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  1. #1

    Best Bang For the Buck Used

    I keep looking for a preamp deal. I need a fully balanced unit and as such I am interested in Classe, Aesthetix, and Wyred 4 Sound. Which brings me to BAT. Holy cow there's a ton of different models on the used market. Anyone in particular that you love that usually goes for a decent price (I'm in that 2k-4K range). Geez...there's the 32se, the 40, 42 (I think) the se versions of those; then there's the 50,51,52,53,Rex...not to mention the 3i, 5i. Man oh man. So lay some knowledge on me brothers. And as ever I'm grateful for your input.

  2. #2
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    Re: Best Bang For the Buck Used

    $4k would buy you the ARC Ref 3:

    https://www.audiogon.com/listings/tu...ic-palisade-ca

    I have upgraded from BAT 51SE to Ref 3 a few years back. This was a substantial gain in SQ.
    Adam

    Speakers: Magico M3
    Amp: Dagostino Momentum Stereo
    Digital: Lampi Horizon + Lampi DSD Komputer

  3. #3
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    Re: Best Bang For the Buck Used

    I have an LS-27 for $4500.

    I also have a LS-15, BAT 3i, BAT VK50SE. The LS-27 is probably 90% as good as my REF5SE.

    I can give you a basic review of each based on the REF5SE if you like.
    Marty

    Aurender N20 / SonicTransporter i7 / Roon
    MSB Premier
    Constellation Inspiration Preamp 1.0 / Mono 1.0
    Dynaudio Confidence 50 / SVS SB13 Ultra
    PS Audio Powerplant 15

  4. #4
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    Re: Best Bang For the Buck Used

    I own a BAT VK-51se. When buying this model or any of the BAT's that use the 6 Pack with the multiple capacitors, make sure that the preamp does not make a popping sound when switching inputs. I bought mine used and had to replace all 6 caps. BAT will do it for just the cost of the parts. Luckily I have an EE friend who did it for free. Still cost me $260 in parts bought directly from Jensen, BAT wanted $900 for the parts.

    The 51se sounds great but does not have the typical tube sound. It is more dynamic than an LS27 but the 27 has it beat in air and transparency with a bit more detail. The midrange and bass are better in the 51se, more weight and slam.

    You may want to consider a Vinni Rossi tube preamp. Awesome sounding. Can be made balanced. Uses 6922 tubes. I am thinking about buying one.
    My Gear- Mains System-Pass X250 amp, BAT VK-51se preamp, Luxman DA-06 DAC, Magnepan 1.6's, Thorens TD-145 TT, Dual Martin Logan Subs, Vintage Luxman T-110 Tuner, Cables-WW Platinum 7 USB, Cardas Parsec XLR, AQ Columbia DBS 72v XLR, Belden 8402 XLR.

  5. #5
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    Re: Best Bang For the Buck Used

    To me, a used VAC preamp is the way to go. I have an old VAC Renaissance that I keep around and it sounds amazing.
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  6. #6
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    Re: Best Bang For the Buck Used

    I would add the Atma-Sphere MP-3 preamp to the mix. I was able to directly compare it to an LS27. The MP-3 was more musical and had a sweeter midrange than the LS27. The LS 27 had a more spacious sound. The dealer actually prefers the MP-3.
    My Gear- Mains System-Pass X250 amp, BAT VK-51se preamp, Luxman DA-06 DAC, Magnepan 1.6's, Thorens TD-145 TT, Dual Martin Logan Subs, Vintage Luxman T-110 Tuner, Cables-WW Platinum 7 USB, Cardas Parsec XLR, AQ Columbia DBS 72v XLR, Belden 8402 XLR.

  7. #7
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    Re: Best Bang For the Buck Used

    Audio Horizons is VERY VERY good for the money (around 2k used). I have also seen an Alnic for 4k on Agon. It is even better. Of course there are many good ones out there and quite a few dogs. I am familiar with these two. I had an Aesthetix and IMHO you can do much better with either of these.
    Maybe you have some local audio friends that you could audition one of their pre's.
    My System
    Acoustic Revive RTP-4
    Innuos Pulsar
    Lampizator BALTIC4
    Cary SLP-05
    Pass XA30.5 or
    Line Magnetic 845ia
    Reference 3A Reflector's
    Pr SVS SB3000 Subs
    Cables & Tubes "subject to change without notification".
    Complete system on battery power/solar
    Core Audio Design Rack
    DIY bass traps and custom curved diffusors.

  8. #8
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    Re: Best Bang For the Buck Used

    Good pre-amp deal? I'm a big fan of the Cary Audio SLP-05. Its a proper two box design [you've noticed i'm sure that many manufacturers "reference" pre-amp designs park the PSU in a separate chassis] and its fully balanced. The 6SN7 tubes as used in the Cary provide lots of flexibility to tailor sound.



    If you would consider an unbalanced pre-amp then Lamm could be considered. I loved the old LL2 Deluxe version when I had one in my system. No remote control though! Now replaced with the 2.1 the original version can be had for around $2k

    Attached Images Attached Images
    Borresen Acoustics Loudspeakers, Borresen Model 01 Compact monitor loudspeakers with Ansuz Darkz T2s Supreme resonance control, Audio Video Manufaktur GmbH (AVM) Inspiration amplifier & streamer, Innuos Zen MKII music server, Ansuz Acoustics cables & accessories. Please visit my system thread hosted on Audioshark for more details. Disclosure: The author is materially connected to Ansuz, Aavik & Borresen Acoustics via friendship with an owner.

  9. #9
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    Re: Best Bang For the Buck Used

    Yes, second on the Cary 05. But I'm not sure that you can find one in the 2-4$k range.
    And yes on the 6sn7's. They and the 6dl8/6922/7308 family of tubes are my favorites for small signal.
    My System
    Acoustic Revive RTP-4
    Innuos Pulsar
    Lampizator BALTIC4
    Cary SLP-05
    Pass XA30.5 or
    Line Magnetic 845ia
    Reference 3A Reflector's
    Pr SVS SB3000 Subs
    Cables & Tubes "subject to change without notification".
    Complete system on battery power/solar
    Core Audio Design Rack
    DIY bass traps and custom curved diffusors.

  10. #10
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    Re: Best Bang For the Buck Used

    P.S. If you like 6SN7's, wait till you try using adapters and subbing 6F8G's. They take you to a completely sublime place. They are the grandfather of the 6sn7's and will work in any place that uses 6sn7's.
    My System
    Acoustic Revive RTP-4
    Innuos Pulsar
    Lampizator BALTIC4
    Cary SLP-05
    Pass XA30.5 or
    Line Magnetic 845ia
    Reference 3A Reflector's
    Pr SVS SB3000 Subs
    Cables & Tubes "subject to change without notification".
    Complete system on battery power/solar
    Core Audio Design Rack
    DIY bass traps and custom curved diffusors.

  11. #11
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    Re: Best Bang For the Buck Used

    You guys are making me want to do a bargain blowout preamp extravaganza. Here is what would be the lineup.

    1. ARC REF5SE as our reference
    2. Parasound P5
    3. ARC LS15
    4. BAT VK50SE
    5. BAT VK3i
    6. ARC LS27
    7. Anodyne tube line stage (non production)

    Might be an interesting comparison for shits and giggles.
    Marty

    Aurender N20 / SonicTransporter i7 / Roon
    MSB Premier
    Constellation Inspiration Preamp 1.0 / Mono 1.0
    Dynaudio Confidence 50 / SVS SB13 Ultra
    PS Audio Powerplant 15

  12. #12

    Re: Best Bang For the Buck Used

    Quote Originally Posted by kiwi_1282001 View Post
    Good pre-amp deal? I'm a big fan of the Cary Audio SLP-05. Its a proper two box design [you've noticed i'm sure that many manufacturers "reference" pre-amp designs park the PSU in a separate chassis] and its fully balanced. The 6SN7 tubes as used in the Cary provide lots of flexibility to tailor sound.



    If you would consider an unbalanced pre-amp then Lamm could be considered. I loved the old LL2 Deluxe version when I had one in my system. No remote control though! Now replaced with the 2.1 the original version can be had for around $2k

    I'm biased, but I do approve of this post. Incidentally, if you are patient, 05s can occasionally be found for $4K-$4,200.
    Anthony
    Analog: VPI Clearaudio Innovation Wood/Kuzma 4Point/Ortofon A95> ASR Basis Exclusive HV---->

    Digital: Antipodes CX (Oladra Upgrade)> Cary DMS-600 DAC/Streamer---->
    ...........Cary 306 SACD Professional Disc Player---->

    ===> Cary SLP-05 (Ultimate Upgrade edition)----> Clayton M-300----> MARTIN LOGAN SPIRES/REL 212SX x2

    [Synergistic Research/Nordost/Wireworld/Furutech/SRA/Adona/Stillpoints/Track Audio/GIK Acoustics]

  13. #13
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    Re: Best Bang For the Buck Used

    I would add the VK-51se, 52se and Atma Sphere MP-3 to that line up.
    My Gear- Mains System-Pass X250 amp, BAT VK-51se preamp, Luxman DA-06 DAC, Magnepan 1.6's, Thorens TD-145 TT, Dual Martin Logan Subs, Vintage Luxman T-110 Tuner, Cables-WW Platinum 7 USB, Cardas Parsec XLR, AQ Columbia DBS 72v XLR, Belden 8402 XLR.

  14. #14

    Re: Best Bang For the Buck Used

    Well, I made my choice....drum roll....

    Allnic L3000 mkii

    it's coming this Friday. I'll write my initial impressions soon after.

  15. #15
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    Re: Best Bang For the Buck Used

    Very nice!! Congrats!!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  16. #16
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    Re: Best Bang For the Buck Used

    Congrats on your choice, hope it works out well for you! Looking forward to your impressions.

  17. #17
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    west Michigan
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    Re: Best Bang For the Buck Used

    A most excellent choice. You will be thrilled with the sonics and amazed at how quiet it is. Congrats. Keep us posted on your thoughts.
    My System
    Acoustic Revive RTP-4
    Innuos Pulsar
    Lampizator BALTIC4
    Cary SLP-05
    Pass XA30.5 or
    Line Magnetic 845ia
    Reference 3A Reflector's
    Pr SVS SB3000 Subs
    Cables & Tubes "subject to change without notification".
    Complete system on battery power/solar
    Core Audio Design Rack
    DIY bass traps and custom curved diffusors.

  18. #18
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    Nov 2013
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    1,369

    Re: Best Bang For the Buck Used

    Congrats on the preamp. The reviews look awesome.
    My Gear- Mains System-Pass X250 amp, BAT VK-51se preamp, Luxman DA-06 DAC, Magnepan 1.6's, Thorens TD-145 TT, Dual Martin Logan Subs, Vintage Luxman T-110 Tuner, Cables-WW Platinum 7 USB, Cardas Parsec XLR, AQ Columbia DBS 72v XLR, Belden 8402 XLR.

  19. #19
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    Re: Best Bang For the Buck Used

    Excellent choice! I look forward to hearing your listening impressions.

    Quote Originally Posted by Tbadder View Post
    Well, I made my choice....drum roll....

    Allnic L3000 mkii

    it's coming this Friday. I'll write my initial impressions soon after.
    Marty

    Aurender N20 / SonicTransporter i7 / Roon
    MSB Premier
    Constellation Inspiration Preamp 1.0 / Mono 1.0
    Dynaudio Confidence 50 / SVS SB13 Ultra
    PS Audio Powerplant 15

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