Add a Subwoofer to my Vandersteen 1ce s or replace with Revel Concerta2 F36


Hey Audiogon community,
    Perhaps you guy can help here. I have a VPI Scout with Sound Smith Zephyr III Cartridge running into a Musical Fidelity v-LPS that runs into a NAD VISO 5 Receiver and back out to a pair of Vandersteen 1ce's. Since I recently bought the Zephyr III, it revealed some inadequacies, and I am in upgrade mode. My audio advisor from Brooks Berdan suggested I start with the speakers. Mind you, I Love my Vandersteens but wish there was deeper bass realism. I have been listening to the Revel concerta2 F36  recently with a Cronus Magnus powering them via some entry level Oracle turntable. I like the F36 a lot, and feel like they would give me more full range dynamics especially on the low end. I am looking at upgrading to the Rogue Cronus Magnus soon as well. And am hoping that upgrading to the F36 is the smarter choice than adding a sub that would seamlessly integrate. Any thought would be appreciated. Thank you.
voodooman13
+1 sfall  Stay with the Vandys.  Do look into scoring a 2wq subwoofer to mate with them.  As was said a very good design and can be used long term with other speakers if you continue to upgrade down the road.  
+1 yogiboy  See how the Model 1s sound with the Rogue tube design.  I  have heard the 1s with tubes and it was a match made in heaven!

What is the size of your listening room and how close are the speakers from the adjacent walls?
Since you are getting the Rogue,why not see how you like the Vandersteens with the tubes? You just might forget about changing speakers! You should take one step at a time!
" And am hoping that upgrading to the F36 is the smarter choice than adding a sub that would seamlessly integrate. Any thought would be appreciated. Thank you."

I wouldn't trade the 1's for a pair of F36's. I've heard them side by side and the Vandersteen is a better speaker. If you get a Vandersteen sub, you can plan on keeping it for a very long time. Its an extremely well thought out design and will work with just about any speaker. 

" I have a VPI Scout with Sound Smith Zephyr III Cartridge running into a Musical Fidelity v-LPS that runs into a NAD VISO 5 Receiver and back out to a pair of Vandersteen 1ce's. Since I recently bought the Zephyr III, it revealed some inadequacies, and I am in upgrade mode."

I don't know how many hours are on your new cart, but it will need to be broken in. The difference from new will be significant. However, looking at your system, your NAD is clearly the weak link. You're not hearing what the Model 1's are fully capable of. Its really not the speaker's fault that your system has a lack of dynamics and bass. If you put a better sounding, more powerful amp on the 1's, the change will be huge. The sub is a good idea, but you won't be so compelled to get one with a better amp in place.