BAT 75 SE vs. CAT JL2 or JL2 Sig.

Hello Maril555,

First I should point out to you I am a long time big fan of BAT. So please take this in consideration when reading my post. However my loyalty is not blind and is IMO for very good reasons.

Although I never heard the CAT amps I know they are well respected and felt to be by many among the best that you can buy.

But, it's also of my opinion the BAT tube amps can and do compete in the best of the best at any price catogorey. I've heard well respected OTL amps costing roughly twice what my BAT 150se amps cost in 2 different systems, both of which almost identical to my own on several occasions, and while to me they most certainly did some things better, the BAT was IMO clearly superior to them in other areas.

The taste in music, the particular system, and the priorities that are most important to the listener are all IMO very important factors. I know we all use these forums for direction and guidance, to learn from others experience....but....honestly the only way to know for sure what is right for you is to get both amps in your system and for you to compare and let your ears decide.

Also, since money doesn't seem to be an issue, and unless because of constraints due to heat or the room, why not consider the BAT 150se instead of the 75se? Yes, not only will the 150se handle dynamic peaks with greater ease due to the extra power. but they also sound much better at all volume levels.

Good luck in your search, I wish you the best and hope you find what works for you.

Cheers,
Tom

Since you have a Modwright modded CDP, perhaps you're open to modifying a BAT75SE. After living six years with a stock 75SE, I was seriously considering changing to a top OTL. Instead I was able to improve & cement the 75SE in my system for the foreseeable future with several upgrades that improved clarity and instrument texture, dynamics, and bass control in this otherwise great amp. Upgrades included V-Cap teflon coupling caps, silver intrachassis interconnect wiring in place of cheap belden interconnect wire used in the stock unit, and Schottky rectifiers. These were all very significant upgrades and are not much trouble for a DIYer or qualified tech to implement.

I second what David has said about modifying the BAT 75SE(150SE). He has listed the mods in order of increasing difficulty - easiest first. He has advised and helped me make the mods to my 150SE amps. If one is not intimadated by a soldering iron, these mods are quite do-able for the average audiophile who wants to get the most out of those amps.
Highly recommended.

Thank you David and Rgurney,
I read about your mods, and that's something I might do, if I finally decided to go with BAT.
One note on V-caps, though.
Some Supratek preamps owners changed Auricaps to V-caps,
and some of them decided to go back to Auricap, not liking what changes V-cap introduced to the sound of Supratek.
Actually Mick Maloney (Supratek owner) was offering upgrade to V-caps, but after listening to them for a while,decided that he didn't like the sound.
I know, this experience cannot be transplanted to BAT, but still, there is something to consider.
I guess, same goes for silver wires, some people like it, and some don't.

Point taken, Maril555. Some Supratek owners raved about the change with V-caps as well. Not sure how long .."listening to for awhile.." is. V-caps do require breaking in. Different strokes.......