I have owned my BAT VK-D5 for 3 months. I can say without any doubt it is the best digital front end I have ever heard. I auditioned many high end digital separates and integrated players before making my purchase decision. I was using an Anodyne Atas tube DAC with a TEAC VRDS20 as a transport. Although this was a very good combination, it lacked the ultimate detail and transparency that I heard from other digital front ends. As soon as I heard the VK-D5 I knew it had the magic. It offers incredible detail retrieval, solid and precise imaging and soundstaging, deep and articulate bass, a smooth and fully developed midrange, and crisp clean highs. The overall sound is very involving and never fatigueing. It is as close to analog as one can get without spinning vinyl. I listen to many types of music but mostly female vocals. The extraordinary qualities of the VK-D5 truely brings the performance into my living room. I don't use a preamp, running the VK-D5 direct into a David Berning ZH270 OTL tube amp (the ZH270 has a volume pot), driving a pair of Speaker Art Odysee EE speakers. I use WireWorld cables. The BAT and Berning is a synergistic match providing a level of musicality and listening enjoyment I never thought was possible from digital.

Sorry Bob, can't agree at all. The bass is extended, full and powerful, the overall sound the antithesis of compressed and hooded. This is one of the very few CD players or separates that can follow an extended period of high-end vinyl listening without serious embarrassment. When new (under 100 hours) it can sound rather constipated which I assume is what you heard.
If your system doesn't sound good with a VK-D5, look elsewhere for the problem, 'cos no other CD player is going to sound much better and most will sound a darn sight worse.

I have been fortunate to own the BAT VK D5 for 1 year. Certainly this is a superb machine. There are some minor quirks. Some discs will not read. I sent it back for evaluation and it appears it is a flaw with the phillips reader. The company worked to try to resolve the problem but as the part is outsourced they could not. They did tighten a loosened transport mechanism.
That said the player sounds fantastic! I use Proceed PAV, LLano A300 monoblocs, and Martin Logan Quest speakers. All I can say is OH JOY!!! I would take off a 12 star for the quirk. But that is very minor.

The BAT remains! Having owned many of the leading front ends from various manufacturers such as Mark Levinson, Wadia, Audio Research, etc..the BAT VK-D5 is without a doubt one of the most engaging and musical pieces of digital gear that can be had short of $15,000. Why? A well implemented tube design without any of the cheap electronic bandaids usually applied to mass marketed products such as op-amp, buffers etc... My system reveals the nature of anything in the signal path to such a degree that by changing power oulets alters the sound. I am using Dunlavy SC-5 reference speakers driven by an Audio Research VT-200 mated with a ARC LS-25 preamp; the BAT supplies the digital domain...most any audiophile who has heard a good demo of this unit on an equally capable system will agree it takes you to "The Live Event" more than any other player near it's price range! This is less a review than it is a decree of absolute truth.

It is difficult for me to believe someone would rate the VK-D5 only a 3. I've had the D5 in my system for only a week now, and it is without a doubt the best cd player I've heard. In my system the bass is quite extended and tuneful. The highs are also extended without that irritating edginess I hear from other players. In replacing my Rega Planet, I auditioned 3 players, the Meridian 508.24, Wadia 850 and the D5. All are outstanding, but the VK-D5, was to these ears, much easier to listen to without compromising anything. Even without the benefit of full break-in, it is without a doubt a great cd player.

This is, IMHO, the finest 1 box CD player available today at anywhere near the price. I don't know if there are even any separate transport/DAC combinations that can sound better. The sound is so musical! Vocals and acoustic instruments (i.e. not amplified) are very full, rich, and natural. The timbre is exceptionally realistic! And yet, the sound is also very detailed and transparent.
I have to agree with the other posts here about the sound quality (with the exception of the 1 guy who obviously had a system problem, or doesn't know what music is supposed to sound like). The only thing I noticed that didn't appear to be up to BAT's usual high standards was a small amount of play in the CD tray when extended.

Ultimately for me, the difference between the VK-D5 and the other quality but lesser CDP's (e.g. CAL-25, Meridian) is the sheer musicality of the VK-D5. Is it worth the money? You'll have to listen and judge for yourself. I did.

My system:

BAT VK-30 Pre
Classe CA-150 Amp
BAT VK-D5 CDP
Cambridge Tuner
Sonus Faber Concerto Grand Piano speakers
Audioquest Opal interconnects (XLR)
Transparent speaker cables

I think I'm about done buying audio equipment for 10 years. I'm in Audio Nirvana!

I have had my BAT VK-5 for 10 months. I isolated it on a 40 lb vinyl /concrete slab moounted on a homemade air platform. Using synergistic master coupler fed into Tice Elite conditioner. Using all balanced Tice audio interconnects and biwired cables , BAT VK-3i pre and BAT VK-200 amp driving Von Schweikert VR-4s. Now I have no problem with bass response etc. etc. Sounds great but just install some New NOS Amperex 7308s and sit back for some MUSIC!!! I mean music coming out of your speakers not sound. I have owned Micromega Stage 2 and EAD ULTRADISC 2000 (stayed in Iowa almost as much as my house). I really like the sound and the build quality seems to be quite impressive-look under the hood.





11

The first CD player I've heard that I actually like!

VERY expensive.

I tried to like a number of CD players over the years, the most recent being a Cary that I had for about 18 months.

I stumbled into a dealer in Arizona and heard the BAT VK-D5 and had to give it a try. THe dealer was kind enough to let me demo the unit in my home for a few days and I was SOLD.

The BAT has the most incredible mids and mid-highs of any CD player going, so if you listen to small combo jazz like I do, this is the one for you! It gives vnyl a run for the money.

One warning, however---let this player break in for about 3 weeks before you really judge it. The BAT sounds TERRIBLE right out of the box.

Similar Products Used:

None

Arguably the best mid-range in the business,but that's not enough.
Bottom end not strong enough and overall feel of restraint, compression,
hooded, what have you. If all you listen to is small groups (string quartets, trios,etc.),jazz, and folk dingers, this may be your box. For the rest of
you, listen to it for the pleasure, then turn elsewhere for the whole
package.

I've had mine for a year now and never has it called attention to itself. Its a superbly built, good looking player that just makes music. As good as any, better than most.