Best amps for everything EXCEPT bass


Vandersteen Treo CT speakers. Swarm subwoofer system with two amps. All frequencies are covered and sound outstanding with my Quicksilver V4 tube amps and the Swarm.

So, do I change out the Quicksilver for an Ayre VX5-20? Most of the comments on the Ayre upgrade focus on bass - my set up will benefit from improved bass, but that’s not the focus since the Treo’s aren’t my primary source of bass.

Thoughts, comments and recommendations are welcomed. 
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xcajunbaseball
@georgehifi   WADR I would not recommend 25 watt per channel amp or anything under about 125 watts capable for the 85db efficiency Treo CTs.  I have the Treo CTs mated to two Vandy subs. so cajun and I are in a similar situation. Although the 225 watts I'm giving the Treos is overkill considering two powered subs., 25 watts I fear will not bring them to life.

@cajunbaseball   Congrats. again on the Treo CTs!  As I mentioned in another post, I've heard Vandersteens with your Quicksilver models and the sound was glorious.  However, I have heard nothing but raves about how Vandersteens and Ayres play well together.

So I don't see a bad outcome for you here.  To your credit, you have identified two great options.  One safe recommendation.  Call Audio Connection in Verona, NJ and talk with John Rutan.  He has both brands of amps and is incredibly knowledgeable about all things Vandersteen.

All the best!

My recommendation for the best mids and highs was for a Class-A amp solid state, of whatever wattage the OP needs.
Not really for him to purchase the ML-2’s, it’s just a bucket list Class-A amp for me, which will drive ANY speaker to a GIVEN level with ease and magic sound for mids and highs, but definitely not a party amp.

Cheers George
I would look at a Pass First Watt F7 or J2.  Purest Class A amps out there.  If you cross your Treo's over to the Swarm at 80 Hz, you really don't need much power - 25 to 50 watts will do pretty well.

The Quicksilvers are already pretty good, but if you want to stick with tubes the BAT and ARC amps work really well with Vandersteen's.  For that matter so do the BAT solid state amps.
How about Try a real Preamp in there.
 It is even more important than the amps.
 I predict you will find its a whole new system.
 Trying random amps without a decent preamp will be chasing your tail.
  JohnnyR
Advice from JohnnyR is absolutely wise and rational.  Unless it's hyperbole,  cajunbaseball has stated the Quicksilver V4 sounds "outstanding". If this is true, why replace it? I believe that the addition of a top tier preamplifier could result in substantial improvement. Again this is under the assumption that the V4 and speaker pairing is truly outstanding. The Ayre amplifier may certainly sound different but not necessarily better than the current V4. 
Charles