help on buying speakers

I've owned both the vandersteen 3a and 5's as well as the audio physic virgos and avanti's. I demoed some tempo 3's once.

The two speaker sounds are quite a bit different. The virgo's are ultra-clean and quick whereas the vandersteen is slower but very powerful and natural sounding. If you are looking to stay in the vandersteen sound family, the only other speakers that I've heard with similar sonics are:

1. Spica TC-60's (probably not up to the task for you)
2. Von Schweikert vr4's (the only von s's I've heard)
3. Proac response 2.5's.
4. Shamrock eire. (not really like a vandersteen)

The proacs are notably efficient speakers with great bass.

The shamrock eire is a large monitor made using scanspeak drivers. Very natural and clean sounding but forgiving too. www.shamrockaudio.com

Meadowlark products might appeal to you. I think you would like the Herons, but even used they are probably out of your price range. I wish I could be more helpful. Good luck.

Look for a used pair of Coincident Victory's or Eclipse's. They are made for tubes - 10 ohm impedence and 93 to 96 db sensitivity.

Also check out used Silverline Sonatina's - also mid 90's sensitivity and high impedence.