Thanks everyone who has chimed in on this discussion, every bit of information has been very welcomed. mesch- a phono stage is important because this is a system I'm trying to build around analog, hence the reason I'm interested in a tube integrated. This will be my first foray into analog& tubes since I was a kid. |
Ayre and Vandersteen work very well together.... Hard to find anything better without lots of additional green
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I suggest the Ayre AX-7e. I had one powering my 3A Signatures while the AX-5 was back at the factory getting the Twenty update and it handled music and movies with aplomb. They show up on the used market around the same price as a Cronus.
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Conrad Johnson has a new integrated- CA 150.
I want to demo it as soon as possible.
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+1 adg101. Purchase the Vandys and give the 8004 a try. You can always upgrade later. I do agree that the Rouge integrated is nice. Both have a phonostage. Is this a requirement? |
For several years I ran 2CEs with a Conrad Johnson CAV50 ("control amplifier", 4XEL34 based, passive pre,~37 WPC) as my first foray into tubes for a second system. Really enjoyed the laid back sound for late night listening, quite revealing yet very gentle on the ears. Zero beaming or screech across the bandwidth. Loose but full bass sounded great with 60s', 70s' production values. I do miss those 2CEs. |
So I'm getting the feeling my Marantz is not going to bring out the best in the vandys. I would have no problem replacing my integrated with something more suitable if it will be an improvement and not just a lateral move. I would also prefer to stay with an integrated solid state or tube. |
sbank,
excactly at AudioConnection Verona NJ I was not impressed of Rogue/Vandy combo for the reason I described with all due respect to John Rutan...
He also demoed them with Bryston amps which was a-bit better.
Speed for me was very important factor since I mostly listen to instrumental music rock, jazz, electronic and classical. |
One of the top Vandy dealers in the country, Johnny Rutan at Audio Connection often demos Rogue/Vandy together as an example of a system of superior value. It's a nice match and Rogue is well built stuff, with great service. Cheers,
Spencer |
In low-powered setup listening to dynamic funky music such as Stanley Clark or Grant Green, I found that speed isn't there. I expected that the driver should stop after the drum beat or the bass slap, but it didn't.
For the same price (+ a-bit extra) you pay for Marantz pm8004, you can get much more powerful Sansui G-9000 vintage receiver that compares to that little Marantz as BMW M-series vs. Mitsubishi Galant. Moreover, compared to this modern and cool Marantz that may go bad after just few years, Sansui is serviceable unit that will only go up the value and not down.
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I have been interested in getting a tube integrated and have had my eye on a Rogue Cronus Magnum II. Now with that being said what could I expect sonically from each amp?
The marantz has been an excellent integrated but I don't see a lot of vandersteen owners running Marantz gear. Just wondering if there isn't good synergy with the two. |
Open baffle needs power.
To me they sounded very narrow or no soundstage at all with Belles 150 or Bryston 3b-st -- both over 100wpc. Macintosh MC352/Audible Illusions Mod3 pre did good job on these.
Tube amps on these normally OK only for chamber or symphony music. For rock or electronica they'll be very slow or require some room tweaks to compensate.
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I have used a 32 watt integrated tube amp and a 400 watt ss amp, both sound fine. I think the more power with quality electronics the better they will sound. Also the quality of the source will be important too.
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The Marantz will work. Hard to put anything on Vandies and not sound nice. Should sound real nice. |
