AudioAficionado.org  

Go Back   AudioAficionado.org > Manufacturers Forums > Balanced Audio Technology

Balanced Audio Technology Balanced Design, Balanced Sound

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-23-2018, 03:57 PM
Amadave Amadave is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 208
Default BAT Standard vs SE Models

I am looking to add tube amp/preamp to my system. One of the brands I am considering is Balanced Audio Technology. I have heard their products playing through my speakers and very much enjoyed it. I heard the 55SE amp and the 33SE preamp. Recently BAT released the 56 series of amps. In the market, I can acquire the 55SE and the standard model 56 for about the same money. The 56SE is quite bit more. My question concerns the differences between standard and SE models. On one hand, I would I would like the latest and greatest, but if the SE package is a significant upgrade, I might would go with the discontinued SE version. Has anyone a comparison of standard vs SE? If so, is the difference worth it?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-23-2018, 08:10 PM
Formerly YB-2's Avatar
Formerly YB-2 Formerly YB-2 is online now
Retired

 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NJ Shore
Posts: 8,404
Default

Only with the VK-33 series of preamps. I'm a fan of the 6922/6JD8 tube, so prefer the standard series with 6 of them compared to the SE version with 2 of the 6H30 tube. Can always add the 'SE' items like 6-pack caps, etc. Not sure what else, but if like Conrad-Johnson, the SE version will use teflon coupling & power supply caps, which are quite expensive. To my ears, the SE version of the CJ is noticeably superior to the standard version. If were me, would go with the VK-55SE. Listening to the SE and standard version side-by-side at the dealers may not show same. Teflon caps need an unusual amount of time to form/break-in. The last set of teflon caps I used were horrible for the first 200+ hours and only truly broken-in after twice that. But, the sound was well worth the wait. As always with BAT, give them a call and talk to them about the differences. My experience is that they are always happy to help. Also, believe the standard amp can be upgraded to the SE at some later date if you want to go with the latest version.
__________________
Glenn...
Clearaudio SM Pro Focal Bathys JLA 10" Dominion Kuzma Stabi S w/MC & MM Magnepan 1,7i McIntosh MA8950 Oppo 203 Roon Nucleus Rose Hifi RS150B Shunyata Gemini-4 Sony ST-A6B, TA-F6B & PS-X75 Sorane SA1.2 & TA-1L Stillpoints LP1v2 WW Pt, Au & Ag

Last edited by Formerly YB-2; 01-23-2018 at 08:24 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-25-2018, 06:11 PM
tom_hankins tom_hankins is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 254
Default

I've always preferred the SE models from BAT. I've owned the VK-60 and 75se also the VK-D5 and D-5se CDP, the VK-P10 and P10se phonostages.
If I was you I would go for the 55se, one great advantage to that is they come up used and adding a second down the road and using monoblocks is a cheaper option. Good luck!
__________________
AudioNet-Pre G2/MAX, YG Sonja, JL F112v2, Kubala Sosna
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-02-2018, 07:23 PM
JoyfulNoise's Avatar
JoyfulNoise JoyfulNoise is online now
Member

 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: West Linn, Oregon
Posts: 46
Default BAT VK-33SE Owner

I recently purchased my first BAT product, a VK-33SE preamplifier. I was unable to compare it to the VK-33, but was compelled to invest the extra coin in exchange for the transformer-coupled outputs and 6H30 tube gain stage. I find Formerly YB-2's observation regarding the VK-33 (standard vs. SE) interesting and have no basis to dispute it. In fact, I think it is encouraging to know that the difference between the two may be just a matter of preference. My impression is that all of BAT's preamplifiers are thoughtfully designed and well-built, so getting into a VK-33 at $3k less than the SE may be a very attractive proposition to many.

Last edited by JoyfulNoise; 02-03-2018 at 03:03 AM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Audioaficionado.org tested by Norton Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:28 PM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
©Copyright 2009-2023 AudioAficionado.org.Privately owned, All Rights Reserved.
Audio Aficionado Sponsors
AudioAficionado Subscriber
AudioAficionado Subscriber
Inspire By Dennis Had
Inspire By Dennis Had
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Wyred4Sound
Wyred4Sound
Dragonfire Acoustics
Dragonfire Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
Esoteric
Esoteric
AC Infinity
AC Infinity
JL Audio
JL Audio
Add Powr
Add Powr
Accuphase - Soulution
Accuphase - Soulution
Audio by E
Audio by E
Canton
Canton
Bryston
Bryston
WireWorld Cables
WireWorld Cables
Stillpoints
Stillpoints
Bricasti Design
Bricasti Design
Furutech
Furutech
Shunyata Research
Shunyata Research
Legend Audio & Video
Legend Audio & Video