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Want something more forgiving than Vandy 3a sigs

I think Mike Fremer's comment about the Vandersteen Quatros, in his Stereophile review, applies to the Vandersteen 3a sigs: "...treble performance may strike some as being too honest...". I'm one of those "some." We all know that a lot of source material out there suffers from some degree of treble emphasis. I listen to a wide range of classical and jazz recordings, and, even after a fair degree of experimentation with cables, pre-amps, and amps, I've been unable to come up with a combination that is sufficiently "forgiving" to allow me to listen, easily and comfortably, to as much of the source material that I want to hear on my Vandys. In particular, I'm often disappointed with orchestral string sound...and indeed, have figured out, with this experience, that massed strings are quite difficult to record well. My system starts with a Linn CD12. I've tried PSE, GNSC-modified ARC LS-15, Cary SLP2002, and am working with a Cary SLP98 now on the pre-amp side; and have tried a VTL ST150, a BEL1001, and an ARC VT100 MKIII on the amp side. I've used various Audioquest, Kimber, BEL, and Purist Audio cable, and am happiest with Cardas Cross and Golden Cross (to which I was led by things I read on this Forum). All of that is good gear, some of it more top-focused than others. None of it has been able to give me as consistently as warm and "lush" a listening experience as I think I ought to be able to find, and this is especially true with orchestral music. Probably not surprisingly, the Cary 2002 combined with the ARC VT-100 has leaned closest to the right direction. (Let me hasten to add, though, that a really well-recorded chamber music or jazz CD will often sound terrific with most of this equipment and the Vandys.) (I should also add that I came to the 3a sigs from the 2ce sigs, which I also felt were capable of being a bit unforgiving, frankly.)

Within Texas, where I live (and where I would prefer to buy), I've figured out that some options include Sonus Faber Cremonas, Audio Physic Scorpios, Wilson Benesh Circles (I think) and not much else (of which I am aware)that will fit into the room without creating domestic discomfort. (My wife thinks the Vandy's are too big as it is.)

Any ideas out there about the speakers mentioned, other speakers, or possibly electronics?
eweedhome

Showing 1 response by fjn04

fjn04
1,561 posts
 
Verity Parsifal,used around 7K. Rockport Mira, new around
13k but have never seen them used. There is something
utterly right sounding with the upper frequncies of the
Parsifal. I have heard some of the more expensive Rockports
and they also had that effect on me. The Mira may not have
the Esotar tweeter though, so I am not sure there as I
have not heard that one. The only thing that made me sell
the Parsifal was wanting more speaker as far as filling
the room with sound , moving more air... I have no direct
experience with the 3A but own the 5A. I am in the process
of trying to get the most from them. I have not yet equaled
the sound of the Verity as far as texture in the vocals and
just kind of falling in to it and forgetting the system.
In fairness to the 5A, I am not using the Tenor 75 which
may very well have everything to do with this. I hope this
helps as I do think it would be hard to go wrong with Veritys. I definitely foung them to be too warm with the
likes of Cardas GC and C-J amplification. They are a first
class company as well.
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