Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Balanced Audio Technology (BAT) VK-300x LE Amplifier (Tube) by rob3rt5

Model:	VK-300x LE
Category:	Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$5800.00
Description:	integrated super tube amplifier
Manufacturer URL:	Balanced Audio Technology (BAT)
Manufacturer URL:	Balanced Audio Technology (BAT)

Review by rob3rt5 ( A ) on March 06, 2003 at 09:25:51
IP Address: 12.246.202.96

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for the VK-300x LE

This unit sounds rather removed at first listen. A considerable amount of time is required in order to be gifted with soundstage or bass but, when it comes it just might blow you away.
At 100 hours the high and mids are presented a bit forward and the bass is meerly suggested at. Soundstage is two-dimentional and glareingly bright.
At 200 hours air around instuments begins to take shape and the bass begins it's journey to joint the rest of the music. Soundstage begins to stretch and reveal an astonishing width.
At 500 hours this unit sings with conviction and authority. It is neither boomy or bright but simply correct in every way. Soundstage is wide and beautifully detailed.
I cannot imagine a more balanced or musical sound for the money. This unit has lots of cool features that make it quite easy to set up your system once and pretty much leave it alone. For instance, one can adjust relative gain between inputs so that nothing booms when switching from one source to another and sound levels remain constant. You can switch phase and engage /disengage stereo for those wonderful mono recordings and even rename your inputs. All things said, the unit isn't very gizmo-ladden and delivers the goods upon demand. It does take 50 seconds to warm from cold start and 500 hours to properly burn-in but it's a gem.
The phono section is better then most solidstate pieces out there but will leave you with no choice but to trade it in for a tube outboard model. At least this was my impression with a very sensitive Grado Ruby MC cartridge. The combo sounded a bit noisey but a bit more quite then others I've tried.

Product Weakness: Does anyone love haveing to wait 500 hours to get a taste of perfection?
Product Strengths: Music is not forced or created for your pleasure. Everything you hear is a faithfully reproduction of the source. A rare and beautiful thing indeed.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	BAT VK-300x LE
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	n/a
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Arcam DV-88
Speakers:	Vandersteen 2Ce Signature
Cables/Interconnects:	Cardas Golden Reference
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	any and all
Room Size (LxWxH):	14 x 10 x 12
Room Comments/Treatments:	rugs and curtains (real world)
Time Period/Length of Audition:	600 hrs.
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Cardas Golden Reference
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Does anyone love haveing to wait 500 hours to get a taste of perfection?
Product Strengths:	Music is not forced or created for your pleasure. Everything you hear is a faithfully reproduction of the source. A rare and beautiful thing indeed.