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Looking for speaker recommendations

I retired a couple of years ago and as a hobby have become a bit of an audiophile.  I need some speaker advice from those of you who know more than I. 

I listen mostly to classical and jazz. System is on most of the day for background music.  I do more critical listen from 8-10 in the evening at low volume (50-60 db.)


Been buying and selling gear and my current system is a Mac computer, Teac UD-301 DAC/preamp, Classe CT-2300 amp, Vandersteen 2CE signature speakers. My listening space is a 20 X 18 foot living room with cathedral ceilings. Due to WAF restrictions, the stereo system is in a corner of the room with the speakers 10 feet apart, directed at my listening chair that is 12 feet away.  


The Vandys sound nice but I suspect they are too directional for my listening space and style.  I am looking for a speaker that has a more fuller sound stage and will fill the room with sound. Speakers will need to have a better WAF than the Vandys. (Wife does not like the black socks on the Vandys.)


I prefer to buy used and am looking in the $2-5K range.


My current short-list for speakers is-

Legacy-Signature SE

DeVore-Gibbon X


Any advice/recommendations would be appreciated.



2tuby

Showing 8 responses by 2tuby

2tuby's avatar
2tuby OP
36 posts
 
I have seen the Ohm website. Rather different speaker design. I have been looking for several months on Audiogon and USAudiomart for used Ohms and there are very few.  Do people keep them or do the have a small market share?

Has anyone ever listened to the Ohm 2000 or 3000 and Vandy 2CE sigs and can offer a comparison?
2tuby's avatar
2tuby OP
36 posts
 
Audionoobie (aren't we all?)-
You seem to be where I am in this audiophile hobby.  I like my Vandys but I think I can get better sound. (If you do not look you will never find it!)

I read the hype on Audiogon for the Tektons and was attracted to them too but not enough buy them.  Please let me know what you think of them
.
I think that the Ohms will be different than the Vandys but not  $3-4K better. I think I may give the Ohms a home trial. 

Caphill- 
I have been looking for a less expensive Gibbon and have not had any luck but I will continue my quest.
I agree that my DAC/preamp is the weak link in my current system.  As an audiophile newbee I have two questions-1) Do you believe that I should replace the DAC/preamp before the speakers?  2) Do you believe there is a discernible difference between a $1K DAC/preamp and a $3-4K DAC/preamp?
2tuby's avatar
2tuby OP
36 posts
 
bache-
I am 50 miles from NYC

caphill-
 What are you thoughts on the Classe CT-SSP for two channel music? There is one for sale now. I know it was designed for  for home theater surround sound and so a lot more electronics.
2tuby's avatar
2tuby OP
36 posts
 
I will start looking at DACs.

Thank you all for your sage advice.  
2tuby's avatar
2tuby OP
36 posts
 
Having read about the PS Audio Stellar Gain DAC and the Benchmark DAC2 or Benchmark Dac3 can anyone offer pros and cons between the three DACs?
2tuby's avatar
2tuby OP
36 posts
 
I want to thank all who have replied to my discussion question but, of course, it leads to more questions.

I appears that many believe that I should replace my Teac Dac as a next step. I agree! I have read that 50%+ of a audiophile system budget goes to the speakers, what percentage goes to the Dac/preamp? 10%? 20%?

I have read the discussion suggestions to look for a used Benchmark Dac2 or 3 or a Classe CP-800 but they are not that frequently found used. I would guess that the used market for these items is limited because the technology is still new? (Less than 10 years old.) Much easier to find a good price on a 10 year old amp or speakers. 

That being said, I have ordered a new PS Audio Stellar Dac to replace the Teac. I like the PS Audio return policy.  I can audition the equipment in my listening space and make the decision.

I hope the Stellar sounds significantly better than the Teac. I hope I then like the Vandys enough to keep them.

But I know that probably will not be true.  What a wonderful and terrible hobby this is!
2tuby's avatar
2tuby OP
36 posts
 
As was suggested I did some research.  I do like the CP-800 preamp/DAC to match my current CT-2300 amp but as I read more about the CP-800 I believe it has software issues that the company needs to address and since the company has been sold I do not see software upgrades being on the horizon.

My further search has led me to the Auralic Vega preamp/DAC. Has anyone in the group had any experience with the Auralic? How will it pair with the Classe CT-2300 and the Vandy 2c sigs? 

As always, thanks for any advice.
2tuby's avatar
2tuby OP
36 posts
 
I thought I would check back in with an update. I tried the PS Audio Stellar gain DAC for a few weeks and it sounded good but. . . My wife (the black sock hater) who has a good ear said she preferred the teac.  I looked into the Direct Stream but it is out of my price range. So I located a used Classe CP-800 on Audiogon and purchased it.  The unit arrived today. I have been listening for the last three hours and it really sounds WONDERFUL in my system! Makes the Vandys sing. Caphill, thanks for the CP-800 suggestion. 
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