Balanced Audio Technology This product is no longer available. Current stock: 0 Product: Balanced Audio Technology VK-5i Stereo Tube Preamplifier; BAT VK5i (No Remote) Product SKU: 17948 Serial Number: 050600625 Voltage: 120V Cosmetic Description: 8/10 Excellent condition with minimal visible cosmetic wear including some faint scuffs on the top surface. This item has some very light wear but still presents like new from your listening position. What is Included: Preamplifier, Manual, 8 Sovtek 6922 tubes, 2 Sovtek 5881 tubes, Power cable, Factory packaging (Remote control not included) Functional Notes: Operational condition of this item is excellent, fully tested and no issues found. Age: Unknown # of Owners: 2 Tobacco Exposure: No Service History: Re-capped and serviced by BAT in 2018. Comes with extremely low hour factory tubes. MSRP: $4500 Other Notes: "The Balanced Audio VK-5i sets new standards of construction and sound in the high-performance ("high-end") audio market. It's not surround sound, not THX, not DD, not DTS. None of those things. It is just plain fantastic." -Home Theater Hifi Manual Reviews: Home Theater Hifi Shipping: Cost to ship this item within the contiguous United States is a flat rate of $55- including packaging and insurance. For all other locations including Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Alaska, please request a quote prior to purchase. Items with factory packaging will be double boxed. When factory packaging not available re-usable shipping box with custom injected-foam mold will be used. (for all items over 10 lbs). Note that all items valued over $500 will require a signature upon delivery. A quick look inside easily identifies this preamplifier as a dual mono design. There are virtually two sets of everything, even two toroidal transformers! You'll also notice there are no single ended inputs or outputs anywhere, just balanced XLR. So please pay attention before purchasing to ensure your system can support this type of connection. As you can imagine dual mono is an expensive design to manufacture, but there's no better design (other than dual mono via two physically different chassis) which can be a bit of a pain when it comes to handling the volume. This BVK-5i utilizes top shelf components throughout, and careful placement of each piece to ensure as little interference as possible. Notice how the transformers are mounted 90 degrees from the PC board to reduce magnetic interference! We tested this preamplifier carefully, including testing each and every tube in our modern and professional tube tester to make sure it arrives in perfect like-new working condition. On the bench it tested extremely well, with near perfect phase balance in channel to channel and phase to phase. This listing includes the preamp itself and a power cord, nothing else is included. Click below to add our recommended matching cables from Kimber Kable, all brand new as SkyFi is an official Kimber dealer. Kimber Kable - XLR Interconnects Kimber Kable - Power Cords More from BAT: BAT (Balanced Audio Technology) VK-5i Balanced Stereo Preamplifier - Manual The SkyFi Testing Process for Preamplifiers: We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure there are no signs of stress or aging. Capacitors are checked for telltale sings of bulging or leaking, resistors are checked for signs of overheating or cracking, and transistors are checked for signs of stress or damage. Special attention is paid to the power supply which is the most common source of failure for preamps. We then power up the unit and run a simple 1k sine wave while monitoring the low voltage output on an oscilloscope for signs of distortion or noise to get a baseline. At this point we will lubricate and clean all switches and potentiometers (that are not sealed) with a high quality contact cleaner, and then re-test all functions for any signs of noise or scratching. Final testing involves putting actual music through the preamplifier. We have learned over time that some issues are only noticeable to a trained ear while listening to a familiar source material. Our test bench has reference vintage KEF speakers that we are super familiar with which will quickly reveal any discrepancies. Some preamps will then move into the listening room where they will be tested with our in-house reference system. Note: After the big job of re-labeling I just performed on this Blog, as part of my re-organization, I'm going to eliminate my other sister audio Blog (Review and Overview), to let everything be archived here. Today I'm duplicating all reviews from my sister Blog here. This may cause inconvenience for a few users who follow some of my items; my apology. In the long run, this shall be a lot more efficient. For regular posts, scroll down to 01, Spetember and below.  I have always liked BAT’s products whenever I have heard them. The sound always seemed balanced, dynamic and clean. I think they are not too popular in HK, judging by their paucity in second-hand stores. Maybe that’s because of the workman-like look or the massive blackness. I happen to like the look. I have never heard BAT in any home visits, not to say in my own home. This was rectified recently when my friend E brought a VK5i line preamplifier for me to examine. One channel had little sound. I tested its 8x 6922 and found a short in the last triode section. Replacement of the tube fully restored normalcy. The VK5i was over-built like a tank and weighs twice the weight of ARC. It has dual mono power supply, with dual transformers and 2x 6L6 for tube power regulation (remember ARC SP10, SP8, Reference 1/2/3, Counterpoint SA5.1, SA-5000 and Lamm flagship?). Despite its putting out heat like a small tube power amp and having to use XLR/RCA adaptors, I liked its dynamic sound and started watching out for BAT, especially since I have always wanted a fully balanced TUBE preamp. Even though the VK5i is long gone, I can tell the sound of VK-3i is in the same vein, rock-solid. Dynamic prowess is the supreme virtue. We are not talking about brute force here. Bruckner’s 6th symphony (Wand/RCA) not only showcases BATs ability to accurately reproduce the innumerable crescendos and decrescendos and abrupt shift of gear, it tells you how well the musicians are coping. Fortissimos are always naturally arrived at (most preamps fail this), louder than one expects. And so careful adjustment of volume is mandatory, making this not so suitable for those who listen low-level to pop/Chinese vocals with gain-riding and compromised dynamic range (usually those who claim vintage preamps are better). Tonally there is little to fault. Details are plentiful. Despite its killer dynamics, the preamp does not call attention to itself, a testament to its neutrality. At the same time I have the Counterpoint SA-5000 here, and comparison with the VK3i betrays the Counterpoint’s dynamic limitation, a slight midrange recess and mild emphasis of upper treble. The 5i is a little darker sounding and possibly a little quieter, while the 3i has better rhythm and pace. Overall I prefer the sound of the livelier 3i to the more Teutonic 5i, though the latter in recollection is even more steady when run loud. This brings the question of whether dual mono power supply is always a benefit in every department. In my experience, a good single power supply frequently has better musicality and coherence than a dual mono supply, which however may have a little better high-level performance. Even with older ARCs and Counterpoints in mind, I cannot think of a better buy in preamplifier. Now I am hunting for a phono card. |
