bat vk3ix OR bat vk32se PAIRING bat vk55

I seriously doubt it. I borrowed a friends VK55 or should I say an extended loan (2 months). I paired it with a VK5i with NOS tubes. This combo was the most musical my system has ever been. I have never heard the VK3ix or 32SE but $3000 difference it better cook, clean, and service me for that much ;)

Sam

I own the VK3iX and have it paired to a Mcintosh MC275. I have changed the tubes in both my pre and amp, both were significant upgrades. I havent heard a VK32 or the VK55 but have had the Vk300xSE in my system. I originaly was comparing the 300xSE to the VK3iX paired with a Bryston 2BSST. At that time i felt the seperates where about par with the 300xSE albeit not as refined or as solid in the bass. I dont listen loud so the extra headroom that the integrated would of had was not necessary in addition to the price difference. I have since moved on to the MC275 and I love what i hear. To my ears it flat out beats the 300xSE in every way. Prior to purchasing the Bryston i had spoke with Victor at BAT and he stated that one should expect an increase in quality with seperates due to the fact that one power supply is not powering two sections, like it is in the 300xSE. I have heard the BAT tube amps can be more analytical/linear than say my MC275. I have always wanted to hear a VK55 to see how it compares to the MC275 since they are in the same area of price. At this moment I feel a Vk3iX and a Vk55(if it is anything like the MC275) would be amazing. Sterophile recommends the pairing.

I have a VK-3iX with all the upgrades, except 6H30s. I found that replacing the stock 6V6GTs with a pair of NOS tubes yielded substantial sonic improvement. It is an inexpensive way to upgrade your VK-3iX.