Highly regarded BAT VK-P10 Special Edition with the SuperPak option! Stereophile Recommended Phono Stage for many years.
Vacuum tube phono stage preamplifier - tubes: 2 - 6922, 2 - 6SN7, and 4 - 6C45. RCA single-ended and XLR balanced inputs. XLR balanced (RCA adapters available) outputs only. Gain adjustable between 50 and 78dB. Cartridge loading is adjustable 100 ohms - 47k ohms. Capacitance is adjustable 100pF - 1000pF.
The VK-P10-SE is intended to be the "ultimate expression" of the tubed phono stage preamplifier. It features an all-tube, zero-feedback design combining balanced operation with a proprietary "Flying RIAA® network." The P10SE is a dual-mono design (as with the VK-51SE pre and VK-600SE power amplifier) using vacuum-tube current regulation and possessing energy reserves similar to many power amplifiers.
Through the use of internal switches there is a significant degree of flexibility in cartridge loading making the P10SE appropriate for most phono cartridges, including relatively low output moving coils, without the need for additional external step-up transformers..
The VK-P10 uses ten tubes in a balanced, zero-feedback topology. The Flying RIAA® network offers the benefits of fully differential operation to this equalization stage with minimal circuit complexity.
Low-output moving coil cartridges are touted as a specific strength of the VK-P10SE, and most work well in its "direct" mode. Built-in step-up transformers may be used for cartridges with lower output or to improve the noise floor. Internal switches allow cartridge loading for capacitance and resistance as well as providing low and high settings for preamplifier gain. Signal polarity is easily changed via a front-panel balanced phase reversal switch.
Great care is taken with vibration control including a massive resonance control that anchors the entire circuit assembly. Custom oil-filled signal capacitors are used throughout. Power supply regulation is handled through vacuum-tube constant current sources. Pure un-plated copper is used for all circuit board traces.
The Special Edition (SE) model incorporates numerous engineering improvements over the stock VK-P10. The first gain stage was revised to provide a substantially lower noise floor. Vishay resistors replace high quality metal film resistors in critical circuit areas. The output stage has been changed to incorporate a quartet of the high-gain 6C45 tubes. The 6C45s provide high current and low output impedance to create improved drive and transparency. The SE also features a power supply upgrade and SIX-PAK™ of output paper-in-oil capacitors (first employed in the reference VK-50SE line-stage)