Balanced Audio Technologies B.A.T. VK-P10 SE Fully Ballanced Tube Reference Phono Preamplifier

BAT VK-P10SE Tube Phono Preamplifier / Special Edition
The Path to the Ultimate in Analog Fidelity: Completely Revised First Gain Stage, Reconfigured Output Stage, Upgraded Power Supply, Flying RIAA Network
Ten-Tube Fully Balanced Design Offers Unfettered Dynamic Ease, Grand Sense of Scale, Unbelievable Drive and Transparency
The BAT VK-P10SE turns otherwise ordinary listening experiences into musical events. Made for listeners with the requisite turntable and cartridge combinations, this is a musical instrument of the highest class—a component that will honestly change the way you perceive what resides in your records’ grooves. Guaranteed. Its ten-tube, zero-feedback design and dual-mono construction help place the VK-P10SE on a pedestal approached by a select few high-end components and surpassed by none.
Serious Enhancements Result in Serious Sound
A Special Edition version of BAT’s renowned VK-P10 phonostage, the VK-P10SE incorporates numerous engineering improvements to offer greater information retrieval and supreme musical presentation. The first gain stage is completely revised to provide a substantially lower noise floor. In addition, the reconfigured output stage incorporates four high-gain 6C45 tubes. They provide high-current and low-output impedance, establishing a superb level of drive and transparency. These enhancements result in a phonostage with improved silence in the quietest musical passages, unfettered dynamic ease, and grand sense of scale. Fully balanced, the VK-10SE achieves the best-possible performance when the phono cartridge is used in a matching balanced configuration.
Upgraded Power Supply, Extensive Flexibility, Dual SIX-PAKs
The VK-P10SE boasts an all-tube zero-feedback design that combines the benefits of balanced operation with complementary vacuum-tube current sources. Dual-mono construction and enormous energy reserves are matched by extensive flexibility in cartridge loading. The first gain stage achieves a very low noise floor via premium Vishay Bulk FoilTM resistors that replace metal film resistors in critical areas. An upgraded power supply and dual SIX-PAKs of paper-in-oil output capacitors contribute more responsive, visceral bass. Vacuum-tube current sources further improve the linearity and yield a more open, textured sound. Here, dual 6SN7 vacuum tubes act as current sources for the second gain stage.
Flying RIAA Network Means You Hear LPs as Engineer Intended
The VK-P10SE employs a differential RIAA network, permitting ease of adjustment and improved common mode noise rejection. Completely passive, this circuit has fewer components than a more traditional implementation. Such benefits translate into improved matching of the RIAA curve to specification. With the Flying RIAA network, you can be assured that all of your records sound the way that the recording engineer intended. And the VK-P10SE’s second-generation step-up transformers provide as much as a 20db improvement in signal-to-noise ratio in comparison to direct mode operation. With up to 80dB of gain available, there is no signal too small. Analog bliss awaits.

SPECIFICATIONS :

Inputs: XLR Yes
RCA Yes
Outputs: XLR
Gain @ 1kHz:
   Direct-low position: 44 dB
   Direct-high position: 59 dB
   Step-up low: 64 dB
   Step-up high: 79 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio (A-weighted referenced to 1mV):
   Direct-low position 75 dB
   Direct-high position 78 dB
   Step-up high: 86 dB
Resistance: 100 to 47 k ohm
Capacitance: 100 pF to 1000 µF
Polarity selectable inverting/non-inverting: Yes
Power supply energy storage: 200 joules
Power consumption-maximum: 150 VA
Dimensions: (W x H x D): 19″ x 5.75″ x 15.5″
Weight-unpackaged: 40 lbs.