BAT VK-80i Stereo Tube Integrated Amplifier

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Clipdat
Clipdat Posts: 12,599
Looks so good in black!
43766-3__09220.1661469536.jpg?c=2
43766-5__84292.1661469536.jpg?c=2

https://tmraudio.com/components/integrated-amplifiers/bat-vk-80i-stereo-tube-integrated-amplifier-vk80i-remote/

Looks like the price for a used one is significantly less than new! $6,635 shipped vs the $9,995 msrp!

https://www.balanced.com/vk80i-integrated-amplifier

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/balanced-audio-technology-vk80i-integrated-amplifier/

Still would like to get ears on this bad boy at some point, but can't afford it even at the used price!

Anyone here have fond experiences with BAT gear?

Comments

  • jbreezy5
    jbreezy5 Posts: 1,141
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    ei5s6ahwcw1x.gif

    CD Players: Sony CDP-211; Sony DVP-S9000ES; Sony UDP-X800M2 (x2); Cambridge Audio CXC

    DACs: Jolida Glass FX Tube DAC III (x2); Denafrips Ares II (x2)

    Streamers: ROKU (x3); Bluesound Node 2i and Node N130 w/LHY LPS // Receivers: Yamaha RX-V775BT; Yamaha RX-V777

    Preamps: B&K Ref 50; B&K Ref 5 S2; Classe CP-800 MkII; Audio Research SP16L (soon)

    Amps: Niles SI-275; B&K ST125.7; B&K ST125.2; Classe CA-2300; Butler Audio TDB-5150

    Speakers: Boston Acoustics CR55; Focal Chorus 705v; Wharfedale Diamond 10.2; Monitor Audio Silver-1; Def Tech Mythos One (x4)/Mythos Three Center (x2)/Mythos Two pr.; Martin Logan Electromotion ESL; Legacy Audio Victoria/Silverscreen Center; Gallo Acoustics Reference 3.1; SVS SB-1000 Pro; REL HT-1003; B&W ASW610; HifiMan HE400i

    Turntable: Dual 721 Direct-Drive w/Audio Technica AT-VM95e cart

    Cables: Tripp-lite 14ga. PCs, Blue Jeans Cable ICs, Philips PXT1000 ICs; Kimber Kable DV30 coaxial ICs; Canare L-4E6S XLR ICs; Kimber Kable 8PR & 8TC speaker cables.
  • jbreezy5
    jbreezy5 Posts: 1,141
    Options
    k5mjuokp4st8.gif
    CD Players: Sony CDP-211; Sony DVP-S9000ES; Sony UDP-X800M2 (x2); Cambridge Audio CXC

    DACs: Jolida Glass FX Tube DAC III (x2); Denafrips Ares II (x2)

    Streamers: ROKU (x3); Bluesound Node 2i and Node N130 w/LHY LPS // Receivers: Yamaha RX-V775BT; Yamaha RX-V777

    Preamps: B&K Ref 50; B&K Ref 5 S2; Classe CP-800 MkII; Audio Research SP16L (soon)

    Amps: Niles SI-275; B&K ST125.7; B&K ST125.2; Classe CA-2300; Butler Audio TDB-5150

    Speakers: Boston Acoustics CR55; Focal Chorus 705v; Wharfedale Diamond 10.2; Monitor Audio Silver-1; Def Tech Mythos One (x4)/Mythos Three Center (x2)/Mythos Two pr.; Martin Logan Electromotion ESL; Legacy Audio Victoria/Silverscreen Center; Gallo Acoustics Reference 3.1; SVS SB-1000 Pro; REL HT-1003; B&W ASW610; HifiMan HE400i

    Turntable: Dual 721 Direct-Drive w/Audio Technica AT-VM95e cart

    Cables: Tripp-lite 14ga. PCs, Blue Jeans Cable ICs, Philips PXT1000 ICs; Kimber Kable DV30 coaxial ICs; Canare L-4E6S XLR ICs; Kimber Kable 8PR & 8TC speaker cables.
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,794
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    Victor K. says to RT1, send BAT to me I fix BAT. I miss Ted.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,035
    edited August 2022
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    Apropos of nothing and FWIW, I like Victor Khomenko-- seems like a down-to-earth guy.
    He's been stirring things up at audioasylum lately, though, in the geopolitical sphere (so to speak).

    uehvp381e71e.gif


    Back to hifi: He's a reel to reel tape nut, too -- big points on the scoreboard of life in my book! ;)
    "Fox Bat" on YT B)

    https://youtu.be/yMrf58tCwY0

  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,559
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    I'd like to get ears on some BAT stuff. I wounder though how expensive is tube replacement and their availability. It also doesn't seem like they're candidates for much tube rolling either.
  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
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    F1nut wrote: »
    Victor K. says to RT1, send BAT to me I fix BAT. I miss Ted.


    Amen, brother!
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,352
    edited August 2022
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    ~ 2006 I had a BAT VK3i with internal phono board and remote options. Those two options bumped the price $1K retail. The phono card had switchable gain (44/58 dB) for MM or MC cartridges. It took four 6922 and two 6V6 tubes. I replaced the stock Sovteks with Siemens/Phillips ECG 7308's and a pair of Pope 6V6GT's from Upscale. Pre and phono board sounded good, I recall dynamic and warm.

    I could have went BAT pre amp with the 6H30 tube, but went with an ARC Ref 3 instead (6H30P) tubes. I think that's the tube pittdog alluded to. Not much choices for tube rolling with 6H30 like with a 6922.

    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,599
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    Wow, someone bought it already. Hopefully it was somebody here!
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,599
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    @Tony M it was you wasn't it?
  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,559
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    Bats don't stick around...
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,599
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    There's another one on USAM but it's silver:

    https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649890497-bat-balanced-audio-technology-vk80i-integrated-tube-amplifier/

    Yesterday it was $5,500 but he must've just seen this one sell so he raised the price to $6,500 lol.