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Help: Searching for Vandersteen-like speakers...

I have been searching hi and lo for the right speakers until I found the Vandersteen 2Ce and I thought my search was done. Ok, so, after hearing a few amps, I think I am really in love with SET tube amps of one kind or another. The thing about SET amps that I have seen is they have very low wattage(one had 3 watts and another had 18 watts) and this leaves the Vandersteens out in the cold with an 86db sensitivity. I can see why Vandersteens go well with SS amps. Plus, besides the sensitivty, Vandersteen 2Ce also have a recommended amplification of 40 to 160 watts. This sort of leaves SET amps right out of the question.

My thing here is that I would like to find something like the Vandersteen 2Ce in the $1500 dollar range or else forget about an SET; however, if all else fails, I will go back to my original idea of mating the 2Ce with an ARC 100 watt amp.

Any ideas?
matchstikman
fishwater
178 posts
 
I use a CJ PV 10AL & DNA-1 with my 2ce's. I absloutely love the sound of the combo, the pre adds a nice "warm" sound & the DNA has plenty of "oomph". I really don't think this combo can be beat in the lower dollar ranges. I've tried a pair of Kestral HR's & while they are "similar" to the 2's they are not the same, close but definately no cigar. I'd stick with your current speakers & look into a tube pre with a nice ss amp, good luck.
maxgain
526 posts
 
Forget the toy 3 watt amp and get the ARC VT 100 and the 2Ce's, unless you have a LOT MORE money to spend on something like Silverline speakers with mid 90db sensitivity ratings. The VT is a perfect match for the 2's.
eurodespot
5 posts
 
Disclaimer- I am selling my Sonus Faber Grand Piano Homes....
With that stated, the benign load of 6 ohms and 90 db sensitivity
would work with your more powerful set and give you a very romantic sound... with a sense of dynamics that you are probably missing.... if I am not mistaken, the Vandys are biampable and are
recommended as such .... Meadowlark, Audio Physic, Horns of various types could be other speaker options, although sonus, meadowlark and audio physic will be more in tune with what you like about the Vandys.... I am currently using a 35 watt set (deHavilland) and have all the richness and dynamics I could ask for with single ended midrange magic...
Chuck
bigtee
803 posts
 
I agree with the idea of a tube pre and solid state amp. I use an Audible Illusions with a Theta. Too much of the tube thing can be bad with the 2Ce. They will become a little over warm. If you like that sound---then so be it. Also, SS tightens up the bass.
I wouldn't drive the Vandersteens with anything less than 60+ watts depending on your room and levels.
The only speaker that sounds like a Vandersteen is a Vandersteen!
Also, if you go with Vandersteen's 2 series, I would go with the Signature. It IS a better sounding speaker. More detailed and open.
The Audible Illusions(or any good tubed pre) and the McCormack amps are good with Vandersteen's.
bigtee
803 posts
 
One other thing I forgot to mention. Of all the tube amps, The ARC tube amps to me sound best with Vandersteen's. Vandersteen told me once that Quicksilvers were good also.
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