Soundstaging, timbral accuracy, smooth, sweet and powerful sound that's amazingly transparent and clear without sounding analytical at all.

None evident...I only wish it weighed alot less when I have to move it.

Right on Dudley!!! The person that criticized you probably doesn't even own any equipment...Veda's one star review also reveals another who embarrassed him or herself...I run a Wadia 830 direct into the BAT with Nordost Blue Heaven interconnects (balanced), this drives the bi-wired Martin Logan SL-3 loudspeakers...I'm using Shunyata Research AC cords (Black Mamba), you don't need a line conditioner with those cords and they feed the Bat nice clean power...I don't use the BAT PAK since my speakers aren't a difficult load to drive.

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This is my third amp in 10 years....Adcom 555 II, McCormack DNA .5, and the mighty BAT

I didn't want to spend this much money on a power amp, but after hearing and living with the VK-500 there is no buyers remorse at all. I listened and compared a lot of amps. I did a direct comparison with the Krell FBP-200, I felt that the BAT was more open and had BETTER bass. Yes, you read right! Better bass than the Krell. I couldn't beleive it either. If you're looking in this price range, you'll be really sorry if you don't listen to this amp. If you want to spend less, check out the VK-200.

This amp is surprisingly bad. It sounds constricted with flat dynamics . It sure doesnt have the sound I would expect from a company known for great tube gear. No comparison to my VK 60s, not even close. Short take: It basically sucks.

Andrew Wong reviewer from 'AudioFile' writes: "The best pre-power I've heard this year (and in my life) must be Victor Khomenko's Balanced Audio Technology (BAT) VK-5i preamp/VK-60 valve and VK-500 solid-state power amps. Coming in second would be Nelson Pass' Aleph P/5 combi which are, in a word, stunning. Both Khomenko's and Pass' designs are products that push the envelope of sound reproduction. If you have the dough and want the best amplification today, look nowhere else -- these are beauties that match the performance of legendary names like Cello and Mark Levinson, but at a much more affordable price. Did I say affordable? Well, sort of -- if you drive a Mercedes SLK and have a 25-metre swimming pool in your backyard."

Notice, the Pass came in second... So many individual buyers vociferously defend their systems against BAT while the reveiwers have no preconceptions and consistantly choose BAT over most other competitors. Perhaps its because the reveiwers don't have to spend thousands on equipment and have no bad purchasing decisions to defend. The bottom line is that BAT equipment is some of the best out there and more and more people are discovering this secret, while others are running scared.

I've listened to and owned many amps. Have been involved in mastering of Grammy winning recordings. (enough about me!!) This amp is of the highest caliber possible. Buy it if you've got the scratch.

Massively powerful, esp. with the optional BAT-PAK. Clean, transparent, and very well built.

Giving this amp a rating of one is like saying Pamela Anderson is a dog. It's ludicrous! The VK-500 is a marvel of technology. It's a two gain stage zero feedback fully differential, which is the epitome of sophisticated simplicity. It has an expansive luscious soundstage with sweet extended highs and deep powerful bass. It's most outstanding attribute is that instruments sound real. If your not used to listening to live music or do not have an educated ear than I can see why some people find other amplifiers more appealing. While attending the Consumer Electronics show I noticed that at least 15-20% of all high-end speaker manufacturers used the VK-500 to show off their speakers. From talking with many high-end shop owners and reps, BAT's products are outselling other high-end manufacturers by a wide margin. It's because their price to performance ratio can not be beat. At $5800 the VK-500 is a steal!

The BAT VK-500 Is by far the most Insane amp I have ever heard.If you can find something that can beat it for the money I'll buy it for you

Absolutely awesome amplifier. To my ears, they're superior to Krell's and Levinson's that cost twice as much.

I have listened to more than enough amps,solid state and tube.I thought the tube amp was the way to go.you know het a pair of mono blocks and your rocking and rolling.Then I heard the VK 500 with the optional bat-pack.Needless to say this was the most INSANE amp I have heard to date!!!The power that this amp produces is unreal,yet it is extreamly smoth.Let me put it this way.You haven't done your speakers justice until you have had a BAT VK 500 power them