Components match for Vandersteen 2Ce Signatures

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.

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 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.

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

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."

I used to sell the Vandersteens and they are still one of my favorite speakers. I think that one of the best matches for the Vandersteens is an PSE Studio IV or a pair of PSE Studio Vs, they are just so smooth with the Vandersteens, I used to sell lots of this combo. I can also recommend, in order of preference Acurus, NAD, Rotel, Adcom, or Marantz Mono block amps, these will work great and will let you get the most out of your Vandersteens. Once you have the speakers and the amp picked out I would recommend that you stay with the same brand as the Amp, all of these companies have good stereo or HT pre-amps. Good luck

Any Rotel Product is sublime if you intend to keep it affordable. B&K also is nice. If you want to wander into the tube audio heaven, try Modulus, hard to find but worth the search. Haven't heard this combination, but Conrad Johnson could be very nice. NAD is a great solid state choice. Good luck, great speakers at double their price.