Components match for Vandersteen 2Ce Signatures

Depends on the sound you want. I have a Golden Tube Audio Se-50 Mk II, and Mus Fid X-dac, with Alpha-Core MI Bi-wired. About $1600, leaving you $400 for a transport. Sounds very full, smooth and musical. I'd audition the Alpha-Core whatever you go with. A quote from Richard Vandersteen: "I've never met a tube I didn't like."

A used/demo Audio Research integrated would be great or the B&K St-140 amp and Pro-10 preamp is also a very convincing match for these speakers

I DRIVE MY 2CE'S WITH ADCOM GFP565 PRE / ADCOM GFA545-II POWER. I AM LOOKING TO BUY SECOND 545-II TO BI-AMP. 100 WATTS A SIDE OFTEN OVERLOOKED AMP. SMOOTHER SOUNDING THAN BIGGER ADCOMS. KEN KESSLER IN HI-FI NEWS AND RECORD REVIEW SAID "A GOOD AMP FOR KRELL AND LEVINSON WANNABEE'S." DOES NOT HAVE ULTIMATE SLAM THAT A KRELL,LEVINSON ECT. BUT VERY SMOOTH, DETAILED NEVER ETCHED PRESENTATION THROUGH MIDRANGE AND TOP END. NOT BRIGHT OR TIPPED UP LIKE SOME OF ADCOMS OTHER AMPS AND MORE COJONES THAN THE 535. BOTTOM END IS SUFFICIENT AND WELL CONTROLLED BUT NOT ENOUGH TO SATTISFY BASS FREAKS.

I have heard vandersteens with the VTL ST-85 and 2.5 preamp. This setup retails for 3200. I see them used now and then. It's only eighty-five watts of tube power - but it is a good sound. The base was a little weak, but it was a tube sound for under 2k (used). I heard this back to back with a krell av setup, and it was better than krell. I have heard them sound very good with Mccormacks. I actually think that is the best low-cost solution I have heard. Try to find a used dna 1 or .5 and put a mccormack passive unit on it. That should come to under 2k. maybe under 1500. john_l

I had a pair of 2CEs and as far as solid state goes the OCM 200 I had was great. I also had an Aragon 2002 which as you know is a well reviewed item but was not as dynamic or detailed as the OCM. I would have kept it but I wanted tube stuff.