2. amps-preamps
  3. 1038013118

Upgrading VTL 2.5 pre-amp to: CAT, BAT, or ARC?

I've been thinking about upgrading from my VTL 2.5 TL pre-amp for a long time. My latest (used) choices are: CAT Sig. (Ultimate if possible), ARC LS25 MKII (or LS5, if possible), or BAT (probably VK5i). Other choices might be Hoveland, Joule Electra, or Rogue 99. Besides great sound, my priorities are: build quality, resale, & convenience features. I listen to about 20% vinyl, so a built-in phono pre would be nice, but I'm resigned to getting an outboard one if I buy an ARC for instance. Remote is nice too, but I could live w/o if I get a CAT or Hoveland.

The ARC LS25 MKII is at the top of my list.......partly because I own a VT100 MKII, & it's the best amp I've ever owned. I'm impressed by the build quality & looks. An LS25 almost seems like a no brainer. I know it would be big bucks once I bought a used PH-whatever in addition.

The CAT, I've always heard great things about, & it would be nice to have a high quality built in phono stage. BAT, I've only read good things about. Did the VK5 come with remote &/or phono stage? Hoveland, well I just thought I'd add it to the list. I know there's a lot of nice pre-amps out there & probably others I should consider. And the VTL 2.5 sounds excellent imo (except the phono stage is very noisy), but I just have an urge to try something different.

Rest of my system is: ARC VT100 MKII, Fanfare tuner, Cary 303/200 CD (alternating with CAL CL-25), Rega P25/Benz Glider, and B&W M802 SIII's (alternating with Merlin TSM-M's). Thanks in advance for any advice!
steveaudio

Showing 1 response by drewfidelity

drewfidelity
178 posts
 
From my experience with the the three main competitors that you listed and your current system components I would recommend the ARC LS25 MKII over the BAT and CAT in your system. I have owned each of these preamplifiers and wound up spending the most time with BAT in my system. I found that when directly compared to the ARC LS25 MKII and the CAT SLI Sig the BAT 30SE sounded slow and compressed. The CAT is the best value in that the line stage was excellent and the phono stage was great. I think that mated with the VT 100 the ARC is better choice. The LS25 MKII was the most dynamic of the bunch. The soundstage extended way beyond the width of the speakers. I think that you should be able to find a used one on Audiogon in the 3K range. I think that the ARC is a great value at that price. The resale value on the ARC is reasonable as long as you purchase it on the used market in the 3K range.

Good luck in your search.
More to discover