BAT Introduces VK-85 Preamp And REX-300 Power Amp
All Image Credit: Balanced Audio Technologies
Balanced Audio Technology (BAT) have introduced the VK-85 Preamplifier and REX 300 Power Amplifier, both are fully balanced solid-state designs that are said to offer some of the finest sonic attributes typically only found in tube based designs.
REX-300 Power Amplifier
The REX-300 is essentially a lower powered version of the 500W/ch. REX 500, it contains almost all of the technical innovations of the 500, but delivering 200 watts/channel into 8 ohms.
The REX 300 incorporates the same TWIN-Path (split power supply topology) used in the REX 500. The individual power paths allow the supply to deliver a much greater current than traditional designs. The power supply is further enhanced by BAT’s new “SuperPak Quattro” capacitor bank which provides four levels of filtration that is said to support better music textural beauty, tonal density, and harmonic accuracy. The REX 300 follows the REX 500 with a protection circuit that eliminates internal fuses, permitting it to handle higher currents without impeding the circuit’s operation.
The design consists of just two gain blocks, with the output stage based on “N channel” MOSFET devices. The use of a single type of MOSFET for the output stage is said to allow both halves of the waveform to be handled in a more symmetrical manner.
Rear panel connectivity includes; one pair of balanced XLR connectors and one pair of gold plated speaker binding posts.
Additionally the Rex 300 supports and “Intelligent Power Upgrade” option. This allows customers to order or upgrade the REX 300 as a stereo or monoblock amplifier. BAT allows an owner of a stereo REX 300 to easily convert it to a monoblock configuration at any time. There’s no need to trade in the amplifier to obtain more power. Technically, the stereo to monoblock conversion is accomplished by paralleling the inputs and outputs.
REX-300 Features At A Glance:
- BAT’s new fourth-generation SuperPak topology which provides four levels of power-supply filtration
- Uses the same split power supply topology (TWIN-Path) found in the larger REX 500.
- “Fuse-less” protection circuit for enhanced sound and user-friendly operation.
- There are only two gain stages with Zero Global Feedback and the circuit is fully balanced from input to output.
- Amplifier circuit is based entirely on N-Channel MOSFET devices
- The REX 300 can be ordered as either a stereo amplifier or as a monoblock
- Power output in stereo configuration: 200W/ch @ 8 ohms and 400W/ch @ 4 ohms
- Frequency Response: 3Hz to 200kHz / Nominal Gain into 8Ω: 25dB
- Dimensions (w x h x d): 19″ x 6.5″ x 18″ / Weight: 70 lbs
VK-85 Preamplifier
The VK-85 Preamplifier benefits from several improved in-house circuit technologies, including; “SuperPak Quattro” and the “Second Generation Transformer Coupled Outputs”, as well as proven BAT circuits such as Unistage Design, High-Current N-Channel MOSFET Circuit, and Shunt Volume Control. This highly accurate volume control employs a proprietary electronic shunt volume attenuator with 140 steps of 0.5dB resolution.
Its unistage amplifier design amplifies the incoming signal just once and uses no global feedback. This design technique being a hallmark of BAT’s purist approach to circuit topology.
Rear panel analog connectivity includes; five inputs, three balanced XLR and two unbalanced RCA and 2 pairs of balanced XLR outputs together with one pair of unbalanced tape outs.
VK-85 Features At A Glance:
- Fully balanced design circuit topology
- Revised power supply incorporates BAT’s new fourth-generation SuperPak topology
- Second-Generation Transformer-Coupled Outputs
- Unistage Design with a single gain stage
- High-Current N-Channel MOSFET Circuit
- Noise (unweighted): -96dB / THD @ 2V output: 0.01%
- Inputs: 3 XLRs and 2 RCAs / Outputs: “Main” 2 XLRs and “Tape Out” 1 RCA
- Proprietary electronic shunt volume attenuator with 140 steps of 0.5dB resolution
- Frequency Response: 2Hz to 200kHz / Maximum Gain: 20dB
- Dimensions (w x h x d): 19″ x 5.75″ x 15.5″ / Weight: 40 lbs
Availability:
Q2, 2024
MSRP (VK-85/REX-300):
- US: $12,500/$15,000
For more information visit the BAT web site.
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