2. amps-preamps
  3. 144193-10135

Integrated recommendation with Vandersteen 2C

System is in second bedroom. Perhaps no ideal for 2C’s, but it is what it is. They are approx 12-16” from back wall and 7ft apart. I sit 7ft away. Room is 11x14ish. Budget is $1,000 or less. Maybe up to $1,200 if there is a significant jump in performance. Music I listen to is electronic, rock and pop. Some classical, but not a lot. I’ve been thinking maybe a Creek Destiny? Or perhaps, Krell S300i? Not KAV-300i. Just recently sold it, along with the matching 250cd player. KAV-300i way too bassy. Need something open and detailed with low bass detail, but balanced. Read the Creek Destiny review on Stereophile and it favors very well in being neutral, clean and very transparent. Speaker cable is Mogami 3082. Also have AQ CV-4 if needed in the end. Interconnects are mogami as well.  
jsbach1685

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drew_k
34 posts
 
+1 on the proper stands - don’t bother with anything else until you get those sound anchors.  Think of it as a component upgrade, because the difference between having them on the stands and on the floor is at least one component difference.  Dialing them in properly is another component upgrade.

On the integrated front, I had a pair of 2CE Sigs with a SimAudio I-5080 (similar to the I-3 which replaced it).  It’s very fast, clean, but cool.  Holographic soundstage with the Vandys, but again, not at all warm.  In your budget, how about a used Rogue Cronus?   The other integrated amp I liked with the Vandys that is now long out of business and hard to find - Magnum Audio IA 170 SE.  Spectacular, warm, detailed, rare, hard to find now.  If you can find one, it would be well under your budget.  They were like $650 new.
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