2. amps-preamps
  3. 1068758113

BAT pre-amps with RCA adaptors

I recently demoed the BAT vk-3i and was very impressed. While the BAT is a balanced design, the rest of my system is completely single ended. BAT's literature suggests that I can use their xlr to rca adaptors until I can upgrade my source components and power amp to balanced designs.

I understand that I will not be getting the most out of the BAT preamp using it single ended, but I'm curious as to how much loss of sound quality I will suffer, and if it's enough to make me wait on the upgrade. I'd especially like to hear from any BAT pre-amp users who are using single-ended connections to their power amps and sources.

Thanks.
dkidknow

Showing 1 response by gunbei

gunbei
2,327 posts
 
I own a VK3i and VK200. I'd been using the VK200 with a Blue Circle preamp with the BAT RCA to XLR adapters since March.

Before receiving the VK3i this summer Victor Khomenko advised me it would be best to run a balanced cable between them, but he also said it wasn't necessary to use balanced connections between the source and the preamp since the VK3i converted every input to balanced anyway.

I've never connected the two with an RCA cable and adapters so I can't comment on the difference, but the BAT combo sounds great connected by an XLR cable.

So in summary, from any source to BAT preamp it shouldn't matter, but from BAT pre to BAT amp people say it makes all the difference in the world.

Good luck!
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