2. amps-preamps
  3. 150450-134126

Pulling myself out of old, broken equipment, one hesitant step at a time...

My father purchased Klipschorns in 1976, ran them with various McIntosh components, so it was only natural that I would look for my own version of hi-fidelity, starting around 1992. That brought me in touch with Vandersteen 2Ci's and 205wpc parasound HCA1200ii. The amp still functions; the 2Ci's are in the shop. They want $400 for the re-coning of one driver and re-edging another, on one speaker. This would also imply another $400 for the other speaker, which was the shop's recommendation and it makes common sense to refresh both speakers, as doing only one would create a kind of lop-sided musical affair. So, I can spend $800 on the 2Ci's, but this means I'm working with a thirty-year-old set-up and who knows when other drivers will pop. Truthfully, the shop is giving me a deal, even at the $400 mark; I know, because he waved some of the labor charges that he included initially. Apparently, Vandys are not easy labor, but Vandy lovers would like to keep the 2C experience rolling as long as possible...

Anyway, I also snatched a sale pair or RP280's for less than $500. They are lively and have provided many memorable music moments over the past nine months. Nevertheless, I find myself wanting to move on and up with things, so here is where I have gone and invested probably hundreds of hours reading reviews, few of which offer much in terms of direct comparison to other equipment (I might want to buy)... So, here is what is standing out for me:

Odyssey Kismet in the Stratos case.

Van Alstine Vision SET 120 or 400

Nuforce STA 200

So, any useful way of discriminating between the three, recognizing that the amplification of the STA 200 and 120 are about 80wpc, with the other two closer to 200wpc. I'm particularly interested in a 3-D soundstage. Subtlety and dynamics, authentic highs, sweet midrange and bass control are also on the top of my list. Before pointing me to tubes, I'll note that I live in one of the warmer parts of California. We are in the midst of 100 degree days here, so tubes will not fit well for me, until about November 1st.      

And finally, the idea is to pick a sweet amp, followed by a speaker upgrade. I'm interested in the excitement surrounding Tektons. I don't imagine spending more than 2K on any particular element of my new system... 

Thank you for your thoughts!
listening99

Showing 3 responses by listening99

listening99 OP
172 posts
 
@schteveuhn 

I ended up surrendering the speakers to the repair shop. Four or five drivers needed repair, and I don't know how much more life I could have expected from the remaining cones and surrounds, voice coils, etc... etc... I ended up going Tekton, Moabs. They fit the bill, satisfying my need for an adventurous leap into the unknown and supplying me with a commanding and subtle full range event. Currently, I'm testing out options for amplification.

The schiit aegir came in three days ago and the evident textures are palpable, rich, present. I auditioned a class D amp for a month and instrument textures sometimes lacked life, appeared hollow, or emerged in odd shapes. Voices were often constricted. I was caught thinking the amp was somehow revealing the space in which people sang, but then it seemed more likely that the voices never properly took form, and there was a kind of pinched effect around vocals. The bass was big, so that was attractive, but something as simple as a hand clap seemed inauthentic. I've also realized that my first impressions of a piece of equipment often have me excited about "differences" that may turn out to be evidence of weakness later in an audition, so we will see how things go with the aegir.

I wish it had more power, but then I would probably abuse that power and my ears. I don't really need to be listening over 90db, but I'm confused that the aegir, which would appear to work with my speakers, to push them to something on order of 107db, according to SPL calculators, seem a little out of breath around mid nineties... As I said, this might be a good thing... I don't feel my ears growing younger... 
listening99 OP
172 posts
 
To clarify, the cost to repair both drivers on one speaker is $400. To achieve a consistent sound from both speakers would require restoring the same drivers on the other speaker, from what the repairman is stating. The shop also indicated that the 2Ci is both glued, stapled and screwed together, requiring additional labor fees. 

@bigkidz I appreciate the offers. 

@stereo5 Did you have any difficulty with Odyssey? I hear mostly good things, but it's a small operation and the shipping costs mount quickly if any repairs are needed. I've also read a few customer service problems, which would seem part and parcel of such a small operation. Personally, I ponder how they can back up a twenty-year warranty, going forward... Nevertheless, the overview, on most of the amps, is that they are wonderful... 

@analogvm15 what tube amp are you suggesting, and for which speakers?

I expected to read some fanning activity about the stated amps.

The parasound has been wonderful, but I keep reading about the 3-D experience and I'm wondering about the pathway there. Another consideration that has me pondering replacement is the cost of keeping the parasound on 24/7. It does not warm up particularly quickly, so I just leave it on, and I'm guessing, for a high current amp of 1995'ish, that it is eating a lot wattage while idling, at least 100 watts, but maybe much more... I suppose that's still only about $9.00 a month, definitely not the only driver for a new amp. I've looked high and low for a stat on idling power consumption (anyone else familiar with the idle power consumption of the HCA1200ii?), but I have not found one...

The Klipsch 280's are very lively, clear, engaging, but the soundstage is mostly only hinted at... this idea of 3D is part of my inspiration for looking at other options. Can any of you speak to Tektons in this regard? Is there another serious contender for quality 3D sound under $2K? 
listening99 OP
172 posts
 
the room is 12 x 14.5

Cathedral ceiling. One Side of the room spills into a stairwell, so the walls step back into the stair space and above... Lower bass tends to fill-out into these areas. I understand a 20hz wave takes over 50 feet to generate, and I hear lower bass notes when I’m in adjacent rooms.

The front grill of each speaker is 33" in from the back wall; the side of each speaker is 22" from the side-walls.

Across the room from the speakers, so about 12’ away (from the front of the speakers), a large curtain overhangs the window.

There is a sofa, before the window treatment; the back of the sofa is maybe 2 feet from the large window.

A large bookcase in the room. Three small tables. A pile of pillows about midway through the room, along the wall, which is constantly jumbled, roughly across from the bookcase.

There is nothing in the way of treatment around the speakers themselves. In fact, I haven’t intentionally treated the room in any way.

What other information is useful in this kind of analysis?

Also, someone mentioned the possibility of an updated pre-amp stage... I will mention that I’m running the pre-amp out of the AVR, a Marantz SR 5013.

I did take note of the Schiit Frey Tube Pre today... I hear it can help with the "holographic" presentation I’m looking for... any insights, anyone?

Thanks, in advance...

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