The big bad BAT...

zybar · « **Reply #40 on:** 27 May 2006, 06:42 pm »

Quote from: jermmd

George,

How does that BAT midrange compare to the CI200 midrange-which you also felt was superior to the DNA 500?

The BAT is more open, provides incredible texture, shadings, and layering, while being very holographic. The music simply flows and is more organic in nature.

It's too bad you are no longer a quick car ride away, I would love for you to hear the amp.

George

JoshK · « **Reply #41 on:** 27 May 2006, 06:42 pm »

Is it basically a furnace?

zybar · « **Reply #42 on:** 27 May 2006, 06:47 pm »

Quote from: JoshK

Is it basically a furnace?

Not quite, but close.

Suprisingly, you can touch the top of the amp, but the heat sinks are a definite no-no.

I still think my old Kora amps which were 100 watts of Class A power and had 16 tubes in each mono block put out more heat.

Given the sound I am hearing, I will deal with the heat.

George

tvad4 · « **Reply #43 on:** 27 May 2006, 06:55 pm »

George, please remember to post in a few months when the newness of the honeymoon period wanes. You've tried enough gear, and read enough user reports to know that almost no one ever says newly acquired gear isn't up to snuff, and yet six months later it's up for sale. If your impressions are equally favorable in several months from now, then it will be a good sign indeed for the BAT amps/Salk combination.

No disrespect to you. You have a large following here on Audiocircle with a lot of members who look to your gear and opinions for guidance. I'm just offering a different perspective.

zybar · « **Reply #44 on:** 27 May 2006, 07:02 pm »

Quote from: tvad4

George, please remember to post in a few months when the newness of the honeymoon period wanes. You've tried enough gear, and read enough user reports to know that almost no one ever says newly acquired gear isn't up to snuff, and yet six months later it's up for sale. If your impressions are equally favorable in several months from now, then it will be a good sign indeed for the BAT amps/Salk combination.

No disrespect to you. You have a large following here on Audiocircle with a lot of members who look to your gear and opinions for guidance. I'm just offering a different perspective.

Great points tvad.

However, as an experienced audiophile, I don't think I need months to validate when a piece of gear is in a different class from what I had been using.

In some ways, this is no different from when I went from driving a VW GTI to an Audi S4. The GTI was a great car and a blast to drive. Yet one test drive of the S4, and I knew that I had moved up to a new class of car.

I promise to report back on a regular basis.

George

George

JoshK · « **Reply #45 on:** 27 May 2006, 07:15 pm »

Well if it doesn't put out lots of heat, it isn't really Class A, that is why I asked. Sometimes (often) the marketeers in audio come up with some creative ways of defining class A. This sounds like it really is class A (at least to some point).

Mike B. · « **Reply #46 on:** 29 May 2006, 05:06 pm »

alotaklipsch, please elaborate on this statement.

"I really cannot wait till I hear his battery powered pre, cause my reference has bettered, in my system the CJ act2 and blowjob(torch), using sylvania 1952 badboys, and sylvania metal base tubes. I use mullard metal base el 34's, 2 cryoed 5687, and 1 amperex e182cc pinchwaist in the amps. "

where did you compare a Blowtorch to your reference? What is your reference?

JoshK · « **Reply #47 on:** 29 May 2006, 05:24 pm »

I think he means the Dodd reference preamp, which is not battery powered. Dodd had three levels of preamps (entry, mid, reference) and they recently came out with a new battery powered model.

MarkR7 · « **Reply #48 on:** 29 May 2006, 05:29 pm »

Quote from: zybar

Yet one test drive of the S4, and I knew that I had moved up to a new class of car.

Now you are talking George!! I've had my S4 for a couple of years. Wicked fast, and it's all stock.

Now, back to the thread in progress...

Levi · « **Reply #49 on:** 29 May 2006, 06:22 pm »

Congrats on the amp George. I am glad that you liked what you are hearing.

What do you think about the sound of acoustic guitar on the new amp? How about the conga drums?

My VK-500 runs at 132 degrees regardless of what load. Victor K said that this is normal operating temperature. Bias is approximately at 60V when you measured C21 and C22. R14 and R16 is around 36mV with a resistive load. This is only for the VK-500 rev D boards. Dan Simisko can probably give you the schematics. You normally don't need to rebias since it never goes out of wack like tubes. I have taken my BAT amp apart for a thorough inspection. Don't do as I do.

I would imagine your VK-600SE would be in the same 120-135 degrees which is not quite a space heater since only the middle fins gets hot. It would however will put a dent in your electricity bill if you left it running 24/7.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #50 on:** 29 May 2006, 06:27 pm »

Quote from: zybar

It's too bad you are no longer a quick car ride away, I would love for you to hear the amp.

George

George...send the amp down. We'll be happy to spend a few weeks listening to it down here...

zybar · « **Reply #51 on:** 29 May 2006, 06:38 pm »

Phil,

I'll send the VK-600SE down and you can send the BC 206 up.

Levi,

The pretty massive heatsinks are very hot to the touch. I sent an e-mail to Victor about temp. and if the amps are biased at all into Class A.

George

spectralman · « **Reply #52 on:** 30 May 2006, 03:59 am »

George,

I have a tentative home demo set up with the Blue Circle folks to have a BC 206 for a few days in early July. I will let you know how things shake out.

Bill

Levi · « **Reply #53 on:** 30 May 2006, 04:24 am »

I just want to correct the running temperature.

It is 113 degrees and not 132.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #54 on:** 30 May 2006, 04:31 am »

Quote from: Levi

I just want to correct the running temperature.

It is 113 degrees and not 132.

Is that in the shade Levi ?

Levi · « **Reply #55 on:** 30 May 2006, 04:47 am »

+

=

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #56 on:** 30 May 2006, 06:12 am »

Quote from: zybar

Great points tvad.

However, as an experienced audiophile, I don't think I need months to validate when a piece of gear is in a different class from what I had been using.

In some ways, this is no different from when I went from driving a VW GTI to an Audi S4. The GTI was a great car and a blast to drive. Yet one test drive of the S4, and I knew that I had moved up to a new class of car.

I promise to report back on a regular basis.

George

George

Glad you like this amp- I've always liked BAT gear. What prompted this change anyway? From your past posts, it seems you had been absolutely elated with the DNA-500, so I was sort of surprised you were even looking to replace it.

Michael

zybar · « **Reply #57 on:** 31 May 2006, 03:40 am »

Mike,

I was very happy with the performance of the DNA-500 till I spent some time listening to the darT gear at my buddy's house.

Since my friend previously owned the DNA-500, we talked a lot about its characteristics in comparison to the darT and it got me thinking about what amp out there might give me a more liquid and organic sound without sacrificing the extremes.

I started thinking about a short list and it was leaning more towards tube amps from Dodd, Atma-Sphere, and Wolcott to name a few. The BAT was a late add and when the deal presented itself I jumped at it.

George

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #58 on:** 31 May 2006, 03:48 am »

Quote from: zybar

Mike,

I was very happy with the performance of the DNA-500 till I spent some time listening to the darT gear at my buddy's house.

Since my friend previously owned the DNA-500, we talked a lot about its characteristics in comparison to the darT and it got me thinking about what amp out there might give me a more liquid and organic sound without sacrificing the extremes.

I started thinking about a short list and it was leaning more towards tube amps from Dodd, Atma-Sphere, and Wolcott to name a few. The BAT was a late add and when the deal presented itself I jumped at it.

George

My most recent acquisition- a Dynavector Te Kaitora Rua cartridge- was acquired in much the same way for me. I was thinking about possibly replacing my already excellent Dynavector 19A II cartridge later down the line, but a deal too good to refuse presented itself and I jumped on it.

I'm sure it's a great amp. I'm a fan of BAT stuff, though it seems like the circle is divided on this manufacturer.

Michael

KeithR · « **Reply #59 on:** 5 Jun 2006, 11:35 pm »

Not undecided on their tube amps---the 75SE is the perfect BAT amp imho. I'm surprised you haven't tried it Zybar as they are a bargain used.