Review: BAT VK-80i & Perlisten S4b

The Home Media team have been experimenting with BAT (Balanced Audio Technology), an amplifier brand new to our ears, and more specifically their VK-80i integrated amplifier. We tasked Harry, our youngest member of the Home Media line up, with testing it out for a review… read on for his thoughts…

Last week, I sat down to listen to a rather ornate-looking amplifier – the BAT VK-80i. For those who haven’t heard of this brand before, they are an American company based out of Delaware whose primary expertise is in the field of valve technology, from which the VK-80i is derived. The VK-80i represents the entry point into the brand’s integrated range, though I wouldn’t at all let that detract from its appeal. It’s all about the sound at the end of the day, and this is something BAT have nailed with this product. 

Before this point, my initial preconceptions of valve amplifiers were that they were slower and somewhat less sophisticated in their sound presentation than their transistor counterparts; however, after only a couple of minutes into listening to the VK-80i, I realised how wrong I was. 

Before I speak about the VK-80i’s sonic performance, we must talk about its impressive build. In terms of the packaging, it’s quite the centrepiece. Certainly, something of a talking point for when your friends come over to admire your latest mad hi-fi purchase. The finishing is completed to a nice standard, and the presentation of the valves protruding from the casing is really quite striking. My only criticism of its aesthetics is the very bright blue screen, although there is a dimming function on the metal bodied remote control. Minor gripe aside, it’s all very well put together and aesthetically pleasing. 

For this trial, I paired the VK-80i with a pair of Perlisten S4b speakers, which are a very honest and neutral-sounding option. The first thing I noticed that was enhanced by the VK-80i was the bass. Whilst to me, the S4bs have plenty of bass weight, their frequency extension doesn’t go as low as some in terms of sub-bass. When paired with the BAT, I felt it enhanced the bass overall. Not once was it overpowering; it was just right, sounding much more impressive and alive than I had previously heard from the Perlistens. Personally, I feel the strongest point of the S4bs’ sound signature is the midrange, which is something that the VK-80i, once again, just further added to. I felt that it gave further refinement to the midrange of the S4bs, and at no point did I feel fatigued when listening. Of course, it is widely known that valves do have a smoother, more easy-going sound than traditional transistors, but I was really shocked at the VK80i’s balance of smoothness whilst maintaining speed – from what I’ve heard before, it didn’t sound any slower than other transistor amplifiers in its price category. Finally, the treble. Much like the midrange, it was never once fatiguing. It sounded very natural and balanced with all the other frequencies, while still maintaining the utmost detail. I am quite sensitive to treble, and I find it can be quite overpowering in some systems, but the VK-80i seemed to add this extra level of smoothness and refinement to the speakers that I hadn’t previously heard. Even at high volumes, the VK-80i didn’t once make my ears ring; for me, there isn’t any hint of harshness to it. 

So, there’s a brief write-up on how I felt about this box of tricks from BAT. The VK-80i is certainly something worth taking a look at if you want something that’s smooth and easy going, without compromise in speed or loss of detail. Having heard this the entry point into the brand, I can safely say that I am very intrigued as to what the rest of the range offers. It’s a real stand-out product!