 
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
|
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
65.82.42.99
I need input on the quality, difference, and which is over all better. Sonic Fronteirs line 2 for $1200 or BAT VK5 for $2000. I need professionalinput if anyone has experience with the quality of these companies or units. I listen to Live greatful dead and Panic 99% of the time with anew set of NOLA viper referance open baffle(NOLA is formerly ALON)?? Please help..404-787-6849
Follow Ups:
In other words, Shane, you're just going to have to pick and live with the consequences like everyone here has had to do, countless times. There is no such thing as black and white. It's all about what you like and you won't know until you know, you know?
I have a Sonic Frontiers Line 2. It is a very neutral preamp and does not have that characteristic tube sound of many preamps. If that is what you are looking for then the Line 2 is not what you want.
It is a very well made amplifier with high quality materials and parts. I have owned it since the mid 90s and have not had a single problem with it. The only negative I would mention (like the reviewer in the linked review) is that I do not like that the inputs do not have better descriptions. I have never owned or heard the VK5 but I do use the Line 2 with a BAT VK-200 power amp with no complaints.
Sonic Frontiers is no longer around. Paradigm bought them but had no interest in tube electronics so they dropped the Sonic Frontiers line but kept the solid state Anthem line.
I have only auditioned the SF way back in the mid-90's.
I still want to demo B.A.T. gear, someday.
I vote VK5 except I would never pay $2000 for it. That is what it sold for new! If you bide your time sooner or later a vk5i will pop up for sale somewhere for around $1700 ( $2495 MSRP ) I have owned the VK5, and the VK5i twice. They are excellently built!
I had good results by swapping out the 2 outside 6922 tubes for NOS tubes. Also I ran NOS 6L6 tubes in lieu of the sovtek 5881. It warmed it up nicely. But then who knows? You might like it stock. Only way to really find out is bite the bullet and buy one or the other preamps.
Never owned Sonic Frontiers, but have demoed them. I still went for the BAT.
Correction! The VK5 retailed for $3995. The VK5i retailed for $4495.
I owned and used the BAT 5i for a long time. After comparing it to the Ayre K-5xe, I sold it and bought a used Ayre for $2k. The 5i does not sound like a "tube" pre, I always thought the SF did. The BAT is VERY well built and they are a top notch company.
Of couse it's personal preference when it comes to the sound.
| ||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
