What is the 'BAT sound'?

I don't BAT pre's have a particular "tubey" sound like the older ARC's but have a wonderful engaging midrange. The newer ARC's have a less tubey sound but have not heard any. A buddy of mine has a LS16MKII which I want to hear soon but he says its not "that" tubey. I had an older LS7 in my system a few years ago and didn't care for it at all. Have not heard the VTL but almost bought.

The best way to describe the sound of my (former, sniff) 300X-SE is "open, neutral, unimpeded".

I think this is due to the no-feedback design.

Other equipment I've owned seemed to be holding back the music -"maybe if I just turn it up a little more...".

Honestly, the BAT just gives you the music -period.

It inspires confidence that you are hearing everything that is on the disk.

Very , very high pitched.

Thanks for the responses. :-)

I'm asking because I'd like to find a preamp that has some midrange bloom without being overly tubey.

I've heard the ARC 3 a while ago (and found it very un-engaging), but I've never heard, say, the VTL 7.5 or BAT 52se or REX.

" I'd like to find a preamp that has some midrange bloom without being overly tubey."

Have you considered Joule-Electra LA-300ME? Harry Pearson wrote that it is most romantic preamp ! (without euphonic coloration) and if you will look for the owners reviews, even here on AudiogoN, you will see that almost everybody state that its most important characterisic is "grabbing" you into the music and not letting you go.

REX by BAT is also excellent preamp but as other noted it has "robust, deeply engaging midrange " - I fully agree. Joule-Electra, on other hand, has nothing robust, nothing specific which bring attention to your ear. One thing - deep involvment with music. Nothing more.

All The Best
Rafael