The 51SE has very strong and well balanced voice, to better it you would need to go to the transformer coupled model, like the 33SE, that one has a bit more air, without losing any weight.

I don't think the capacitors need much breaking in period, but then I am not a great believer in breaking in in general, I am all for just using the equipment.

I would not worry about replacing the other 4 caps, they do not suffer from the electrical leakage, like the SIX-PAK caps do.

Best,

Victor

I have a VK50SE and found the Sovtek 6H30 to sound great. I have also thought of switching out the Jensen caps with Mundorfs.

nc42acc, great to see another BAT fan. :)

I switch back and forth between a ARC LS27 and my VK50SE. Something about the BAT preamp that I find very captivating. I am currently waiting on a REF5SE to come my way when the person receives their REF6. This might be the game changer between the LS27 and the VK50SE.

I am also an owner of BAT gear, VK-50 se, VK-500 bat pak, both been back to BAT for repairs/cap replacements/updates and currently using EH 6H30 gold pin tubes in preamp, love the BAT stuff

I am a proud owner of a 51se preamplifier, which is pairing with a DartZeel cth-8550. The DartZeel is an integrated and, hence, I am using only the power stage.

I enjoy very much the combination but I presume That the DartZeel is underused in this situation.

I thought I could sell the DartZeel and buy a cheaper power that could be a good match with the 51se. Does anybody here have any suggestion?

Here in my city I have no chance of testing before the purchase. My speakers are the Dali Epicon 6.

Thanks very much in advance.

Marcelo

What is your city? Would think you should be able to sell your DartZeel for enough to fund a new BAT VK-225SE amp, which is has a similar power output. Have not heard Dali speakers with BAT, but a VK-31SE feeding a VK-220SE into Audio Physic speakers was one of the top 2 or 3 systems I've heard in a dealer show-room.

Thanks for the reply. Actually, I may have the opportunity of getting a second hand vk600Mse...

Any other opinions?

Marcelo

msr... Welcome to AA! :wave:

It’s time to replace the tubes of me 51se preamp. Which tubes do you recommend?

Marcelo