BATVK500 in Plinius league?

You need to audition the Plinius SA250_mkIV. It delivers the current your Apogee's demand. While the BAT Power amp products are fine, to my ear they are not quite as musical and do not take control of a speaker like the Plinius Amp when run in class A.

Thanks for the replies Guys. Unfortunately I can't audition as the amps are a looooong way away! (No dealers locally) The Plinius SA250 Mk4 is twice the price of the BAT VK500 (twice as good?!) or I could get a SA250 Mk3 for 40% more than the BAT VK500 (40% better than the BAT!!??) What do ya think? Is the BAT likely to be far superior than my Classe DR9, which was well regarded in its day? One other option is a Classe CA400, for about the same dollars as the BAT.

I would consider the Plinius to be a big step over any Classe which I have heard as well as the BAT. However, I cannot tell you whether the cost difference between the amps is worth it to you. It would be worth it to me, however.

I also wouldn't rule out a Pass Aleph 4. There seems to be a used one available on Audiogon right now for $2900.00! These listed for about $7000.00 only a little while ago. The Aleph 4 is not as dynamic, nor does it have the bass slam of the Plinius.Since I have both the Aleph 4 and the Plinius SA-100, I can say that the Aleph 4 beats the Plinius in low and high frequency extension, detail,soundstage and neutrality. That is not to say the Plinius isn't a fine amp. It is. But it's not in the Aleph 4's class. I can't say how much the Plinius SA-250 follows in the footsteps of the SA-100, because I am not all that familiar with the SA-250. But anyway, $2900 for an Aleph 4 seems like a way to have your cake and eat it too.

I also wouldn't rule out a Pass Aleph 4. There seems to be a used one available on Audiogon right now for $2900.00! These listed for about $7000.00 only a little while ago. The Aleph 4 is not as dynamic, nor does it have the bass slam of the Plinius.Since I have both the Aleph 4 and the Plinius SA-100, I can say that the Aleph 4 beats the Plinius in low and high frequency extension, detail,soundstage and neutrality. That is not to say the Plinius isn't a fine amp. It is. But it's not in the Aleph 4's class. I can't say how much the Plinius SA-250 follows in the footsteps of the SA-100, because I am not all that familiar with the SA-250. But anyway, $2900 for an Aleph 4 seems like a way to have your cake and eat it too.