Tube heads

leroyjr1

Looking at getting into tubes in the very near future and was wondering if these amps I have listed below are any good and worth the asking price. Both are local which is a big plus.

Thanks in advance

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1269411654&/BAT-VK60-Latest-with-Revision-



http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1269315763&/Bat/balanced-audio-VK-55-reduc

and for a pre amp


http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1269089126&/BAT-VK-5i-Tube-Preamp


Can I do better for $3600?

Ricardo

I own that preamp and I plan to keep it. Considering all the preamps, tubed or SS, that have visited me in the last few years, I think this means something.

The price is a bit high, but as the seller says they don't come up for sale too often. The problem is that there are 10 tubes in there, and the ones that come with it are not the best (although I've heard some people prefer the EH's in this pre). If you plan to roll some NOS, consider anything between $300 and $1,000 just for tubes.

leroyjr1

Ricardo wrote: »

I own that preamp and I plan to keep it. Considering all the preamps, tubed or SS, that have visited me in the last few years, I think this means something.

The price is a bit high, but as the seller says they don't come up for sale too often. The problem is that there are 10 tubes in there, and the ones that come with it are not the best (although I've heard some people prefer the EH's in this pre). If you plan to roll some NOS, consider anything between $300 and $1,000 just for tubes.

Well I want to get my feet wet first then I'll try different tubes down the road. Are the tubes that come with this unit decent?

Which amp is the better of the two and what should I offer him?

Thanks

heiney9

Look at the VK3i as well. That well may be my next and last pre-amp. Couple times I've almost pulled the trigger. Now I have to wait and see what I will owe Uncle Sam......but in the Spring I'll be on the hunt for one.

The 5i is nice as well, just a butt load of tubes to replace/upgrade. Ask Ricardo

My brother has Ted's VK-60's run in mono and they are KILLER. Lot's of tubes and $$$ if you want to roll the 6SN7 tubes.

heiney9

The "ruskie" tubes are alright. On the VK60's I believe the Russian power tube is the only tube made in that designation. But, if it were me I wouldn't be 100% satisfied until I rolled some NOS RCA or Tung Sol 6SN7GT's. In the VK 60's run as mono's I believe there are (16)6SN7GT tubes at an avg cost of $100/pr. that's and add'l $800.

H9

Ricardo

leroyjr1 wrote: »

Are the tubes that come with this unit decent?

Yes, decent.

The Sovtek 5881's are the stock rectifier tubes.
For the 6922's I think the stock tubes were also Sovtek. EH should be similar.

You can get a very noticeable improvement rolling some good NOS tubes, but you will be fine with those, until the itch starts.