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For Vandersteen owners & lovers: Which other brands do you like?

If you didn’t own Vandersteens, what would you own instead and why? Or, if you switched to another brand what did you choose?

First, let me say that I am a Vandersteen owner for 20+ years, now on my 2nd pair of the 2CE, the Signature III. I have owned other brands, and heard many others and even liked some. 😀 I don’t change gear frequently once I settle on something. Lazy & frugal = me.

I am on the verge of being on the verge of getting the Vandy Treo CT. I have auditioned them at length. I have also heard the Quatro CT and if budget allowed (including upgrading my front end) I would get them for sure. I’m not a fanboy—there is a reason why Vandersteen has sold something like 100K pairs of the 2CE. They sound very good and all of their models are a real bargain/value in their category, imo.

I have heard and liked, for different reasons, Maggies, Magicos, Harbeths, Focals, Linkwitz-Riley, and other brands. Others that I have not heard intrigue me too. I keep circling back to Vandys—maybe it’s what I have known the longest. I have flirted with the Larsen 8 or 9, which is a totally different design (AbSound has reviewed them well), and also the MBL 120 and 126 (omnidirectionals).

I know I could be happy for life with Vandersteens (Treo, Quatro, or dreaming—the Kento or 7). I am interested in detailed opinions of alternatives in the $10K range though. Thanks!

128x128patrickdowns

Showing 4 responses by islandmandan

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islandmandan
1,260 posts
 

Patrick, may I suggest you go and hear some Tannoys? You may fall in love with them as well (it's been 55 years for me).

Regards,

Dan

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islandmandan
1,260 posts
 

Patrick, I read you're in Washington State, I wonder, where? I've been ensconsed on Whidbey Island since 1971. It's a hard place to meet other A-philes, I'm the only one I know on the 63 miles-long island. Poor me. 

I do love my system, though. (and my wife).

Regards,

Dan

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islandmandan
1,260 posts
 

Yep

I've lived in the same shack here on West  Beach for 29 years. I've had plenty of time to work on my system in all these years. Had to have my woodstove moved to a side wall so my system could be located on the end wall of my living room.

House is only around 1200 sq. .ft; but the living/dining/ kitchen is all located in one long room, though the ceiling is lowered in the dining room and kitchen. Living room is cathedral ceilings.

I have a wonderful system, and the house is a very big reason for that. I have not needed to provide any room acoustic treatments, I feel very fortunate about that.

I'm 75 years old, taking care of my Dementia addled wife (still a lovely person, though), I've had a stroke a couple of years ago, my right side of my body is numb, but I can still walk, talk, and look the same, but its cut my activity level down a great  deal, but my hearing is still good, thank the Gods up there.

Music has been a constant my whole life, even though I wasn't able to pursue a carreer in it, it's a major factor in my quality and enjoyment of ilfe.

I listen to classical, jazz, blues, and a bit of rock 'n roll. Listen largely to CD's but I also use my DIY Garrard 401/Denon 501 quite a bit too. It has amazed me lately at how it sounds with an Acutex M320 III STR cartridge.

Lots of fun (I hope for you too), regards,

Dan

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islandmandan
1,260 posts
 

PD and Russ,

Yes, we do our best. We have to have the mindset that being happy is our responsability,  enjoying life is what we should try to do, you can't buy happiness, but you can sure have it, and take it with you (and give it away as well).

I still love my wife, still love my home and system, and enjoy what I have. I don't need any more than that.

My best to you guys! Regards,

Dan

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