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Extreme Midrange Bloom

Hello: I'm using a BAT VK52SE with the 6H30DR tubes recommended by several folks here on the Gon. I've noticed an extreme emphasis in the upper midrange frequencies which is somewhat unsettling and in fact causes an almost artificial honking presentation. Is this simply the BAT house sound or is there something I can do to resolve this anomaly? I've never experienced this in any other preamp I've owned in the past. I love the build and general fit and finish of this preamp. The user interface is excellent. An audio enthusiast friend suggested this could possibly be a result of the oil filled caps BAT is using. Any help would be most welcome since the pre is great in every other way. Accurate bass, sweet highs and a very unfortunate bloated midrange.
frontier1
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
It is my understanding that the BAT VK 52SE in question was already largely broken-in when Frontier1 received it.
frontier1 OP
42 posts
 
Rodman99999's suggestion makes sense. I'll give it another 2 weeks or so before making a decision on this BAT. As Guido notes, my frame of reference is an ASL Flora which is an excellent pre. From bottom to top it is very good indeed. As is the way with so many of us audio nuts, we're always looking for the next level of sonic perfection. My amps are a wonderful set of Audio Aero Prestige 40 wat monoblocks which will remain in the system indefinitely. They employ the GE211 and 813 as driver tubes, fantastic! As a point of interest, do oil filled caps take longer than for example Teflon to break in? Again, the many observations are a great help.
dazzdax
599 posts
 
That's why I don't prefer tubes: too much hassle.

Chris
rodman99999
5,988 posts
 
If you know what to listen for, and thrill to the sound of live music in a real venue: nothing beats tubes. Any equipment(tube or SS) takes time to sound it's best. Taking the time to burn in gear, and taste various tubes, is an act of love for some of us. Skydivers(I) have a saying: "We that dance are considered crazy by those that can't hear the music." Harley riders(I) have another: "If I have to explain- You wouldn't understand." Oil-filled caps will usually have somewhat of a fuller, rounder midrange(ala Mullard tubes, for instance- which some like), than would most film/foil caps(polypropylene/copper foil probably being the other extreme). I'm not certain about the burn-in time.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
All, let us keep this little thread on the narrow topic at hand. . . . if oil caps were imparting a slight unwanted richness to the upper mids of the 52SE, is it practical to change them, and what caps should be used without overcompensating?
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