Help, My Vandies Sizzle


Hello All, first time posting here, but have enjoyed reading all the posts for several years.
Recently purchased a pair of used Vandersteen 2Cs listed here on A-gon from a great dealer in Hollywood, Florida.
They replaced a pair of Monitor Audio Silver RX8s a few months ago.
 Dedicated listening room with a dedicated 20A circuit, 14x14x8, wood floors over concrete slab, alcoves and bi-fold closet doors allow for some respite from the dreaded "square-room bass boom", heavy area rug covers most of the wood floor, a couple of upholstered cloth recliners, and artificial trees on sidewalls at first reflection points and at front wall between speakers.
Speakers are positioned 7 feet apart, no toe-in, 2 feet from front wall, 3.5 feet from sidewalls, listening chair is 10 feet from speakers. (All measurements measured from tweeters).
Gear is Oppo 103, Krell s300i (integrated). Cables are Anticables.                                                                                   
The problem is a slightly bright sound on most discs, with a definitely hot treble on some, bordering on un-listenable.
Using the mid and treble controls, have tried reducing them by 3 dB. That helped some.
Otherwise, love, love, love these 2Cs.
Not interested in getting back into vinyl.
Will consider any and all suggestions and thank you all in advance for so much good information.

Tom
tomcarr

Showing 9 responses by tomcarr

Thanks so much for all the input. These 2s were built in 1979-80, according to Richard Vandersteen. They have the 6-inch stands which are not adjustable.
All drivers are working correctly. For 99% of my albums, I love the sound though it is slightly tipped-up. One percent are unlistenable because of how recorded.
I have followed all recommendations for setup as per the owners manual, and also what Jim Smith recommends in his book Get Better Sound.
Bob, thank you for your kind offer of loaner cables. I might take you up on that.
I have been suspecting the Krell might be the culprit. I also have an NAD and a Denon I could switch out and listen...
I will check out TAPJ, and also contact Johnny R.
Funny, of all the systems I've owned since the 70s, probably the most musical was a PS Audio Elite integrated with Vandersteen 1Bs... 
Thank each of you for taking the time to respond.
Will post more as things progress...

Tom
So many excellent suggestions, thank you one and all for sharing your experience and knowledge. 
I will post further with results as time and money permit.

Tom
Thank you, jafant, for the welcome!
Several have mentioned clean power. I optimistically listed a dedicated 20A line in my first post. Actually, that is supposed to happen tomorrow when a friend, who is a licensed electrician, makes the final connection of 12/2 Romex to the new breaker. (I have already installed a 4-gang outlet box and run the line from the listening room to the breaker box).
So, my next post should be the results of the dedicated line.
I have looked at the surrounds and they look good.
I will contact the dealer I purchased these from and see if he has any knowledge regarding repairs/updates...
So very grateful for the outpouring of ideas and advice.

Tom

Hello all, got the dedicated circuit done this morning, connected up, plugged in, turned on and...no drama, no surprises, except within seconds, from being unplugged since yesterday, everything stone cold, the first sounds were...absolutely wonderful, amazing even.
Left it on auto repeat the rest of the day.
Just listened a few minutes ago. It's not bright, everything we talk about (tone, timbre, timing, bass, midrange, treble, imaging, dynamics, soundstaging, etc) is all better, and not by a small margin.
Even my WIFE noticed and says she loves how it sounds now!
Best and biggest bang for the buck I have ever experienced.
I did all the labor except for attaching the line to the breaker.
My total cost, including paying the electrician, was about $200.
I can't recommend this enough, but feel compelled to add the almost-obligatory YMMV.
Thanks so very much for all the input, great points posted by everyone.
Tom
PS,
To be more specific regarding my music choices, I listen to Rock, Old Country, Pop, Bluegrass, Blues, Jazz, Classical.
I rank according to sound quality (recording quality, not music quality).
I possess roughly 10% class A SQ, 30% class B SQ, 50% class C SQ, 10% class D SQ.
Please note, these are my opinions of recording quality on my system, in no way at all do I consider my system good enough to be class A or B sounding based on Stereophile's rankings of SQ of individual components...
Hello Tomic601,
Thanks for the thoughtful suggestions.
I am delighted how much better things sound, even more so since tweaking tilt-back, and postions of speakers and listening seat.
I am keeping an open mind concerning new 2s and swapping the Krell.
Unfortunately at this time, my wallet doesn't open as wide as my mind...

Tom
Hello all,

Spoke with John Rutan (Audio Connections) who offered excellent set-up advice, (I'm almost there, but as we know, every inch counts), plus some pearls based on his obviously extensive knowledge of Vandersteens and audio in general.
Wow, true professional.
Suggested I don't even consider changing any gear until after the setup is dialed in perfectly, then graciously gave me half an hour of solid information about recording techniques, variables beyond our control and the fact that a lot of recordings simply don't sound very good.
Like others have already said, I can't recommend him highly enough...

Peaceful listening,
Tom