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Pream question

A few days ago I got Audio Research LS-5 MKII for testing. The sound seems good for me so I decided to buy it. But right now there are two more preamps in the same price range at our local market: Audio Research LS-25 MKII and Balanced Audio Technology VK-51SE. All have quite positive feedbacks... What will be the best choice among these three?

My current system is: B&W Matrix 803 S2, Luxman Da-06 DAC and Luxman M600-A amp.
alex_bolotnikov
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,835 posts
 
My guess is they've been making the VK-51SE almost 20 years.
The internet (or BAT) can tell you for sure...
alex_bolotnikov OP
32 posts
 
So I'll try VK-51SE. Looks like it's one of the best choise for such money)
zd542
5,339 posts
 
I think you'll be very happy with it. It sounds great and the build quality is outstanding.
alex_bolotnikov OP
32 posts
 
I was able to listen to VK-51SE and I wasn't impressed at all... The sound was absolutely dead and flat. Could it be because of the dying tubes? I'll try to persuade the seller to give it to me for a few days for the tests with my system. But right now LS-5 MKII sound really much better...
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,835 posts
 
You won't hear the 51SE at its best unless you spend the "big dough" and get some NOS "DR" 6H30 tubes (talk to BAT). I tried some new production tubes which gave dreadful sound (and died within three months).
Nobody said the high-end is easy...
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