To my ear, in comparison to live music, the Vandersteens are anything but "super dull and lifeless." You have a great speaker - one that can get more music to you than the "Hi-Fi" speakers so many seem to be fond of these days - which end up giving a very exaggerated presentation which is not close to the music at all. I have not heard the Vandys with Adcom, I have with Bryston - it worked well with them. You are on the path to real music. As with most things in life - it is the path less taken. It is not the path the "masses" have taken. Follow your ear - not thea herd.
