BAT vk-3ix and Parasound Halo A21 match?

ZD542, my only option is to try gear since there are no stores near me nor anyone else with the type of gear I would like to hear that could let me borrow it. But what i have found years ago, even if I could hear the equipment in a store, if it wasn't my same system in the store, not to mention the same room it always sounded way different anyway. The only component I've ever been reasonably able to audition in a store and get a similar sound at home with is speakers. I didn't decide on BAT by chance, I did research on equipment that worked well with my particular gear and budget. I already own the amp, so that's a fixed variable. Trust me if I could hear all the gear before I purchase I would, even considering the issues with store auditions, but that is not my reality.

I have no experience with impedance matching. But from a very recent experience, if you buy the A21, try to make use of the XLR instead of RCA. It made a HUGE difference, with my passive preamp. Good luck.

I didn't mean to sound harsh or anything, but if you read your origional post, it does seem like you are a bit unsure as to your decision. That's why I thought you were guessing. Also, BAT and Parasound are very different sounding products, in general. That threw me off as well.

The upside to this is that you shouldn't have any trouble at all getting the amp and the preamp to work together from a technical standpoint. As far as sound quality goes, you'll probably be very happy, as well. I've always felt that the preamp is the most overlooked component in most peoples systems. If you don't get it right its just one problem after another. In your case, the BAT will probably be the strongest component in the system. That's a very good thing. Everything should get better: imaging, resolution, transparency, dynamics should all be enhanced from what they now are. I think you will be surprised at just how big the difference will be.

Milpai,

Is your passive unit balanced? Also, what do you have going into it for a source? I don't mean to pry but I'm a big fan of passive preamps. Not that many people see the value in using them so its always good to get opinions from other users.

To the OP, I posted a reply after reading your reply to mine. That was about 4-5 hours ago. I hope it turns up. I just wanted to clarify that I think you made a very good decision to go with the BAT. I list a few reasons why.