Got my BAT VK-3ix SE today!!!!! NO PICS YET!

SolidSqual
SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
edited January 2009 in 2 Channel Audio
Just wanted to give a general shout out to all my Polk colleagues who pushed me to purchase this preamp. It arrived in immaculate condition despite being used.

My New Year's resolution is to slow down my audio expansion and return to a system configuration when I was most happy. Can't wait to show you guys pics of what I'm putting together.

Thanks again,

Mike
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,561
    edited January 2009
    No batteries in that one.....good move.
    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

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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited January 2009
    Congrats! Lookin' forward to the pics.
    Sharp Elite 70
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    Parasound HCA 1000
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    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited January 2009
    congrats on the purchase,,I think that you're gonna' enjoy that one immensely,,let us know how it matches with your amps.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited January 2009
    F1nut wrote: »
    No batteries in that one.....good move.

    Yeah . . . but I hear it holds a significant charge even when not plugged in thanks to the special russian tubes. That may not be good for me either.
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited January 2009
    Congrats!!




    Nick
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  • W WALDECKER
    W WALDECKER Posts: 900
    edited January 2009
    You made a smart move.How does it sound compared to the Dodd ? Does It use the 6H30 supertube ? :cool:
    Rogue Audio stereo 100 tube amplifier - Lector Zoe preamplifier with 6H30 pi's
    .Audience AU24SE speaker and ic cables- Chord Qutest DAC - Black Cat Silverstar II 75ohm digital cable-Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature system with large bass cabinets to accommodate 10" Seas magnesium woofers.2xhmpsuownoj.jpg
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited January 2009
    W WALDECKER wrote: »
    You made a smart move.How does it sound compared to the Dodd ? Does It use the 6H30 supertube ? :cool:

    Haven't had the chance for any critical listening yet. It is the SE version, so yes, it has the 6H30 tube.

    Speaking of which, I need to call BAT and get some of those tubes in my inventory as I hear they are in limited supply.
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited January 2009
    Congrats Mike. Let us know how it sounds when you get some time. Enjoy.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited January 2009
    cool hi-fi. I think you will like it, I would not be suprised to see you upgrade to other BAT gear in the future.

    RT1
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,561
    edited January 2009
    6H30 tubes here, http://www.upscaleaudio.com/Russian-6H30_p_484.html
    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

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  • lakesailor
    lakesailor Posts: 319
    edited January 2009
    Congrat's....BAT makes nice stuff.....
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited January 2009
    F1nut wrote: »
    6H30 tubes here, http://www.upscaleaudio.com/Russian-6H30_p_484.html

    Thanks for this. It's a really good link.
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  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited January 2009
    We're still waiting for a quickie review! :):(

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited January 2009
    I may try the 6H30-DR Supertubes in my ARC gear down the road.
    So what;s the verdict there Mike.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited January 2009
    I love this preamp. There is absolutely no reason to buy a battery preamp. I can't believe it, but my new BAT is so quiet that I have to stick my head into the waveguide to hear any hiss. The Dodd could never do that.

    My whole system is fully balanced. I'm still trying to find a CDP or maybe a music server. I'm kinda going back and forth between the two. From what I gather, it seems like the music server route still has too many variables that need to be managed in order to creat high end sound. My gut is telling me that I may be better off with a great CDP.

    But, I may get a modded Sonos system yet. Who knows.

    Right now, my digital front end is a Cambridge Audio DAC Magic fed by a Xbox 360 or PS3. What's amazing is that with this humble DAC and transport duo produces some damn fine sound. It actually approaches or stands right up to the sound of my XPA-2/Dodd/Raysonic CD128 system. I know the moment I put a good digital source in the mix this will be the best system I have ever had.

    Oh yeah . . . just wait till I hook up the Depth i!

    Right now I'm considering the following CDPs:

    Raysonic CD128 or 168
    Bryston BCD-1
    Cary 303/300
    McIntosh 201

    Any other suggestions?
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited January 2009
    Take the 201 off your list, they can be problematic. Check out the 500 f you can.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited January 2009
    I'd consider the Cambridge azur 840c. I really like mine. It made an immediately noticeable improvement over the Bel Canto DAC2, which is a pretty nice piece in and of itself. It has balanced outputs and 2 digital inputs so you could still do your music server later and run a DVDP in the 2-channel rig as well.

    I'm thinking of finally sending my Audio Alchemy DLC to the bedroom to start a rig in there. I'm really interested ina BAT VK-20 but would consider one like yours, hence my interest.

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited January 2009
    I used to own the 840C and preferred the CD128 over it. I am also considering a BAT CDP.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited January 2009
    Edit: Too slow.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited January 2009
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    I used to own the 840C and preferred the CD128 over it. I am also considering a BAT CDP.

    Forgot about that but I remember now. :o

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited January 2009
    to slow what?
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited January 2009
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    to slow what?
    I mentioned that you already had a 840C.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited January 2009
    Not interested in SACD? Many options out there that are great redbook players also.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited January 2009
    Ricardo wrote: »
    Not interested in SACD? Many options out there that are great redbook players also.

    I don't really own any. I should check and see if they have some titles I might be interested in. What are some good SACD players?

    The reason I was not considering any SACD players is because I figure you should only by a knife for a specific task. Can an SACD player be as good as a dedicated CDP with redbook and still be in a reasonable price range?`
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited January 2009
    Anybody know anything about the NAD M5 SACD player?
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  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited January 2009
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    Anybody know anything about the NAD M5 SACD player?

    Only reason I didn't consider one harder in lieu of the 840c was no digital input(s). Otherwise seemed like a nice piece with good reviews.

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited January 2009
    Yeah and there's a great deal on A'gon.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited January 2009
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    Can an SACD player be as good as a dedicated CDP with redbook and still be in a reasonable price range?`

    I would say there are many SACD players that are great redbook players...... but what is a reasonable price?

    Marantz, Denon and even Sony has some excellent universal players.

    I always recommend SACDMODS.com; I have his modded Sony DVP-NS9100 ES, and it's a great SACD player, and as good/better than the Raysonic 128 for redbook.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited January 2009
    If you check out Marantz, look above the SA-8001(now 8003). IMO, it's kind of veiled up top.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited January 2009
    SolidSqual wrote: »

    Right now I'm considering the following CDPs:

    Raysonic CD128 or 168
    Bryston BCD-1
    Cary 303/300
    McIntosh 201

    Any other suggestions?

    I would avoid the 201 like the plague. While the used prices on these are coming down, there is a reason for that. I had one for about 2 years and had nothing but trouble with it. The first one was replaced by McIntosh after the firmware update failed to take. The second one, brand new from the factory, required me to install the new firmware about a week after I had it. These would skip, jump and fail to read both CDs and SACDs. It was also a noisy machine.

    The 301/500 is a major step up in quality and performance. I was that close to buying the 500 until my dealer gave me a deal from heaven that I could not pass up. I had to stretch and sweet talk the wife but I chose the MCD/MDA 1000 combination. The MD1K is the last player I will ever buy. It does not play SACDs but I don't have a lot of those. The MDA can be used as a pre with I think 7 inputs. Actually, the MDA as a pre has revealed the shortcomings of my pre!

    Gordon
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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