If I have to choose the best amp under 3 grands, VK3i should be at top of the list. It is so real, warmth, and transparent. I owned Krell KRC 3, which is another best buy. Both of them sound quite close and I will have a hard time to pick one of them. Notice that I am not tube/solid state fans, all I care is performance and flexibility. Remote control, XLR/RCA connector, and dependability are another concerns. Back to VK3i, it matches equally well with solid state or tube amps, the most striking experience is probably matching VK3i with CJ Premier 11a, which make my Thiel real sings. Matching BAT with Krell or Levinson amp is another good option.
The only thing I don't like is VK3i does not have phase inversion and its size
is big, compared to most of the similar price pre amp in the market(won't fit in my rack, so I need to put it on top of the shelf, better ventilation though).
By the way, it is very dependable and dead quiet, hard to achieve in all tube design. I will give it five stars for the high price/performance ratio.

Sonics, build quality, ergonomics.

Internal phono card.

This is the finest sounding preamp I've ever had in my system. If you're looking for what some audiophiles refer to as "tube sound", look elsewhere (maybe CJ). The BAT is tonally very neutral, has exceptional bottom and top-end extension and is very revealing of the signal source. Dynamics and imaging are absolutely superb! The optional solid-state phono section, although very nice sounding, isn't as good as the all tube line section. The unit is very quiet even when operated with low-output moving-coil phono cartridges. This preamp should be considered (along with the AI 3A) if your budget is under $3,000. You can find VK-3i's used w/o phono and remote for under $1,000.

Associated equipment:
Muse One Hundred Sixty
Music Ref RM4
LP12
ET-2
Dynavector 20XL
Cal Delta
Camelot Arthur
Magnepan 1.6QR (Hovland+Alpha Core mods)
Custom full-frame support 'pan stands
A+ oval 9/12 bi-wire
Homegrown Audio "Super Silver"
PS Audio 300 power plant

Similar Products Used:

ARC SP-8 & SP-12, CJ PV-12, Quicksilver

Hats off to Victor Khomenko & Steve Bednarski for a truly outstanding pieceof art, sonically & visually. They truly understand the meaning of MUSICALITY!
And this is half-way in burning-in!!

If you're out on a Preamp hunting expedition in THIS PRICE RANGE , you MUST
audition this Baby.It may very well be what you'll ever need in a truly excellent, affordable and totally musically satisfying experience.

That's All Folks!