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Rowland Synergy IIi vs BAT VK51se????

Building a new system. Love highly musical, but also defined and high degree of involving, engaging emotional musical sound. Any comments on the comparison of these two pre-amps is appreciated. Speakers are Montana EPX. Amps still under consideration, but short list looks to be BAT VK150se's or Rowland Model 6 mono's with Battery Power supply. Thanks!
Steve
stevewetterling
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Of these two choices, I would choose the BAT VK-51SE. It has a more powerful presence, with better tonal accuracy and soundstaging. The Synergy IIi is slightly more refined and does have more transparent high's.

FWIW, I am currently using a pair of Jeff Rowland Model 6 monoblock amps, but I prefer them w/o the battery supplies. IMHO, the batteries make the sound smoother, but at the expense of dynamics. I think the Model 6's are smooth enough that I'd rather have the extra dynamics than the extra smoothness. I'm currently using a ARC Ref 3 preamp, which I thought bested my previous reference, the BAT VK-51SE.

Happy hunting,
John
stevewetterling OP
5 posts
 
Bit delayed response - sorry - but did end up going with the Bat 150se amps, 51se pre, M-L 39 CD, Montana EPX speakers. Very pleased so far. Am now in the process of trying different cables, as well as room treatments. Amazing to me how very different cables can sound. Thanks again for the input.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Congrats Steve, and enjoy. Yes cables certainly do make a difference, as do power cords. Take your time and experiment.

John
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