REX Monos
 

I've been a huge fan of BAT equipment, starting with the VK-5 I bought years ago and upgraded to a 5i. I now have a VK-51SE, upgraded from a 50SE. I've had a couple of their CD players, which sounded nice (if a little dark), but I had constant transport problems.

More recently, I bought a 600SE, then had an opportunity to buy a 655SE. I have to admit I liked them both, but never loved them......I guess I'm just an inveterate tube guy. I just got a great deal on a pair of Rex (I) monoblocks, and I am blown away.......this has been a huge quantum leap in the quality of the sound of my system, and I am just thrilled. Of course, my air conditioning is working harder, and I haven't seen a new electronic bill yet.....:D

Steve, CONGRATS!! I am soooo envious! :thumbsup:

When the Rex II amps were introduced, there were a bunch of Rex I monos that hit the used market for $9000-12000. I didn't really start thinking about it until they were pretty much gone, but found another pair for sale, and I suspect they will show up from time to time.

Before I bought the 600SE, I had a pair of Nagra VPA tube monoblocks, which were the best sounding amps I'd ever owned. I sold them because I was getting concerned about their reliability and the cost of repairs and thought that my Focals could use a little more power. I regretted selling them almost immediately, and despaired of ever owning another pair of amps that sounded that good. I've been using Manley Snappers for a few years now, and although they punch way above their weight class, the Rex amps are so far superior that it's hard to even describe the differences. The bass is much improved, as I expected, but everything about their sound is better. The soundstage is wider and more precise; instruments and voices sound much more like what they're supposed to sound like. There's a realism in ordinary recordings that I never knew was there. I keep hearing things I never heard before in recordings I've listened to hundreds of times. I'd never heard the Rex amps before, and pretty much bought them on faith, although I did get to listen to them briefly at the seller's home. I can't even imagine how the Rex IIs can be better, although I'm sure they are.

Congrats on the Rex mono's. I would love to upgrade my Pass amp to a pair of Rex amps to go along with my VK-51se.

Enjoy!

Congrats on your new REX amps. :thumbsup: Can imagine how good they sound. :yes:
Living not far from BAT, have visited a couple of times (check-up on the VK-30 I had at the time and repair of blown cap in a later VK-300x integrated). The two best sounding systems I've heard were both BAT powdered with their tube monobloc amps. The first was at the NYC stereo show ('06?) with a pair of Wilson Watt/Puppy 8s(?) and the other was in Victor's office with a pair of VK-55SEs driving the smaller floor-standing Utopia speakers (don't recall the model). If I ever go back to separates, it will be with a BAT preamp/amp(s).

Wow! Nice going! Long live the King! :)
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Amp: BAT VK-655SE
Pre-amp/Digital: exaSound e32 w UpTone JS-2 Power Supply; SOtM tX-USBultra w UpTone LPS1.2; Apple Mac Mini w UpTone DC Conversion Kit & UpTone JS-2 Power Supply; Squeezelite w Logitech Media Server 7.9.0
Speakers: Triangle Magellan Cello II
Cables: AudioQuest WEL XLR, AudioQuest Everest, AudioQuest Hurricane HC, AudioQuest NRG-1000, AudioQuest Diamond USB
Rack: Solid Tech Hybrid
Tweaks: Omicron Stabilizzatore Armonico & Gold Evolution SE; IsoTek Sigmas GII w Optimum EVO3; Furutech FT-SWS (R) AC Outlet; Synergistic Research Blue Quantum Fuse

How's that electric bill, Steve?

I heard my 600SE on the Rockport Avior at a local dealer a few years ago and loved it. I returned a month later and listened to the Rex monos on the same speaker....

The sound blew me away! That is one bad pair of blocks.

I'd love to buy a pair but my Salon2's are to inefficient. The Rex will kill my electricity bill while only pushing 1/3rd the power to my speakers....

....I may purchase a 2nd 600SE.

Wish my speakers were more efficient.

Congrats on the amps! Did you get these in Va.?