Action-packed super hero

Boasting extraordinary power with exquisite tube finesse, BAT’s new VK-3500 integrated matches the brand’s REX 3 triode preamp with a beefy solid-state output

DETAILS

PRODUCT Balanced Audio Technology VK-3500

ORIGIN USA

TYPE Hybrid integrated amplifier

WEIGHT 22.7 kg

DIMENSIONS (WxHxD) 483 x 146 x 394mm

FEATURES

Quoted power output: 2x 150W (8ohm)

Connections: 2x RCA; 1x MM/MC phono stage; 2x XLR; RCA tape loop

DISTRIBUTOR Karma-AV

WEBSITE balanced.com karma-av.co.uk

Even without the ‘BAT’ logo conjuring images of Gotham City’s caped crusader, the design of Balanced Audio Technology’s latest integrated amplifier has a purposeful, high-quality look and feel. There’s an argument that the appearance of a hi-fi product is unimportant, but at this price you expect some attention to detail and craftsmanship – and that’s precisely what you get. Of the silver and black finish options, the latter is the obvious choice if you really want to emphasise the Dark Knight vibe.

The amp arrived this year as part of a wave of products celebrating BAT’s 25th anniversary. The £13,000 VK-3500 replaces the outgoing VK-3000SE (launched in 2014) meaning it is still the only hybrid model in the Wilmington, Delaware company’s stable. The claimed 150W into 8ohm loads power output matches BAT’s solid-state VK-255SE power amplifier, and comfortably exceeds the specification of its all-tube power amps and integrateds.

Strictly analogue