Check out this comment from Stereophile from the CES coverage:
Balanced Audio Technology | Stereophile.com
[quote]How nice to again make the acquaintance of the folks at Balanced Audio Technology,
aka BAT, now owned by Music Direct, and discover their three handsome new preamplifiers. The VK-53SE ($15,000), which replaces the VK-52SE, incorporates the same transformer-coupled output stage as in the flagship REX II preamp, and uses a new amorphous-core output transformer, encapsulated in a Mu Metal case. "There are no caps in the signal path in our preamps," proclaimed Geoff Poor. "The best capacitor is no capacitor." Also new are the VK-33SE preamplifier ($9995), a replacement for the 32SE and a trickle-down beneficiary of the VK-53SE's technology; and the VK-33 preamplifier ($7000), which replaces the VK-32.[/B]
Anyone know when this switch in ownership happened? Music Direct is now building quite a portfolio, owning their retail operation (both brick-and-mortar and on-line), the current Mobile Fidelity label, and now Balanced Audio technology (BAT). Interesting
