2. amps-preamps
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Trying to extract more from my Vandersteen

I've come to the realization that my ideal system is always 2 steps ahead of whatever my current system is. I am only satisfied with whatever updgrade for a few months, before I convince myself that I need to upgrade again. This is as exciting as it is unsettling.

My current system is as follows:
Vandersteen 2CE sig
McCormack DNA-1 deluxe
TAD-150 sig tube preamp
Eastern Electric Minimax tube CDP
Blue circle Power cords
MIT IC's and speaker cables

I had spent the past two years building this current system, and I had been fairly happy with it. I thank this system for introducing me to the world of jazz. Switching to tubes really helped my Vandersteens "sing". I had entertained the thought of replacing the McCormack with a tube amp, such as TAD-60 or other equivalent, but I never did. I was happy with my system and figured it would remain intact for awhile.

Then something had to rain on my happiness or complaceny. Due to a busy work schedule, I was forced to do most of my music listening either in my office through my old NHT and all rotel setup or at home through my Sennheiser headphones. After a couple months of this, I finally had time to do some listening through my main system. It had never been apparent to me before, but all the music coming out of the Vandersteens sounded "veiled". Before, I purchased my vandies, I read and heard all the criticisms regarding this "veiled" or "shrouded" sound. I never felt this was true about my vandersteen's until now.

So instead of making generalizations, I figure this is a good opportunity to "improve" my system. I am still more than happy with the soundstage, midrange clarity, and bass dynamics. Perhaps what I want to improve is higher frequency extension.

All this being said, I welcome all recommendations and comments that need not be limited to the following topics:

tube-rolling...

Pre-amp...
Any recommendations on pre-amps (tube or SS)?
How about a passive unit (Sonic Euphoria, Placette, Mccormack TLC)?

cables...
anyone recommend Purist?

Amp...
Any good integrated's out there?
What do you think about the Eastern Electric Integrated?
How about Krell KAV 400xi? For that matter, how does Krell match with Vandersteens?

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to reading your comments.

Drew
drewyou
samhar
1,048 posts
 
I have 3A sigs and one sub was "OK" but two are so much better, the speakers open up in this configuration, it was as if they were holding their breath then exhaled and took a relaxed breath and started breathing normally! If you can afford the second sub get it the improvement is well worth the price!
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Two subs is unquestionably the way to go with 2s and 3s; eseentially what you get when you buy Quattros or 5s.
rodman99999
5,984 posts
 
Drewyou- Now for the icing on the cake: Replace the 6922 tubes in your CDP with a pair of Siemens E188CC's, 7308's or CCa's. If you shop for the CCa's: be certain they are from the 60's(grey plate below getter support), as the later versions are very strident. I've got a matched NOS pair of ECC801S tubes that I'm willing to let you try in your TAD, for an opinion(no risk, or charge). E-mail me if you're interested in the experiment/experience.
drewyou OP
24 posts
 
Update: My system was out of commission for the past 6 months, due to the left channel going out in my McCormack amp. After some discussion with the folks out at SMcAudio, I decided to have my amp fixed there and upgraded to "Silver" (similar to the older Rev B upgrades).

Oh man, what a difference the upgrade made to my system. EVERYTHING improved. Clarity, soundstaging, bass response/tightness... let's just say I am now a very happy owner of a decent reasonably affordable stereo system. Now I wonder what could have been if I had taken the Gold or Platinum upgrade, but being recently married, my budget was capped.

Another issue I've been dealing with is room size as I have moved to a new place, and my dedicated listening room is approx 13 x 13. After some ordeal, I ended up setting up my system diagonally. This seemed to be a great improvement over setting up along one of the walls. 2wq sub placement was difficult indeed. I pretty much slid the sub above every square foot of the room to find the best performance. I ended up placing it in a corner along the foundation wall of the house.

I'm looking to get into room treatment... anyone have any suggestions?
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Diagonal placement was fairly commonplace at RMAF, and there are theories supporting this kind of placement. Good and affordable room treatment can be had at acoustimac.com
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