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$ 2500 ....Stay with Vandersteens ??...what else ?

Please refer my "system" to see my current set-up. Everything sounds wonderful together.....extremely musical, great soundstage depth and width, beautiful rendition of timbre and tone, natural presentation of voices and acoustics. BUT....I have the speaker "upgrade itch," wanting fuller, richer, deeper sound, and I need advice from my friends at Audiogon.

I spend around three hours a night of "serious listening," about 2/3 digital and 1/3 vinyl. Roughly 70% of my enjoyment is 1950's - 1960's jazz (Miles, Coltrane, Basie, Rollins, Brubeck, Ella, Mobley, Morgan, etc., etc.), 25% "classic rock" that I grew up with (Allman Brothers, Dead, Dylan, CSNY, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Led Zep, Yes, Hot Tuna, etc.), and the other 5% "newer jazz audiophile stuff" (Patricia Barber, Rebecca Pigeon, etc.)

Keeping the rest of my system the same (except for bi-wire speaker cables if needed), what do you guys recommend for new speakers ? Vandersteen 2CE Sig. II's seem a natural option, but what else should I consider ? I'm open to all kinds of suggestions. Thanks a lot, and Happy Listening !
adam18
adam18 OP
670 posts
 
This has been a great exchange of ideas, and I really appreciate everyone's input. So, last night I spent around 3 hours in front of my current set-up, listening to all CD's......Rob Wasserman (both "Duets" and "Trios"), Sonny Rollins ("The Bridge"), and Jennifer Warnes ("Famous Blue Raincoat" re-issue.) The music sounded absolutely fantastic, and I was in "audio heaven." So, maybe I'll just leave well enough alone for now, and keep on enjoying my system just the way it is. Who knows ?? This crazy hobby of ours certainly is a lot of fun. Take care, ya'all, and Happy Listening. I'll keep you posted.
sonofjim
557 posts
 
You've just reached the same conclusion I most often do when considering an upgrade/change. When you sit down and listen and are still moved by your current set up why change? Anyone can spend a bunch of money and have a pretty system. A frugal hi-fi system that still delivers is a more admirable accomplishment in my opinion. That more expensive equipement will still be there when you're ready. Meanwhile, you're obviously doing something right so just enjoy.
adam18 OP
670 posts
 
Thank you, Sonofjim. Very nicely stated. Enjoying the music is what it's all about.
Take it easy......
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Sonofjim, no question you are right about the primacy of "enjoying the music"; god knows there of plenty of folks with expensive gear that don't, either because their systems are not put together right, or they're to anxious about the equipment to relax and enjoy. Adam 18 is lucky to feel at peace with his system. But going from a 1 to a 2 or 3 in the Vandersteen does make the system better in a very real way. Better resolution and bass as you move up the line does lead to a greater potential connection to the musical message and performance. That is no guarantee that Adam 18 would "enjoy" his system any more, but he would have a "better" system in audio terms.
samhar
1,048 posts
 
It seems this was more a hypothetical exercise for personal enjoyment than a physical pursuit of audio equipment. I invest time and energy into answering posts to help someone if I'm able and find this annoying!!!
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