Both lines of speakers (at least the better Vandersteens) use pistonic drivers and offer what I regard as exceptionally balanced and spacious sound with great timbral accuracy. The Vivids are exceptionally dynamic, the comparable Vandersteens a bit less so.
@aubullience there are a few pistonic cones. And Purifi has a slick surround which does not change effective area as the cone moves in and out… as well as a more linear motor
ideally we would get a blending of the tech… as all are attempts at a lower distortion driver, from the cone, surround, and motor aspects. Some of the Purifi based speakers were pretty darn nice too. I’d just like to see a Purifi with a sandwich vandy cone on it.
I have not seen distortion measurements that I recall for Vivids nor any recent Vandys, but a high distortion could possibly come across as dynamic… I’m Not sure…
I am also unsure what exactly what makes timbral accuracy. The Vandy time domain accuracy is stunning, but the FR on the older speakers was not ruler smooth. One cannot clean up time domain easily with a DSP… but FR is pretty easy. I suspect that the time domain is more important for my ears…?
I am also looking at the Quatros and Kentos… but the old 2C are still pretty nice.
kind of first world problems to have.
Since the thread is about what other speakers… I am not sure how many are using the Purifi motors, and most that are seem to be on LR2 or LR4 crossovers (XO).
i have been thinking about a DEQX active XO, as they are coming out soon. I am not sure there is a lot better on that front.
but as they say, there are a hundred ways to skin a cat.
as the advocate of devil… one could maybe add the Vandy sub to the Vivids if their XO alignment was amenable to it? Are they 1st order XOs?
101 cats now… or was that Dalmatians?
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@aubullience ,
I hope you get the Vandy's. I doubt you'll be disappointed.-Though I have no experience with Vivid speakers, but if you have listened to Vandy's and liked them, then I am sure it will be an upgrade.
Yes, the equalized bass is pretty sweet. I own the Treo's with Sub 3's and couldn't be happier.
I was going to start a new thread on the Vandy VLR's, but saw your post first and wanted to comment.
Bob
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I haven’t owned Vandersteens to-date but at this point am planning to get either Quatros or Kentos into my primary system, hopefully in the not-distant future.
My primary system has had Vivid B1s for a few years now, and they’re friggin’ amazing IMO. I’m only (likely) switching to the Vandersteens for their powered, contourable subwoofers that are essentially full-range (my Vivids don’t go down quite as far and don’t have the bass equalization factor), plus my liking for the Vandersteens’ time/phase coherence (am especially excited to get them for my classical music listening, which is about 40% of my total, predominantly orchestral works).
Both lines of speakers (at least the better Vandersteens) use pistonic drivers and offer what I regard as exceptionally balanced and spacious sound with great timbral accuracy. The Vivids are exceptionally dynamic, the comparable Vandersteens a bit less so.
Some years back, Peter Roth at Soundstage Ultra did a wonderful comparison of the house sounds of the two speaker lines.
Tradeoffs!
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I am a fan of Vandersteen. I have a pair of 1ci's and a pair of Treo Ct's. I recently purchased as set of Maggie .7's that I am currently quite smitten with.
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I’m a fan of the Vandersteen sound as well. I like them with ARC or Ayre amps. I spent years with B&W culminating in the 801 Matrix series 3, then on to Genesis 500 and ProAc Response floorstanders, then auditioned Vandy Treos and Quattros but by the time I was ready to buy my dealer had retired and I ended up with Audio Physic Avantera+ from the one remaining dealer in my area. I don’t know if there’s a detectable pattern in my listening preferences from this journey but I’ve always thought I am a fan of what used to be called “the British sound.” I also have always loved Ayre equipment with all of my speakers.
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Bob Dylan - Things have Changed…..
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Patrick , man given how sweet Dylan is sounding this eve on Treo CT…i would add a no foul play clause in that will…. just saying….. don’t incentivize …
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There are other sub manufacturers out there, but Vandersteen subs have shown they will work for decades without issue.
Now if I can only manage to last for another decade or two. 😳 If I get new Treo CTs at my age (65) I'll write them into my will.
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… and whether to update the sub.
Despite being 30-40 years old, the 2w sub shows what using quality components can do-provide problem-free performance. The 2 wq offers Q adjustment, but the Sub 3 really allows you to dial in the sub to reflect the room interaction.
There are other sub manufacturers out there, but Vandersteen subs have shown they will work for decades without issue. Hence, a very cost effective choice.
bob
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Yeah thanks Jim.
I already have the old SE version and 2W… but if I switch to XLR amps then the M5/M7 XO maybe makes sense.
I am still rubbing my pate on whether to do that.
… and whether to update the sub.
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Vandy high pass filters implement DBS and a few other tricks w caps and components in an adjustable filter as your system changes. They are available SE or XLR. The 5 and 7 amps with built in HP filters are XLR only. Yes Ayre, Aesthetix and others can implement a High Pass in the input stage or typically require more surgery to an integrated… however don’t count on the advantages of DBS….
@raindog911 ;-) Fire is mighty fine wire. ;-) sounds like we have a LOT in common
Best to you
Jim
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Was not a fan of the fabric vandersteens and in that era used the audio physic Virgo and an upgrade to the avanti 2 demo became available. Might still be using that combo for a move that had my listening room on carpet covered slab. Spectral electronics did not have subwoofer out and using mit spectral wire twice was not feasible. At the time to replace the avanti s, only the model 7 had the goods in their box designs, and went with Martin logan Montis. After another move. The montis became part of a home theater, and were half of themselves driven by a Yamaha receiver even in the pure mode. As the model 7 tech has come to the 5 and Quattro models heard briefly while in Atlanta considered them for a new audio system. Well no where in Florida to listen. Love at first song with Fyne 702. recently went to sun coast about vinyl degritter, and the 702 was in the reference room. That room has had MAGICO, Karma, Goya, b and w 800 series reference and never heard better music than they Fynes. The Vandy 7 are my lotto or unknown relative inheritance soeaker, otherwise check out the Fynes
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@holmz try contacting me via www.perfectvinylforever.com
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I keeping getting a “verify you a human” when trying to send a message, and in a never ending cycle…
(We might need to try a forum that specific to the brand.)
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@tomic601 I too called them mKento-hp filters but Vandersteen’s website currently calls them M5-HP TEF filters. I went with the website nomenclature in case someone was motivated to look into them further. My ***-HP TEF XLR filters have the Audioquest Fire pigtail on them which is great since I have 27’ Fire XLR interconnects between my pre amp and the filters.
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Was it Bryson or Belles that builds in the XO ?
Possibly Belles, but I do know Ayre can install the high pass crossover into their equipment.
B
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another vote for the teflon high pass filters ;-) I call them the Kento filters but they are as @raindog911 pointed out a great low cost upgrade.
Ah JIm - I see my problem now, the exponent on “my low cost” differs.
(The mantissa is ok though.)
I run them on my Treo CT / sub3 system, the 7 high pass amps in my reference system have a built in high pass.
Enjoy the music !
I am assuming that those amps are balanced them, as the HPFs appear to be balanced/XLR.
And I am looking to use some balanced amps to replace the single ended tube amp/amp(s)…
Was it Bryson or Belles that builds in the XO ?
Maybe that is something I should consider??
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another vote for the teflon high pass filters ;-) I call them the Kento filters
Dang it, I should have bought a set when they came up for sale a year of two ago.
In any case, I am in the process of literally reinstalling the Treo’s. I found some inexpensive granite Surface Plates on Amazon. So, I will start from the beginning and set them up using the Vandersteen manual. (I need to call John Rutan to order the Vandy pucks and felt, but things have to be running for T’day).
Wish me luck...
@patrickdowns , thanks for the kind words. As you know, the price was very, very good, and the seller is a really nice guy. All I can say is to do what I did, keep searching HifiShark daily.
Bob
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another vote for the teflon high pass filters ;-) I call them the Kento filters but they are as @raindog911 pointed out a great low cost upgrade. I run them on my Treo CT / sub3 system, the 7 high pass amps in my reference system have a built in high pass.
Enjoy the music !
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Top tip for the Vandy lovers with external subs (2WQ or Sub3), I recently upgraded my M5-HP filters to M5-HP TEF filters.
@raindog911 are you moving your older (non TEF) crossovers on?
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Top tip for the Vandy lovers with external subs (2WQ or Sub3), I recently upgraded my M5-HP filters to M5-HP TEF filters. This is the same high pass filter circuit and capacitors used in RV’s M7-HP filters in a more modest enclosure. The difference is SIGNIFICANT. The bass is so much tighter and punchier (traits often at odds with each other). The mids are more airy and expressive. Accuracy of all musical details notched up a level. I use them with 3A Sigs with two 2Wq subs. Highly recommended and a modest investment compared to the sonic returns.
RE: VLR-CTs. I used these in my room with a Sub3 at AXPONA this year. I received many positive comments about the sound in my room from attendees that spent days listening to systems 10x to 25x the cost of my room equipment. They like backwall so placement is friendly. They are great by themselves in a small room. Add a sub and they continue to perform in medium to medium-large sized rooms. At AXPONA, I was asked repeatedly if the sub was “on” or “connected”. This wasn’t due to limited low frequency representation, rather, how seamlessly the VLR-CTs and Sub3 worked together.
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I have read very good things about the DeVores—congratulations! I love the idea of a high sensitivity >93db speaker (the Stenheim Alumine is another one that caught my eye), and pairing them with something like a Linear Tube Audio integrated amp or what you have. Something like that would be fun for a simpler 2nd system, were I that fortunate. PD
O/93 review review
Sounds like fun!
<< When I speak of blessed events one of the more sacrosanct for high-end audio lovers in the New York City area is John DeVore’s all too infrequent Monkeyhaus parties. I know, they’ve attained the status of myth. A place where rare records spin on a 50-year-old turntable playing through equally rare amplifiers and choice DeVore Fidelity loudspeakers. Where you drink, smoke cigars, talk shop, drink some more, and talk some more. A place where you listen. And listen closely. While enjoying the camaraderie of fellow music lovers. Cats roam free. Sometimes children. Sometimes wives. The only admission to Monkeyhaus is good humor and a good vinyl LP. >>
DeVore / PosFeedback
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I have had 1B's, 3 models of 2's, Treo CT's and Quatro CT's. I have since moved on to DeVore O/93's. Zero bad to say about the Vandy's. Wonderful sound for decades for me. The CT upgrade was a big one. Finally, I walked into the man cave and looked at my system and realized it was time to turn it over. I went from 300 wpc monoblock based to a 25 watt tube Luxman and DeVore system. It is a hobby (for me at least). Both systems are very satisfying. The current one fits the music I am listening to very well.
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@gdnrbob That’s very interesting regarding the CT vs. non-CT Treos — I always kinda wondered about that. Sounds like a used pair of original Treos could be quite the bargain.
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Hey Bob! Congrats on the Treo CTs! I emailed the guy about them and he said he thought he had a buyer.
A few years ago I missed out on a mint, 1 year old pair on consignment at Johnny R’s Audio Connection. They were boxed and ready to ship, on a pallet. I hesitated and lost. Like-new pairs of them at a good price like you paid come up for sale very rarely, it seems. I look all the time.
I’m happy for you!
Pat
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@patrickdowns ,
I am the guy who bought the Treo CT's in PA. They are replacing my non-CT Treo's. To be honest, even the non-CT version plays pretty darn close to the CT.
I also own the VLR's for my office system. I really can't understand why these little guys don't get more respect. Yes, I doubted their abilities, at first, but despite their small size, they bested a pair of Zu Omen Bookshelves by more than a mile.
Adding a sub will enhance either speaker. The new Vandy Sub 3 offers built in equalization which makes it one of the best subs out there.
As others have mentioned, even the 2wq subs are good replacements-especially if finances are an issue. They are built like tanks- even 30 year old 2w's are still working as they should.
And, do not feel you will not be welcome at the Vandy Forum. In fact, many of those responding here are members.
HTH
Bob
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I hope you have access to resources to help you (in addition to your stereo) so if things progress and make it even harder on you that you have help. I pray it doesn’t come to that for you, but I know how hard it can be and God Bless for whatever you’re going through because I know how hard, and how heartbreaking, it can be to watch someone you love slowly slip away and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. It’s a cruel and evil disease, and I only hope you the best.
Your whole comment was so compassionate. I can tell you are a good egg. Peace.
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the VLR - Signature which incorporates the carbon tweeter. They are designed for near wall, stand mount and pair extremely well w Vandy subs 3
I have read about these, and they deserve a listen. I don’t have a place for a 2nd (or 3rd!) system. In my dreams, I’d have the main system, and the 2nd one would employ a variety of speakers and amps to mix and match for fun. Wait—I tell myself that I’m not a gearhead so what am I saying! 😎
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Jim and Richard were friends ( RIP Jim - another on the list of greats lost early ). They certainly shared many design objectives; First order filters, minimum front baffle, time and phase correct. They differed on a few points but much more in common back then. … Until recently i maintained a set of CS 2.3 + in an ancillary system w Quad ESL 63, Apogee Stage, Magnepan LRS, Heavily modified Cornwall…well the list is long…. and what did i say about casting a wandering ear ? Probably the biggest Theil design departure is the philosophy of flat at listening position…. which presents as bright to some people in some systems in some rooms. Both Jim and Richard are measure AND listen guys…. these are just facts…
Vandersteen do make a coaxial speaker w cabinet in cabinet the VLR - Signature which incorporates the carbon tweeter. They are designed for near wall, stand mount and pair extremely well w Vandy subs 3 or used 2’s. A set of stands from sound anchor and away you go. Can’t say who but a guy w many platinum records use VLR on his mixing board…. It’s ALL fun…
Enjoy the music
Jim
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Spendor was founded in the late 1960s by Spencer and Dorothy Hughes – the ‘Spen’ and ‘Dor’ in the name. Spencer applied the knowledge and expertise he’d gained as an engineer in the BBC’s sound engineering department to create his first loudspeaker, the BC1. This game-changing design quickly became the monitor of choice for broadcasters and recording studios worldwide.
I'd forgotten how they got the same Spendor! And then there was the evolution, the "family tree" of the other BBC-type speakers, the Graham and Harbeth, and some of those folks were actual family of Spencer and Dorothy, iirc.
I have heard and liked Grahams and Harbeths. If I was interested in a 2-way stand mount monitor, they would be on the list. I'd have them for a smaller 2nd system for sure. Different flavors are good! I have no experience with the Spendor floor standers.
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both DEMAND a larger than average listening room with plenty of breathing space around the speakers to where they are no closer than 3 feet from the rear wall and at least twice that from side walls. put them in any room smaller than that and those speakers tend to sound shouty. if i had at least a 20’ wide and 20’ deep [8’+ ceilings a must] listening room
That hasn’t been my experience with 2CEs. YMMV. I’ve run mine in a 18x22’ LR with 16’ ceilings, in a slightly smaller room with 10’ ceilings, and in my current 12x15 room (speakers on long wall, so a 9’ throw to listening chair), and with careful setup they’ve never been "shouty." Vandersteen provides precise suggestions for setup and placement, which works. Tilt-back matters, as does toe-in. Mine are about 30" from front wall to front of speaker. IMO, the sweet spot isn’t super narrow, but there is one. (For that reason, the Larsen speakers appeal to me because they are much more placement friendly incl up against front wall, and have a wider sweet spot and when you’re out of it they still sound good.)
I get an excellent soundstage (width and depth) from my 2CEs, with very nice phantom center imaging (all dependent on the recording, of course). Ones front-end is also a factor in what the speakers produce.
Interesting that the Thiel CS.5 sorta looks like a 2-way version of the Vandersteen Treo. I've heard and liked Thiels back in the day.
Cheers
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I’ve owned the Vandersteen 2c and 3a. Placement was always a PITA. If you have a Spendor dealer in your neck of the woods you should give them a listen. If you like the sound of Vandersteens I think you will like Spendors!
https://spendoraudio.com/
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In my younger years i spent a bit of time surf fishing Steelhead on the wild sides of your Island… Paradise….
@tomic601 have you tried NZ?
A coworker (Brown) went there and did a bunch of stream work.
His guide told him to bait the hook behind a tree. When he asked why, the guide told him that the fish will jump out of the stream to take the bait right out of your hand.
I was not quite as hooked when I went shopping back in the day, and they were only up to the model 2 then. But eventually I was hooked, and not a lot lured me in.
But that was ages ago… it is easier to stumble upon good speakers these days.
I’d try DeVore Fidelity - a little more open than Vandys and with low order crossovers.
@keithr funny you should mention them. I only heard them at the beginning of this year, but I was pretty impressed at the soundstage width.
(Some place in downtown Los Angeles)
They seems like they had a lot of distortion, but in a pleasing way, and it might have been the Jadis stuff that powered them causing that “fullness”.
They were impressive.
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i’ve listened to the 2CE model on NAD electronics [the combo was on the darker side] and i’ve listened to my 1CI on a rega brio R [brighter balance but utterly non-harsh]. both DEMAND a larger than average listening room with plenty of breathing space around the speakers to where they are no closer than 3 feet from the rear wall and at least twice that from side walls. put them in any room smaller than that and those speakers tend to sound shouty. if i had at least a 20’ wide and 20’ deep [8’+ ceilings a must] listening room, i’d take my vandies out from storage and give them another listen. they made everything, even sub-par recordings, sound decent enough at least for casual listening in the aforementioned giant room. they had 3D imaging [ultra-narrow sweet spot] in an entry-level price point. then again, my thiel cs.5 speakers will do that in a tiny [14’ wide and deep] room, which is why i listen to the thiel speakers rather than the vandies. plus the thiels throw a much wider image beyond the outside edges of l/r speaker, with more depth.
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what a lovely civil and helping thread…warms my heart….maybe just maybe there are great caring humans here after all….
I had the EXACT same thought as I re-read the replies.
I do hope to see you in CA, and hope you get together with my pal John. Thanks for all of your advice and input so far.
Best,
PD
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Cabinet in a cabinet starts w Treo. It’s expensive… The 7 is cabinet in cabinet and a carbon fiber layer. The 1-2-3 aka sock series are too budget constrained to get the lower distortion cabinets, ditto the original sock Quattro. I will mention, ALL the Vandy cabinets are built in house in California…..
The 5 series are massively braced and use a very dense stack w milled cavity for the head assembly. The 5A is as mentioned a fantastic speaker….still today…. probably a bit much in your room… just my $.02.
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@russ69 @soix ;-) my absolute best to you…. much Grace in your helping posts….
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what a lovely civil and helping thread…warms my heart….maybe just maybe there are great caring humans here after all….
Cast a wandering ear as far and wide as you want to…. i have crossed oceans to hear gear that interested me. It like music is global. IF you get to California you know where to find me and Treo CT w sub3.
@islandmandan Good on you and yours…grace peace and happiness . In my younger years i spent a bit of time surf fishing Steelhead on the wild sides of your Island… Paradise….
there is a lot of experience, wisdom and maturity in advice given… most if not all suggestions could certainly lead to musical bliss….. I won’t belabor all the various combinations of Vandy products new and or used that can also get you there…plenty of that going on the owners forum on the Vandy site.
enjoy the journey !
Jim
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I’d try DeVore Fidelity - a little more open than Vandys and with low order crossovers.
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I ended up buying a pair of the Harbeth SLH 5 Anniversary about two years ago.
I've listened to the Harbeth 30 and 40 at Gig Harbor (WA) Audio (a fine store to visit)... sweet speakers! That "BBC sound" is special. It is interesting that their enclosures are pretty live, and are part of the sound they create much like the body of a guitar, with the resonances. Or so I have read. Richard V builds the cabinets for the Treo CT and Quatro (and the others I assume) with a box in a box, to eliminate as much cabinet resonance as possible (again, what I recall reading). Two different approaches, both right for each maker. That is the fascinating thing about speaker design. Magico takes it to the extreme, CNC milling their cabinets out of aluminum and using carbon fiber. VERY expensive, but they get an inert cabinet.
Someone else pointed out that the Treo is designed to go very near the front wall. which is something I need. The planars like Maggies do best 5-6 feet from the front wall, and my room is too small.
Cheers.
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If I was you I’d be on the lookout for two used 2wq subs as there are really good deals out there on those subs now, and two very good subs is almost always better than one great one. And IMHO the 2wq was and still is a damn good sub, and two of’em? End game stuff to me.
Hard to argue against @soix logic ^here^.
…
I was thinking about the switch to Treo’s and went and listened to them ( New Jersey dealer, well thought of) and after my audition I went to look at some finishes in another building with him ( basically deciding on what I was going to buy) and he had some Harbeth SLH 5 Anniversary speakers set up that he had on commission. I had never heard Harbeths so I asked for a listen.
I ended up buying a pair of the Harbeth SLH 5 Anniversary about two years ago.
…
The Treos, I believe, are more tolerant to being shoved against a wall than the model 2 or 3… I unsure about the Harbeths, but if you like em, then that is great.
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@patrickdowns figured I’d throw in my input.
I had 3’s for 30 years with sending them in for upgrades 3 times, the last time a full upgrade to Signature 3 spec on all parts. ( Richard’s answer when I asked what would be different before I sent them was “ the only thing you will get back from your speakers is the wood, the frame and maybe the cloth”)
I was thinking about the switch to Treo’s and went and listened to them ( New Jersey dealer, well thought of) and after my audition I went to look at some finishes in another building with him ( basically deciding on what I was going to buy) and he had some Harbeth SLH 5 Anniversary speakers set up that he had on commission. I had never heard Harbeths so I asked for a listen.
I ended up buying a pair of the Harbeth SLH 5 Anniversary about two years ago.
I loved my Sig 3’s and liked the Treo’s which to my ear had similar sound but just cleaner with more detail.
The Harbeths are to me even more detailed and incredibly realistic while being not fatiguing in any way. The first day I had the Harbeths they seemed almost too detailed, it was like the Sig 3’s had been more blended…? But after a few hours I haven’t looked back in any way.
The real input is to just get what sounds right to you. Just give your ears a touch of time to adapt if the sound is different at first. For me hearing the Harbeths that first time they just seemed effortlessly detailed and they just stuck in my brain.
Enjoy!
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@islandmandan My wife’s mom struggled with dementia, but those of us around her struggled much more, especially her dad and that seems like where you are. I hope you have access to resources to help you (in addition to your stereo) so if things progress and make it even harder on you that you have help. I pray it doesn’t come to that for you, but I know how hard it can be and God Bless for whatever you’re going through because I know how hard, and how heartbreaking, it can be to watch someone you love slowly slip away and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. It’s a cruel and evil disease, and I only hope you the best. Reach out for support/family is the best advice I can give, and keep rewarding yourself with the wonderful gift of music as it can be a refreshing oasis for you because you need to keep caring for yourself in addition to your wife. Again, I completely identify and appreciate what you’re going through, and you seem like a supremely optimistic and courageous man, but don’t take it all on your own shoulders because it’s likely you just can’t at some point. You have my sincere thoughts and prayers, and my wife is a social worker and obviously gone through this with her mom who has sadly passed, but if you need any advice on support services that you and/or your wife might need please reach out to me. For example, when her disease progressed and my father-in-law needed a break and she needed stimulation/support a bus would come pick her up and take her to a place where she got stimulated and interaction with others, and it was all funded by NY State. Anyway, sorry to drone on here, but just know that you are not alone in this and there are people/services that can help improve both you and your wife’s quality of life if needed. Yours in life and music.
Tim
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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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I could get the Vandy sub to go with them for the price of a new pair of Treo CTs.
If I was you I’d be on the lookout for two used 2wq subs as there are really good deals out there on those subs now, and two very good subs is almost always better than one great one. And IMHO the 2wq was and still is a damn good sub, and two of’em? End game stuff to me.
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@islandmandan "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.
We do the best we can with what we have left. I can only listen in mono now, but I still have the music playing most of the day. God bless you.
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Moving from the 2CE Sig 3 to the Treo CT is a huge leap. Probably bigger than you realize. I'm sure you would be absolutely thrilled with the Treo CT. That carbon tweeter is really something, but you might also consider the non CT Quatro on the used market. I'd expect them to cost about the same and they would have the edge in bass, if that's more important to you.
I know you are right! Those are good options. If I got a deal on like-new Treo CTs (I've missed a few deals) for $7K, I could get the Vandy sub to go with them for the price of a new pair of Treo CTs. Or, get lucky on some used Quatro CTs.
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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.
I am sorry to hear that about your wife (for both of you)—it’s hard stuff. I have told my wife if it happens to me, push me out to sea in my kayak. Not kidding.
I am glad your ears are holding up and music is a source of joy. At 65 I wish the same for myself in 10 or more years. Your place sounds like a lovely oasis.
My best wishes to you. ~PD
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@patrickdowns
I started out with a PSE Studio1 pre driving a PSE Studio-II amp.
Switched out the PSA S1 for An Audible Illusions Modulus pre, then a Nagra Jazz.
Switched it the PSA S2 for VTL Monoblock compact 100s, then Primaluna Dialogue HP Premium. And used an old NAD and some class-D on them at times..
They seem to sound pretty good no matter what is driving them…
I have not tried Bryson, Ayre or the other usual suspects.
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!
The March Audio “Sonituva” are pretty good.
I could not close a deal on them, or we were in agreement but it all went south. They are not time/phase correct, but I was going to bi-amp them and maybe use a DEXQ.
But they are about the vest I have heard in the <5k range… so one still needs a sub below for <40Hz…
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