boomac Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 The VRDs and the BAT VK-3ix are breaking in rather well and with Deans crossovers in the Cornwalls, the system is really performing. Tonight I started out with Oliver Nelsons, Stolen Moments. Good Lord! The spit factor was as real to life as Ive ever experienced. The brightness that Gary, Allan and I noticed, when we first cranked the system up, has mellowed, the clarity is excellent and the base is much improved. Next I tried an SACD of Greigs Peer Gynt featuring George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra. I listened to an absolutely beautiful presentation of each instrument. No noticeable brightness. It was an absolutely wonderful and very realistic listening experience. I figured it was time for a bright selection so I pulled out Joaquin Rodrigos Concierto de Aranjuez featuring Pepe Romero. This is a Phillips CD and it seems bright when played on any other system Ive had a chance to audition. That would include Bryston Separates, a BAT CD Player and B&W 701 Speakers. Well, it was still, what I would consider, a bit on the bright side but considerably less so than with the other systems. I actually had to crank it up, in a couple critical areas, to achieve the mildly irritating brightness that I believe is inherent in the CD. Overall, and considering the Eastern Electric Mini Max is apt to be an improvement over the 222ES, I figure I now have a definite keeper. I topped things off with some Brian Bromberg that I last heard on a system featuring $30K worth of Wilson Audio Speakers and Krell Separates. Of course that was several months ago but I truly think my new system would hold its own. Considering the difference in price, Im quite the happy audio camper. BTW, Bromberg is a fantastic bass player. Finally, I figure a great deal of credit must go to Craig, of NosValves, Dean Wescott, Klipsch and Balanced Audio Technologies. Their products are a critical part of this equation and they all seem to be up to the task of reproducing music really, really good! <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryC Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 You've got some serious, well and carefully chosen stuff in there, and I'm not surprised at the excellence. The BAT looks like a very good choice, well-made, not outlandishly priced, and setting you up nicely for either MM or MC cartridge. BAT's designer appears to be a thoughtful Russian tube enthusiast. When is the TT's ETA? I haven't found the Rodrigo recording to be that bright -- just very clear and beautiful. I'm a little surprised that the Szell/Cleveland isn't bright compared with the Rodrigo, I may have to look into that one. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai2000 Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 I am with Larry on this one: recently I picked up the Rodrigo on vinyl and 'clear and beautiful' are indeed very fitting adjectives. Well, perhaps things got screwed up when putting it on CD. BTW: in its days the LP was often mentioned as reference in audio magazines (and now I know why []). Wolfram Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 Scott, Glad to hear your enjoying your new gear. I was just trying to find information on the phono option for your BAT preamp. Do you know what type of topology the phono option is for the 3ix ?(Tube or SS) if tube what tube type does it use? Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 It's the networks. I don't think the amps or anything else have much to do with the improvement.[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 It's the networks. I don't the amps or anything else has much to do with the improvement.[] For Mudvayne your right [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 No, definitely need your amps to get Mudvayne right. [H] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomac Posted October 13, 2005 Author Share Posted October 13, 2005 Craig - Here's a link to the phono section. I think my preamp just came in so I'll be exchanging the demo unit and picking it up later today. It's the VK-P3 http://www.balanced.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kudret Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 Scott, A friend of mine was looking for a balanced tube preamp and BAT VK-3ix seems to fit the bill. How much does it cost? Kudret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomac Posted October 13, 2005 Author Share Posted October 13, 2005 $2500 is the base price. Remote & phono section are options. So far I'm really impressed with the preamp. The aesthetics and musicality are excellent and the ability to upgrade is an excellent feature. I've heard the BAT CD Player and Amps and believe the products to be first class audio gear. Pricy? Yeah, but the sound & build quality are definietly there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 Craig - Here's a link to the phono section. I think my preamp just came in so I'll be exchanging the demo unit and picking it up later today. It's the VK-P3 http://www.balanced.com/ Scott I must be blind I have been up and down that site and I see no information on the actual phono section option. Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomac Posted October 13, 2005 Author Share Posted October 13, 2005 Craig - click products then VK-P3 under phono stages Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbflash Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 Scott, Isn't it fun when it all comes together. What you said is so true about comparing your system to a $30k and it will hold it's own. Just proves you don't have to spend a ton of money to enjoy the music. I have a pretty good idead what you spent and it was nowhere near $30k. I also would like to thank Craig, Dean, Mark and Klipsch. Enjoy it for years to come. Danny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3dzapper Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 Craig, It looks like: FETs, Wima caps, op-amps and orange drops. I cast no dispersions on it BTW. Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 Craig, It looks like: FETs, Wima caps, op-amps and orange drops. I cast no dispersions on it BTW. Rick Man I feel silly........ I can't believe I never thought to look under phono sections. I kept looking the the preamp pages thinking they would have a link to the mating phono section. Although not a tube phono stage I bet its very good. Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaiser SET say Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 Sounds like a sweet setup Boomac, the VK-P3 is Solid State only and I'm pretty sure Victor has not designed a plug and play valve phono card yet! I have a BAT VK-3i and VK-P5 valve phono stage which was/is one of the 2 stand alone valve phono stages they offer but an excellent unit I might add. I wish I could find someone in my area who owned the full blown SE VK-P10 so I could see just how much better it sounds than my VK-P5! You can pick the VK-P5 up on AudioGon from $800.00 to $1,200.00 just about any time. Good luck[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomac Posted October 13, 2005 Author Share Posted October 13, 2005 Kaiser SET Say Thanks and Im looking forward to playing some vinyl through the VK-3ix. I guess my unit, with the VK-P3, just arrived so Im off to exchange the demo for the real thing. BTW I like your call name. That was a great movie! <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Get with the program Craig![] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaiser SET say Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 Indeed and thanks for recognizing it to be from the Usual Suspects! I recently had to explain it to a few of the other Klipsch enthusiast at the Hope gathering. I have tried to attach a file of my system! All I have to do now is finish the rebuild on my newly aquired LaScalla cabs[] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaiser SET say Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 My apologies, this is the latest look! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbflash Posted October 13, 2005 Share Posted October 13, 2005 kaiser SET say , I don't get the name, but that is nothing new. I like your equipment rack. What all is involved in building it? Danny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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