Albert, the Vandersteen 2's need about 50 watts per channel to play loudly. I am guessing 88 or 89 db efficiency. I have 2ce's and have driven them with an old ARC 70wpc tube amp with absolutely no problems, but have had vol. problems with a 30 watt Pass Aleph 3. Knowing teenagers they are going to want to show off to their friends by playing something loud, so you do not want to embarrass them here. So obviously you know much more about this stuff than me, but I would recommend something with a little juice. Such as....a Counterpoint SA-100 (used) for about 450 or less, or an old 100 watt class AB Forte amp (not the low power class A versions) for around the same price. These are sweet sounding amps and look you can get tubes in the counterpoint. As I have a SA-100 I can tell you the SA-100 and the vandersteens are a great match. However, I know of no CD/DVD with a volume control.....Perhaps Sony makes one as I have a sony cd with volume control in my office. Hmmm....how about a D/A with volume control...can't think of one of those either except Proceed, which prob. doesn't have enough gain to go very loud into an amp. Anyway, if you can find the Cd/DVD you can do it for way under budget and have a great system.
System for a teenager
I need advice to build a system for one of my sons school mates and his father. I have been advised to keep budget as low as possible but strive for quality sound.
My idea is buy used gear here at Audiogon starting with 2 series Vandersteen's, DVD-CD player with volume control and moderate power tube amps.
Would especially appreciate ideas for the DVD-CD with volume control and ideas for moderate power tube amps.
My idea is buy used gear here at Audiogon starting with 2 series Vandersteen's, DVD-CD player with volume control and moderate power tube amps.
Would especially appreciate ideas for the DVD-CD with volume control and ideas for moderate power tube amps.