2. amps-preamps
  3. 126015-86553

Finally stepping into the hobby after 30 years of watching from the sidelines

Ok, so I hope you are all ok with a longwinded post from a first time user of the forum.  I have been obsessed with vinyl and tubes since my dad played records for me as a 5 year old.  My wife and I are finally in a place that we can take the leap into the scene.  We want to grow our system over time and may even create 2-3 systems along the way as we have a bed and breakfast where we want to make analog part of the theme. 

We have made up our mind that our first speakers will be Vandersteen 2CE sigs.  That is about as far as we have gotten.  We definitely want to power them with tubes and have very little idea of where to start.  Obviously the mainstream option would be a Mcintosh mc275 and our local HiFi salesman would LOVE to sell us a pair of those.  However, we know that there are several cheeper/better options out there and would love some input from the board.  We'd like to keep the first amp under $3,000, but we aren't locked into that.  Keep in mind that we are ok starting with a single amp and then adding a second one along the way to mono them.  Also, we would love some help with a table/arm/cartridge!  One with an integrated phono stage is fine to start with and we would again be open to upgrading and adding a stand alone phono stage later on.  

We will be doing some electrical work soon to run a 40 amp fuse to the BnBs espresso machine and would be open to setting up a dedicated line for our main system at that time so that we can have clean power.  Has any one had any experience with this?  Any ideas or recommendations that you may have would be a big help here! 

Thank you all in advance, and we are really excited to finally be part of the scene! 
128x128cottguy

Showing 9 responses by gdnrbob

gdnrbob
4,411 posts
 
That is a large room for the Vandy 2's, I would consider getting the 3a sigs-at the least, with the 2w/wq subs. or the Quattros used. 
If you are set with the 2's, then get a pair of Vandy subs. For a room that size, you are going to need some bass augmentation.
For amps/preamps/DAC, I recommend McCormack, which pair nicely with Vandersteen's and don't cost an arm and a leg.
I would also contact Johnny R at Audioconnection, he is a Agon member, and a Vandy Dealer, and he won't steer you wrong.
(Audioconnection is his member name).
Bob
gdnrbob
4,411 posts
 
Cottguy, I, too, just started back into stereo after a long hiatus.
A lot has changed, but thanks to the internet, I have bought a pretty nice system 2nd hand, most of it bought here on Audiogon.
I, too, was afraid I might get scammed with defective merchandise, but to the contrary, Audiogon members, for the most part, are honest, stand up folk. Many will let you come to their homes and listen to the equipment before buying.
So, don't be afraid of buying used equipment. You can get great deals and save a ton of money-eventually getting a much higher end system than you would have if you bought new.
gdnrbob
4,411 posts
 
Cottguy, thanks for the kind words.
I still recommend McCormack for your peripherals, not Tube, but good sounding. And, they are the nicest people to deal with.
gdnrbob
4,411 posts
 
I think if you aren't getting subs, then a pair of Quattro's or Trio's would be a better move.
I own the 3a sigs and paired them with 2w subs. The 3a sigs by themselves sound pretty good, but a pair of subs really fleshes them out.
You could also buy a pair of HSU subs (or at least one). They come up for sale on Agon or Ebay. They are considerably less expensive and provide decent bass compared to the Vandy subs.
As I said before, you should contact Johnny Rutan at Audioconnections. He won't steer you wrong.
gdnrbob
4,411 posts
 
There will always be another 'deal'. Patience is a virtue when buying used.
I just scored a pair of Vandy VSM's on Ebay for $200 bucks.
Things just appear sometimes and you need to grab them before the next guy.
gdnrbob
4,411 posts
 
Well, if you are going with Vandersteen 3a sigs. I would suggest getting a McCormack amp. Steve McCormack uses Vandys and I can attest, they sound great.- And also in your price range.
If you want tubes, then Atma-Sphere would be my first choice.
gdnrbob
4,411 posts
 
For the cost of the fabric and hardware, I would use it to upgrade the system. 
I haven't been following the thread, but you mentioned the Vandy 2's originally. Why not get a pair of Quatto's used and go for Solid state amplification?
Sorry if I am missing later developments...
gdnrbob
4,411 posts
 
Facten, you just can't help yourself.
I said I was sorry if it wasn't prescient, but you have to be an a.. 
gdnrbob
4,411 posts
 
Great choice cottguy!
Enjoy.

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