BAT amp + cheap pream vs BAT integrated vs Prima Luna integrated
Hi all, this is my first post ever here in Audiogon. I am going to buy my first proper Hifi setup and am really going bonkers with all the possible configurations and combinations, and tbh so little data. I tend to like detail so in the beginning i discarded tubes. Separate amp and preamp is a wish, having read only but praises about this. I have read many great things about Prima Luna and am considering tubes now, to be specific, the Evo 300 hybrid, which is the closest any integrated amp will get to separate amp and preamp. But there is an option i have not read about too often: GREAT amp (BAT VK 90t) and since this will break my budget, a small and cheap preamp like a Schiit Freya or another preamp that does not impact the sound of the amp negatively too much (with the wishful thinking of buying a proper BAT preamp in the future, god and wife allows). AND, to add complexity, this configuration vs the BAT VK80t integrated amp.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated!
Whoever told you older gear will not sound as good as newer is absolutely full of crap. Also the dealer who said BAT sounds awful is also. I've owned several pieces of BAT. Good stuff. To reiterate above, buy the best preamp you can. You may also want to consider Audio Research line. Not sure it's a good match with ATC though. Separates will sound better this i do know unless its really high dollar integrated.
Again, buy the best preamp you can :) |
@samzx12 thank you for pointing out my poor phrasing. That is what I get for typing something in the middle of the night with Insomnia. the BAT gear I had was dreadful mixed into my system at the time. I stand by that. When I put the whole system together though, I was not clear that it did not just get better which is what I said, it was fabulous. I was not clear on that and I do pride myself on being helpful and clear. Thank you for prompting a correction. BAT gear is legit, superb. that said, I think my experience is valid in that i have also found it slightly harder to pair and match with other brands gear and that gear needs to be balanced. I firmly believe a Schiit Freya with a BAT amp is a bad option. To get most out of it, something balanced is required. |
Hi guys, Just my 2 cents worth. I have owned a Ton of gear literally maybe 5 tons, lol. I have auditioned the ATC Speakers at Audio Connection in Verona, NJ. The ATC SCM40 were my Fav's he powered them with an Audio Research I50 integrated and it drove them beautifully. So people saying you need a lot of power and SS to drive them adequately is in my opinion not accurate. I did also listen to them with Aesthetix Dione's at 3.5x the power and the overall sound was also pleasing. Minor difference was in tighter bass but at a cost of less midrange texture. But great soundstage with both. I will put a list of my amps at the bottom of this post to try to validate my post. My recommendation would be to get a used Bat VK52se for about $3500 and a used Vk655se for about $5500 both preferably with Gen 3 caps boards, that will set you back $9k. I have seen both sold at those prices. Matter of fact a VK53se w/ Gen 2 caps was sold for $3500 recently. I will get to the phono latter. If you truly want tubes you can find a pair of Vk150se's right now for $6k. Still within you budget. Now for the best part, to make the most holographic and accurate sounding system you can upgrade the output caps to VCap ODAMs in the Preamp and CUTF's in the Amp and OMG. I have gone from a Vk51se to a Rex to a Vk53se(Gen 3) to now a Rex3(VCap) and each step was incredible. 2 of my friends have my former gear and they feel they have reached their dream system. My Amp upgrades were similar. I went from 2 pair of vk150se (paralleled 300wpc) to a pait Vk600mse to a a pair of Vk655se(Gen3) to a Rex500 (Gen4). Totally in my Dream space! As for the phono pre you can start at $1k with a Graham Slee Acession or a Project DS2 Tube Box to start and up grade later. Check me listings for my contact info if you would like to reach out. Here is my list of amps that I have owned. My Amps Adcom GFA 555
|
VIP428, I think you should try some more amps before you offer your opinion here ! Seriously, that’s a lot of amps! OP, I think the best advice here you’ve received is to figure out which speakers you will buy next before investing in a new integrated. Synergy is really important. Making one change in a system often leads to changing out most or all of the rest of the system. That’s one reason so many of us have owned so much different gear. Lastly, find a good trusty dealer - they often have figured out this synergy thing a long time ago with the components they sell. |
