Got my BAT VK-3ix SE today!!!!! NO PICS YET!

[SolidSqual]

Just wanted to give a general shout out to all my Polk colleagues who pushed me to purchase this preamp. It arrived in immaculate condition despite being used.

My New Year's resolution is to slow down my audio expansion and return to a system configuration when I was most happy. Can't wait to show you guys pics of what I'm putting together.

Thanks again,

Mike

[F1nut]

No batteries in that one.....good move.

[wingnut4772]

Congrats! Lookin' forward to the pics.

[george daniel]

congrats on the purchase,,I think that you're gonna' enjoy that one immensely,,let us know how it matches with your amps.

[SolidSqual]

No batteries in that one.....good move.

Yeah . . . but I hear it holds a significant charge even when not plugged in thanks to the special russian tubes. That may not be good for me either.

[nikolas812]

Congrats!!




Nick

[W WALDECKER]

You made a smart move.How does it sound compared to the Dodd ? Does It use the 6H30 supertube ? :cool:

[SolidSqual]

You made a smart move.How does it sound compared to the Dodd ? Does It use the 6H30 supertube ? :cool:

Haven't had the chance for any critical listening yet. It is the SE version, so yes, it has the 6H30 tube.

Speaking of which, I need to call BAT and get some of those tubes in my inventory as I hear they are in limited supply.

[janmike]

Congrats Mike. Let us know how it sounds when you get some time. Enjoy.

[reeltrouble1]

cool hi-fi. I think you will like it, I would not be suprised to see you upgrade to other BAT gear in the future.

RT1

[F1nut]

6H30 tubes here, http://www.upscaleaudio.com/Russian-6H30_p_484.html

[lakesailor]

Congrat's....BAT makes nice stuff.....

[SolidSqual]

6H30 tubes here, http://www.upscaleaudio.com/Russian-6H30_p_484.html

Thanks for this. It's a really good link.

[I-SIG]

We're still waiting for a quickie review! :) :(

Wes

[janmike]

I may try the 6H30-DR Supertubes in my ARC gear down the road.
So what;s the verdict there Mike.

[SolidSqual]

I love this preamp. There is absolutely no reason to buy a battery preamp. I can't believe it, but my new BAT is so quiet that I have to stick my head into the waveguide to hear any hiss. The Dodd could never do that.

My whole system is fully balanced. I'm still trying to find a CDP or maybe a music server. I'm kinda going back and forth between the two. From what I gather, it seems like the music server route still has too many variables that need to be managed in order to creat high end sound. My gut is telling me that I may be better off with a great CDP.

But, I may get a modded Sonos system yet. Who knows.

Right now, my digital front end is a Cambridge Audio DAC Magic fed by a Xbox 360 or PS3. What's amazing is that with this humble DAC and transport duo produces some damn fine sound. It actually approaches or stands right up to the sound of my XPA-2/Dodd/Raysonic CD128 system. I know the moment I put a good digital source in the mix this will be the best system I have ever had.

Oh yeah . . . just wait till I hook up the Depth i!

Right now I'm considering the following CDPs:

Raysonic CD128 or 168
Bryston BCD-1
Cary 303/300
McIntosh 201

Any other suggestions?

[Face]

Take the 201 off your list, they can be problematic. Check out the 500 f you can.

[I-SIG]

I'd consider the Cambridge azur 840c. I really like mine. It made an immediately noticeable improvement over the Bel Canto DAC2, which is a pretty nice piece in and of itself. It has balanced outputs and 2 digital inputs so you could still do your music server later and run a DVDP in the 2-channel rig as well.

I'm thinking of finally sending my Audio Alchemy DLC to the bedroom to start a rig in there. I'm really interested ina BAT VK-20 but would consider one like yours, hence my interest.

Wes

[SolidSqual]

I used to own the 840C and preferred the CD128 over it. I am also considering a BAT CDP.

[Face]

Edit: Too slow.

[I-SIG]

I used to own the 840C and preferred the CD128 over it. I am also considering a BAT CDP.

Forgot about that but I remember now. :o

Wes

[SolidSqual]

to slow what?

[Face]

to slow what?
I mentioned that you already had a 840C.

[Ricardo]

Not interested in SACD? Many options out there that are great redbook players also.

[SolidSqual]

Not interested in SACD? Many options out there that are great redbook players also.

I don't really own any. I should check and see if they have some titles I might be interested in. What are some good SACD players?

The reason I was not considering any SACD players is because I figure you should only by a knife for a specific task. Can an SACD player be as good as a dedicated CDP with redbook and still be in a reasonable price range?`

[SolidSqual]

Anybody know anything about the NAD M5 SACD player?

[I-SIG]

Anybody know anything about the NAD M5 SACD player?

Only reason I didn't consider one harder in lieu of the 840c was no digital input(s). Otherwise seemed like a nice piece with good reviews.

Wes

[SolidSqual]

Yeah and there's a great deal on A'gon.

[Ricardo]

Can an SACD player be as good as a dedicated CDP with redbook and still be in a reasonable price range?`

I would say there are many SACD players that are great redbook players...... but what is a reasonable price?

Marantz, Denon and even Sony has some excellent universal players.

I always recommend SACDMODS.com; I have his modded Sony DVP-NS9100 ES, and it's a great SACD player, and as good/better than the Raysonic 128 for redbook.

[Face]

If you check out Marantz, look above the SA-8001(now 8003). IMO, it's kind of veiled up top.

[Hawkeye]

Right now I'm considering the following CDPs:

Raysonic CD128 or 168
Bryston BCD-1
Cary 303/300
McIntosh 201

Any other suggestions?

I would avoid the 201 like the plague. While the used prices on these are coming down, there is a reason for that. I had one for about 2 years and had nothing but trouble with it. The first one was replaced by McIntosh after the firmware update failed to take. The second one, brand new from the factory, required me to install the new firmware about a week after I had it. These would skip, jump and fail to read both CDs and SACDs. It was also a noisy machine.

The 301/500 is a major step up in quality and performance. I was that close to buying the 500 until my dealer gave me a deal from heaven that I could not pass up. I had to stretch and sweet talk the wife but I chose the MCD/MDA 1000 combination. The MD1K is the last player I will ever buy. It does not play SACDs but I don't have a lot of those. The MDA can be used as a pre with I think 7 inputs. Actually, the MDA as a pre has revealed the shortcomings of my pre!

Gordon