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Vandersteen question

It's time to upgrade my speakers. I'm very impressed by the Vandersteen 3A Sig. but am concerned that I don't have enough power. I just got a pair of Quicksilver MiniMite monoblock tube amps that are 25 watts/channel matched with the Eastern Electric MiniMax preamp (20 db gain). Presently I've got Klipsch Heresys that are very efficient at 96db/1watt. I can barely turn the volume past the 9 o'clock position before the sound gets to ear bleeding levels.

My question relates to the active preamp with 20 db of gain. I believe there's a formula that everytime you double the wattage, this increases the SPL by 3 db. With this in mind, 20 db of gain in the preamp would equate to an amp having 6 2/3 times the wattage or 166 watts/channel matched with a passive preamp in my case.

I notice that Vandersteen recommends 100 to 200 W/ch with the 3A Sig while the 2Ce Sig recommends 40 to 60 W/ch. I find this confusing considering that the 3A is more efficient at 87db. The 2Ce is rated at 86db.

Vandy fans - Please enlighten me. Thanks.
mootsdude
wberdan
86 posts
 
mootsdude-

I would say that 25 watts might not be enough depending on room size and your listening habits.
25 watts of power can play fairly loud, but you should try and take the amp to a Vandersteen dealer ahead of time so you can see if it sounds to your liking. Pairing a 2Wq subwoofer up with the 3A Signature might make the 25w usable...

Like someone else mentioned- call Vandersteen Audio and ask the man himself...

Will
wberdan
86 posts
 
mootsdude-

One more comment- sorry everyone for the triple post :)

I once used Klipshorns and LaScalas.
You will not regret switching to Vandersteen.
I loved the sounds from Klipsch speakers for a couple years, and then I couldn't listen to them anymore.. I realized that they were fatiguing me and I wasn't really even grasping that for a while.
Switching to the Vandersteens, I have never gotten listening fatigue, and I really enjoy music so much more, and hear so much more.
I hope that just because your amplifier might not mate with Vandersteens that you do not abandon seeking out the 3A Signature.
It will grow on you- it is an amazing speaker

Will
john_l
782 posts
 
It's matter of taste but I don't think the 25 watts will drive. I would go with at least 100 watts tube and 150 watts solid state for the 3 a sigs.

I found that my old 100 watt tube amp was not up to the task but my 160 watt monoblocks were quite a good match. They like power to show off their lower bass.
mootsdude OP
51 posts
 
Thanks for all the responses. I plan on auditioning the Vandys at some point in my home but it sounds like 25 w/ch will certainly limit them.

Are there any other speaker recommendations that will mate well with my Quicksilver amps? I'm hoping to find a speaker with similar qualities of the 3A Sig for the same price. I assume most Vandy fans will give an emphatic - NO.

When I auditioned the Quicksilver amps at the shop with my preamp, they were driving the Vandy 1C quite well, although this is 90db/watt.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
For me loud enough could be even with 15WPC SET but it won't be enough full range-wise which I do prefere. For this I'd go for at least 100Wpc amps.
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