Bat VK-51se vs. Atma-sphere MP-1 Mk II

I can only say good things about BAT. I have owned my VK50SE for just over two years without any trouble at all. Sonically it was a huge step up from my Krell pre and the guys at BAT will talk to you any time--great customer service. I am going to upgrade my unit to a 51SE as soon as I find a week when I won't be home--I hate to part with it!

From my experience, I would have to recommend the BAT for most amplifiers. The Atma-sphere's impedance is a bit problematic for quite a few amps. Both are very reliabe, and very different sounding. The Atma-sphere does not have a remote, the BAT does.

Hello Marc, I'm afraid my post will just mirror the others. BAT has what I find to be the best customer support in the business. I just wanted to add that for those who already own the 50se and are thinking about the upgrade to the 51se ....."Go For It"....It is a huge step up sonically. It was the best $1,300.00 I've spent on audio. Enjoy! Tom

Hello,

I know that you ask about the 51SE vs the MP1, but a year ago I was looking to spend much less so I compared the 31SE vs MP3 to my ARC LS5 III. This was at a Minneapolis BAT dealer; I had borrowed the MP3 from another dealer for this shootout. To make a long story short, I was so very disappointed with the MP3. The Atmasphere amps get the highest praise over and over which made me have this bias that the MP3 would be the clear winner. It was entirely the opposite. If you're interested in the details, search through the archives for my comments on the 31SE ... which I ultimately purchased.

The BAT products are so well made, solid battleship construction, incredible power supply, etc. The MP3 was simply none of these. I still would like to hear the MP1 and I will go back to the BAT dealer to hear the 51SE. But for now, I am very pleased with the 31SE.

John

Just a few thoughts. You don't mention if you need a phono section. I mention this because the atmasphere comes with one and 51se does not.
Regarding reliabilty I can't comment on bat but I have owned an atmasphere amp and preamp for some time and reliability is excellent. Should there be a problem factory support is world class.
I currently use an MP3 mostly with vinyl and will only say that it is capable of exceptional sound.
As always, the best option is to audition the products and decide for yourself.