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BAT VK-60, VK-55 or ????

Been considering making the switch to a tube amp after borrowing a friends VK-55. It doesn't have quite the bass control my VK-200 did but "Oh does it have everything else". I have noticed the VK-60 is less expensive than the 55 but does it sound better than the 55? Or, are there other tube amps that don't run as hot and sound just as good for around the same price range? My preamp is a VK5i and speakers are Tyler Acoustics Linbrooks at 90db effiency. Thanks in advance.
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dgarretson
2,599 posts
 
Having seen inside VK75SE, VK75, and VK60, all three are pretty much the same, except for addition of a regulated filament power supply PCB and subsitution of 6H30 tube at input in -SE version.
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samzx12 OP
1,220 posts
 
Thank you guys for the recommendation. It looks to me the 60 would have better bass than the 55? It does have an extra transformer and a bigger amp to boot. I know the 55 was a room heater and I bet the 60 would put out more. Does the 60 suffer from any reliability issues?
classical1
168 posts
 
Wonder how the 55SE would compare to the 60.. I think the SE version is more than just dropping in two 6H30's. Their website says it has a larger power supply and bigger capacitors than the standard VK-55.
trcnetmsncom
431 posts
 
Hello Samzx12,

Check with BAT on this but I believe the third transformer is on the underside of the unit. Victor told me once that through a more efficient design of the circuit he was able to squeeze a few more watts out of the VK-55 than the VK-60.

Overall, IMHO BAT tube amps are some of the very best sounding tube amps on the market.

Enjoy,

Tom
dgarretson
2,599 posts
 
Classical1,

Perhaps I was unclear. In addition to 6H30, the -SE versions have an extra PCB with a separate transformer and three separately regulated circuits for tube filaments.
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