Amps to use with Von Schweikert VR4jr's

Next question...how much are you looking at spending??? Sorry, I should have asked that before!!!

I'm hoping to get by with something in the 3-6 K area used.

I have the 4 Jrs for a few months now and have learned a few things about them. I first had them in a smallish room, 13x18x9, this is where I broke them in for 500 or so hours. I did a lot of listening along the way. I had them there with either the Pass Aleph 2s or the Linn Classik. In my opinion neither have enough power for the Jrs to really come to life. The bass was rather overbearing in the smallish room, though I didn't spend a lot of time tweaking them since I knew once I broke them in I would be moving them to the larger living room.

The room they are in now is 18x26x8 and opens up to a stairwell and kitchen. That maked the volume of this room huge. In this room I don't feel like the Jrs can fill a room of this size with deep bass. They aren't terrible, just a little light on the bottom. Here I started with an Innersound ESL 300 amp, which obviously took a lot more control over the Jrs and led me to believe that the Jrs definately like power. The bass with the ESL 300 is tight and punchy, but like much solid state gear seemed to be just a bit sterile or cold sounding to my ear.

Next I decided to pick up a set of VTL 450 tube monos. These give me the tube magic I love, but definately reduce bass slam, and if anything may seem a bit more bright on top than the ESL 300, though overall they seem less fatiguing. I prefer the 450s to the ESL 300 overall. I am using a CJ Premier 17Ls linestage which is known to be a little soft in the bass, so that could be part of the problem. As is I would feel the need for a sub or to try a different pre/amp combination.

My next choice would be to try out the Paransound Halo JC1s, I have a hunch these might sound really good with the Jrs. Thats what I would try in your situation, or if you seem to get plenty of bass in your room, then you might consider some of the more powerful tube amps like the CJ 140s, Antique Sound Lab Hurricanes or even big VTLs. If are thinking Pass I wouldn't reccomend the Aleph series, unless you are thinking of the 1.2s.

Have you filled yours with lead shot? Did it strengthen or weaken the bottom if so?

-Ryan

I've got the VR-4 GEN III SEs and have tried a number of amps with them, including the Spectron MIII and JC-1s mentioned above. As Dan stated it comes down to personal preference. I had trouble relaxing with the Spectron MIII. It is very detailed, almost artificially so to my ears. The JC-1s on the other hand was more natural and relaxed sounding, and threw a larger soundstage. They also have seemingly limitless reserves of power with the VR-4s. I have since switched to tubes and currently drive my VR-4s with a CJ PR140. It does not have the slam of the MIII or JC-1s, but it does have a well controlled and tight bottom end. Vocals and intruments with the CJ just sound more life like to me, and as a result I feel more involved in the music. In the end there is no substitute for listening to these amps in your own system. But if you have the room the JC-1s would be worth a try if tubes are not a consideration.

If you are interested in a pair of JC-1's (which I use with my VR4 Gen III SE's), let me know. I may be selling, and if I do I will give you a good price. It was actually Tom, I believe, who got me to try the JC-1's (Thanks Tom). Tom is correct that you will find it takes some juice to really drive the Von's. I am considering going to an effienct speaker (Db99's).