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Attention Vandersteen 5A owners/ amp matches

What are all you other 5/5A owners using to drive your speakers these days. I have noticed members using Bel and also Quicksilver. I am really thinking about selling my humble farm and spending up to 15 k (new) or used on an amp. I generally have leaned in the direction of tubes in the past, but am not totally close minded to all SS right now. I prefer a slightly warmer sound, but now of course want (almost) everything with my upgrade. I am now considering Audio research , VTL S400, Jadis Ja 80, and am interested in a used pair of Jeff Rowland 9 monos. I am looking for plenty of power( although I know 5A s are o.k. with less) which I hope will translate to a relaxed effortlessness. I want the 5A to fill my 23/12/8 size room with a nice wide ,deep soundstage with good dimensionality. Thank in advance to any and all suggestions. Boy, am I going to miss that farm.
fjn04
agaffer
256 posts
 
I've used Jeff Rownands, Theta Dreadnaught, and now the ARC VTM 200's. I haven't had any desire to use anything else since switching to the ARC monoblocks. They also sound great with the ARC VT-100 MK III's.
4yanx
1,576 posts
 
I have them with a McCormack DNA-225 upgraded to Steve McCormack's Platinum specs. (see review). It is one of the finest combos I've heard at any price. One of these days I plan to do them in dual monos.
jeff_jones
418 posts
 
I use a Rogue Zeus and love the combo, but 150's would probably do just as well and like you I've read great reports on the quicksilvers with 5a's. Note, part of the 5a trick is the use of a high pass filter between pre amp and amp. This tends to improve the sound of both pre and amp by freeing them of the current hungry low frequency stuff. The typical bass advantage of solid state is likely not much of a benifit.
fjn04 OP
1,561 posts
 
Thank you all so far. It would be easy for me to check out an ARC system with the 5A at a local dealers(NY/NJ/CT). I plan on doing so, but my only reservation would be with the current house sound of the new ARC gear. It certainly has been said previously that of the current medium -high power tube amps, that the ARC would be one of the ones with less of the warmth normally asociated with tube amplification. I do feel that if an amp with the power of the VTM 200 (for instance) would suit all my previously mentioned needs, and also be that compromise between say a CJ/Cary sound and a warmer SS amp sound(Lamm/dartzeel...),
it may be just the right flavor Kool-aid. I want the dymanic grip and control of SS along with maybe the slightly forgiving nature of tubes. The Joule is clearly one of the best amps on the planet, period. However, I doubt it will have the power reserves of a 200 plus watt transformer coupled amp. It is with that power that
I believe an effortless , relaxed sound can be achieved.
I do realize with any high end component, there must be compromise. I am willing to give up that last bit of detail for the fullness and realistic dimensionality of the real thing. Come on Vandy 5 owners, it was only one hour of sleep. Thanks for letting me share my opinions.
pbb
1,140 posts
 
"I do realize with any high end component, there must be compromise." Shouldn't that be the other way? Why spend so much if you have to compromise?
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