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
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.
bigtee
803 posts
 
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.
unsound
7,311 posts
 
Bigtee, I did not say there weren't benefits. I said you wouldn't get all the benefits. Having the (active) crossovers before the amps will allow the amps to work more efficently.
troutki
40 posts
 
I have auditioned the Vandersteen 2ce sig several times with Rouge equipment and was blown away. The imaging and staging was out of this world. In fact, I pretty much use that experience as a bench mark of where I want to move to when I do drop the coin for new mains.

http://www.rogueaudio.com/Products_88.htm

Each time I heard them mated to the 88 with various sources.
lasvegasjeff
4 posts
 
kt-88,

i think quicksliver mono ( kt88's) are a WONDERFUL match with the vandersteens.

the vandies are a great match with tubes however...i didnt suggest them due to maintance. they are a very rugged design and reliable.

however, i was under the impression he was looking for solid state.

in regards to the pse's studio v's being to polite....hummm..

what was the associated gear ?

they are very, very neutral in character and are known to be extremely dynamic. if they sounder polite, chances are they were used with a laid back source and pre.

they are often referred to as "the poor mans levinson".

audioconnection is a dealer in nj and they can be auditioned there, he is also a vandersteen dealer.

i found out about pse studio v's through richard vandersteen. he was the one who turned them on to me, and i have been a believer ever since.

many pre,cd's speakers and cables have come and gone over the years. the only piece that has been consistant is the pse studio v's.

hope that helps !!

mike
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