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Tube Amp suggestions for VSA VR4-SE's?

Hello!

I have owned a pair of Von Schweikert Audio VR4SE's now for about six months. I currently purchased a pair of Electrocompaniet AW220 mono blocks to drive them (previously I owned a Levinson No.334) at a dealers highest recommendation. The sound is very, very good, in all definitions of "audiophile" sound (fast tight bass, highly neutral midrange, extended highs, fast, transparent, nice stage, etc.). However, the sound is just not connecting me to the music in an emotional way. All my audiophile buddies who come over and hear the system are asking what more do I want? Well, I want INVOLVEMENT! I really don't care about all those audiophile tags anymore. I simply want that connection with the music, where I can forget about listening only to the best recordings, and listen to anything, and everything.

I feel positive that the speaker is capable of delivering this involvement, WITH THE RIGHT AMP DRIVING IT! So, this time, I want tubes. In checking out some different reasonably priced possibilities, I have come across the ROGUE amps (M-150 and the Zeus), as well as the Music Reference 200, and the Quicksilver VR monos. Does anyone out there in A'gonland have any experience with these amps (with the VR4's or any other like speaker), or can you make some other suggestions regarding any others. Forget the $21,000 Lamms, actually one of my favorites, but not in my budget (I actually live in a world of home mortgage payments, car notes and tuition payments, so let's say around $6,500 or less)!

Oh, by the way, my room is 15' x 19' with a coffered 8' ceiling, and my usual listening levels are around 85 to 95 db (as measured with a Radio Shack sound level meter ('C' weighting, fast response).

In advance, thanks to all for your input!

Happy Listening,

Louis
louisl

Showing 2 responses by 1markr

1markr
594 posts
 
You fail to mention your front end that's driving your amps, e.g. the preamp and CD player. Those components will also affect the "involvement" factor that you are so hungry for as much as the amps will.

I run the ASL Hurricanes in my system now, which also consists of the wonderful VR4 III HSE. I wouldn't say the 'Canes are underpowered at all; maybe they are vs. a Zeus, which I haven't heard personally. As RP1 stated, the midrange of the 'Canes is superb, as are the highs. The bass is there, but you will not get that tremendous SS slam from the Hurricanes, but a deep, full tuneful bass that tubes are known to provide. You want INVOLVEMENT, switch them into triode mode and get sucked into the music!

I will be trying out the Parasound JC-1s soon. I'm attempting to merge the best qualities of my tube amps with the best qualities of SS, of which the JC-1s are reputed to do. We'll see.
1markr
594 posts
 
Louis, I have the latest version of the Hurricanes, which have the triode switch, stiffened chassis, the green PIO caps, and the enhanced bias system, where there are 4 bias pots on either side of the chassis. I rolled in EH KT88s and have been playing with 6SN7s on the input and driver stages. So far, I'm getting great sound from EH 6SN7s and Brimar CV1988s.

The only problem I had was with a resistor blowing out due to a bad tube, which I guess could happen with any tube amp, and it was a cheap fix. That was when the amps were brand new, about 6 mos. ago. Nothing but sweet music since.

I got the JC-1 amps this weekend, and my initial feelings are that it's going to be very difficult to finally decide which to keep. Decisions, decisions....Can't I keep both, honey?? You probably know her answer....

Good luck with your quest!
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