Speaker Recommendations - from Vandersteen 5As


I have been using Vandersteen Model 5 speakers in my system with excellent results.  I like the open sound, balanced top to bottom sound, sound stage 3D dimension, and having deep bass that is adjustable.  They really have a huge sound that is also very musical.  I used to own Alon V MKII speakers and the Alnico mid-range driver produced a better mid-range sound  compared to the Vandersteens in that one aspect.  That mid-range was just pure magic and the Alons had more impact but were not close to being as balanced of a speaker.  I recently sold my older model 5s because I got a great deal on a much better cosmetic condition Vandersteen model 5As.  To me the 5As just don't sound like my old model 5s.  I have not really had the chance to play around with them that much and my system unfortunately changes in some ways because my Audiomeca CD transport bit the dust.  That was one hell of a great sounding CDT.

I am looking in the $7500 price range and usually purchase used.  I have plenty of dealers in the NYC area that I can visit and people that I know so I will be taking the time to take a look around.  I do like the size of the Vandersteen 5s so that if something I would be considering.  I was thinking of a short list and thought Verity Parsifals, Sonus Faber, Legacy, DeVore, etc.  I tend to focus on piano so I need a speaker that really can produce that sound first before I look elsewhere.  I probably lean towards a musical sound maybe slightly warm, open on top with air.  I can adjust the sound by changing caps and resistors in my components so I guess I just need a balanced sounding speaker with a great mid-range that can also product deep bass.  

Also note that I build my own DAC (separate power supply), preamp (separate power supply) and power amp so I can build anything for any speaker.  Right now my DAC is a DHT design, preamp 6SN7 design and amp is a hybrid 6SN7 design.  My system is dead quiet and the components are reference quality compared to the best that I have compared them to at local dealer showrooms.  I only spin CDs right now through a transport and I am using a Metronome CD1A  transport with a separate power supply.

So knowing that I am in the NYC area, what speakers in the price range should be on my short list to go our and hear?

I probably sound like an A-hole but I would really like some recommendations.  If you are in the local area, I would enjoy the company if you are interested.  I'll buy the pizza and beer!

Thanks and Happy Listening.
bigkidz

Showing 19 responses by bigkidz

Thanks for the great recommendations - responses so far.

I know John at AC very well.  My 5As are just not balanced sounding like my 5s were.  Like I said, I need to play around with them a little more.  I know John would come out and help me when I am ready.  I have really not Ventured out to hear speakers in quit a while so I figured now would be the best time.

I had partnered my equipment with GT Audio here in New Jersey. His speakers are fantastic sounding if I wanted to to more towards electrostatics.

My equipment is on listed here on Audiogon.  I make components so there is nothing out there that really competes with what I have for DAC, Preamp or power amp. 

I have also heard the ProAcs at Audio Connection and they IMO they did not compete with the Vandersteens.  Like I said, my system has changed slightly since the 5s so I need to get back to that system to really evaluate the 5As.

@gdnrbob are you in NYC or the area?  Let me know and we can schedule a play date!
@gdnrbob,

Are you a member of the NY Audio Syndrome Audio Group?  Steve is the dealer for the speakers.  If you want to go hear them, let me know and I will meet you there.  If you check out the prior two Capital Audio Fests, they used my DAC with an Esoteric CDP as a transport. I am off the week of August 26th if you have a day you can break free.

I will hook up them 5As again this weekend.  I have an Agon member that I have been friends with for a long time coming in from Ohio.  He has my DAC in his system also.  He heard the 5s in my system at the beginning of this year and freaked out about the sound of my system.  He wanted me to build him an amp.  Funny thing is that the amp is way more improved now versus back then.  I rebuilt the amp form top to bottom all point-to-point wired, etc.

Let me know.

Peter


@nrenter No I am not sure.  I used an oscillating sweeping tone and confirmed that all of the drivers are working.  The one sub-amp has a blown capacitor and resistor but it still works.  I have to order those parts and repair that sub amp (this weekend?).  The sub amps do not seem as powerful as my older 5s for some reason. Again I will play around with them over this weekend.  I just finished moving all the gear round so I can get to everything very easily now. If I cannot get them set-up to sound like what I had, I will contact Johnny R to come over for a visit.  He actually knows the person I purchased the speakers from.  That person purchased the model 7s.  I don't know how to test the x-overs so I may have to take them out and send them to Richard V. I am hoping that I don't have to do that.  I also had built my own HP filters that sounded much better than the original Vandersteens HP filters that I used and sold with the 5s so I have ordered the parts to make them again.  That will make a sonic improvement also.

Thanks

Thanks please keep your comments coming.

@stringreen thanks for that info.  The 5As are in excellent cosmetic condition not like my 5s which were in pretty bad cosmetic condition.  My audio pal is on his way from Ohio today so we will have a go at this all weekend and see what we can figure out.  I can repair any audio component and I repaired the 5 amps when I purchased them.  The batteries I can do myself but they were replaced not to long ago.  I am hoping to get them running the way they should be as I did really like the 5s.  In fact my 5s sounded better than what I was hearing at dealerships!  I will run through it all again and see what happens.  I also will go out to hear what is out there just to see if I find something that interests me.


 

@kren0006 what Vandersteens did you compare them to?  I may be able to hear the Spenders this coming weekend along with Legacy.  Thanks for the update info also.  Can you be more specific why you preferred the Spenders vs. Vandy?  I have only heard the older Spender speakers but they always produced a very musical sound.
@daverz the HP filters I built are the same as the originals but I upgraded the capacitor and resistors  I have dip switches in the ones I built also.  I added he picture to my system here on audiogon.  I know who tot set them up properly.  I will be playing around with them this weekend.


So far this weekend I am thinking that the sub-amps are not working properly.  Turned up to full volume they should be shaking my house but they are not.  One has a pop when you plug it in and the other has a blown cap and resistor so that pop come on after about 30 seconds.  I am going to have to remove them and go through them.  The top end sounds really good so far.
John I will give you a call or stop by hopefully this week.  This weekend I was able to reassemble my system to where it was with the 5s.  They sounded much better.  I may have an issue with the sub-amps.  I think they are supposed to be 400 watts each.  I do not think I cm getting that type of output right now.
@audioconnection Johnny will you be getting in the new model Vandersteen that sort of replaces the model 5s?  I think the name is Kento???
Thanks JohnnyR.  I sold the homebrew non-battery bias hi-pass units when I sold the 5s.  I am using the original Vandersteen filters that I have always owned.  When I had the 5s we compared the homebrewed to the originals and the originals did not perform as well.  I will build another pair and we can compare them in the future when I get around to it.  I will take a look at the amps and if necessary, we can send them to Vandersteen.  I always appreciate your professionalism and being there when needed.
OK who wants to meet at JohnnyR's the week of August 25th?  What day and time?
@audioconnection 

@ctsooner 

@twoleftears 

@gdnrbob


@gbnrbob I can bring anything you guys want to hear.  Johnny R has heard my DAC.
@gdnrbob if John will allow that, we could do that or I can give you one of the prototypes for you to take home and listen. What are you using as a source transport or something else?  Remember that we are playing in a much higher price point with top tier DACs Bricsati, etc.
OK gentlemen, Who can make the last Saturday in August the 31st to meet a Audio Connection?  I need to know whom will be coming so that I can work out the details with Johnny R.  I will buy the pizza.
@mr_m come on, just book a fight now with all the rewards miles you have been hoarding! 
@MR_M I don't have a miles card so I cannot help you but hey maybe some others here can help you out?  Come-on folks help out Mr_M get to Audio Connection.  Can we set up a GO Fund Miles website?
Same here.  The sub had great tone but may have been slightly exaggerated.  Room, set-up,???   The Aurender also sounded very nice witht eh Codex.  Hopefully we can set up another date so more people can come.