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Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Balanced Audio Technology (BAT) VK-31 Preamplifier (Tube) by EdM

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REVIEW: Balanced Audio Technology (BAT) VK-31 Preamplifier (Tube)

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Model: VK-31
Category: Preamplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price: $4500
Description: Mid Level Pre-amp with balanced inputs and outputs
Manufacturer URL: Balanced Audio Technology (BAT)
Manufacturer URL: Balanced Audio Technology (BAT)

Review by EdM ( R ) on March 08, 2006 at 14:22:29
IP Address: 64.186.238.210
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for the VK-31


I set out recently on the hunt for a new pre-amp to complement my Musical Fidelity A308 power amp- along with an MF 308CD and MF Trivista 21 DAC. One of my most important criteria was it had to be a tube unit because I have learned the tube - pre / solid state - power amp route suits my tastes perfectly.

Having heard many positive comments (not to mention Victor Komenko’s presence here) on Balanced Audio Technology products; they were on my short list. I was looking for a pre-amp that uses 6922 so I could do some future tube rolling. Luckily I am near Upscale Audio and was able to speak with Kevin Deal who suggested I try the BAT- VK-3ix. Within hours one was in my listening room.

Kevin has stated that he and many of his customers were impressed with the bass of the 3ix and I must agree. Right out of the box it was an impressive unit. I had previously owned (and still own one) the DK Design integrated, an Audible Illusions Modulas 3A, a Rogue 66, and a TAD-150. The TAD-150 was a giant killer in many respects but I wanted the highest resolution I could get at a somewhat “reasonable” cost so the $3500 (with optional remote), 3ix seemed to fit the bill. (I have to have a remote- period.)

As I said the 3ix sounded good out of the box but after 100 hours or so really came alive. It had the resolution and I detail I craved while producing great lower bass extension with an overall musical sound. There were some things I didn’t like but they were all ergonomic and user interface related. For example, the remote is not able to select different inputs; and the volume goes back to zero whenever the unit is powered off. Small points but irritating ones all the same. I also was not exactly in love with the looks, especially since all my other components are silver and the 3ix faceplate is very dark.

After discussing this with Upscale, we struck a deal to upgrade to the VK-31, which costs $4500 with remote. I must say the price difference is worth every penny. First the overall appearance is far superior with the two-tone silver and black. Then the user interface is exceptional. The remote selects the inputs, every input has programmable volume settings, each input can be labeled, and the display can even be customized.

So is the sound worth it after all? In a word- yes! Even if it sounded exactly the same I would have gone for it but the VK-31 just does everything better. First the VK-31 is QUIET! My room is small so I cannot abide by any hum or background noise and with the VK-31 / A308 combination there is no noise whatsoever. I would also say the Musical Fidelity A308 / BAT VK-31 is a match made in heaven from a music lover’s standpoint. The A308 has the power, guts and glory to bring out the widest possible dynamic range in all types of music while the BAT VK-31 feeds it the highest possible smooth, musical detail.

There was a slight difference in the soundstage, interestingly enough. The 3ix was very wide and shallow while the VK-31 although just as wide, was a bit deeper. In fact I felt as though I moved from the first row to the second row back. Imaging was great on both but the VK-31 is the slight favorite.

My test recording for my first official listening session upon hitting the 100 hour mark was Mirabilis by the Mediaeval Baebes (highly recommended) – a glorious choir-like group of young ladies singing Celtic tunes. Through the VK-31, the texture of the music was evident more than ever before. The bass was firm and deep while there was absolutely no hint of harshness or grain in the highest reaches of the recording.

I played many tracks over and over to appreciate the newfound nuances in each. On track 6 “The Lament” all the women are singing and I don’t believe I’ve ever heard the vocals sound so glorious. On “Umlahi” track 10, the ladies sing in a sweet harmony as I was transported to some magical Irish kingdom. “Come My Sweet” (track 15) actually sent goose bumps down my neck with it’s sharp bass and soaring highs.

I probably listened to track 3 “Temptasyon”, a dozen times. The Mediaeval Baebes sing this in pretty high key so if any grain or harshness was to be revealed it would have to be on this one. All I heard was the airy, dreamlike vocals. Track 1 has a fair amount of bass, but I enjoyed Track 6 much more. Bass was slamming pretty good on Track 7. The drum had a very organic tone with a very satisfying hollow sound- exactly as they should.

I can say unequivocally that not once did I hear a hint of harshness on any recording. One of my test CDs is always Diana Krall’s “Look of Love” track 2 “Love Letters”. The opening electric guitar notes can sound overwhelmingly shrill on some equipment, but with the VK-31 they were almost mild and certainly not shrill.

My audition continued over the ensuing weeks with my usual favorite test discs. On pure acoustic tracks like those of Alison Krauss and Union Station, the VK-31 exhibited lots of air and transparency. The trailing edges of stringed instruments lingered on in a very satisfying manner. Over and over I found myself almost emotionally drained when a song ended as the air continued to vibrate for a second after the track ended.

On recordings that were more orchestral, including classical CDs like Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances by Eiji Oue and the Minnesota Orchestra I especially appreciated the total and complete silence on the quiet passages. I pressed ahead and continued trying various recordings such as Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade/Stravinsky: L'Oiseau De Feu, a sweeping orchestral piece I used to test the dynamics and the VK-31 gave me nothing to complain about.

I was very pleased with the sound “picture” of the BAT, which presented smooth jazz like that by Keiko Matsui in an intimate manner while on less restrained CDs like Tift Merritt’s “Bramble Rose” and Antigone Rising’s “From the Ground Up”, the presentation was extremely “real”. While the details were very, very clean; the sound was also very, very musical.

On “From the Ground Up” and I played it good and loud. I couldn’t help but marvel at the way the electric guitars sound on this one. I’m usually not fond of them but with the VK-31 it seemed to me they were completely harsh free. The most enjoyable instrument (besides Cassie’s voice) was the drum, so deep yet so well defined. I felt I was really listening to a live performance; even the applause from the audience sounded real. In fact, I even made a note of how the applause sounded so distinct with a “being there” quality.

My only tweak so far has been the addition of a DIY power cord made from cryoed Oyaide connectors and

12 gauge wire from Chris VenHaus. This home made power cord I swear added a bit of crispness to the sound which I really like. All other cables were from VooDoo – also cryoed and another giant killer of a line. By the way, I’m beginning to think there is really something to the cryo treatment!

Over the break in period, the VK-31 opened up most in the imaging department. The more performers on stage, the more I appreciated this. Going back to Mediaeval Baebes – there are eight ladies in this group- I could clearly discern every single one and it was quite a joy to be in their company and appreciate each vocalist’s strengths.

I can unequivocally recommend the BAT VK-31 for anyone seeking the smooth sound of tubes with the mastery of bass control, and the highest possible refined resolution, while providing a fantastic state of the art user interface. For those of you who don’t want to put quite that much money into a pre-amp, you should be quite happy with the 3ix if quality sound is your first concern.


Product Weakness: Price?
Product Strengths: Super high resolution, looks, user interface, quality.


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Musical Fidelity A308
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): VK-31
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Musical Fidelity A308CD
Speakers: Olympic Audio OA-1
Cables/Interconnects: VooDoo Opus 2 and Reference
Music Used (Genre/Selections): See review
Room Size (LxWxH): 10 x 11 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments: Accoustics FIrst
Time Period/Length of Audition: 1 month
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition): Yes




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Topic - REVIEW: Balanced Audio Technology (BAT) VK-31 Preamplifier (Tube) - EdM 14:22:29 03/8/06 ( 5)