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Vandersteen's new affordable mono blocks at the CES 18

Just got an email that his new amps will be unveiled at the CES.  Here is what I got.  I can't wait.  He has adjustable crossovers so you can use them on any speaker that doesn't go down to 20HZ, which is 99% of teh speakers on the market.  Here is what they said:

Vandersteen Audio Introduces the Next GREAT Amplifier at CES 2018!Venetian Suite 29-203
Vandersteen Audio shook up the audio world with its liquid-cooled M7-HPA monoblocks, a radical advance in power amplifier design and loudspeaker performance that is Stereophile Class-A rated as a true reference.Vandersteen is doing it again at CES 2018 in Las Vegas, where you can get the first look and listen at a pre-production pair of the upcoming M5-HPA (High-Pass Amplifier) monoblocks! The M5-HPA is a solid-state design descended directly from the flagship monoblocks. It will be substantially less expensive, but will offer an astonishing amount of the flagship's sonic magic. While the M7-HPA is designed specifically for Vandersteen's Model Seven Mk II speakers, the M5-HPA will work with a much wider variety of loudspeakers and Vandersteen powered subwoofers. To accomplish this goal, while the M7-HPA's high-pass is fixed at 100Hz, the M5-HPA's internal high-pass filtering is adjustable to any of the following five settings: 20Hz, 40Hz, 80Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz.Vandersteen for years has employed high-pass filtering with powered subwoofers for the ultimate in powered-bass performance. When paired with a Vandersteen powered-bass speaker like the Quatro Wood CT the M5-HPA forms a complete powered-bass speaker system in which the amplification is perfectly optimized over the entire frequency range.
Richard Vandersteen is responsible for the M5-HPA’s overall design and architecture; the amplifier was developed and is built in partnership between Vandersteen Audio and Dean Klinefelter, a talented designer and engineer in his own right. 
Vandersteen powered-bass speaker systems are the ultimate expression of Richard Vandersteen’s philosophies on design and performance, formed over decades of industry-leading design & research & innovation.
M5-HPA's technical attributes:
  • Zero-Feedback Solid-State Design With Dual Single-Ended Circuits Connected By The Speaker Load
  • All Signal Transistors N-Channel Bipolars 
  • No Emitter Resistors
  • Minimal Circuit Path- Only 5 Parts In Signal Path Per Phase
  • 10 Separate Power Supplies
  • Adjustable High-Pass Filter (20Hz, 40Hz, 80Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz)
  • 300-Watts Into 4 Ohms / 150-Watts Into 8 Ohms
  • Made In The USA


ctsooner
darthlaker's avatar
darthlaker
10 posts
 
I have the KXR20 and MXR20's with my Sevens. Both upgraded from original versions. The upgrade was substantial and more so with the pre over the amps.

Sounds sublime!


ctsooner OP
2,480 posts
 
thanks for sharing Darth. I know that Ryan, Gary and the guys at Ayre feel the same way.  Too many folks seem to buy expensive amps and don't even think about the pre.  
veerapaneni
108 posts
 
Anyone compared mxr-20s and ARC REF 250se with 7s .
ctsooner OP
2,480 posts
 
Thanks for sharing.  All very interesting.  I got to hear the Kento/M5-HP combo at Audio Connection.  I was blown away.  Just an amazing speaker for the price.  It truly is CLOSE to the 7's and the amps are close to the M7-HP's.  It's really an amazing price point for what you get.  

Johnny Rutan took me aside and auditioned the CAD CG1 passive grounding device.  They make a larger and better CG3 as well as a new reference device.  HOLY COW....this is a must get for most folks I believe.  the small one was hooked up to the RCA out on the DAC.  It made a huge difference and it was 100% positive unlike some of the grounding devices I've heard and that include the Entreq ones I've heard, which are good, but there was something about it that didn't make me feel is needed it in my system. This CAD device is the next purchase for me.  I know there are only a couple of dealers in the US, but I think they have a guarantee.  You can call and ask Johnny if you want to, but it took the Treo's (I used to own them so I know what this device does) to another level. The power cords were the AQ Tornado's and the speaker cables were originally the AQ Castlerock, but once we put on the William Tell copper (what I own) the system took on a new level in every area.  It lowered the noise floor GREATLY.  Even with dedicated lines as I use, it will make a large difference.  Sorry to go on and on, but have wanted to share that bit for a week now. 

The other thing that Richard fully explained was why you need a true zero global feedback amp for his speakers to sound their absolute best as he shared with earth tones.  I changed my system to a zero global feedback amp when I got the Treo's as that's what makes them sound their best. I also feel that the glare you get from an amp that uses feedback is something I don't enjoy the sound off regardless of how good the amp is, but that's totally my thoughts.  Some may not even heard the difference or care.  JMHO
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
@veerapaneni  Randy has my old VXR-20 or did, which some say sounds better than the MXR-20 , and of course he has the REf250 as well. Randy is my dealer for RV’s amp, which i love.
best to you, hope you are enjoying the 7’s magical as they are.
jim
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