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BAT or Sonic Frontiers w/ Martin Logans?

OK, I need to "warm up" my Martin Logan SL-3's with a tube amp for under $1500 (Driven by Sunfire amp). The two finalists are the BAT VK 3i and the Sonic Frontiers Line 1. Can anyone make recomendations one way or another? If any Martin Logan owners can share experiences I would appreciate it. I live over an hour away from any hi-fi stores so your input will save me lots of time.
wsmatau
fpeel
455 posts
 
A Line 1 isn't going to add a great deal of warmth. Even with NOS tubes mine is still pretty neutral sounding. I have no knowledge of the BAT, but will suggest adding Audible Illusions and Cary to your review list if "warmth" is the goal.
steve_williams-98e0
1 posts
 
I have Martin Logasn Quests that I run with an Audible Illusions Model 3 preamp and a McCormack DNA-1 with SMc Audio's Level A+ mods. Interconnects are Sysnergistic Research. mSpeakers are bi-wired with Kimber 8g. I get great warmth, but incredible imaging and detail as well. I second the recomendation to take a look at Audible Illusions.
jeffloistarca
1,004 posts
 
I'm using an Audio Research SP14 preamp with (2) Classe DR8 amps, makes the Quests sing real nice...
garygutbrod
9 posts
 
I'm currently using a Sonic Frontiers Line 2 and Conrad Johnson MF2200 amp with aerius speakers. Yes, the Line 2 is not going to add "tube warmth" but this combo is very neutral and detailed. Especially musical using balanced outputs.
kweisner0800
10 posts
 
I am using a BAT VK3i with Magneplanar 1.6QRs, so while I can't address your specific match, I can tell you that this is a very neutral preamp. I don't notice any particular character, other than the fact that music from my system just seems to wash over the entire room. FYI, amp is a BAT VK200 (solid state).
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