I have been interested in getting a tube integrated and have had my eye on a Rogue Cronus Magnum II. Now with that being said what could I expect sonically from each amp?
The marantz has been an excellent integrated but I don't see a lot of vandersteen owners running Marantz gear. Just wondering if there isn't good synergy with the two. |
So I'm getting the feeling my Marantz is not going to bring out the best in the vandys. I would have no problem replacing my integrated with something more suitable if it will be an improvement and not just a lateral move. I would also prefer to stay with an integrated solid state or tube. |
Thanks everyone who has chimed in on this discussion, every bit of information has been very welcomed. mesch- a phono stage is important because this is a system I'm trying to build around analog, hence the reason I'm interested in a tube integrated. This will be my first foray into analog& tubes since I was a kid. |
I think I will hold on to the marantz and see how it goes and search for a tube integrated and compare the two. It's funny how you get older and your taste change. I listed to vandys a few times in the past and didn't care for the laid back sound but now having a chance to listen to them again i really enjoyed them. So here I am completely changing audio directions. Irritates my non audiophile wife. |
Stewert0722- funny you mentioned the parasound and hegel units because I've had my eye on those two for awhile now. So....do vandys tend to have better synergy with solid state or tube amplification in your opinion?
This was supposed to be my first foray into a tube/ analog waters because I was thinking the vandys would be a good fit. But after reading everyone's suggestions I could go either SS or tube and be very happy. Banging my head against the wall.lol |
Thank you for the reassurance. I get to reading all these forums and reviews I get so paranoid I might make a wrong choice that I find myself constantly going in circles. Kinda takes the fun out of shopping for new equipmnt.lol |
OK you got my attention with the Arc vsi60. I will be doing some research on it. Thanks everyone! |
Does the vsi60 have a phono stage? I was really hoping to integrate a turntable. |
I know it's been awhile since I posted anything but life got in the way. In my pursuit of the vandersteens I came across a very well cared for pair of vandy 2s. I picked them up for $350 which I feel was a bargain. I felt at that price I could get 90% of what the sig. IIs would give me. I figured I could set them up and see if they play nice with my gear and room. So far so good, so much so I'm not sure I would benefit from spending the extra $2000 for the sig II.
So my question is do you think jumping up to the signature II would be the more substantial improvement or would the money be better spent improving things down the audio food chain? |
JohnnyR thank you for chiming in on this thread. Many people praise Your knowledge when it comes to Vandersteens and the associated equipment that work best with them so I appreciate the time you took to point out my inaccuracies regarding the older vandys.
My reasoning for purchasing them was i figured I could at least get a sense of what the vandys would sound like in my room with my current equipment. If all is well my intention was to purchase the newest version Vandersteens.
Update: got the older vandys set up and all was good the first night, however the the next night I went to listen and my left channel was half the volume of the right channel. Reversed the cables to check if it was the speakers but the problem was consistent with the other speaker. Just to make sure I reconnected my Paradigms and sure enough something happened to my left channel. Any idea what happened and how to go about fixing it? |
I swapped out the amp and everything worked fine. I started the process switching cables,swapping out speakers,checked cables and yes even balance controls. |
Jafant- that's a bold statement would you care to elaborate?
Anyone have any idea what might have happened to my pm8004? And if it would be worth servicing thanks. |
I am planning on upgrading both the speakers and amp but I decided to do this over time instead all at once so I guess what I'm trying to decide is which to start with.
Has anyone had any experience with David Belles amps? The integrated was suggested by JohnnyR ? I've looked up the dealership directory and the closest dealer is over three hours away. |
Well I took the marantz in for service only to find out it will be four weeks before he can get it on the bench.
As you know by my previous post I acquired a used pair of Vandersteen 2s. So what I'm contemplating is do I repair the marantz and keep the older vandys or buy the the newer sig IIs.Or replace the marantz and keep the older vandys only to purchase the newer Vandersteen later?
Used Arc vsi60 or the new Bells Arial which would you choose?
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Mesch- I appreciate you hanging in on the thread. I am sold on the Vandersteens and will eventually purchase the sig II in the not so distant future. My dilemma is the integrated amp. I'm really interested in the vsi60 and the belles aria but neither are at my disposal to listen to. It would require a day trip or weekend. So any and all recommendationsorts are very much welcome.
2psyop- thank you for throwing another option my way. I will definitely look into line magnetic. Thanks |
JohnnyR- what was it about the belles that inspired your client to trade in the vsi60? I have looked into the Belles Aria and I have to say it has my attention, so much so I am seriously thinking of purchasing one. Now I just need to find a dealer reasonably close. I was really thinking I wanted to go the tube route but from what I have been reading from all who have posted Vandersteens sound beautifully with SS amps just as well.
Stewart0722- I loved the set up. Hoping to emulate that in my space. I'm just not sure I'm ready for tube amplification yet, I still have little ones around and my fear they will be drawn to those beautiful glowing tubes. |
