Audiophilepure

Balanced Audio Technology VK80i Integrated Amplifier

Next in line for the BAT was the Innersound Isis 3.5 electrostatic hybrid, one of the most cohesive hybrids I’ve ever auditioned, and a challenging capacitive load in the treble range. Hooked up to the Low impedance taps, the Innersound Isis sang sweetly with superb timbre fidelity. And soundstage transparency was spectacular. The BAT seemed totally unfazed by this load and coaxed plenty of dynamics from a speaker that usually requires solid-state muscle amplification

Kudos to the BAT team for launching the all-tube VK80i. It is above all else a superb demonstration of triode power. If you’ve been mired in an audio rut, living with a cookie-cutter push-pull beam power or pentode amp, listen up. Sonic happiness in a glass bottle is within reach. You owe it to yourself to audition the VK80i. You’ll discover as I did that there is no turning back.