Balanced Audio Technology VK-60 Amplifiers

Balanced Audio Technology VK-60 Amplifiers 

USER REVIEWS

Showing 11-20 of 23  
[Jan 25, 2000]
Errol
Audiophile

Strength:

Natural, lifelike and vibrant extension of the mids to highs. Excellent vocals. Rock solid build came in a battleship box. Does BAT do anything halfway ?? Versatility with speaker impedance inputs. Nice touch !

Weakness:

A trifle slower than S.S., this may be expected.

O.K. going from Solid state to tubes is not a fair comparison. Well, maybe not, but it is instructive too. If you like the title piece to "The Phantom of the Opera" by Andrew Lloyd Webber or the William Tell Overture, then the VK60 may not seem quite up to the speed of the Plinius. But if you switch to Puccini's Madame Butterfly or any of Rebecca Pigeon's vocals or Pavoratti himself, then this here tube amp will amaze you. It's faster than the CJ or the Air Tight, but the VK60 is not mushy sweet, no it's not.
Oh, I forgot to say mine is monoblocked and is fed from BAT's super VK50SE preamp. Is it worth the $9k to $10K ? Could be, well, maybe. So what is better ?
I'd say a SET 300B ( brand ??)or a single VK60 set on the mids to highs and the VK500 bi-amped to the lows. Ofcourse you need speakers up to the task. Now, that's better, but for a whole lot more $$. See any used ones for 7 grand for both. Take them fast. Mids sounded better with speaker cables set to the 6 ohm instead of the "correct 8 ohm". O.K so now you think I'm a BAT fanatic. Mr V.K. is damn good, I must say.

Similar Products Used:

Plinius SA 100,

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 21, 1999]
GEORGE
Audiophile

Strength:

BUILT LIKE A TANK, BEST MIDRANGE, FAST AND SMOOTH.
GREAT BASS AND DYNAMICS WITH THE RIGHT SPEAKERS.

Weakness:

LIST PRICE IS HIGH BUT STILL WORTH IT.

A BEAUTIFUL, FAST, SMOOTH, AND POWERFUL AMP. WILL DRIVE EVEN 4 OHM SPEAKERS, BUT MUCH MORE RELAXED PRESENTATION WITH 8 OHM. THE MIDRANGE IS AS GOOD AS ANY AMP, THE BASS IS STRONG AND FAST. THIS AMP IS HARD TO BEAT WITH TUBE FREINDLY SPEAKERS. THEY REALLY MAKE MY JOSEPH AUDIO RM7si SIG'S SING.THEY ARE EXTREMELY RELIABLE AND BAT HAS GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE.

Similar Products Used:

GTA SE-100

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[May 26, 1999]
Fed
an Audiophile

I love my VK-60s. Just great sound. Typical tubiness in its ease and low fatigue, yet much faster than most tube gear. Can't wait to kick down for a second one and go monoblocked with a pair of B&W Sig30s...

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Feb 13, 2000]
ultrakaz
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Natural tonal balance and effortless dynamics. Lets the music come through without colorations.

Weakness:

Slightly soft in the bass and a little pricey for 60 watts.

The first thing that struck me about this amp was the natural tonal balance. Vocals were smooth and had prescence without being bright and etched.

The second thing I noticed was the effortless dynamics this amp had. Even at 60 watts driving somewhat inefficient Totem speakers, the amp did not seem to strain itself when the music got loud. The soundstage did not collapse, the tonal qualities did not harden and become brittle and the timbre stayed the same.

In comparison to the Krell, the BAT ate it alive in everything but the bass. The ARC VT-200, is more detailed sounding (albeit a bit thin overall), but the BAT seemed more natural sounding letting the music come through without highlighting any particular aspect to the sound.

Cosmetically, this amp looks like some minimalist industrial piece of artwork. Imagine a black base with three huge black columns and four big tubes and eight little ones. The psychological effect of seeing these glowing tubes made the music subjectively more vivid.

At 5K this is the amp to get.

I cannot wait to hear these amps in a monoblock configuration.

Similar Products Used:

Audio Research VT-200, Krell FPB-200

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Feb 13, 2000]
robert brewer
Audiophile

Strength:

very quick with outstanding bass

Weakness:

none

I must admit I was skeptical about tube amplifiers. I must also tell you that I am partial to Bat products. I recently upgraded my system to four VK 60's along with a new 50se pre-amp. I was using a Classe 400 solid stats amp previously.These amplifiers are outstanding with deep bass and an overall warmth I have never experienced.I highly recommend these amps.

Similar Products Used:

classe solid state

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 18, 2000]
r finley
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

A tube amp with sass along with gimmes like imaging?

Weakness:

Really shines with adequate power.

Got through the first 100 hours on the VK60.

Got an electrician in to put in a 20 amp isolated AC socket in the media niche. Huge improvement in the sound when adequate power is available. No longer have a 5v droop in AC line voltage with the amp running.

Wilson CUBs were traided for Duntech Sovereigns. 7' tall monster speakers with a pair of 12" woofers per speaker.

Still using a single VK60 in stereo.

The VK60 finally has an opportunity to make the clicking sound when clipping. But, this happens on pieces with heavy orchestral pieces at pretty stout volumes (Requiem or Pomp-N-Pipes on Reference Recordings).

Was considering getting a crossover and using my new Krell 2A3 amp for bass and below and the VK60 for the highs.

The Krell amp is in a box in the garage. Never got around to ordering the crossover.

If you can facilitate an amp that gives off an unusual amount of heat and really sings if you have a 1000VA electrical service, even with big speakers, the VK60 really rocks!

Similar Products Used:

Bat VK200.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 09, 2001]
Adam
Audiophile

Weakness:

It gets hot, and sucks a lot of juice.

This amp has all the power needed to drive my Martin Logan Ascents- and sounds fabulous. The sound is wide open, detailed, and sweet, with nice bite when called for. This product is absolutely great. Sound is inviting and makes you smile unconciously.

My System:

BAT vk60
BAT vk30
Arcam FMJ CD
MIT T2 Speaker cable
MIT Ultima Interconnects
Martin Logan Ascent Speakers

Five stars- a real standout.

Similar Products Used:

Audio Research, Bryston, Krell.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 02, 2001]
Mark
Audiophile

Strength:

A flagman in valve audio engineering!

Weakness:

no tube cage, warranty isn't transferable.

I've had a few auditions and I do consider BAT VK60 for my next upgrade. I do not know how long I would have to wait but I do plan to get a pair of them for each speaker in mono configuration some days later. I will not re-describe whatever is being said about this amp since I share the same feelings. The only thing I'll say that in order to outperform this amp with SS transistors you'll have to spend at least 2x

Similar Products Used:

I've never used any product that I can compare.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 22, 1999]
Arthur
an Audiophile

Superb tube amp.The sound is great,build solid.The BAT is up there with the best Audio Research tube amps out there.Even made Wilson WattPuppies sound great(I am not crazy about those)You can brige one VK-60 to mono,120W per chanel.This is one of the great buys in tube amps.I gets 5 stars.
Mr ABC you probably own a Boombox rated at 500 PMPO watts.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Mar 19, 1999]
Just Me
an Audiophile

Heard a pair of WATT/Puppies driven by two of these amps (monoblocked) in an all BAT system. Outrageously good sound. Punchy, dynamic, crystal clear. Also sounded great with a pair of Dunlavy SC-IVs.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
Showing 11-20 of 23  

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