I own Andra IIs which replaced my Wilson WP7's that I owned for 2 years and prior to that Revel Salon's in this system set-up. Both of the speakers you are referring to are world class contenders and you really can't go wrong with either. A good friend has the Vandy 5's with Dartzeel gear along with EMM source, really nice system. In my opinion I prefer the Eggleston's and feel that they are just in another league over all, more musical and over all more convincing. Regarding set-up, I have not had any issues and found them to be very easy. Regarding the Vandy's and their built in amp does not impress me, I have Mac 501's driving the Andra's and feel the bass bettering the Vandy's. I have recently put the Andra's on Sistrum platforms and found positive changes in the sound characteristics along with presentation, I will leave them on the platforms for a few more months and then remove to finalize my over all thoughts. Other associated gear, Audio Research Ref 3 pre (I have a Supratek Sauv. pre. that I'm comparing right now) I have a Oracle 2000 transport connected via Stealth Sextet AES digital cable to a Accustic Arts Dac MK4 which is just a amazing combo. Connection from the dac to pre is XLR Stealth Indra, from the pre to amps XLR Virtual Dynamics Rev. 2.0 and speaker cables Virtual Dynamics Genesis 6ft bi-wire.
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Referring to the the words used in my thread " in another league". I went over the other day to listen again to the Vandy set-up and my opinion is the same. I do like the Vandy set-up but when I listen to the Eggleston set-up over all find it to be superior and can say it is in another league.
Possibly the Vandy set-up is not at it's best, gear, room etc. but I'm sure the owner would debate with you differing in opinion, he has had this gear for two years now.
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Possibly the Eggleston set-up is superior.
Listening to these two set-ups it is very obvious, other individuals who have heard the two set-ups also agree along with the actual owner of the Vandy's and that is why they will be replaced shortly.
I do agree people do have their own opinions along with preference, personal taste and that is what makes the world go around.
I had a few emails directed personally to me, one being a little upset obviously a Vandy die hard. Vandy owners need not to take it personally it's only my opinion, I would love to hear your Vandy set-up and then you can hear the Eggleston set-up. Email me personally and then the out come can be posted at a later time.
Eggleston set-up;
Eggleston Andra 2's (On Sistrum platforms)
McIntosh 501 mono blocks
Audio Research Ref3 pre(currently comparing Supratek Sauv.)
Accustic Arts Dac MK4
Oracle 2000 transport
Stealth Sextet Digital AES connection, dac and transport.
Stealth Indra XLR, dac and pre.
Virtual Dynamics Rev. 2.0 XLR interconnect, pre and amps.
Virtual Dynamics Genesis 6 ft bi-wire speaker cables
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What does your actual system consist of? you are so gracious but you don't have to give me your system it's okay but lets get those 20 folks together you speak of it will be fun. It's so obvious between these two set-ups using Red Book cds that you won't have to do a blind test, not needed.
Just so you know there is no agenda it's only an opinion, this is not my main designated system but a second one and only a hobby for me so I have no agenda in which sounds better but between these two set-ups hands down Eggleston set-up wins.
I don't know how one can make statement's saying "I have heard the Egglestons and the Vandys in THE SAME SYSTEM" and "I have heard the Egglestons take the edge in one system while the Vandys were clearly superior in another."
Sounds like store settings to me which is not ideal especially with all that other gear and speakers interacting.
First of all I don't agree in ABing speakers this way, firstly if you actually have the speakers in the same room their woofers will interact moving etc. which is not a good thing. Moving speaker cables, from my experience they need to settle in for a few days to sound their best. Set-ups, you just don't plunk speakers down trying different ones, you play with their set-up for some time trying different locations to get their sweet spot. My friend has had his for over two years now, I have had my Eggleston's since last year and prior I had Wilson W/P 7's, I still am currently trying different locations.
I just want Vandy owners to know that there are is no agenda here, Vandy's are really really great speakers and I like them but between these two systems hands down I prefer the Eggleston set-up.
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That's too bad that you aren't willing to take me up on the offer that you originally initiated but does it surprise me? no.
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That's not exactly correct, I don't believe it's drunks in a bar argument but a healthy discussion being worked out. If you read my posts it has been about my experience regarding Vandy and Eggleston set-up.
There are allot of individuals out there that seem to have a hidden agenda and high jack threads, nit picking over the use of words used etc. when it's the individuals own opinion.
There isn't much more one can do but actually offer to hear both system's is there? and at no time have I ever said that I don't like Vandy's.
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I skimmed over your McCormack thread please, where would you like me to start? but I won't.
I don't believe you have actually even heard both set-up properly but instead only have a hidden agenda.
Stick to answering the original post instead of high jacking it with nonsense.
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Well 4yanx you seem to really going over board and off the deep end, get a grip it's only audio have you had your meds today? |
Mothra regarding "different league" depends on the context and how it is used.
In my thread, I gave my experience of listening to two different systems, one being superior over the other.
If you heard a system that was great but then heard another system with the same music listening to both male and female voices and one left you in awe what would you call it?
You listen to a variety of music including all kinds of musical instrumentals including the piano and one system is alright but the other is just more realistic what would you call it?
You then listen to pieces that show off stage presence, pieces included such as Phantom of the Opera, Oliver, My Favorite Year and the stage presence was just so unbelievable scary real what would you call it?
When you put on other music like Tchaikovsky 1812 and when the canon shots go off they startle you like it was the first time you ever heard it. You then put on Dafos and Kodo Drums and it's all so real sounding what would you call it?
Ending the evaluation listening to Fiesta! Dallas Wind Symphony "Prelude and Axtec Dance" and there is just no comparison then what would you call it.
I call it in "another league"
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Shadorne, you mentioned in your thread the Andra's are "a bit bass light". The original Andras were but the Andra 2's aren't, bass has allot to do with placement and associated gear. I have had some speakers where the stage was great but the bass was not visa versa but I am not having any problems with my Andra's.
If you compare the Andra's to say the Wilson Maxx 2's then yes. The Maxx 2's move allot more air, is this correct I'm not sure but I do like the effect but there are other issues with the MAXX 2's. A step up would most likely be to go to the Savoy's, trying to integrate subs is very difficult. I have had a few speakers in the past with big bass but it was unrealistic and did not integrate well with the rest of the drivers or over loaded the room. I have tried sub satellite set-ups in the past, highly regarded Entec SW-2 subs stacked along with Artimis speakers, allot of work and money.
If you like ATC then you should also look at PMC BB5-XBD-A speakers.
Regarding speaker cable hook-up, wow! to have slice the spades so to fit onto the Vandy's not for me. No problems with the Andra's, I have Virtual Dynamics Genesis top of the line bi-wire speaker cables hooked with out any cutting and they are beast to hook-up.
Going back to the bass, I really noticed putting my Andra's on top of Systrum platforms improved over all along with even improving the already excellent bass. I have passed this info. onto many with different speakers and all have come back with great results. A friend has JM-LAB Nova BE's and recently put them on and is just over whelmed with the results.
Just so you are aware I new you had Vandy's all along, they are great speakers also.
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Rknight, is this a designated room? For me this is a second rig and my Andra's are not set-up in my designated room but in a large living room environment, open concept situation with ceilings 9ft, 10ft, 18ft and 28ft. I have had the same thoughts as you regarding the Savoy's but the input that I have gotten back from individuals who have heard both and of whom I trust their ears say the Savoy's are not "musical" like the Andra's. This really concerned me because this is one area that I really enjoy about them and makes then special. So if I was you I would do some serious listening prior to buying. If you are wanting a big speaker then there are allot of others to look at, one coming to mind that intrigues me is MM3 or you could even go with the MM2 smaller version of the two, gear Dartzeel pre & amp for both set-ups and you are done. The bass can be dialed in which has built-in amps, you can do a search and see what others are doing that already have them.
I have not personally heard the Savoy's so I can not comment but I will say they are big, heavy, need lots of power, did I say "very heavy" and I believe a hard re-sale item as are most big speakers. I will say though the Andra's are real winners and you will have allot of fun with them. You can try all types of gear with them to find out what your flavour is and they will really amaze you.
I'm getting the itch to try some different amps, Lamm, Vac Phi 300.1 but mono blocks, Butler Monad mono blocks, new Dodd mono blocks.
To my ears I prefer the Andra's over the Vandy 5A's also.
Ozzy are you enjoying your Andra's? you need to get those Sistrum platforms underneith your Andra's, nice improvment.
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