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Hello all. I am trying to bring back to service a pretty much new Counterpoint NPS200 Tube amp that I want to pair with a good Tube Preamp with XLR outputs. I found a BAT VK3i in pretty good condition thats within my budget but I no nothing of this model or brand for that matter.
Any opinions on this preamp and brand?
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Look into either the NAT Symmetrical or the Einstein "the tube". They can be found used for not extreme money and are both better sounding than the VK3i. That said the BAT VK5i is a much better sounding preamp as well...still slightly dark sounding but overall very nice.
BAT is really nice stuff. i have a vk 3i that replaced an older ARC LS1. it has been sent back to BAT for an upgrade (six packs) but has been flawless. Victor and Geoff make extremely nice gear that is tough, reliable and sonically satisfying. I have had mine since around 2001 with no issues. i always read about new pre amps, but have never felt the need to upgrade. it is very engaging, detailed and non-fatiguing. the critics have always said it sounds a little 'dark', but that is likely relative to other sounds of that era.
i dont think that you can go wrong, especially with a nice tube amp (counterpoint). for what its worth, many felt the vk3i had a little more magic than a lot of the higher end (and subsequent) BAt pre amps
have fun!
Thanks! for sharing- jonb.
I've had a standard 3iX for about 7 years now. My only complaint is that with the high gain of the pre-amp and my amps, every current production 6922 tube I've tried has gotten hissy after 6 months or less (I'm currently using early 70s Amperex Holland 6DJ8s, which have stayed very quiet). Amps are a pair of Rogue M-180s with XLR connections.
The optional phono card is really excellent. That with the optional remote was about $4k. Sadly, they no lomger offer anything in this price range, so I consider myself lucky.
However, i don't think BAT offers all the original upgrades.
and it's a very nice preamp. I heard the BAT VK-5i preamp when I was auditioning BAT gear around 11 years ago. Very nice system!
I can only comment on the brand... I owned two of their integrated amps (VK 300x-se) at different times and was very impressed. Excellent sound staging, depth and detail — a little dark at times, but certainly not veiled. Never had any issues with quality.
I researched BAT pretty thoroughly back when I bought my system in 2005. The VK3i was a current model then. I went so far as to visit their home base in Wilmington, Delaware. I listened extensively to that preamp, with both their solid state and tubed amplifiers. I don't remember the cables, but the speakers were Wilson. Very non-fatiguing, which was not my experience with Wilson speakers prior to that. Most electronics, back then, sounded bright to me through Wilson speakers, so I guess that speaks to the nature of the BAT sound, a sound that I found appealing. The things that initially drew me to BAT was the balanced technology and its upgradability. They seemed to be built very well. I very much enjoyed speaking with Victor Khomenko. I was prepared to buy the BAT equipment, but my local dealer suddenly stopped carrying the line, which knocked them out of the running. Having a local dealer is a must for me.
I think if you can find a used VK3i, in good shape, you'll be happy with it.
BAT has been around for a long time and is a reputable outfit led by Victor Khomenko. Victor has been known to occasionally post here in the Asylum. In fact, he has a recent post in the Tubes Asylum.
I owned the BAT VK-20 and VK-30SE linestages and the VK-200 power amp. They were excellent in build quality, function, and sound.
You can find several reviews and photos by searching Google for "BAT VK-3i"
Thanks for the feedback. I know I can always google but I really like to read first hand experience for guys like you.
Some of the latest BAT gear has gotten rather pricey IMHO, but that's true for many high-end audio manufacturers. There are some great values to be had in used BAT gear in good condition... and a company that can offer support if you really need it. I've always liked BAT preamps for their excellent build quality, user interface, flexibility, and remote control. Good luck.
Abe-
how did B.A.T. gear compare to Aesthetix and Cary regarding your Thiel speakers? Which cabling was the best?
To my ears the Cary SLP-05 was in a league of it's own but that was a $8000 preamp. It was rich, robust, full-bodied, very dynamic, and with uncanny transparency and frequency extension up and down the sprectrum. It really surprised me and to this day I would have to say that it was my all time favorite tube preamp.
The BAT was also rich and robust but a little darker sounding with not as much top end and not as dynamic. Still a very nice sound.
If memory serves me the Aesthetix was kind of in between. It wasn't as dark as the BAT. It didn't have the lower midrange richness like the BAT but it had slightly more top end in the treble.
I preferred the Aesthetix to the ARC LS25mkII. The ARC was comparatively 'thin' if that's the right word. It lacked any richness one would expect (or I would expect and desire) in a tube preamp.
I don't recall which interconnects I used with each preamp but they were very likely DH Labs Silver Sonic which was my favorite 'affordable' interconnects back then. I still own several pair.
Many Thanks! Abe
which speaker cabling did you use w/ your Thiel speakers?
(past, present, future)
I've run my Analysis Plus Oval 9 speaker cables for years.
TY- Abe.
interesting that you did not use an all-AP cabling system?
DH Labs and AP are sonic matches?
Wire from Home Depot and Ace Hardware are not sonic mismatches and neither are DH Labs and Analysis Plus as far as I know. ;-)
So, which IC did you use w/ the AP speaker cables?
DH Labs Silver Sonic
and the combo was not a sonic match? Why did you use (2) different brands?
Hi Abe,
What do you think of Rogue Audio ? I was looking on their website and saw some interesting tube line-stages. How do they stack up regarding price vs. performance?
Thanks,
John Elison
Hi John,
I've never owned a Rogue preamp, just the Cronus Magnum integrated, Stereo 90 Super Magnum tube amp, and Medusa 'hybrid Class D' amp. I'd love to try a Rogue preamp someday.
Wow! I thought you'd owned everything out there. Oh, well. Such is life!
I'm in the process of buying some tube equipment and I'm thinking about a line-stage. I just started building a Vacuum Tube Audio PH16 phono-stage and I hope to have it completed in about a week. I haven't built a kit in years so I'm hoping it doesn't let out any smoke when I plug it in and turn it on. ;-)
That looks like a great unit. Even assembled, cost is reasonable(at least for audio gear!)
Based on those specs, I bet it's a very quiet unit. I compared a Manley Chiinook that has a JFET stage against my Fosgate which is all tube. It was so quiet I started to wonder if there was something wrong with it until the music started! The Manley has SS rectification while the Foz is tubed like your kit. I don't know if tube rectification influences the noise factor?
I will be looking out for your impressions once it's finished. Final tweaking in the appropriate tube(NOS) position may bump performance a bit more?
Clean solder joints and good luck!
Here are some closeups of the circuit boards. They are a bit blurry, so I'll try to get sharper pictures in the future.
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There's nothing more satisfying than a workbench with tools, test equipment, and a tube project going on. Let us know how it turns out and post more photos as you make progress. Thanks.
of building Dynakits.
Heathkits in my case. ;-)
Hafler kits in my case! ;-)
This Vacuum Tube Audio kit is not for beginners. There are no step-by-step directions like Heathkits and Hafler kits. You get only a parts list with schematics and pictures online. I've completed both circuit boards. Now, I have to wire the chassis and put everything together. I really hope this thing doesn't go up in smoke. :-)
Best regards,
John Elison
Heathkits were like electronics on training wheels. ;-) But they were fun and we came up with funny names for them like 'Griefkits' or 'Greasekits', etc.
Good luck with your phono build.
Thanks!
I've had my eye on those preamp for a few years.
PLEASE post your findings
I build the VTA ST-70 and I can not say enough good about that amp.
Thanks!
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