Balanced Audio Technology VK-120 Tube Monoblocks
reeltrouble1
Posts: 9,312
Well I will offer these up to Club Members first for a bit. As always I reserve the right to sell my gear to members of my choice. The Paypal will add 3% to the price listed below.
Balanced Audio Technology VK-120 Monoblocks. 120 Watts per channel.
Truly one of the finest tubed amplifiers ever built. These are well reviewed across the web. All of these begin life as VK-60 stereo models, they are easily switched to a monoblock configuration with an internal jumper as these are and can just as easily be returned to stereo mode by removing the jumper. You simply connect your speaker wire to the appopriate output tap for your speaker depending on impedance, each tap is well marked and is a binding, however, these are the expected high-end gold metal posts. The inputs are balanced but I will include the single ended adapters should you need them. The circuitry is totally balanced, but then they are Balanced Audio Technology.
So this is a quality way to step into tubes or upgrade from what you started with. These amplifiers are very powerful, the use of four very large 6C33C output tubes allows the amplifier to drive loads others amps shy from. This tube has 10 times the current potential of a 6550. The white paper for this amplifier is available at www.balanced.com I would encourage anybody interested to read it. These tube amps are easy to operate, just flip a switch, the circuits auto-bias the tubes and let you know with a green light for each tube (seen only from the top looking down, so not to be an eye sore) when they are ready to go, takes only one minute, this greatly extends tube life, no warm up period waiting for the tubes to reach their proper bias point. Also, you know the tube is good if the light is on, no guesssing or wondering, a really nice tube design. Additionally, the eight well noted 6SN7 tubes are used on the input side.
The sound is pure audio heaven. Absolute liquid mid-range, beautiful sounding top end, and unlike many tubed amps, tight controlled bass that has slam and clarity. These drove my Carver Amazing Plats transients to over 100 db with ease. I knocked PolkClyde back into the chair with these on my 1C's the bass slammed so hard. The Woodshed was rocking and the light show for evenings is incredible.
I am simply moving on, as some of you know I have changed speakers and now changing amps to something costing much more as I continue down the path. Theses amplifiers are in perfect operating condition, for looks I rate one at 9/10 the other at 7/10 as it has a rub mark at the back of the output transformer case and a small light indent on the top of one of the input cases, nothing visible from your chair though, can only be seen by looking down standing directly over the amps. I replaced the front blue LED in one amp so it glows a bit brighter than the other one.
These amps are 85lbs each as it takes some iron to get sound like this, they will ship out at 100 lbs. each double boxed in original cartons and the manual is included. Of course pick-up and demo are welcome to anyone who would like to come by and get them. Each amp though thoughtfully has a grab bar so moving them is not really difficult.
Cost is 3300.00 for the pair + shipping to you. These amplifiers sold for 10,000 actual street price when new, this is hi-fi. The new replacements to these now offered from BAT the VK-150 sell for 18,000, so you are getting into some hi-end gear at good mid-fi gear cost. I have seen these on the Gon at a typical cost of 4,000 so 3300.00 is a reduced price I am offering to move them.
Thank for looking and I hope someone can turn loose of the coin to keep this set in the family, one thing is for sure, they are several levels beyond, well, dare I say......Emo.....:D
RT1
Balanced Audio Technology VK-120 Monoblocks. 120 Watts per channel.
Truly one of the finest tubed amplifiers ever built. These are well reviewed across the web. All of these begin life as VK-60 stereo models, they are easily switched to a monoblock configuration with an internal jumper as these are and can just as easily be returned to stereo mode by removing the jumper. You simply connect your speaker wire to the appopriate output tap for your speaker depending on impedance, each tap is well marked and is a binding, however, these are the expected high-end gold metal posts. The inputs are balanced but I will include the single ended adapters should you need them. The circuitry is totally balanced, but then they are Balanced Audio Technology.
So this is a quality way to step into tubes or upgrade from what you started with. These amplifiers are very powerful, the use of four very large 6C33C output tubes allows the amplifier to drive loads others amps shy from. This tube has 10 times the current potential of a 6550. The white paper for this amplifier is available at www.balanced.com I would encourage anybody interested to read it. These tube amps are easy to operate, just flip a switch, the circuits auto-bias the tubes and let you know with a green light for each tube (seen only from the top looking down, so not to be an eye sore) when they are ready to go, takes only one minute, this greatly extends tube life, no warm up period waiting for the tubes to reach their proper bias point. Also, you know the tube is good if the light is on, no guesssing or wondering, a really nice tube design. Additionally, the eight well noted 6SN7 tubes are used on the input side.
The sound is pure audio heaven. Absolute liquid mid-range, beautiful sounding top end, and unlike many tubed amps, tight controlled bass that has slam and clarity. These drove my Carver Amazing Plats transients to over 100 db with ease. I knocked PolkClyde back into the chair with these on my 1C's the bass slammed so hard. The Woodshed was rocking and the light show for evenings is incredible.
I am simply moving on, as some of you know I have changed speakers and now changing amps to something costing much more as I continue down the path. Theses amplifiers are in perfect operating condition, for looks I rate one at 9/10 the other at 7/10 as it has a rub mark at the back of the output transformer case and a small light indent on the top of one of the input cases, nothing visible from your chair though, can only be seen by looking down standing directly over the amps. I replaced the front blue LED in one amp so it glows a bit brighter than the other one.
These amps are 85lbs each as it takes some iron to get sound like this, they will ship out at 100 lbs. each double boxed in original cartons and the manual is included. Of course pick-up and demo are welcome to anyone who would like to come by and get them. Each amp though thoughtfully has a grab bar so moving them is not really difficult.
Cost is 3300.00 for the pair + shipping to you. These amplifiers sold for 10,000 actual street price when new, this is hi-fi. The new replacements to these now offered from BAT the VK-150 sell for 18,000, so you are getting into some hi-end gear at good mid-fi gear cost. I have seen these on the Gon at a typical cost of 4,000 so 3300.00 is a reduced price I am offering to move them.
Thank for looking and I hope someone can turn loose of the coin to keep this set in the family, one thing is for sure, they are several levels beyond, well, dare I say......Emo.....:D
RT1
Post edited by reeltrouble1 on
Comments
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A wha wha wha what?! Ted, why would you ever want to sell these. These are my dream.
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So you coming to get them?
Yes, they are outstanding I am just going a bit different for the new speakers. They will make your 15's sound like you never heard them. Just a one day drive from Philly......or get HI to do it, he is usually lazing around looking for something to do.
Lou heard these and picked them up for me when I got them...........his report to me............Ted, these things are big and sound amazing.......
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If I had the money, I would be all over these. But I would need a good front end first. Some nice BAT mono's aren't going to sound so hot with my lil Pioneer.
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reeltrouble1 wrote: »one thing is for sure, they are several levels beyond, well, dare I say......Emo.....:D
That's not possible.;)
Ummm...tubes...with nipples on top...they gotta sound succulent...
Good luck with the sale. What are you gonna replace them with?HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50 LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub
"God grooves with tubes." -
Heiny is fixing me up with an Adcom, you know Pass design and all that............
I realize the chance of moving these here is well, slim and none, and slim may have already rode out of town, but I still wanted to offer to the club members, heck we got guys with gear of this level, so step up, you have to do it one piece at a time, now of course I never hooked these to my Oinker, but I would bet the sound would be nothing like I am used to hearing from a receiver.
Maybe one of the Carver guys??? These make the Amazing Plats sing like nobody's business, I used to have silver 9t, not even close once I compared them to these.
Maybe the Quad guy, where you at bro........
RT1 -
It really would be a shame for these to leave the Polk family. I wonder how these would sound running some 1.2TL's...
If it helps the amps stay in the family, I would throw in my Kimber 8TC for $75. It's not much, but maybe it will help someone here want to buy the amps. Then maybe I'll have a chance of actually being in their presence one day:D -
Great deal here guys.
So Ted, these could be used as 120 W monoblocks, or as 60WPC stereo just with the flip of a jumper? Maybe you can find two buyers...just saying._________________________________________________
***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***
2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
SOPAThank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman -
Man,if I wasn't so lite on cash right now,I'd be driving down there.F#%k !!!
These don't come down the pike that often....at this price,someone snag these!!HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
I always thought BAT stood for.....Bad **** Ted!!!:D
Ready to step into a pair of Pass X1000.5's?
Good luck with the sale brother Ted
H9"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
Very fine tube power amps American made in the great state of Delaware at at steep discount. I miss my MD blue V-cap modded VK60 Very much.BAT does stand for Bad **** Ted thanks....WCW III 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.
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Awfully nice of you Ted to offer such a stunning deal.
If only I were a little further down the path... -
Nice! And that is 240 TUBE WATTS, not the wimpy 240 watts of sand power... Someones going to be happy!
madmaxVinyl, the final frontier...
Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... -
reeltrouble1 wrote: »Just a one day drive from Philly......or get HI to do it, he is usually lazing around looking for something to do.
RT1
I would do it just to get my ears on them with you new speakers. Of course I would be the navigator.:D -
Damn Ted...great deal!!!!!!2 Channel:
Amp/Parasound Halo A23
Pre/Carver C-1
Tuner/Carver TX-11a
CDP/Jolida JD 100A
Turntable/AR XB-Shure V15 III -
Hmmmmmmm.
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You thinkin' about this Steve? I'd be all over it like a fat kid on a sucker if I hadn't already purchased a new [to me] tube amp. I haven't had the pleasure to audition this particular amp, but if it meets Ted's approval? I trust that it's a damn fine amp.~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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Real deal, high end tube amps here folks. Break out the credit card.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 -
Very nice Ted. Someone's going to get one hell of a deal with those bad boys!
Good luck with the sale. Are you going to stay in the BAT family with your new purchase?"2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up. -
Good luck with the sale Ted, these are very nice amps. Quality build and performance.Carl
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I am interested.... how well do they work with SDA'sThe Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
NJ,
They make SDA's sing no matter the model, each mono-block has a tap for 4 or 8 ohm speakers. They will bring a big smile to your face. If you would like a more independant opinion you can contact member PolkClyde, he has heard them in the Shed with the SDA. Ask him about the bass hits, mids and highs..........
So if your on these please let me know so I do not list them on the usual web sites.
RT1 -
Ted, these are the one's I drove down right?
if they are, i demod these for a while. real deal here folks, unless your a freak like Teddy Boy, these are "last amp you'll own" amps.
Christ Ted, where do you go from those monsers....seriously?!?!?!..LOL
clean as a whistle, they simply look badass....almost as badass as they sound.
85lbs? felt more like 120 when they were boxed
if the cheddar wasnt 1/2 way to my future supercharger for the stang, i'd be on these like a fat kid licking a bowl of cake batterLiving Room 2 Channel -
Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.
Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.
Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites -
if the cheddar wasnt 1/2 way to my future supercharger for the stang, i'd be on these like a fat kid licking a bowl of cake batter
rotflmao!!! -
Lou,
Yep these are the bad boys you picked up for me.
I am your Super Freak.
RT1 -
i wish somebody would hurry and buy these.
they are killing meI thought it was fairly amusing also. The Polk Ogre doesn't always get 'it' -
me too, the killing me thing, I begin to rationalize the little voices saying "keep them" they are your babies.
RT1 -
reeltrouble1 wrote: »me too, the killing me thing, I begin to rationalize the little voices saying "keep them" they are your babies.
RT1
Keep them, they ARE your babies. I want to hear them before they go. -
PM sent./COLOR] [U][URL="http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=68366"][COLOR="Blue"]My Rigs[/U][/COLOR][/URL] [COLOR="Red" Balanced Audio Technology | Revel | Dodd | Monarchy | PS Audio | MIT | Polk | Etc.
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PM back to you.
RT1 -
Adcomland going tubes????? _________________________________________________
***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***
2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
SOPAThank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
