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Digital Drive: REVIEW: Balanced Audio Technology (BAT) VK-D5SE CD Player/Recorder by Know_Talent

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REVIEW: Balanced Audio Technology (BAT) VK-D5SE CD Player/Recorder

12.106.50.250


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Model: VK-D5SE
Category: CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price: $8,500
Description: 24bit tube output stage CDP with Super-Pak upgrade
Manufacturer URL: Balanced Audio Technology (BAT)
Model Picture: View

Review by Know_Talent on April 25, 2008 at 13:15:21
IP Address: 12.106.50.250
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for the VK-D5SE


Built to last, mil-spec/NASA grade circuit board layout, viynl like sound?

Smooth, yet detailed...yet not so detailed that it makes lesser recordings unlistenable. You can't hear gnats fart but you can hear the background chorus of crickets on John Mooney & Jimmy Thackery's "Sideways in Paradise"!

Cohesive & Organic much like big $$$ viynl rig with proper recordings.
I believe BAT has voiced this to sound like viynl and they have done a great job. The recording has the biggest influence on playback! There's shitty viynl as well in case no one remembers.

Cymbal shimmer and string decay just hang in the air!
Certain recordings have widepanned percussion and sometimes you think you're listening to a surround sound system. Tony Williams drumwork on the Miles Davis 65-6X Quintet box set is INSANE!!! While I still love Max Roach, Tony is quickly becoming a favorite!

Lows have full body, Midrange is buttah & highs are airy.
All the best of Solid State, Tubes & Viynl combined with very liveable and listenable compromise IMO!

Sax & trumpet work properly reproduces "bite", "blat" & "honk".
Buddy Miles does a live version of Neil Young's "Down by the River" on a Greatest Hits compilation and the trumpet work on that piece is AMAZING!!!
The dude is right there in the room with you! ...or is it you are there???

Excellent at conveying soundboard reverb(?) of piano on good recordings!
Ahmad Jamal and Patricia Barber can produce very deep, muscular tones and the BAT convey them in all their glory. again, the sustain/decay on such pianowork is megacool!

Just the right amount of PRaT to get the toes tapping (kitty, no....NO!!!)
WITHOUT "supersizing"... NO breast/penis augmentation (hmmmm? those two do go well together), NO collagen injections, NO KITTY!!! no attacking the toes!!!!


Product Weakness: transport seems kind of wimpy for high dollar fare such as this
Product Strengths: It disappears and the music does the talking!<br>Heavy Metal remote control...not cheap lightweight plastic crap!<br>You could pummel an intruder with this thing!<br>Good Cat Warmer?


Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: MC501 monoblocks
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): MA6900
Sources (CDP/Turntable): no
Speakers: B&W N803S
Cables/Interconnects: yes
Music Used (Genre/Selections): see review
Room Size (LxWxH): 20 x 12 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments: Lounging Cat
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Balanced Audio Technology (BAT) VK-D5SE CD Player/Recorder - Know_Talent 13:15:21 04/25/08 ( 1)