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About to audition Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Grand Reference - advice?

Hi,
I have been listening to Aerial Acoustics 7Bs ( 86 dB sensitivity) for nearly 20 years.  About to audition the VA Beethoven Grand Reference.  90 dB sensitivity.  $12k.  I have a Balanced Audio Technology VK75SE - 75 watts.  700 Joules of power.
Question #1: I always felt the Aerials were under powered.  I'm going to hear the VA BGR with a Pass amp -- not tubes.  Does anyone have any LISTENING experience with this new speaker using 75 watts of tube power?
Question #2: Suggestions for speakers in the $8-12K range ... good for full orchestra (think Mahler 5th), jazz (HHancock, Miles, FHubbard etc), female vocals and 70s rock (Zep, AC/DC, Neil, Yes, Genesis).  Aesthetics are VERY important.  And space is an issue, so no large panels.
Thanks.

Joe
jmfawdofile

Showing 3 responses by steve59

steve59's avatar
steve59
1,842 posts
 
I love the beethovens, but I can’t justify paying new prices when used gear thats in great shape can be had for a fraction. 
I used a Krell kav300il, anthem 225i, and a hegel h360. Mine are the 2 woofers and 2 mids in the 2nd version which I believe is the same size cabinet as the grand. I could hear improvements with the krell and hegel but they always sounded good. 
steve59's avatar
steve59
1,842 posts
 
The new VA's have maintained the older models musicality while overcoming the dynamic compression the earlier models suffered from. I love it when VA's are parked next to Kef or Revel, two companies steep in the science of sound because more often than not these awful measuring speakers leave the competition for dead in a listening demo. 

As for bringing up Verity, Devore or any other brand after the OP stated on HIS thread he already bought his speakers, why? kicking sand? go start your own thread about how great your speakers are.
steve59's avatar
steve59
1,842 posts
 
that was harsh.
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