Your good ole speakers are from 1986
26 years
I would suggest you take a listen to a newer pair
There is not one single component that is the same in the latest Vandersteen 2CE Sig IIs and they work extremely well with ARC
JohnnyR
Vandersteen dealer over 20 years |
JohnnyR is correct. There is not a single component the same in the later Vandersteens and I am sure you will be disappointed in the new Vandersteens because by comparison they are bright. They don't have the dynamics or the magic of the old Vandersteens. I already made this mistake once. If you like the sound you have now, but want a really big improvement add a Vandersteen subwoofer. This addition is not as much for the bass as it is for the rest of the music. The subwoofer relieves your 2Cs and your main amplifier of reproducing bass and the improvement will amaze you. It's the biggest bang for the buck. |
I would see if you could borrow a newer amp from your ARC dealer. ARC solid state amps have come a long way since the early 90's and the D240 mkII. I think that would make the most significant change. I would also check to see if there is any deterioration around the speakers cones.
Those cables are very good and seem to only get better over time. I have tried others on occasion and have always come back to the ARC gray Litz II cables. |
Audioconnection is right, I went from 2ci to 2ce,and now 2CE Signature II. The sig II is unbelievable, it's a night and day different. Also here's what Richard Vandersteen said from one of his tech Q and A
"Answer: HELLO MIKE, THAT ANSWER WAS COMPARING A OLDER MODEL 3 AND A NEWER MODEL 2CE. AT ANY GIVEN YEAR THE CURRENT 3 WILL BE MUCH HIGHER PERFORMANCE THAN THE CURRENT 2. THE CURRENT MODEL 2CE SIG II WILL BLOW AWAY AN OLD MODEL 3, AND THE CURRENT MODEL 3A SIG WILL BLOW AWAY A CURRENT 2CE SIG II."
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I say get a newer pair of Vandersteen's. I'll admit I'm biased because they are my favorite speaker. But I really don't feel that you can do better. As far as Rrog's comment about being bright, I disagree. Vandersteen's are very transparent. More likely than not, the brightness is due to something in the system and not the speakers. |
In 2011 I upgraded from the Vandersteen 1986 2C to the newer 2ce sig2's. The difference was a big ear opener!
The Sig 2's are not bright. Much more transparent than the earlier 26 year old 2C's. |
"THE CURRENT MODEL 2CE SIG II WILL BLOW AWAY AN OLD MODEL 3, AND THE CURRENT MODEL 3A SIG WILL BLOW AWAY A CURRENT 2CE"
I get his point, I think, but seems like strange language from a serious audio maker. sort of juvenile. |
IME, Richard Vandersteen has always seemed to be a straight shooter, but saying; things I currently sell are better than things I no longer sell, and things I currently sell for more are better than what I currently sell for less, is cause for pause.;-) |
((*IME, Richard Vandersteen has always seemed to be a straight shooter))
Still is...
(((but saying; things I currently sell are better than things I no longer sell, and things I currently sell for more are better than what I currently sell for less, is cause for pause.;))
What part of this dont you understand ?
Its simple
The current Vandersteen 2CE sig2 with the latest Five A mid range and tweeter etc sells for 2395 now in 2012...
A model 3 from 1992 sold for 2395 its the same price and
20 years later progress marches on.
We have em both here old and new...
JohnnyR Vandersteen dealer over 20 years
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Lostbears quote,
"I would see if you could borrow a newer amp from your ARC dealer. ARC solid state amps have come a long way since the early 90's and the D240 mkII. I think that would make the most significant change."
I don't know if I would go that far. Have you ever listened to those amps? You might be right, but if the D240 is part of the same line that the D300 & D400's were, I wouldn't be so fast to get rid of them. I've always felt that the 300 & 400's were very underrated. I almost bought a 400 but went with a VT100 instead but I know I would have been happy either way.
Overall, I do think you are correct in that SS has come a long way. I'm just suggesting that even though the amp is old, the sound quality may still be very good. |
I understand just fine, I just suggest that whenever anyone hears anyone selling with that line, they pause and consider all the potential motives that might be in play (including the sincere ones). |
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Is cause for paws kinda like a deer in the headlight syndrome?
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Dear John,
If one comes out of the dark, then one may see that does have hooves. |
Best Hooves yet, which leaves u without a leg to stand on. |
It behooves one to look in all directions before proceeding. My original recommendation still stands. |
"((*IME, Richard Vandersteen has always seemed to be a straight shooter))
Still is...
(((but saying; things I currently sell are better than things I no longer sell, and things I currently sell for more are better than what I currently sell for less, is cause for pause.;))"
I'm not trying to start an argument, but I don't see why that statement seems odd or would give any type of pause. "things I currently sell are better than things I no longer sell" -- I would hope so. What else can he say? My old models sound better than my new ones?
"things I currently sell for more are better than what I currently sell for less, is cause for pause" Once again, I would hope so. You pay more money, you get a better speaker. I would think it odd if he said that a current model 1 was better than a current model 3. |
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As George Harrison once said in the middle of a song "go Johnny go" |
Assuming you just want to upgrade the speakers, call your dealer and arrange a time to bring your gear and give the new Vandersteens, or other speakers, a listen. If your dealer will let you take a sample pair home, even better. |
Wow this went off topic. Yes Vandersteen has improved. I would go listen how else can you really determine what you like. I think bang for buck Vandersteen are a great speaker.
Now I know many speakers where I like the old models better than the new ones. Some companies when they get popular seem to charge more or somehow there speakers seem cheaper. Just because you spend more or get a newer speaker does not mean it is better. But Vandersteen has consistency over years and constantly improved without big markups. Except for the model sevens not sure where all the money goes but boy do I love them.
Anyhow the current 2ce sigs are some of my favorite speakers owned them for a long time when I wanted to improve them I added the sub that really tightened things up. I would say go for it.
I almost never hear anyone call them bright actually most people describe them as the opposite laid back. In fact if you say a not bright speaker Vandersteen and Theal are the first that come to mind. |
