BAT

VK-80 SuperTube Preamplifier

The VK-80 preamplifier features the same technology as the no-holds-barred REX 3 preamp,
scaled down to a one-box chassis.
Inside you’ll find a quad of 6H30 SuperTubes, the Gen3 SuperPak with the world’s finest capacitors,
dual-mono toroidal transformers, and our Gen2 Transformer Coupled Outputs.

The VK-80 is comfortable in any system, at any price point, and should be on your short list before
spending more.
All you need to do is listen.

Flexible Interface and Optional MM/MC Phono Module

The graceful architecture is complemented by a powerful, easy-to-use customer interface.
You can dim the display from the comfort of your chair by using the BAT remote.
Fade music at the touch of a button.
Switch phase to see if a recording is made in reverse absolute polarity.
Even name your sources.
For example, name your home-theater playback input “THTR.”
Then, fix the volume for your THTR input to control your home-theater system from your
pre/pro remote.
Love analog?
Simply order your VK-80 with BAT’s VK-P3 phono card, which provides switch-selectable
moving-magnet and moving-coil gain settings.

The Uncommonly Good Transformer Design Gets Even Better

VK-80 incorporates a second-generation output transformer using the finest Cardas copper winding.
With its second-generation transformer-coupled outputs, VK-80 offers an outstandingly dynamic and
transparent rendition of the original musical event.
Each of the preamplifier’s transformer-coupled outputs comes encapsulated within a mu-metal shield,
which is substantially superior to any capacitor in maintaining purity of signal transmission.
True to its heritage, VK-80 also uses the 6H30 SuperTube to form a high-current, low-impedance gain stage.
For extra convenience, the fully balanced VK-80 incorporates balanced and single-ended inputs (as well as outputs).

Never Fret About Volume Levels Again

The signal in the VK-80 preamplifier is effectively transmitted through only one gain stage.
This Unistage™ circuit provides the ultimate simplicity of amplifying the incoming signal only
once and uses no global feedback to double-back on the straight-through integrity of said signal.
Pass music through too many gain stages, and you’ll no longer recognize the genius and beauty
of your favorite recordings.
And with VK-80, you can always get the volume just right.
A proprietary electronic shunt volume attenuator offers 140 steps of 0.5dB resolution that give precise,
repeatable volume settings that sound continuous to the human ear.

Signal Path:

Unistage design with only one gain block and no capacitors in signal path

Output:

Second generation output transformers with Cardas OFC wiring

Global Feedback: None

Inputs:

2 x XLR
3 x RCA

Outputs:
Main

1 x XLR
1 x RCA

Outputs:
Tape

1 x RCA

Maximum Gain: 18dB

Volume Control Resolution: 0.5dB

Volume Control Number of Steps: 140

Frequency Response: 2Hz to 200kHz

Input Impedance (minimum): 100kΩ

Output Impedance: 300Ω

Noise (unweighted): -96dB

Distortion at 2V output: 0.005%

Maximum Output Signal: 30V

Absolute Polarity: Switchable

Power Consumption: 150VA