Need advice on amp to drive Vandersteen 2Cs


Gurus,

I need some advice from you pros. Currently I have Vandersteen 2C driven by Denon POA 2400 (200 x 2)which is fed by a B&K MC 101 Preamp. I listen to mostly vinyl.

I'm in a dilemma whether this is the best I can do for Vandersteens or I can make them sing better. I like my current set-up but thinking to better it. I have been watching the DK Design VS-1 MKII integrateds go for about a grand.

I'm split between going for an integrated vs upgrading my amp and/or preamp.

Any suggestions?
livin_262002
Thanks you for all the input. I had the vandersteens driven by a Denon AVR 3805 (7.1 Receiver 7 x 125 watts) but did not like the sound, it was very muddy. So I bought the Denon POA 2400 and fed it from the pre-amp section of the 3805, the sound improved a bit but still the soundstage was cluttered, then I bought the B&K MC101 pre-map and the speakers started to sing.

Now, I know that the 2400's 200 watts/channel power and the B&K's superb phono stage made the difference. So, I'm not sure if a lower powered (tube amp or a 50 watt/channel Class A amp) will be able to drive the 2Cs.

I almost pulled the trigger on the DK/LSA VS.1 MKII, but because of the company's lack of long track record and the stuff being manufactured in China I stepped back.

I mostly listen to jazz and female vocalists and at times light rock. I know the Vandersteens are not rock speakers.

What are your opinions on the B&K MC 101? Since my Rega P2 has a MM cartridge, I'm using the MM phono stage on the pre-amp. Pretty satisfied, but the soundstage is still not up to the mark.
The McCormack is compatible with most single ended passive, ss and tube pre's. I'm sure you can find one that floats your boat.
I like the Classe CAP 151 feeding my Vandersteen 2ce signatures. I llsten to the kind of music you reference in your post.
I've had Vandersteen 2C's at two times in my life and the best amp/speaker combination I ever had set up was driving them with a McCormack DNA-1. I have no idea whether it's true or not, but I've heard in the past that Richard Vandersteen has used McCormack amps in voicing his designs. May be strictly hearsay. I can say from personal experience that the Vandersteen's and McCormack are an excellent match!
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