Balanced Audio Technology VK 3i preamplifier

bunky · « **on:** 19 Feb 2006, 12:52 pm »

does anyone have any listening or ownership experience with this preamplifier ? if so are Amperex 7308s a good match. what 6V6s work well in this unit. any comments or suggestions and recomendations are welcome. thanks....WCW III

Levi · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 Feb 2006, 01:51 pm »

Yes I have heard of the VK-3i connected to a VK-200 using a Theta David CDp as a source. Fully balanced connection from input to output. Slightly laid back in character. The 7308 Amperex PQ USA white print halo getter 1960s are one of the best. Top end detail is pretty good. It is 3D almost holographic sonically. Don't expect any "caramel" sound. The 6922 Amperex PQ USA white print halo getter are also pretty good to my ears. The 6H23 Rocket Logo is also good if you are in a budget. You just have to play around with it and see which sounds good to your ears. Take note that there seem to be lots of fakes (relabeled) tubes out there.

Are you thinking about getting one?

bunky · « **Reply #2 on:** 19 Feb 2006, 06:17 pm »

Quote from: Levi

Yes I have heard of the VK-3i connected to a VK-200 using a Theta David CDp as a source. Fully balanced connection from input to output. Slightly laid back in character. The 7308 Amperex PQ USA white print halo getter 1960s are one of the best. Top end detail is pretty good. It is 3D almost holographic sonically. Don't expect any "caramel" sound. The 6922 Amperex PQ USA white print halo getter are also pretty good to my ears. The 6H23 Rocket Logo is also good if you are in a budget. You just have t ...

Yes, i found a used VK 3i linestage preamp in excellent condition from a very reputable dealer with the manual, remote and original box. i am currently using a Anthem Pre 1L with a matched quad of Amperex green globe 7308s and i am wondering if they would work well with the BAT VK 3i. i am using Odyssey mono extremes which everyone seems to love with tubes and if feel that the VK 3i may be a very good match .thanks....WCW III

Levi · « **Reply #3 on:** 20 Feb 2006, 03:53 am »

The VK-3i is pretty good. If you said you have mono amps I would start looking for either VK-5i, VK-5SE, VK-30, VK-30SE so on and so forth all the way to VK-51SE.

I don't know about the Green globe 7308. Here is the 7308 Amperex you should get.

I also heard the VK-3i with Amperex 6922 PQ USA white label halo getter 60's.

Mike D · « **Reply #4 on:** 20 Feb 2006, 10:48 am »

I own the 3i. I use Sovtek Rocket logo 6h23 tubes and either Pope or Visseaux 6v6 power tubes. From what I have read and heard with my own ears, the 3i is too good of a value to look higher in the BAT preamp line... unless you have the money.

If I had the money, I would search for a used 51SE or just a 50 or 51 and have it upgraded to the 51SE. The vk5 is, from what I have read, sonically similar to the 3i. It just uses balanced inputs and outputs everywhere with no use of RCAs at all.

Levi · « **Reply #5 on:** 20 Feb 2006, 01:35 pm »

Those 6H23 Rocket Logo are pretty good for the price.
Here. Get the cream-of-the-crop.

Quote from: Mike D

I own the 3i. I use Sovtek Rocket logo 6h23 tubes and either Pope or Visseaux 6v6 power tubes. From what I have read and heard with my own ears, the 3i is too good of a value to look higher in the BAT preamp line... unless you have the money. If I had the money, I would search for a used 51SE or just a 50 or 51 and have it upgraded to the 51SE. The vk5 is, from what I have read, sonically similar to the 3i. It just uses balanced inputs and outputs everywhere with no use of RCAs at all.

zapper7 · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 Feb 2006, 10:40 pm »

The Bat 3i and the Odyssey amps are a great match, had the monos with the Bat and a Meridian 508-20 and was probably the best sound I have had to date.