If the opposite wall in your room is full height you should have better depth too. Allow you to optimize the rear tweeter as designed. Im interested to hear you thoughts on an all tube system if you go that route. I have had many thoughts of trying a VK-55, im sure it would be great.
Thanks for your comments Glenfihi. I am really enjoying my system lately. I have been listening almost everyday when I get home from work for 1-2 hours. I listen to everything from Brahms to AC/DC and Sinatra to Alison Krauss. I do find myself looking for very well recored material, as my setup now is pretty unforgiving of poorly recorded material.
Some of my current favorites are Springsteen's Devil's & Dust, Mark Knopfler's Shangri-La, and Michael Buble's It's Time.
I am still thinking about getting a BAT VK-60 or VK-55 and going all tubes. What I'd really like to do is bi-amp the mid-tweeter units with tubes and keep the VK-200 powering the bass units. I'm not sure that I can accomplish this without an outboard crossover device though, and I'd rather not get too complicated.
My other possible upgrades are: a dedicated circut & new power cords, digital player like the Olive Musica, and possibly getting a headphone amp and headphones for late night or early morning listening.
I'm also considering switching the setup to the opposite wall. This would allow me to move the speakers out from the wall a little more and tame some boominess in the bass.
Love your combination of the the Bat and VSA gear. I am a big fan of the VSA JR4's. Paired with your BAt gear must be a slice of audio heaven. My JR4's are paired with an integrated tube amp. Moving up, is very nice.
You'll have to excuse my inability to verbally describe the difference Jason. It sounded better to me. ;) I don't think that I've really listened to enough high-end systems to make good comparisons to other equipment.
Thanks for the response. now when you say a better top end, what traits are better? More transparent, better extension, more airy? Did it become analytical? Was it still musical? As for me switching tubes, im still loving my gear as it is now but im sure in the upcoming months i will get the upgrade bug and since tubes are relatively cheap i might go that route. I will fill you in if i do end up rolling.
The difference between the VK-3i and the VK-30? I hate to say it, but I think that I may actually like the 3i better sonicly (is that a word?). I still have both, so I may end up keeping the 3i. I feel like it has a slight advantage in depth and imaging.
The real reason I got the VK-30 was because it has the phono stage and a much more versatile remote/interface.
First, let me say, I am far from any sort of "tube rolling" expert. I can just tell you the differences that I heard. In the VK-3i I replaced NOS 6H23 with JAN Phillips 6922's and the Sovtek 6V6 GT's with Phillips 6V6 GT. I feel like this provided greater detail and better top end.
In the VK-30 that I'm using now I replaced a mix of Sovtek and Electro-Harmonix 6922's with the JAN Phillips 6922's with very similar results.
I have read reviews of NOS 7308's and 6922's being even better that any new production tubes. However, I'm reluctant to try these without hearing the difference first, because the price tag is so high ($100 - $200 per pair! = $600). Please post your results on any tube you rolling you might try Justin.
Nice system Bartinmi! I am curious about your pre amps. What were the differences you heard when swapping tubes in your old VK-3i? and the differences between the two pre amps? Im starting to think about tube rolling my Vk-3iX one of these days so your input would be appreciated.
System edited: I have replaced the BAT VK-3i with a BAT VK-30. The new pre-amp also has the VK-P3 phono stage installed, which replaced the Music Hall Phono-Pak. Also I had damaged the stock Goldring G1012x cartridge while cleaning, so I replaced it with the Sumiko Bluepoint No. 2. I am considering the possibility of replacing the VK-200 with a VK-60 tube amp. Other than that I am pretty happy with the system as it currently is. I would like to add some sort of digital music server/ipod device.
System edited: I have finally had a chance to take some pictures of my system and get them uploaded. After many changes over the last several years, I think that I am happy. I just re-tubed the VK-3i with JAN Phillips 6V6's and 6922's and I am very pleased with the sound. I have read many critical comments on these tubes but I seem to like them anyway. I realize that my analog set up is entry level, but I just don't listen to vinyl that often. (I know there are many people cringining at this comment!) If I were to upgrade anything it would probably be to replace the the MMF-5 with a VPI Scout, and a new cartridge/phono amp. The Von Schweikert VR4-jr's are great! They don't have the "airiness" of the Martin Logan's that they replaced, but bass and dynamics are just so much better that it was worth the change. Only the MMF-5/phono pak was purchased new (music direct), everything else has been through audiogon. Thanks to all the people that I have dealt with here. I have met some great people and learned a lot. Any comments are welcome.
System edited: Have made a number of changes lately. Added the Von Schweikerts, the BAT amplifier and new speaker cable and interconnect between the amp/pre-amp. I'm very happy with the performance. I am currently shopping for a new cd/dvd player in the $1,000 to $1,500 range.(used) Any comments, suggestions on the digital player or anything are welcome.
I heard a McIntosh amp with a McIntosh Cd player and sounded classy (I see them on ebay).
One thing about buying a used Cd player - I heard that the Cd mechanism is not perfected yet, and they tend to break down after a while - so we can only expect a few years of use, and then the pick up has tobe replaced - about $200 depending on the unit.
You might consider getting a refurbished unit - with a warrantee. Ecost.com has denon 3800 DVD player for $449 - they received good review for audio, and plays DVDs high level too.
Thanks for the suggestion Gonglee3. Any recommendations on that upscale CD player? Let's say somthing I could get used here at audiogon for less than $1,000?
I would upgrade your denon CD player. Some say the source is perhaps the most important gear in a system. I heard McIntosh paired with an upscale CD player, and it gave luxurious performance. I think you are in for a pleasant surprise.
