Holy Cow. My Vandersteen Treo's sound like new..


speakers. I love the Treo's. I want the Quatro CT's. I just plugged in my Ayre AX-5 Twenty (the dealer burned it in for me) and HOLY COW.....I've never heard an integrated do what this amp can do. It woke up the Treo's and they really didn't need to be awaken. The bass is SOLID....Tuneful...you can hear each and ever note just as solid and in space as any other part of the spectrum. The soundstage and imaging is huge on the cuts that are produced that way and small and intimate on those that are supposed to be. I loved the AX5 before it was sent back to upgrade to the Twenty, but THIS IS SICK.... It's a totallly new amp. I will share more as I get the time, but I'm in shock as to what my system now looks like. Thanks Johnny Rutan at Audio Connection for forcing me to audition the Vandersteens even though I didn't want to. I'm willing to sell my Treo's now as I want the Quatro's....This is like crack......;)
ctsooner
I really feel that most audiophiles forget the preamp and amp. I really feel that folks think that going direct from digital sounds better than going through a good pre and personally, when you have a strong pre it usually sounds better. Most digital companies don't really get the volume control right. That may just be me, but if you have a good sounding pre, it probably (not always) sounds best).

JMHo
Ctsooner

I'd like to branch this thread to include a conversation of the Vandersteen Quattro.

You seem to have a lot of experience listening to various models of Vandersteens and like you I am a fan of their sound in general. Also like you I am interested in the Quattro. Have you had a chance to compare the older Quattro to the newer CT version? I understand you have the regular Treos and have become smitten with the CT upgrades. I have an opportunity to buy an older version of the Quattro but will be unable to compare the older and newer versions side by side. In your opinion, how significant are the differences between to older and newer models of this speaker? Thank
There is no comparison needed because the CT tweeter is in another world. The older Quatro will have an advantage in the bass but from 80Hz on up the Treo CT will smoke the old Quatro Wood. Moving up to the Quatro CT of course would be a new ball game.
Best, JohnnyR
Vandersteen Dealer
Thanks Johnny. The CT upgrades to me are not subtle. The Treo that I am now going to sell is incredible but I have to have the Quattro CT as its in a different league. I have more experience with the 5 CT and 7's than I do the Quattro but have loved the sound of the wood quattros since they came out. That's why I went with the Treo. I can live with these for a very long time but I am able to make the upgrade so for me it makes sense. Someone will get a good deal on the Treo,s that's for sure lol. Have heard all Vandys excel with Ayre, AR, Aesthetix, Rogue! Quicksilver and the list goes on. Rare that a speaker can sound great with nearly anything thrown its way. You can always hear the differences in components. Much of that is probably lack of smearing