The New BAT REX preamp

Daveyf, I heard the REX at my dealer yesterday in Austin. WOW.

System was DCS pi8 SACD player, REX, VK 55, Watt Puppy 8's.

It's pretty startling. I have all BAT gear, VK51SE, VK150SE's, VKp10SE Superpak. I recently just added a second tube vk75se amp, I'd say this is a order of magnitude better than a second amp. Much much bigger than the 50se=>51se upgrade I did a while back.

Seems like the warmth is back a little, with out any expense anywhere else. The transparency, the dynamics are the best I think I have heard...

Now I have to find a way to squeeze this into my budget soon!

Hi Jjm, sorry,I should have been a little clearer on the warmth comment. My 50se was a little "warmer" than my 51se. While the 51se was a significant step up over the 50se in every way, the character was a little different. The 51se being slightly cooler in the mids. So the REX got that lost warmth back plus a WHOLE bunch more in transparency, dynamics, details, shading/inflection of the notes etc. I was in church last night, with a trumpet playing on a few songs. That trumpet player was hitting notes, you could feel it. The REX brings the feeling of live music into your room. That last sentence is it's most important praise!

Oh my yes on the change from a single 75se to dual 75se's.
In every concieveable way. NO DOWNSIDE. It's not just more power on your WP7's. It's control which seriously improves the dynamics and the imaging. This is one of those 1+1=3 things. I always loved my Watt Puppy 6's on my 75se. Ran em that way for about 4 years. The move to 150se's is huge. Highly recommended.

BTW, my new Watt Puppy 8's arrive this Friday :) !!

Years ago, I used to run a Wadia 850 striaght into a BAT VK 200 then VK 60. When I added a VK50SE, it was much better. Transparency maybe a better direct, dynamics, control, all the little things better with the preamp.

However, your miles may vary with the dCS. I have heard that player, it's great. The preamp is a critical gain stage. And the BAT equipment thrives when used together. I'd be suprised if the dCS direct beats your 51SE. BTW, great system and nice problem to have :).