

Typically, with the level of equipment we are talking about the differences are most apparent in side-by-side testing and like icecream, we all have our favorite flavors. Some people will say a good Vanilla icecream is bland - not recognizing the unique and special characteristics of good quality, though somewhat subtle vanilla beans. Others will say butter pecan is just too darn sweet and others will say sherberts don't deliver that creamy texture they seek.

So in the end, BAT won't be too warm, slow or veiled for most people (however those that crave the polar opposite will have these complaints). BAT won't be too detailed, dry and lean to most people (but those that crave a super warm and syrupy sound may think so).
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