Tubes Asylum: REVIEW: Balanced Audio Technology (BAT) VK 60 Amplifier (Tube) by Philip O'Hanlon

The stereo amp is rated at 2 x 60 wpc @ 3% distortion. The monoblock is twice that output with half of the output impedance. BAT supply a neat set of straps for $30 to convert the stereo amps over to monoblock.

As good as the stereo amp is, the monoblocks are stunning. Increased
dynamics, transparency in the mids. I used these for two years with the Dunlavy SC IV and later the SCIVA. I was ultimately disappointed with the IVA; lower, deeper bass indeed, but at the cost of integration, did not sound as complete as the original. The first pair of SCIV had the Morel drivers which did not play as low but had a fuller bass and the whole sound was better integrated,

On vinyl, Patricia Barber's "Too rich for my blood" would generate a whole
rush of emotion in the listener. We are talking about involvement; forget
about the technology - enjoy the music. Soundstage is great, but I am
more a truth of timbre person, the instruments really sound fleshed out.These amps are not rolled off in the extremes, may not deliver bass a la Krell, but certainly quite respectable, the highs are glorious, transparent with plenty of detail, not in the least fatiguing.

BAT service is superb, I bought mine on the SH market, shipped them 18
months later to the factory complaining that one of the the amps made a
crackling sound while warming up. Jeff Poor from BAT told me that they had changed suppliers of the tube sockets; ship them back to the factory & have them upgraded to the more robust socket. They not only replaced all of the tube sockets, but also replaced some of the input & output tubes and modified the circuit boards to the latest spec. as well as new shipping boxes. FREE OF CHARGE !!

Their tube preamps & CD player are also worth checking out - great
synergy. Given the right speakers, a system to enjoy music all day and
long in to the night. Viva BAT !

P.S. I only sold the VK60's as no tube amp is capable of driving the B&W Nautilus 801. But would buy another pair again, if I found a suitable pair of speakers capable of driving my 23,000 cubic ft. listening room.

REVIEW: Balanced Audio Technology (BAT) VK 60 Amplifier (Tube) Review by Philip O'Hanlon at Audio Asylum