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Vandersteen Treo CT vs. 5A

I've enjoyed my 3A Sigs for 15 years. I currently use them with 2 Paradigm Servo 15's fed through a Bryston 10B crossover. I'm happy with the sound but feel the 3As lack the last bit of transparency in the midrange and are a little soft on top. My wife is not a huge fan of their appearance but she appreciates the sound. I tried a pair of Audio Physics recently. Although they were beautiful to look at with imaging and soundstage that bettered the 3As, they were too small for my largish room so I switched back to the 3As.

I'm considering upgrading with Vandersteen but the nearest dealer is 5 hours away. Currently there is a pair or Treo CTs and a pair of 5As w/crossovers for sale online. Both are listed for about $6k.

I'm asking for opinions on which, if either, would be the best choice to upgrade. Go with the Treo and keep my subs, or go with the 5A and repurpose my subs somewhere else. The 5As are the original versions of unknown age.

My amp is an ARC Ref 110 and my room is a large open space w/ 8 ft ceilings.

Any opinions would be appreciated.
nolacap
9 responses Add your response
gdnrbob
4,447 posts
 
I, too, started with the 3a sigs, and now own the Treo non-CT's.
I used both with a pair of 2wq subs (hopefully upgrading to the Sub 3's soon).
I can tell you you won't be disappointed if you make the move to the Treo's. To me, the Treo's offer an even greater subtlety and refinement than the 3a sigs.
If I were you, and wanted to save some cash, I would find a pair of used Quatro's, CT or non-CT, vs, the 5a;s That would give you the benefit of the onboard subs. Though the CT tweeters are great, I think even finding a non-CT model will still be a significant upgrade to your system-and your ARC should have enough juice for either Treo or Quatro.
You don't mention your preamp.
Bob
nolacap OP
84 posts
 
Bob, Thanks for the feedback. My preamp is a Bryston BP-26 with benchmark DAC3 and VPI Aries/Lyra Kleos/Pass Labs Ono.

Do you think the subs in the Quatro could load my room? It's an odd-shaped room, 16x32 with openings to a hallway and entryway. 
dawgfish
157 posts
 
Not sure why Bob thinks the Quatro's "give you the benefit of the onboard subs" vs. the 5A's.  The 5A's also have on-board, powered subs.
rpeluso
1,063 posts
 
5A all the way
Post removed 
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,914 posts
 
Pretty difficult IMO ( and after owning the 3a-sig, 5a, Treo CT and 7’s for years  in a variety of fairly large volume rooms, to beat the push/pull aluminum honeycomb sub in the 5a and 7. It’s also difficult to beat the carbon tweeter for sweet transparency. The mid in the 3a signature is same as 5a, the 5a cabinet is superior to 3a, but don’t expect hyper differences, as you have a system that takes load off the ARC amp already. I think I would snatch up the used pair of Treo CT and sub 3 that Johnny has at Audio Connection ( advertised here on Audiogon) , I have no dog in that fight.
Where are you located ?
if on West coast, stop by for a listen :-)
jim
gdnrbob
4,447 posts
 
@dawgfish 
The Treo's don't have integrated subs. He was comparing Treo's to 5a's.
B
nolacap OP
84 posts
 
@tomic601 I'm in New Orleans but thanks for the invite and the input.
gdnrbob
4,447 posts
 
I agree with Tomic, the Treo's and sub for sale here on Audiogon are priced very competitively. (in fact the owner lives only a few miles from me). And to be honest, I was thinking of buying them myself...
But, I own the non-CT's and they aren't able to be placed properly in my room, so I doubt it would make sense to upgrade.😥
Bob
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