I've decided to downscale my system and go with an integrated amp. Crazy, I know. So, here is a VK-30 tube linestage preamp in very good condition. I am the 3rd owner and cosmetically, it is nearly perfect. It uses a compliment of six-6922 compatible tubes. It is a full balanced design, with excellent build quality throughout. This preamp does not have the optional phono board. It does not include the original metal BAT remote, but it does have the proper control chip for remote features...I had to pay Balanced almost $300 for the chip upgrade. I have been using it with a universal remote and I will include my pre-programmed URC-R7 remote with the sale of this preamp. I will also include a set of ten (10) Electro-Harmonix 6922EH Russian tubes. Six of these tubes are essentially brand new (purchased from Jim McShane around Thanksgiving). The other four are low hours and sound fine.
I will also include 4-Neutrik XLR to single ended adapters (for the balanced inputs 1 and 2). Comes in original box/packaging with a copy of the manual, the tubes listed above, a T-handled wrench for the cover screws, and the URC-R7 remote.
*There is one minor operational issue with the preamp.*
For some reason Input #5 does not engage the Left channel. It works on the Right channel and you can put it in mono and hear output from both channels (both playing the R-channel). It has been operating like this for almost 2 years. I have always been fine with only having 4 inputs and there has been no sign of the other inputs acting funny.
Other than that minor issue, the preamp operates perfectly.
Here you can get the legendary BAT preamp sound at a fraction of the price of Victor's new gear. If you are reading this far, you probably already know the reputation that BAT preamps have. I prefer the 6992 tubed versions of Victor's gear because you have options for the tubes and at this point, it is easier (and less expensive) to get fine sounding NOS 6992 than to get NOS 6H30 tubes.
I'm asking $1500+shippingAs a seller, I have excellent feedback at Ebay, Audiogon, the Polk Audio Forum, and at Audiokarma. My username (billbillw) is the same at all of those forums. Comes from a smoke free home. Buy with confidence you will receive what is advertised.
More info taken from BAT brochures
Design features of the VK preamps:
1. A modern elegant industrial design with an easy-to-read blue alphanumeric display.
2. Five signal inputs and two main outputs
3. 140 step electronic shunt volume attenuator with .5dB steps
4. An advanced implementation of Balanced Audio Technology's trademark Unistage®topology either in solid state or vacuum tube design
5. Highest quality custom toroidal power transformers with magnetic shielding
6. Caddock and Vishay resistors in critical circuit areas
7. Advanced microprocessor control that provides enhanced functionality and convenience
8. Flexible and highly programmable user interface
9. Full-function remote control
10. User-definable configuration for each input that includes the following parameters:
•BALANCE adjustment
•RELATIVE VOLUME OFFSET (any input with respect to any other input)
•PHASE INVERSION setting
•MONO/STEREO setting
•MAXIMUM volume setting for any input
•FIXED volume setting for any input
•DISPLAY (Volume) mode (choice of linear counts scale or two different dB scales)
•INPUT NAME assignment in multiple languages
Actual photos below:
