The latest version of the VK-655SE monoblock amplifiers ($33,000/pair) from BAT (Balanced Audio Technology) may have been out for awhile, but CES marked their first appearance at any show. A dual-mono design available in both stereo and monoblock configurations, the amp exuded beautiful tube-like warmth (without the use of tubes) on a recording of Tchaikovsky's Symphony 6, with TAD loudspeakers.
For this, credit is undoubtedly due its second-generation, oil-filled Super-caps, the use of only two gain blocks, and the absence of feedback. As Geoff Poor explained, "Our amp is linear in amplitude and time from the noise floor to full output. Rather than using negative feedback to lower distortion, we've simplified our technology and use N-channel MOSFETs to do the same thing. This is what we do in our top-of-the-line Rex products." The amp outputs 360Wpc into 8 ohms, or 600Wpc (stereo) into 4.
