Thread: VK-32

Is it, the last B.A.T. pre...to utilize 6922s?

I believe the VK-33 uses 6922's while the SE version uses 6H30's.

The 6922's certainly give you rolling options where the 6H30's don't although they will last longer.

Yeah. The 6H30...in my ARC LS-26...was not as cold and sterile as I was expecting; but I did miss rolling.

I didn't know BAT had a current gen (the 33), that still used 6922s. Good for VK!

VK-33, OTW

Originally Posted by CDLehner

VK-33, OTW

Congrats! It should be a great match for your amp. I would love to sell my V5-51se for a 33se. I am looking forward to your review.

So...the VK-33, grabbed me; right out of the box.

Super quiet, good low-level detail; but drive and "Boogie", when you step on the gas.

Victor over-engineers the sh*t, out of kit! The fit and finish is top-notch; it's heavier than hell...and I love 3 tubes/side, plus the rectifier.

IDK if it's the synergy...with the VK-250SE; but...the Twenty5 23s, didn't sound this good with the ARC LS-26 in place

I'm pretty happy, with the tonal balance; but I could stand with a little more...warmth and body. The unit came with EHs.

Mullards, x6...could get expensive. I guess Gold Lions, ~$50/per...are the front-runner. Anyone have any suggestions, in that ~$300 range?

EL34's Chris?

The EH EL34 is a damn fine tube and reasonably priced too.

The Psvane Phillips Holland EL34's are my favorite.

http://psvanetube.com/wordpress/stor...a-el34ph-quad/


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Chris

The Matsushita's made in the factory set up for them by Mullard will give you most of the classic Mullard sound at a fraction of the cost. They can be found with a variety of labels. These are labeled Brimar, mine are labeled National but the same tube.

http://www.tubemonger.com/Matsushita...NOS_p/1235.htm

If it will take 7DJ8 tubes (most preamps of that type will) the Tungsrams are really hard to beat.

http://www.tubemonger.com/MP_MINT_NO...gary_p/756.htm

Originally Posted by Mike

EL34's Chris?

The EH EL34 is a damn fine tube and reasonably priced too.

The Psvane Phillips Holland EL34's are my favorite.

http://psvanetube.com/wordpress/stor...a-el34ph-quad/


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mike, I'm referring to the pre-stage 6922s.

Originally Posted by Jack

Chris

The Matsushita's made in the factory set up for them by Mullard will give you most of the classic Mullard sound at a fraction of the cost. They can be found with a variety of labels. These are labeled Brimar, mine are labeled National but the same tube.

http://www.tubemonger.com/Matsushita...NOS_p/1235.htm

If it will take 7DJ8 tubes (most preamps of that type will) the Tungsrams are really hard to beat.

http://www.tubemonger.com/MP_MINT_NO...gary_p/756.htm

Thanks Jack; I was kinda looking at these https://www.upscaleaudio.com/collect...nal-pcc88-7dj8

As you can see...it's a Matsushita 7DJ8

Chris

That's a good tube, I've got a pair of them. Very similar to the Brimar labeled version I linked to at Tubemonger. That is the way my ECC88's are labeled. I've had good luck with both vendors. The Tungsram's may lean slightly to the Seimens side so slightly less warm. Another good choice are the ones Kevin had with the Phillips label just not as warm. The Matsushita manufactured tubes will get you the closest to the Mullard sound without a second mortgage.

Thanks for the quick responses.

Originally Posted by CDLehner

Thanks for the quick responses.

Thanks. I would have bet my paycheck, that with the way the 33 is "over-engineered"...7s would be no problem; but then...I'm sure the same could be said, of your 31.

I'll double-check, with Kevin/Upscale...since they sell B.A.T. gear; and call B.A.T. (last time I did...I got the man himself, lol).

Give the unit time to burn in. When I replaced the tubes and then the caps in my Vk-51se, both times it sounded bright and cold. It took about 20 hours for the tubes to finally settle down and about 100 hours for the new caps to break in.

Post a review after 20 hours. I am very interested on how it sounds. By the way, try and get some 1958-1960 non A-Frame (they have a halo or "O" Getter) Telefunken ECC88 for a warm and transparent sound. The A frame versions are more forward and a little more musical but not as warm or transparent. Beware of fake NOS Tele's. Make sure they have the Diamond imprinted on the bottom of the tube and the print is a chalky white that rubs off.

Originally Posted by Try1256

I would also suggest switching out the 6v6 tubes first. I have had a couple of different 6922's in my 3i but the biggest impact was installing NOS 6v6's. It just opened up tremendously. When I got the 3i, it had JAN Sylvania 6v6 in it but one was horribly microphonic. I replaced them with some new production Tung Sol and while it sounded good, everything seemed much less open. One of them went bad very quickly so I ordered another set of JAN Sylvania's from Brent Jessee and I was blown away by the result. The nice thing is that they were only $30 each. Of course, YMMV.

I was wondering, about the PS tubes; and had planned to ask, about all the 5881/6V6 variances.

Hey Mike; can we go ahead, and re-name the thread...VK-33?

Thanks

Originally Posted by Mechnutt

Give the unit time to burn in. When I replaced the tubes and then the caps in my Vk-51se, both times it sounded bright and cold. It took about 20 hours for the tubes to finally settle down and about 100 hours for the new caps to break in.

Post a review after 20 hours. I am very interested on how it sounds. By the way, try and get some 1958-1960 non A-Frame (they have a halo or "O" Getter) Telefunken ECC88 for a warm and transparent sound. The A frame versions are more forward and a little more musical but not as warm or transparent. Beware of fake NOS Tele's. Make sure they have the Diamond imprinted on the bottom of the tube and the print is a chalky white that rubs off.

It's not new.

So...I spoke with Kevin Deal at Upscale; and let's just say...I find him "difficult", and leave it at that.

After chastising me, about telling him...what I know about these tubes in question (because he already knows all that); he proceeded to hem, and haw...and finally give me the very fuzzy answer of "they should be OK". Great

So then I called B.A.T. and the guy who answered the phone, couldn't answer either of my questions. So...I had to/had the privilege of; speaking with Victor. I said had to, because I've talked to enough "official" tech guys...to know what his position was going to be. They never think, you should change anything!

In Victor's case...with that thick, Russian accent: "no, no, no, no; stick with 6922s". I also asked him, about "half" an SE upgrade.

"Like the VK-53SE and REX II preamplifiers, the VK-33SE features transformer-coupled outputs. This new design replaces BAT’s venerable Six-Pak of output capacitors with custom-designed output transformers."

"This change to a transformer-coupled output stage has a solid engineering foundation. All devices have inherent imperfections. Yet, while both capacitors and transformers can perform the same task of DC decoupling, in many cases transformers can be designed closer to the ideal device model. This benefit, however, does not come easily. First - the design of a linear, and close-to-ideal, transformer is not trivial. Second - some applications are more suitable for transformers than others. And third - the highest quality transformers are also much higher in cost. The combination of these three elements explains why good transformers are relatively uncommon in high-end audio."

"The result: BAT’s new transformer-coupled output stage proved itself to be substantially superior to any capacitor in maintaining a purity of signal transmission. Electrically, these custom transformers significantly improve the VK-33SE preamplifier’s ability to drive low impedance loads. Sonically, they offer improvements in every area of musical reproduction."

So...I wanted the transformer upgrade; but to keep my 6922s...rather than the 6H30s, the SE changes to. Again...Victor did not think it wise.

Oh well; it's a great pre, as is...and I'll just find some tasty 6DJ8s to play with

Chris

I would give the Brimar labeled Matsushita's a shot and see what you think. I don't know if the BAT's are like the SF preamps that also used six 6922's, but with them the changing the middle row of tubes made up most of the change in the sound profile. Apparently only Viktor would know the answer and really not surprised as to the non-committal answer you got from the other source.

I have talked to Victor before to see if it was worth upgrading to a VK-52se or 32se from my 51se and he did not think it would be a significant upgrade. He is honest. I am not surprised that he did not recommend swapping tubes as designers seem to be pretty protective of their gear.

Glad to see you like the VK-33. Have fun tube rolling.

Originally Posted by Jack

Chris

I would give the Brimar labeled Matsushita's a shot and see what you think. I don't know if the BAT's are like the SF preamps that also used six 6922's, but with them the changing the middle row of tubes made up most of the change in the sound profile. Apparently only Viktor would know the answer and really not surprised as to the non-committal answer you got from the other source.

By "middle row"; I assume you mean, the 5881s in the power-supply...not the middle, of the 6922s??

Chris

With the SF's the different rows of the 6922's have different functions and have a different impact on the sonic signature. Not sure if that applies to BAT preamps or not. See what Viktor says may not apply to his gear.

And by SF; Sonic Frontiers?

Correct. Chris I have read pretty much all I can find on the BAT and can't find any info to indicate if one pair of tubes is for a different purpose than the others like with some. So there may not be a short cut.