Balanced Audio Technology VK-30

billbillw

I've decided to downscale my system and go with an integrated amp. Crazy, I know. Anyway, here is an excellent condition VK-30 tube linestage preamp. It uses a compliment of six-6922/6DJ8 tubes. It is a full balanced design, with excellent build quality throughout. The VK-30 was designed to replace the legendary VK-5 preamp. This preamp does not have the optional phono board. It does not have the metal BAT remote, but I paid $285 to Victor Khomenko to upgrade the control chip to allow remote control with a universal remote. I will include a pre-programmed URC-R7 remote with the preamp. I will also include all of my 6922 tubes, which includes 2 Reflektor 6h23p-UV military tubes, 4-modern Electro Harmonix 6922, 2-NOS Amprex Holland (orange label) tubes, and 12 National-Matsu****a 7DJ8, which have been my preferred tube in the preamp. They are the same ones that Kevin Deal (Upscale Audio) gushes about. I will also include 4-Neutrik XLR to single ended adapters (for inputs 1 and 2). Comes in original box/packaging with a copy of the manual, the tubes listed above, a T-handled wrench for the cover screws, and the URC-R7 remote.

Asking $1500+shipping.

Design features of the VK-30:

1. A modern elegant industrial design with an easy-to-read blue alphanumeric display.
2. Five signal inputs and two main outputs
3. 140 step electronic shunt volume attenuator with .5dB steps
4. An advanced implementation of Balanced Audio Technology's trademark Unistage®topology either in solid state or vacuum tube design
5. Highest quality custom toroidal power transformers with magnetic shielding
6. Caddock and Vishay resistors in critical circuit areas
7. Advanced microprocessor control that provides enhanced functionality and convenience
8. Flexible and highly programmable user interface
9. Full-function remote control
10. User-definable configuration for each input that includes the following parameters:
•BALANCE adjustment
•RELATIVE VOLUME OFFSET (any input with respect to any other input)
•PHASE INVERSION setting
•MONO/STEREO setting
•MAXIMUM volume setting for any input
•FIXED volume setting for any input
•DISPLAY (Volume) mode (choice of linear counts scale or two different dB scales)
•INPUT NAME assignment in multiple languages

Actual photos below:

headrott

Beautiful pre-amp! Great sound! Someone should buy this. Good luck with your sale.

Toolfan66

PM sent!!

Toolfan66

Anybody know if this will mesh with my MIT shotgun cables??

zane77

I want this so bad I can almost hear it. But lack of funds right now says no. Good luck with the sale. Hope John gets this.

hochpt21

Damn...lots of nice gear flying around this place the last few days.

GLWS

billbillw

I need to mention one slight issue with this unit. I discovered that input 5 only works on one channel. You can mix it by using the mono button. I tried troubleshoot the problem with Victor Khomenko, but we couldn't solve the problem. Inputs 1 thru 4 work perfect. I am including XLR adapters for inputs 1 and 2 , so there should be enough for most 2-ch systems.

headrott

Toolfan66 wrote: »

Anybody know if this will mesh with my MIT shotgun cables??

Yes it will Larry. I have used MIT shotguns with a VK-3i and a VK-31 (currently) and they work(ed) fine with them. Buy this and enjoy!

billbillw

I pretty much always give Polkies first crack at my gear, but I will also be listing these on USaudiomart and AudioCircle after I give this forum a few days to think about it. I will not be including all the extra tubes when I list it elsewhere.

Of course, local buyers are welcome to audition.

billbillw

Has anyone heard from Larry (Toolfan) since Saturday? He hasn't posted or replied to any of my messages. Just wondering if he is ok.

BTW, I wanted to adjust the price for my Polkie friends. $1400+shipping for club members that have been around for more than a year.

headrott

Haven't seen him post for a couple days now Bill. I hope everything is OK. That's a great price on the VK-30! Especially with the tubes you are offering. Someone snatch this up!

billbillw

I might have a pending sale from one of my other listings. Hope he chimes in soon if he is still interested. I'd rather sell to a forum member.

headrott

Maybe contact someone who has Larry's number so you can call him? I do not have it, but maybe Jesse or someone else could help you out.

billbillw

I hate to be flakey, but I've actually decided to just hold on to this for now.

The sale is off.

Polkie2009

I can't blame you Bill for wanting to hang on to this beautiful, magnificent preamp!

headrott

Hey Bill, they had their chance. Their loss......

billbillw

OK, further thought and I've decided the sale is back on for this preamp.

However, the tubes I will include is changing. I will include ten Electro-Harmonix 6922 Russian tubes. Six of these tubes are brand new (less than 20 hours listening), bought from Jim McShane (fully tested/graded) just after Thanksgiving. The other four tubes were from Upscale a few years back, but I doubt they have more than a few hundred hours. Still a pretty good set of tubes to work with.

All other conditions the same as previously posted.

aboroth00

billbillw wrote: »

OK, further thought and I've decided the sale is back on for this preamp.

However, the tubes I will include is changing. I will include ten Electro-Harmonix 6922 Russian tubes. Six of these tubes are brand new (less than 20 hours listening), bought from Jim McShane (fully tested/graded) just after Thanksgiving. The other four tubes were from Upscale a few years back, but I doubt they have more than a few hundred hours. Still a pretty good set of tubes to work with.

All other conditions the same as previously posted.

Man... should've told me before I bought the VK-3 :P.

headrott

aboroth00 wrote: »

Man... should've told me before I bought the VK-3 :P.

Sell the 3 and add a 0!

billbillw

Yeah, sorry Aboroth00...I was going to mention it to you, but I was still unsure which direction I wanted to go.

GlennDog

Does anyone have experience with THIS pre vs Cary SLP-98????
I am interested in the SQ diff . . . duh

any input is much appreciated

Merry Xmas !

tonyb

None with this pre, but the Bat signature sound is more dynamic while Cary has a certain fluid sound. My opinion is 2 different sounds, depends on what you like. The Bat also does lower bass notes a tad better than the Cary, but the Cary does Higher notes better. Flip a coin man, Karma me the one you don't like. LOL

polkfarmboy

Thats got me thinking I should buy this and the cary and try them out ..when I win the lottery!!

aboroth00

As much as I want to... I'll hang onto my VK-3 for now. We're just getting acquainted. Great pre at a great price though! GLWTS

polkfarmboy

Merry Christmas to me !

I am going to pair this up with the PrimaLuna Premium tube mono block monster and the MIT Oracle speaker cables with the ps audio mk2 dac and transport for one awesome!!!!!!! tube system ...... I will put this up against my beloved Dared mc7p tube amp but I get the feeling the bats's going to really kick some ****, especially with the perfectwave dac through wireworld platinums balanced. Thanks Bill you have really made my day!!

billbillw

OK, sold to PFB. Hope you enjoy it. Sounds like it will be sweet setup.

headrott

Wow! Congratulations PFB and Bill! You are going to love this pre-amp PFB. Get yourself some Amperex 7308's and enjoy it even more sir!

billbillw

headrott wrote: »

Wow! Congratulations PFB and Bill! You are going to love this pre-amp PFB. Get yourself some Amperex 7308's and enjoy it even more sir!

That would be pricey for this preamp. I really liked this preamp with the NOS Reflector 6N23P-EV and also with the NOS National 7DJ8. I will probably be selling my stash of 7DJ8 as soon as I decide what I'm replacing it with.