Amplifier for Vandersteen 3A sigs?


Any advice for an amplifier for Vandersteen 3A sigs? I hear great things about McCormack DNA 125 amps? McCormack pre amp as well? Is integrated amp out of the question for these speakers? I'm not very saavy with high end equipment and not familiar with components and matching them. Also is there any restrictions with these speakers and proximity to an LCD TV?
timberman
Timberman- there is another thread running right now on this issue, run a search on VAndersteen and you will find it.
i have a pair of 2ce sigs. tried a proceed heavyweight. better was c-j mf2200, added a bit of relaxation while still producing bass. tried 35-watt tube amp (old marantz 8), vocals were pretty but not realistic amp for driving big vandys.
I'm using the Channel Islands D200's. They replaced my long time favorite McCormack. They added transparency and detail, retaining the top and bottom extension. The McCormack had a slight perceived warmth edge, but I'm not so sure the warmth wasn't induced by subtraction. In other words, I think the d200's were more accurate. About the only criticism of the Vandy's I've heard is they lean towards dark, lacking fine detail and resolution. Some people will choose amps with a 'musical' interpretation they prefer, knowing it may not be true to the music.
Asking which amp is better, you have to determine where you fall on preference. There's a lot of really good amps that sound so different.
I read somewhere that the people at Ayre use Vandersteens in developing there products. I think they are an excellent choice. Take a good look at the Ayre V-3. This is an older model that is rated at 100 wpc, but don't let the power rating fool you. It's a very powerful amplifier that sounds great and can be found used between $1300-1400. If you decide to upgrade later on the Ayre will be easy to sell.

You owe it to your self to set these speakers up out in the middle of the room even if it's just for a short time before you put the LCD between the speakers.