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Building a HT system using 2ce signatures?

I have a 2-channel system using Vandersteen 2ce Signatures and Adcom electronics (GFA-5300 amp and GFP-710 pre-amp) that I've loved for about 8 years now. I'm now thinking about upgrading to a home theater system, and am trying to figure out what equipment to get that'll deliver comparable sound without damaging the 2-channel quality and hopefully without breaking the bank. I've been doing lots of reading on Audiogon over the last few weeks and I've got some ideas, but I'm not sure they form a cohesive whole, so I thought I'd see if anyone else had some suggestions:

On the budget front, I was hoping to spend in the range of $1000-1500. To accomodate that, I'm willing to do without the latest features (5.1 is fine, say), and so I'm looking at used equipment. I was also thinking about leaving the subwoofer until later, because the 2ce signatures seem to do pretty well with bass response.

As far as electronics go, I've been pretty happy with my existing Adcom gear and adding more channels of Adcom amplification seems to be fairly simple and inexpensive to do used (GFA-5503 or GFA-7400, say). For the pre-amp, reviews on the net of the older Adcom pre/pros (GTP-740/750/760) seem to be fairly negative, suggesting a high noise floor and lots of failures. Would swapping out the pre-amp for a different brand while keeping Adcom amps work well, or is it better to keep the same brand here? Any suggestions for a good used pre-amp here?

For speakers, what would match well with the 2ce signatures? Vandersteen VSMs are the obvious answer, but I don't see any way to accomodate them in the living room. The VSMs are wall-mount only, the back wall is covered in book cases, and the side walls have windows, doors, and fireplaces making for very little wall-mount space available. So I'm either looking for something that I can put in the bookcase, or a small wall-mount speaker. I've had B&W DS6s recommended to me by a friend, but I'm worried about their lack of a proper tweeter? Any thoughts on this?

As for the center channel, how critical is it to match the tonal qualities? Can I get something that'll sound like my Vandies that isn't a $2500 VCC-5, or should I just use a phantom center for a while?

Thanks,
--Ian
codrus

Showing 1 response by rex

rex
245 posts
 
I ran a HT system using 2ce Sigs as the mains for several years.

First, to solve your surround speaker issue - get a pair of Vandersteen VLR speakers. They are excellent surround speakers, and you can put them on or in your bookshelves. They'll work great.

Second, if you have a subwoofer for your HT you can utilize the VCC-1 center channel, and it will match well with the 2ce Sigs. The VCC-1 doesn't do bass, so you'll really need a sub (you need one anyway for HT).

Don't make the mistake of getting just any old speaker for the center - it needs to be voice-matched with the mains, or it will stick out like a sore thumb.

I agree with the previous poster - a Rotel processor would be a good choice. I used one in my HT for quite some time, and was very pleased.
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