Your Thoughts on the BAT VK-3i

Any thoughts on the BAT VK-3i almost 20 years after its introduction? Is it still a relevant preamp or has it been surpassed within its class?

rlb6101-11-2018 3:44am

keithr Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 950 posts 01-12-2018 at 08:40pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I had the 5i, 50SE, 31SE, and 51SE. The 31SE was the best value. I thought the 5i was overly warm and the frequency extremes ill-defined. I should have rolled tubes, but its a lot of $ for NOS.
georgehifi Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 4,966 posts 01-12-2018 at 09:51pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete That's when I sprung for the BAT NOS 6H30 at $600/pr. Have been enjoying great, problem free sound ever since. That's why it's been nick-named the "Super Tube" It's been said that it performs closer to good solid state than any other tube, without resorting to a "cathode follower" arrangement. Cheers George
rlb61 OP Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 362 posts 01-12-2018 at 10:10pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete If the 6H30 performs close to solid state, then why not just get a solid state component in the first place?
dweller Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 2,152 posts 01-12-2018 at 10:48pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I've noticed the term "super tube" used whenever equipment has 6H30s in its circuit -not necessarily the NOS version.