Very nice interface, neutral sound.

Minor clicking noise when changing volume.

One of my best purchases. This is by far the best preamp I have owned and it has made a significant improvement in the sound of my system. The pass through feature has worked out well for Home Teater.

Similar Products Used:

A.R. LS3

Extremely quiet background, great detail, very musical, build quality, user interface

None detected so far

This preamp just keeps getting better and better in my system. There is absolutely no grain or glare that I used to hear with solid state preamps. I listen primarily to small ensemble acoustic jazz.

Balanced connections sound better to me, since my amp is also balanced (dual mono) design.

The characteristics of this preamp that I have heard in my system are as follows:

1. Completely black background, regardless of volume levels; when the music starts playing, it typically startles me
2. Beautiful midrange, voices and instruments sound real (I agree with the previous reviewer's coments on female vocals, they are truly stunning)
3. Extremely musical, absolutely no listening fatigue that I used to get with SS preamps
4. Great detail at all volume levels and in all parts of the sonic range
5. Bass is very articulate, tight, well balanced; not boomy and not too lean; acoustic bass such as that rendered by Christian McBride or Ron Carter is very realistic
6. Midrange has dimensionality, voices and instruments sound full, rounded, and in the room with you; the most realistic sax I've ever heard in my system
7. Treble is extended and airy, all electronic "tinge" and tizziness is gone from my system; handles sibilants and cymbols very well
8. Pace and rhythm are just right, this preamp lends a lot of "toe-tap" factor to everything I play

Obviously, I am thrilled by the performance of this preamp in my system. But perhaps the ultimate compliment came from my wife (who is not one to sit down and listen to music) when she said it sounded like Diana Krall was right in the room!

Associated System:

Audio Physic Libra Speakers
Proceed HPA 2 Amp
BAT VK 30
Rotel 971 CD (next to be upgraded!)
Nordost Red Dawn balanced and RCA interconnects, speaker cables
Audio Points and Vibrapods

Similar Products Used:

Levinson, CAT, Rotel, ARC

I love this preamp. It could represent the BEST preamp I have ever heard at any price!! It is transparent, grain-free, and neutral. Bass is tight and authoritative, soundstage is expansive and imaging detailed. Music seems well layered in a 3d sense, something which my previous pre a Melos SHA-1 did not do well.
The most outstanding quality of this piece is its MUSICALITY!! Unlike Spectral components which captivate you with incredible detail and speed or Audio Research which grabs you with midrange bloom and aire, the BAT draws you into the music, makes you tap you feet to the music and amazes you with its cohesive and convincing presentation!! Anyone considering a new pre in this or higher price range MUST listen to a the VK30. In fact, I have compared the BAT to Levinson, Audio Research, Audible Illusions, Classe, and Plinius and I prefer the BAT to all of these.

Finally, this piece truly was meant for music lovers and in my opinion represents the BEST value for the money. This preamp should be an EASY Class A in Stereophiles Recommended components!

Associated gear include: a Linn Lp12/Lingo/Ittok analog and a Theta Pro Prime IIa/Jade combo for digital; Aragon 2004 amp, Vandersteen IIIa, Vansevers Ref 83 PLC, Audioquest Midnight, Audiotruth Lapisx3, Marigo Ultra II cord, Custom Power Cord Model Eleven.

Able to convey emotions that solid state preamps designers can only dream of. Very tunefull and tight bass, good highs with no any splashy symbols. Shure i have heard more extended highs... but so what.. it is as extended as required. Good dynamics and natural resonance are given to instruments providing the listiner with a great sence of prescence. Good detail, really all the detail one would want... I never heard of someone humming a tune they could not get out of thier head because of detail . I have heard preamps with more detail... Rowland,Goldmund.. but these preamps were unable to convery the intangible emothinal content the way the BAT could. I do not know much about tech stuff but it appears to have more parts for the money than the audio research LS25. It ran quieter ( power supply 60clycle hum) than the LS25 or the Sonic frontiers LSF2. My overall non tech kick the tires tells me its a fairly good value in an marketplace loaded with insanse prices.

There is a slight empasis in the lower midrange which can make some vocals sound thick, with too much chest. It is very clear but has a tonal center of gravity similar to the Spender LS35A minimonitors which emphasized portions of the lower midrange to compensate for thier dimunitive size. At times it sounded as if someone had pressed a "loudness "button similar to the ones on the old 70 recievers. I also noticed the unit clicked when changing volume , but prefer the new volume controll with 140 clicks to the old rotary volume controlls.

An excellent preamp which is only edged out by cost no object designs for Microsoft investors.

Similar Products Used:

Goldmund Srp, Audible Illusions modulous3, Conrad Johnson PV10

Build quality, tonal balance, low noise floor

slight audible clicking with volume changes

This is the fourth preamp that I've owned. Previous models include: Adcom GFP565, Anthem Pre1L, Sonic Frontiers Line1. The BAT VK-30 is likely my last for some time. It is by far the quietest of the 3 tubed pieces I've owned. I won't try to use terms unfamiliar to me to describe its performance (what exactly is pace anyway?) I can only say that I find myself listening more often and for longer periods than with previous preamps. The BAT's soundstage is wide and defined. Mids are very smooth. Highs are extended and sweet. The bass wasn't what I'd hoped for initially, but has improved tremendously with a switch to some tubes from Upscale Audio (Russian 6N23). I can not say enough about the build quality of this unit. I spent the first hour removing the cover and admiring the parts quality and layout.

Associated Equipment:
Sony SCD 777ES
Sonic Frontiers SFD2 (DAC)
Aragon 8008BB
Paradigm Reference 100 v.2

Similar Products Used:

Adcom, Sonic Frontiers