Audiophilepure

https://www.stereophile.com/content/balanced-audio-technology-rex-500-power-amplifier

I decided to evaluate the amp in three ways. First, I went without a preamp, using the volume control of my main source, an Aurender A20 digital transport and server. Then I listened to the REX with the Aurender connected via the line stage of my Benchmark HPA4. Finally, I pressed the VK-90 into service, again using the A20 as a source.

While I did indeed prefer the sound with the BAT preamp in the chain by a small margin, I spent the least amount of time with that combination because I wanted to home in on the sonics of the REX without the wild card the VK-90 presented.

BAT co-founder Steve Bednarski told me he’s keen on listening with a preamp in the system. I asked him why: What’s the downside to feeding a power amp the output stage of a DAC or other digital source? “A well-designed active line stage will provide greater current delivery from its output stage than almost any source omponent,” Bednarski emailed back. “Current delivery gives a sense of liveliness and joie de vivre to the reproduction of music. For instance, a CD player that uses an op-amp–based output stage will provide weak current delivery. When such an output stage is connected directly to an amplifier, the music can sound flat and uninvolving.”

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