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BAT VK75 vs. BAT VK75SE - which is more euphonic?

I'm thinking about getting a BAT VK75SE. But I like a tuby sound. At the same time, I like a very, very clean sound in the top...as little distortion as possible. So I'm debating--might I like a straight, non-SE version better? Might it be a bit warmer, a bit softer on the highs (good things in my book, given that most things seem a bit too bright for me). Or would the non-SE version be a bit muddy, and not so clean in the top? I'm coming at this from an ARC VT100 mkiii that I use on Harbeth M30's, always in the 4 ohm tap, because the 8 ohm tap is just too bright for me. (I guess that the VK75 has 4 and 8 ohm taps also?)

Who has compared these two closely and can give me some advice?
eweedhome
trcnetmsncom
431 posts
 
Eweedhome,

From my experience I can tell you that the treble of the VK-75se will be more extended, detailed, have more air and be less forward in nature then the VK-75. I feel these qualities make the 75se "less" fatiguing.

Also, the bass will be more defined and extend lower with the 75se. Dynamics, yet another area of performance the SE has over the non-SE.

The VK-75 will have a fatter, plumper more forward mid-range. I know for some this character can suit their tastes and systems. If that's what you are looking for I think the VK75 may be more to your liking.

IMO (as you can tell) I hear the VK75se as being the more accurate better machine and just on another level of fidelity. No offense meant to others, but I don't think any amount of tube rolling is ever going to change that.

Good luck,
Tom
nolitan
865 posts
 
I had the pleasure of listening to the M30s and VK55 and VK75 at a dealer.
I find either amps can drive the M30s well. The VK75 with its larger power has more control compared to the VK55.
Neither will sound bright but i find it at times a bit too warm for my taste.
In the end, i did not pursue the BAT route.
However i have read some guys at the forum mating the VK75 well with the Harbeth SHL5s. that might be a different story all together as the SHL5s are more extended and detailed compared to the flatter M30s.
Hope that helps.
eweedhome OP
227 posts
 
Thanks for everyones' comments.

Nolitan, do you recall if you were listening to the VK75SE or the VK75 with the M30's. Do you own the M30's? If so, what do you like?

At this point in my listening life, for whatever reason, what seems "too warm" for most people seems about right for me.

Tom, your comments are well detailed, and I appreciate that. I wouldn't have expected the VK75 (non-SE) to be "forward" and that concerns me, because sometimes that means "fatiguing". And, indeed, that seems to be your concern about the non-SE version.
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