opinion on electronics for Vandy 2Ce Sig


I recently sold some JM Labs and a reciever to move into some Vandys and...

Early this week I auditioned the Vandersteen 2Ce Sig. They will be mine, oh yes, they WILL be mine.
Shortly after Christmas, I will purchase a pair (here on audiogon probably) I need some opinions on electronics.

Budget = ~$1500
I need a pre and amp both. I can probably go a little higher, but lower the cost, the sooner I am listening.

Volume: Once in a while, I like to listen LOUD! I suspect that 100wpc won't be enough...perhaps I am wrong. Anyway, I DON'T want to run out of headroom.

Room: Strange...living room with 20ft vaulted ceilings, very oddly shaped and also open to the rest of the condo, but three steps down (sunken).

Music: I listen to everything, but I really like the double bass of bluegrass music, Knopfler's guitar, keys and horns of Steely Dan and Alison Krauss + Union Station's beautiful harmonies. When I auditioned the Vandys, I thought that the highs needed some more extention....dare I say a little more brightness. I don't want to loose that midbass though. The audition equip. was PS Audio CDP, Anthem pre/amp combo (not sure the model).

I will almost certianly buy used here on Audiogon.

Here are some brands I am considering in no particular order, and would like comments + suggestions: NOTE: I haven't heard ANY of this stuff, and since I am going to buy used, I won't have the ability to audition before I buy...it's going to come down to performance/price.

McCormack
Conrad Johnson
Musical Fidelity
Bryston
Classe
Aragon
Ayre
Rogue Audio

I am also not allergic to tubes, but my wife says she doesn't want 'test tube experiments' in the living room. It seems any tube gear would have to have a case, much to my dismay.

Any and all opinions are welcome, but please don't suggest other speakers. I sat in the audition chair for two hours with a big smile on my face, so they are definitely it as far as speakers go.

Thanks,
Z
zstokes

Showing 3 responses by bigtee

I will second the McCormack amp (either a DNA.5 or a DNA 1)Mate then with an Audible Illusions L-1 preamp(if you are using line source only) It is a tube preamp but it is fully encased. These components form an unbelievable synergy that will be hard to beat. I prefer the .5 @ 100w/ch 8 ohms BUT it doubles down to 200w/ch into 4 ohms. The Vandersteens dip to about 3.2 ohms so this should be more than enough power.
The Audible adds a little tube majic to the McCormack which can sound a touch thin in the mids. It also smooths out the tiny touch of roughness in the McCormack also.
One caveat about the Vandersteen's, they will NOT do low bass all that loud (about 90db) without muckin up. Don't be fooled to think they will. They are designed to be accurate reproducers of music(which they are) They are not rock speakers that are designed to shake the house. If you desire that, add a pair of 2Wq subs at some point.
You should be able to get both components for less than your budget. You will be well rewarded with high end sound.
When I was using the McCormack's (.5's) for biamping, I opened the top and soldered a piece of silver Wonder wire across the two inputs (hot center wire) You could then use the amps for this purpose without the degradation of a Y connector. It in NO way harms the amp and you certainly want have a warranty issues with amps of this age.

Unsound, why will you not get the benefits of biamping using the internal crossovers? They are designed for exactly this. I have discussed this with Richard at a seminar and I don't believe this is the case with these speakers.