Replacement for current speakers suggestions


Greetings! I am 64 years old and started the hi fi journey at 19. I am thinking of replacing my current speakers. I have a pair of Von Shweikert VR 2's driven by a Mcintosh MA 250. Analogue sources are a Clearaudio Emotion Red with a Hana EH cartridge, the second deck is a Technics SL-1200 GR with a Clearaudio Maestro Cartridge. My VR 2's sound outstanding with the Mac however, they are sounding clinical these days. I realise that at 64 with all my health issues hearing changes for the worse. Diabetic for 39 years, Cardiac issues, (massive MI in 95, double bypass in 05) and the latest is stage 4 cancer, no remission possible! I like a warm sound that recreates music in great detail without sounding clinical, not sure if that makes sense! Disability does not pay all that well! The days of affording 3k to 5k are done! Looking at some Wharfdale towers, Maggies and possily Monitor Audio. I want to stay abour or below 2k.I will appreciate your opinions!

Thanks, Bogiedr

bogiedr1

Showing 3 responses by millercarbon

For the record I didn’t scold, nor was I condescending. I simply pointed out that this is the second time this same exact thing has come up recently.

Yes OP you said your hearing changed. You also made an even bigger point of being on a budget. My posts took both factors into account. Since then I stayed away not because you asked but because I already said what needed to be said. Something I often times do. Speak your peace, which in my case translates to provide the relevant information, then let the people make up their own minds.

Nice you are asking people to lay off. But you could have done that too yourself. Instead you thought better to not only ignore my thoughtful and very useful advice and instead insult me with your grandpa scolding you comment. So, hypocrite. So typical. People in glass houses, etc etc.

It is one of the bigger and yet unspoken problems around here. Some like me have such comprehensive knowledge we can solve pretty much anything. Except we cannot read minds. So when someone says they are on a budget but then insists on spending money unnecessarily anyway there just ain’t much we can do, now is there, sonny?

Figure out what it is that you really want and when you do maybe try again. Meantime thanks for the better late than never help. But there was a whole entire thread devoted to the topic of apologizing for misjudging me. Nothing phases the haters. Nothing. MDS. It is a thing.

I would just like to take one more moment to point out the obvious contrast. Where I provided solid actionable solutions that befit your budget, others recommend power hogs that will kill your budget leaving you spending ever more money trying to find the amp that can drive them. But they disguise their bad advice with folksy humor. Some people like that. Others prefer the truth.

Choose wisely.

Right. Most components need only 3-4 springs each. This leaves 3-4 springs left over, enough to make another set. The springs fit perfectly in a 1/4" hole. So all it takes is a 1/4" drill bit and you can do 2 components for $30. 

Easily the bargain tweak of all time (so far!).

Second time this weekend. It's not your speakers. They didn't change. It's your ears that changed. Pretty normal to develop this kind of sensitivity with age. Started happening to me a few years ago.

A lot of the problem is ringing that is the result of component vibration and can be easily eliminated and tuned out with springs. I would get a set of Nobsound springs.  You can start with one of your turntables, or the amp, doesn't really matter they work about equally well under everything. 

The great thing about springs, they will not only improve detail, but Nobsound will allow you to tune your system to be a lot warmer without giving up much if any detail. You may well notice more detail even while making it much warmer.

This works because the way springs work, as the load changes the resonant character of the springs changes. When loaded enough to compress about half way they are very neutral, with a great top and bottom end and wonderful midrange. Remove a few springs so they compress more and they shift to a warmer sound with fuller bass and a smoother top end. 

At $30/set of 4 these are easily the best you can do for the money. They also come in an acrylic or plastic version that is slightly warmer than the normal aluminum version. Also you will have left over springs, which if you have a 1/4" drill bit you can make into extra footers. These will even work under your speakers. Highly recommended.