2. amps-preamps
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How to determine Preamp "Power"? VTL 5.5 vs BAT SE

I would like to get a tube pre and amp that has a low end on the heftier side. I think I understand that a tube amp with KT88s will have a heftier bottom end than that of an EL34 system (right?). So I have begun looking at a tube pre that will support the bottom end of a KT88 amp.
VTL has a reputation for a strong bottom end. The VTL 5.5 LS pre uses these tubes: 2 x 12AX7, 4 x 12AT7. The BAT 3iX SE (for example) uses 2 6H30 and 2 6V6 tubes. I have read that the 6H30 tubes will give more power at the frequency extremes, eg bottom end than EL34 and even KT88 (yes? no?). If so, how would the pre "power" of the VTL 5.5 compare to the BAT SE in terms of bottom end heft? Or, am i looking at this all wrong? (tube newbie). Thanks!
128x1281graber2
musical_sounds
15 posts
 
Hello, have you considered the NAT Audio tube preamps? In particular, the Symmetrical model is a worthy contender.

The Symmetrical uses 12 tubes (each half of the tube is used fully). Incrediblly clean, dynamic and very natural sounding.

We import the line so naturally I am biased towards them but, you really should take a look at their website at this link: www.nataudio.com

Good Luck
katylied
54 posts
 
To Musical sound:
I can't understand why when somebody ask suggestion about some products there is always somebody suggesting something else.
Are you promoting the stuff you sell or are you giving an answer (and I don't think so).
Just my humble opinion.

To 1graber2: I don't think that comparing 2 preamp or power amp simply on the tubes they use is useful. The only way to know how they sound is to listen, possibly into your system.
Cheers
rootmann's avatar
rootmann
78 posts
 
I have had a VTL 5.5 for a number of years, previouly had a 2.5 for a really long time, but have no experience with BAT, other than listening to friend's systems.

It may just be me, but I tube roll 12ax7's a lot in my 5.5 and can really notice changes in the mids/highs, but not so much down below 50-60Hz to me. I have noticed the lows change more when changing power cords and IC's between the 5.5 and my SS amp(McCormack DNA-500) than tubes, for me. The lows can get really dark and less tight(is there such a thing). It could be I'm tone deaf down low too? I currently am running Mullard 12AX7's and like them a lot. Why? They seem to make the mid's/high's of the acoustic and classic rock and jazz I listen to really sing. Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Joni Mitchell and Diana Krall seem magical with Mullards and RCA clear tops, less so with Sovteks', JJ's and other Soviet stuff in mine. Changing the 12AT7's on the other hand does nothing that I can hear, either up high or down low. It could just be me too.

I hope some of that helps a little for you. Good luck and enjoy. I know I enjoy the VTL sound, but that's what I've purchased after listening, vice other good stuff, which there's plenty of.

Either way, enjoy the music and don't worry about equipment so much. Life is too short and there's too much music to listen to and wine to drink while doing it to waste too much time chasing hardware like some folks. The music is what we're after, right????
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