2. amps-preamps
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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 4 responses by kt_88

kt_88
242 posts
 
McCormack would defintely light up the Vandersteens, with say a Rouge 66 pre. But I personaly would try to find a Classe 100 watt amp if there was one available. It won't be easy as I see very few pass through audiogon.

You didn't mention your source? Tubes can play loud, if you like mid-range you may consider going with a tube pre. If you talk to Richard Vandersteen, he will steer you in the direction of tubes. I remeber a conversation I was having with him in which I told him I was switching from my 60 watt tube amps ( on 3a's ) to a 200 watt SS amp. He was not in favor of the move at all. To the best of my knowledge Vandersteen tests there speakers on Quicksilver Audio amps. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

But still without spending time with your listening experience, it's hard to say from here what will work.......
kt_88
242 posts
 
Zstokes,

All the preamps you mentioned do not expose the tubes. So I geuss I'm confused..... You seem decided on a SS amp. So you won't have a problem with the wife.
kt_88
242 posts
 
Mikesinger,

You definetly offered the other end of the SS world with the PSE. I auditioned them early on in my SS days, just about 1 week before I auditioned a McCormack DNA-1 " All on Vandersteen speakers by the way "

While I considered the McCormack brought the music too far forward ( for me ) I thought the PSE's were " to polite for the Vandersteen's " In fact I thought 60 watts tubes added more to the music than the PSE's But who knows?

Zstokes if you want you can e-mail me privately.
kt_88
242 posts
 
Lasvegasjeff,

That's the trouble of these posts:::: Opinions vary like the changing wind. What you like, I may not like, what you listen for, I may not. Then someone says something about someone else's favorite gear, and we can have a shooting match.

I was posting to Zstokes based on what he was saying. And also my experience of listening to what people were trying to achieve. I wanted to offer an all tube choice becuase to me tube is much more satisfing. And also I find people who want at least a tube front end will quickly find that an all tube system will work for them. I myself will gladly sacrifice a little bottom end slam, for something I can listen to all day.

My comments about PSE were based on my experience. I was using CJPV10, Melos 333, and VAC CLP at the time for my auditioning. Along with a Muse model 2 ( I believe ) dac I was auditioning a McCormack DNA-1, Classe 100 watt ( sorry forgot, but it was the current model ) as well as the PSE. Up agianst these other amps the PSE was " polite "

I have talked with Fat John @ Audio Connection www.audioconnect.com a # of times. In fact he was one of the people who recomended Quicksilver ad Vandersteen to me. He also advised me to listen to PSE, ( which by the way is in my town of Minneapolis )

As to the KT88 amps by Quciksilver, I don't think they are worth the money. That is assuming you are talking about the version built in the early 90's. When I went down the Quicksilver trail. I had several conversations with Mike Sanders. He steered me clear of the KT88's, and at the time said even the M60's would be a better choice.
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