BAT VK-52SE VS Audio Research Ref 3

If your system is very revealing and transparent, you might hear the famous "whitish" top end often mentioned with Ref-3/5 so do proceed with caution if you decided to go for Ref 3. I certainly have heard it in my system and others and I am not alone.

I'm sure it's all system dependant. I did find a BAT preamp and BAT amp to be dark and unresolving in my system, like Elberoth2. Same as all Jade cables to some extent. I never heard the ARC Ref 3 with a ARC amp, that may have had the hot, whitish top end that Semi refers to. Mixing the ARC preamp and BAT amp gave me a nice balance, IMHO. Some of the power and dynamics of the BAT mixed with some of the speed and resolution of the ARC. It's OK to mix n' match. You don't have to have all of one brand.

Hello Arthurp,

Well I agree with Jmcgrogan2 and Elberoth2 that the REF3 will have a brighter high end, only thing is that in my view I find it to be unnaturally spotlit. I haven't had a chance to hear the 52se yet so I can't give you a direct specific comparison of these 2 preamps. I do own the BAT Rex and can tell you I find it to pretty unique, it has the most grain free natural rendering of timbre I've heard.

I'm giving you my opinion of the Rex because the 52se can be upgraded to the Rex. You really should try to at least audition these 2 preamps in systems at dealers, of course comparing them in your own system would be ideal.
Good luck with whatever you decide on.

best,
Tom

I would encourage anyone interested in the ARC Ref 3 to audition it first. This is one of those pieces where people either love it, or they don't.

I second Tom. The 52se is upgradeable to the REX and the rex is one of the best pre's anywhere. This would weigh heavy in my decision to the point where I would not only audition the 52se and the ref 3 but also the rex because if you get the 52se you may wind up later with REX and be done. I heard people say when I was looking to buy BAT that it was Dark and all but when I heard it and decided I liked it, it was anything but. Now its in my home and its wonderful. I have the rex and vk600se mono. I also heard the 52se when I did my demo on the rex. It was paired with the Vk250 solid state amps I think and running the Wilson Duet speakers with the bat cdp and it was fantastic. I feel that cables that can't keep up with bat performance and speed can cripple the sound. My friend has the vk42 I think it is a ss pre and he has great sound as well and I have yet to hear a bat system that was dark which is what I hear a lot on these audio sites. I find it natural and uncolored and oh so quick and dynamic. Like also that a lot of there products are upgradeable so your path don't end with a purchase.