Von Schweikert VR-1; What Amps are People Using?


I keep coming back to the near universal approval of the VR-1's, their great engineering, ultra sweet tweet, and their "big" sound, which seems to be a common description. I am wondering what amplification people are using with them, I notice some tube users, but I am particularly interested in results with a high current amp's effect on soundstaging, speaker control, bass extension, etc. I would like to know if these speakers are capable of giving some real bass weight with bigger amps, (physical limitations acknowledged,) -in my 14X14 room, without the need for a sub. thanks for your insights.
dmason
I happened to call Von Schweikert today and ask a similar question, namely what integrated amp for under $1k do you recommend for the VR-1? They suggested a used Jolida SJ 801.
I bought a pair of VR1s for my office system. I paired them with two blasts from the past, Rotel 971 integrated and CD player. With Analysis Plus Oval 9 speaker wires, and Silver Audio Hyacinth IC, they are very dynamic, and sound good even at low volume. IMHO
Can I use the VR-1s as mains and the center and get something smaller/cheaper for the surrounds? Obviously it would not be VS, as they have nothing of the sort. What do you think? Would it mess up the HT and I should just splurge on the 4 VR-1s?
I would say get VR-2s for the front, and eliminate the need for a subwoofer, a LCR15 Center, and VR-1s or LCR15s for the back. You should be pretty happy with this setup.
I use two VR-1's for surrounds and three LCR-15's for the front trio in my HT setup. All are powered by IRD-MB-100 (le Amp) monoblocks.
I ran the VR-1's as L,R fronts for awhile while I was selling off my Paradigm Ref 40's and I personally felt the VR-1's were all over the 40's in every regard.
The MB-100's ? OK, but I am in the amp upgrade mode and have been looking for replacement amps.
But the VSA lineup as it is ..... is truly impressive with the IRD amps. Far from ideal, but the VS VR-1's (and LCR-15's for that matter) are just a solid performer for the $tag.