Recommendation for HT w/Vandersteen 2Ce


I'm just getting started in setting up my HT. I've got a few decent components worth keeping + 10K to spend.

Here what I got (that I'm keeping):
Vandersteen 2Ce
MIT T4 bi-wire cables
Kimber / MIT interconnects
Cheap satellite rear speakers

Here are my planned purchases:
Vandersteen VCC (center chan)
Vandersteen 2W (Subwoofer)
Philips DVD50QAT (prog scan w/Faroudja chipset)
Pioneer Elite 720 HDTV

Heres what I need some help with (which brands/models):
Digital video interconnects
Power amp
Pre proc.

Should I go with a 5-chan amp or use multiple 2-channel amp? Other suggestions?

Thanks in advance!
dema
Hello Dema:

I will have to second "Sdcampbell's" recommendation as far as a Surround Processor and Power Amplifier are concerned. But however, as often the case with Bryston's products, I feel that their "2 Channel" stereo amps are very good to begin with. So, I would say that their "5 Channel" versions of their amps will have to be just as good at least. If you have a Surround Processor that is also a very good stereo preamplifier, then all you have to do is switch off the center channel and the surround channels when you are listening to music. And you should be able to do that at either the control center, or the amplifier itself. So for that reason, I am going to go with "Sdcampbell's" recommendation of the Bryston SP-1 Surrond Processor/Preamplifier. But I am going to say that if your room is on the small side, then more than likely, you are not going to need neither a Bryston 4B nor a 5 Channel version of that amp. As the Vandersteens (2Ce's) tend to be rather efficient and relatively easy to drive, then you are not going to need a monster sized amp in order to get the most that you can get out of them. For the Vandersteen 2Ce's, then I think that a Bryston 3B, or the "5 Channel" 9B (which is the 5 Channel version of the 3B) should be more than enough.

Now, as I use Adcom electronics as the cornerstone of my audio system, I am driving my audio system's speakers with a GFA-545 MkII. And after using this amplifier for about four years, if my memory serves me correctly, I find it to be an open sounding amplifier. But it is also a little bright and grainy in the upper midrange and in the higher frequencies. But other than that, it is a good bass amplifier if it is used within reason. It seems to get the most out of my KEF's woofers, which in reality, they are bass/midrange drivers that measure about six-and-a-half inches or so. But at 100 Watts Per Channel, you cannot reasonably expect it to drive a monster sized 12'-to-15' subwoofer. And in my system, it is not used in that application either. But I also knew that it was going to be a bright sounding amplifier when I bought it almost four years ago. I was after a more open and dynamic sound. And the only way I could get that is to get one of Adcom's older "Bi-Polar" amplifiers. Their newer and current MOSFET amplifiers tend to sound to smooth and syrupy for my tastes. And they're not as dynamic sounding either. But anyway, knowing that my Adcom GFA-545 MkII is a "Bi-Polar" design, I knew it was going to be bright sounding in the beginning. And the fact that I was going to also mate it to a neutral sounding pre in the Adcom GFP-750 did not do anything to tame the bright sound of the GFP-545 MkII either. So, this is where the interconnects come it. I see that you are using MITerminator interconnects and speaker cable with your system. And given the electronics that you may be buying, I say that they are a good bet, and great match for your system. All MIT's tend to do is smooth out the rough edges of your system's sound without squashing its dynamics. They will extend the bass response, making it more powerful than it probably actually is, and make the midrange more open and transparent. But what they also do is remove the harshness and graininess in the upper registers without dulling the higher frequencies. So given your system, I'd say that the MIT's are a good bet for your system. Now for "digital" video cable??? I would go ahead and try the "M" series of Monster Cable's video cable. I don't believe you can go wrong there.

Also, my $.02's worth.

--Charles--
I'm from the seperate 2 ch + 3 ch amp school. I'd recommend spending more on the 2 channel than the 3, if you listen to mostly music. If you're mostly movies, a 5 channel amp would probably do. I was running a Threshold T400 stereo amp for my mains, and an Acurus 200X3 for surrounds. 80% of my listening was 2 channel, and I feel that when watching movies, you're visually distracted so you can get by with a less expensive amp. For surround processor, I'd recommend an Aragon Sounstage. I've seen them closing out at internet prices of $1500-$1900, brand new. It was a $4K processor, that has a 2 channel and 6 channel analog passthrough. It can't be beat for what it's selling for at closeout prices, if you can find one. Of the current ones, I think the Anthem AVM-20 would do quite nicely, but will cost you another $1K. It won't sound better than the Soundstage, but it does offer 7.1 instead of 5.1, if you want to go that direction. A friend of mine has a system with an Aragon Soundstage, Aragon 8008BB stereo amp and an Acurus A200X3 surround amp. He gets very nice sound from this setup.
Good Luck

John
I also own a pair of 2CEs as well as a VWq and a Vcc. My other components are an Aragon Soundstage and an Aragon 8008x3.

Before buying the amplifier my local dealer lent me several amps including a Bryston and a B&K. I spent several hours rotating the 3 amps and came away with a definitive liking of the Aragon. In fact, my decision was quite easy. The clarity of the Aragon sound over the other 2 amps was quite surprising. I never would have guessed I'd hear such a great difference.

Originally I had a Chiro C-800 as my pre/processor but have been overjoyed by the Soundstage. The 2-channel sound is stunning.

David
I'd be sure to go with the 2W vs. the 2wq sub if you like explosions and are using this for a HT only. My Adcom processor doesn't do a good job when it routes the sub signal back into the 2 front mains and I lose all the bass. It's not very satisfying for home theatre. I have a separate preamp so that my music sounds decent and the 2wqs have plenty of bass for music. I'm looking now into buying a cheap sub just for HT.