BAT integrated or separates
music.lover -- Tue, 08/05/2008 - 20:38
Would love some input.
Presently unable to decide between the BAT VK-300x SE and the BAT VK-250 with the BAT VK-32 SE. Any input would be much appreciated and any additional suggestions much welcome.
My setup currently consists of the following:
1. Anthony Gallo Reference 3.1 with Reference SA amp driving the second voice coil
2. Bluenote Stibbert MK II with tube output with Sound Fusion suspension
3. Edge G3 integrated
4. Crystal Standard power cords, Analysis Plus Solo Crystal Oval interconnects, Home Depot 12 speaker cables
I love the sound that the Edge is producing - a very neutral sounding amp that is very quick with transients and has a propulsive nature to the sound, and a very expansive soundstage - both wide and deep with immediacy to vocals. It has good control of deep bass with good textural quality as well as quantity. My only dislike is that is does sound strained and congested on large scale music at times, and I would a like more harmonic/tonal richess/warmer midrange. I listen to all types of music but have a fondness to vocal jazz, blue grass, accoustic and folk.
Thanks in advance for any replies!
If your Edge integrated sounds strained at dynamic peaks, then you might need more power.
Since you write that you love the sound of the Edge integrated, instead of going sideways perhaps you should consider an Edge power amp so you have more power for dynamic peaks?
Of course it could be your source is getting hard during peaks...
Perhaps trying another CD source would also be a good idea also...
:?
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
The BAT gear will have a different sonic signature compared with the Edge. I haven't had Edge gear in my system, but have talked at length about the products with Jonathan Valin and Wayne Garcia (both are big fans of the brand).
I've heard a number of BAT products, however, and they tend to have certain qualities you might find appealing, particularly in light of what you said about wanting greater tonal richness in the midrange. This is where the BAT products shine; they have a warmth, liquidity, lack of grain, roundness, and sense of presence in the midrange that I find greatly appealing. (See my review of the BAT REX preamp in TAS 182.) They have a slightly up-front perspective, and an upper treble that favors smoothness over brightness.
Forgot to post this in the original blog but keep up the great work at TAS. I have been hooked since 2003 and look forward to the release of every new issue! As you can tell from my current system, I take the recommendations of TAS very seriously.
Thanks Mr. Stone and Mr. Harley for both of your posts.
Just some more information about my recent search of a new amp. I have since had the following in my house for audition:
1. Musical Fidelity KW 550 integrated
I found that the midrange was magical and had all the texture/harmonic richness that I was after, had a taller soundstage, but fell short everywhere else. I found the bass to be muddy without the same sort of articulation and transient speed that I was accustomed to.
2. Edge G2 preamp with G8 poweramp
Had a larger soundstage but sounded very similar to the G3
3. Simaudio Moon I-7
Had a similar sonic flavour to the G3
4. Bat VK-300x SE
The Bat sounded like a G3 but with the the added warmth, texture and harmonic richness that I have been seeking. My only complaint is the foreshotened soundstage depth. My dealer unfortunately does not have the Bat VK-250/ VK-32 SE for demo and am uncomfortable about purchasing something I have not auditioned in my own system. By moving to separates will I loose that warmth and instead gain higher resolution as with most companies as you move up in model? Has anyone had any experience with any of the other Bat preamp/power combinations? Mr. Harley, have you reviewed any of the more entry level Bats other then the VK-600 SE/52 SE/REX?
Do you have any other brands for suggestion? The location where I reside most of the TAS shortlist manufacturers are not available i.e. Parasound, PrimaLuna, Conrad-Johnson.
Thanks again.
I haven't had much experience with BAT solid state, but have owned numerous pieces of BAT tube gear over the years. I also reviewed the VK75SE as well as the VK-3ix/VK-55 combo. In addition, I lived with an Edge NL-10 in my system for perhaps 5 or 6 months. RH is correct, very different sonic signature.
My personal preference would favor the BAT gear. The Edge is an excellent performer, but a bit too sterile for my tastes. Just couldn't connect with the music.
I've not heard the VK32, but owned a 3i for several years and wish I still had it. Nice entry level preamp. Also keep in mind the difference between the 6922 and 6H30 tubes they use. The 6H30 has a unique sonic signature all its own.If you like one, you may not like the other and vise versa.
I've also heard the BAT int. Nice unit, but if it were me, I'd buy separates and play around with some cables and other tweeks. I always had fun tweeking the BAT gear. Made some really nice improvements.
Sue
Thanks Ms. Kraft for the informative post.
Just a quick question that I was hoping you could answer for me. What kind of sonic signature and flavour difference have you found between the 6922 and the 6H30 tubed units? Which one do you prefer and why. I have only had the opportunity to hear the 6H30s.
Thanks again.
My experience with BAT is limited to the upper-end separates (although I've heard the integrated at shows). I would definitely not buy anything without auditioning it first.
I don't think you'll lose any warmth by moving to separates.
What did you think of the Moon I-7? I really liked that unit when I had it for review.
Hi music.lover,
The 6H30 is more robust and authoratative while the 6922 is sweeter and more delicate in nature. I was hoping you wouldn't ask which I preferred as I thought about it the other night when I made my original post and couldn't decide :)
Sue
Thanks Mr. Harley.
As for the I-7, I really enjoyed the unit as well. I found the sound to be more of a musical whole rather then dissecting individual parts of the music I was listening to. For example, listening to Nat King Cole Greatest Love Songs (CDP 7 48614 2) track 3 Autumn Leaves his vocals sound like they have been dubbed into a separate recording of the orchestra on many systems but on the Simaudio it sounded like both the singer and the musicians were on the same stage at the same time for the performance. I found myself forgetting about the system and just enjoying disc after disc. The soundstage as both deep and wide with good image specificity. The only thing that I seemed to want more was what I found to be present with the BAT VK-300x on vocals.
Hi Ms. Kraft,
Today, while on business out of town, I was able to finally hear the BAT VK-32SE/VK-250 with BATPAK combo as well as the VK-32SE/VK-55. To my surprise, I acutally favoured the sound of the valve/valve. The vocals were magnificent with great detail though it lacked that slam that was present with the VK-250. Do you know exactly what benefits I would hear with the VK-55SE? Sorry to put you on the spot about the 6922 vs. 6H30 tubes. I just wish the dealer had the VK-3xi on hand so that I could have compared the two preamps.
Thanks to both again.
hi music.lover,
so what did u buy in the end?
integrated or....pre/power?"
art
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