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New amp for Vandersteen 2CE

Hoping you can help me narrow down my choices for a new amp for my Vandersteen 2CE speakers.  I have been using a pair of Adcom GFA565 monoblocks.  They have ridiculous amounts of power, but I don't come anywhere near using it all and I would like a little more clarity in the midrange.  I have two used amps I'm considering - a McCormack DNA 0.5 and a Pass Labs Aleph 5.  Another option would be a fully restored/upgraded Adcom 535/545/555.  Source is a Sonos Connect with a passive attenuator for volume control.
Thanks for the help!
craig2112

Showing 3 responses by atmasphere

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,640 posts
 
If you're staying solid state, the Pass would be my first recommendation.

But the 2CEs work really well with tube amplifiers (we have a lot of customers using them), and if you "would like a little more clarity in the midrange" as you put it a tube amplifier is going to be a no-brainer for this speaker. You will need at least 60 watts in most rooms. 
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,640 posts
 
Thanks Atmasphere. I have tube guitar amps, but haven’t gone to tubes in my audio system. For now exposed tubes seem like a problem waiting to happen - kids.
I've seen comments like this a fair number of times in the last 40 years. It does make me wonder how we humans made it through back when tubes were the only game in town! So far as I have been able to determine, as far as kids go, tubes are not any bigger deal than a turntable or CD player.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,640 posts
 
Atmasphere - fair point, the kids aren't babies anymore, so it's not as big of a concern as it was a few years ago. There doesn't seem to be much available used below $1k. Any thoughts on particular models that might be interesting to look at?
A lot depends on the room size and your listening habits as to how much power you will need. In many installations 60 watts is plenty of power and there are a lot of great amps with 60 watts. The impedance of the speaker does not seem to be a problem.
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