Review: Balanced Audio VK P10 SE w/ Super Pak Tube preamp

Category: Preamps

Sorry, this will be a brief mini review. I recently upgraded my BAT VK P10SE to the SuperPak version. I have gone from the VK P5 to VKP10, then upgraded that to the SE version and now the SuperPak version.

I run a DIN to XLR phono cable, Purist Venestas. It sits on a Symposium Ultra shelf, ditto for the SME 20/2a and motor controller. I use a Purist Dominus-Fluid AC cord to power it, plugged into PorterPorts. Tubes are Amperex USN 7308's, RCA 5692's, then the stock Russion 6c45's.

Break in time was minimal. I guess this is mostly a power supply update and nothing in the signal path was seriosly changed.

The Superpak costs about $2k. The first thing you notice is the massive silver caps added via a 3rd board. On further inspection, it looks like BAT also replaced several resistors on the main board and took out a few caps. 4 board traces were severed. Guess something else was re-wired. Looks very very professional. Top rate mod by BAT. In fact, unless you really knew what to look for, you'd never know this wasn't a brand new unit.

The sound, is WOW. Much much much more depth. Vastly better dynamics. Textures and decays are more noticable. Vocals more real. Bass deeper and tighter. Top end extends and is real. The impact on the sticks on the cymbals sounds like wood on metal. The best thing is the most hardest to desribe, just how the music flows and a sense of ease, but with power. The noise floor is also lower which let's out more detail.

If you own a BAT VK P10SE, this is a very worthwhile upgrade. Worth every cent, just like the VK50SE to 51SE update!

Associated gear
BAT VK51SE, BAT 75SE, SME 20/2a, Lyra Helicon, SME IV.Vi, Purist Venestas Interconnect and Tonearm cable

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