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Trying to extract more from my Vandersteen

I've come to the realization that my ideal system is always 2 steps ahead of whatever my current system is. I am only satisfied with whatever updgrade for a few months, before I convince myself that I need to upgrade again. This is as exciting as it is unsettling.

My current system is as follows:
Vandersteen 2CE sig
McCormack DNA-1 deluxe
TAD-150 sig tube preamp
Eastern Electric Minimax tube CDP
Blue circle Power cords
MIT IC's and speaker cables

I had spent the past two years building this current system, and I had been fairly happy with it. I thank this system for introducing me to the world of jazz. Switching to tubes really helped my Vandersteens "sing". I had entertained the thought of replacing the McCormack with a tube amp, such as TAD-60 or other equivalent, but I never did. I was happy with my system and figured it would remain intact for awhile.

Then something had to rain on my happiness or complaceny. Due to a busy work schedule, I was forced to do most of my music listening either in my office through my old NHT and all rotel setup or at home through my Sennheiser headphones. After a couple months of this, I finally had time to do some listening through my main system. It had never been apparent to me before, but all the music coming out of the Vandersteens sounded "veiled". Before, I purchased my vandies, I read and heard all the criticisms regarding this "veiled" or "shrouded" sound. I never felt this was true about my vandersteen's until now.

So instead of making generalizations, I figure this is a good opportunity to "improve" my system. I am still more than happy with the soundstage, midrange clarity, and bass dynamics. Perhaps what I want to improve is higher frequency extension.

All this being said, I welcome all recommendations and comments that need not be limited to the following topics:

tube-rolling...

Pre-amp...
Any recommendations on pre-amps (tube or SS)?
How about a passive unit (Sonic Euphoria, Placette, Mccormack TLC)?

cables...
anyone recommend Purist?

Amp...
Any good integrated's out there?
What do you think about the Eastern Electric Integrated?
How about Krell KAV 400xi? For that matter, how does Krell match with Vandersteens?

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to reading your comments.

Drew
drewyou
davemitchell
253 posts
 
I'm a Vandersteen dealer and used to sell MIT cables and McCormack amplifiers. The Vandersteens can sound very lively and transparent with the right gear, but MIT cables are the wrong choice, especially partnered with the also darker sounding McCormack amplifier.

You have three things all tilted in the same direction. The 2Ce Sigs are ever so slightly leaning toward the warmish side of neutral, the McCormack even more so, and the MIT cables are the most skewed.

Start by changing to a neutral solid-core conductor cable with no networks or filters of any kind. That will bring some life back into your sound. Then you can consider the amplifier next if needed.

Good luck.
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
I am using Tara RSC Prime Biwire with my 2Ces with excellent results. No haze, great highs and details and solid lows powered by a Rogue Cronus.
eagleman6722
217 posts
 
Haven't seen this thread for a while but, I have since gone to EH6CA7s in the AMP and changed out the speaker cables from the Tara Labs that Steve has to some Yang Wings that a local dealer from my audio club sells. Totally different sound. Sound stage opens up as the volume is turned up, more detail, highs are more extended air and background cause the image to spread out. I tried some MITs on my system and while it was an improvement over the Tara Labs it did not open up my system as much as the cables I wound up buying. I won't say what I paid but, they were 1/2 as much as the Tara labs but, remember that they are Chinese..
drewyou OP
24 posts
 
UPDATE

So initially I started out by playing around with speaker placement, including toe-in and tilt and such. Toe-ing increased a bit of brightness and proper tilting also helped.

I set up my second system in the same room and interchanged components. I also decided that comparing headphone sound to the sound from my main system was pointless as it was impossible to make objective analyses between the two.

I maxed out the midrange and treble controls on the back of the speakers and noticed that it sounded better than when they were at 0db. Perhaps others have experienced the same? I'm thinking this result varies from room-to-room.

After exhausting all my "free" options (assuming time isn't money), I wasn't still satisfied with my system. Yes, improvements were made, but still I sensed a bit of a veil. Yes, the ugly word reveals its ugly head again.

So, I went out and tested different IC cables. The local hifi store had Tara Labs (forgot the model, $200 range). I demo'ed them and returned them the next day. I borrowed some Pursit Musaeus and Audioquest from a buddy of mine. IMO the AQ sounded worse, but the PAD cables were an improvement, especially with the imaging. Then I came upon a great deal for Kimber silver streaks. Wow, what a difference. High FQ resolution was improved, although the bass was a tad thinner.

Anyways, I'm looking to change my speaker cables... still using the MIT2 bi-wire at this moment. I was thinking two separate runs to each of the vandies (bi-wiring) may be an improvement. My McCormack does have two binding posts for each channel. I can play around with that a bit.

So continues my quest to extract more from my vandersteens.
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
Try switching your source to another CDP, or at least audition another. I've got a feeling this is the limiting part of your system.
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