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BAT to BAT - What's Best?

In the wild and wooly world of subjective 'discernment' or taste with system synergies, and the uproarious and ridiculous costs of cables these days. I am at a loss in deciding upon the appropriate IC between a BAT VK5i and VK500.

I suppose what I am trying to figure out here is how to narrow the "must try" IC's for the BAT gear.

Any experiences from previous BAT owners that have had tube preamps, and solid state amps, would be more than appreciated.. . for there are far too many to go through as far as I am concerend.

the end I seek is one with richness, and a quality sound. with emphasis on the mid and bottom ends.....naturally the highs should be natural and sweet. Great imaging and tonal balance is most important.. . given the above info.

....and cost IS an object.

ones I've already tried, or currently own...
Monster M1000, - just not for me...
Nordost Blue heaven - far better but still lacking...
shunyata Aries - a definite NO
Harmonic Tech Magic - Not bad but lacks the imaging thing
MIT Magnum 3 III - thus far the better cable overall, with little compromise

...and the one I am using now
Cardass Neutral Ref - Just a real good value, but lacks bottom end, and only average in imaging. Nothing outstandingly good or bad here. just not what I'd like....

So what's your experiences? It would be a real help for me to "cull the herd" so to speak.

MANY THANKS
blindjim
jafox
1,348 posts
 
Not having a remote or an active linestage is stupid in today's world..the best gear yields nada to the would be purists.

Thanks Dave_b, but I get along just fine without a remote, thank you.....nothing stupid about it. I had an ARC LS5 and a BAT 31SE line stage (both remote driven) before the Callisto Signature. The remote capability was nice, especially on the BAT, but not at all mandatory. The Callisto Sig which so handily destroyed them both sonically made the need to get up and adjust the volume a moot issue. And now the Callisto has remote volume capability but I am fine without the need to incorporate this new feature.

As for systems needing an active line stage, there are plenty of people who swear that they do not need one and prefer the purity of their system without one. And I respect that rather than to refer to this as also stupid.

You've made a point in a number of your posts that you have heard a lot of gear and most likely more than the rest of us. GREAT! We're not here to win a contest but rather to simply share our experiences with others. What you're after is likely to be very different than the next person here.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
01-18-07: Dave_b
Not having a remote or an active linestage is stupid in today's world.

I have to second John's response here. Nothing personal Dave_b, but that statement is kind of...well....stupid. Everyone has different tastes and styles, what I like isn't for everyone, but I understand that.

What if someone stated that using solid state electronics is stupid in today's world? You would certainly be offended and try to defend your choice of SS gear, wouldn't you?
You liking SS, my liking a remote and an active line stage are simply decisions that we made. That doesn't mean that others who chose differently are wrong.

If I like rum raisin ice cream, and someone else prefers chocolate cake, I'm not right, and they're not wrong. How hard is that to understand?

I know some who prefer passive linestages, they usually sound great with tube amps. I know some who prefer the sound of a unit with no remote, I can't say they are wrong, or stupid. Just because I'm too lazy to get off my fat ass to adjust polarity, balance and gain, doesn't mean that they are stupid. It just means that I'm lazy. :)
blindjim OP
2,837 posts
 
Kubala Sosna ?

I keep hearing form time to time about these wires... but as yet have not heard them at all. Are they similar to anything else? Pricey?
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
2,267 posts
 
Just emphasizing the point that a remote is not a compromise in a well designed preamp, it will not audibly mask anything important and it offers one to slowly dial in just the right setting for a great performance from the listening chair..where it matters most! My experience and those of my friends has been that passive remoteless systems are problematic or tweaky at best with great inconvenience..but some will always enjoy the cult of old technology. Stupid is as stupid does I geuss...I apologise for the strong feelings..I prefer emotion and passion to passive politeness..did I say that..my bad.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Just out of curiousity Dave_b, have you tried say a Placette passive with a tube amp? Or ar you simply judging the passive's performance with a solid state amp?

I ask because system synergy is everything. I'm glad you are happy with your system now, it's a wonderful thing, being happy. I also prefer an active preamp with remote. However, I would never insinuate that those who choose differently from me are stupid. I would be a fool to do so. I've heard SET amps sound glorious, even though they are not my choice. I've heard passive controls sound incredible with the right source and amp. I've heard silver cables sound fantasitic in some systems, no small feat, I haven't heard this until the last couple of years.

I've also heard active preamps w/ or w/o remotes sound bad.

So what's the point of calling names? TALKING LOUDER or throwing insults doesn't make you more right. It may show a lack of experience on your end, but that's all.

John
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