Vandersteen 3a Signatures compared to Treo’s

@patrickdowns 

If your Audio Alchemy is not truly balanced but just a single ended design with a pair of XLR outputs, as it appears, then you are not really gaining anything by swapping to a balanced amp other than a cable change.  You also have the option of having Klaus swap the guts of your Kismet amp to a Stratos case which does have "balanced" inputs.  

Hi jackd

From Peter Madnick, an email reply when I asked him if the DDP-1 is fully balanced: "DDP-1 is fully balanced."

I have spoken to Klaus Bunge specifically about moving up to the Stratos case to get balanced connections, and he scoffed. Strongly harumphed that he’s not a fan of balanced. I can’t remember why and didn’t debate it (because I’m not qualified!). I have friends who prefer balanced, especially when using monoblocks.

Benchmark only offers balanced inputs on their fine amp, so they’ve staked out their position (they also scoff at many super expensive cables, and theirs are a bargain and get good reviews, iirc). The varying opinions among talented builders and designers is interesting.

Cheers.

Not surprised that Klaus is not in favor of building fully balanced amps as it would double the cost but he has offered the XLR inputs on the Stratos case for over 20 years for people that want to have the option of both.  I  suspect that if you just tell him that's what you want to do he will give in and do it.  Much of Klaus' outlook comes from his mentor, Rolf, of Symphonic Line.

jackd

Roger that on Klaus!

re:

If you liked the sound signature of your McCormick and now Odyssey you will find the Benchmark to be completely different.

That is the big question! Benchmark have a 30 day home trial so I think it’s worth experimenting maybe. I am not wedded to my previous amps’ "sound" I guess. Wish I had the budget to experiment with other brands and combinations and not break the bank. I have an obsession with the LTA zOTL preamp (tube) that I would like to try with a good solid state amp too.

zimick

Got the dac first as the amp was back ordered and it was a solid gain to me and the amp in unison made a huge leap in my system. Detail, soundstage, depth... and no harshness or too neutral/ dry sounds.

That is what I have read widely (reviews and comments) on the Benchmark. I totally agree with you about "Yes, if the recording is crap then that is magnified, just like it should be in my opinion." I’m not afraid of highly resolving, accurate gear, even if it makes some tracks or records (badly recorded) hard to listen to or to be jettisoned. There’s some 80s music where the recording engineers and producers must have been totally stoned. Ouch!

I guess the only way to find out if the Benchmarks are a good match for my ears is to do a trial. I’m glad to read that their cables are good and reasonably priced. Their preamp with headphone stage is getting rave reviews among headphone fans, and I use cans a lot (my wife doesn’t like it loud, so speakers go idle or low when she’s home, all too often).

I’m like you—Vandersteen guy for a long time. I’ve heard many other speakers, but fortunately (for my wallet and my marriage, which is redundant!) I don’t get the itch to change major components every year or three. If I won the lotto, it would be a different story and I’d probably drive myself half crazy seeking "perfection". As it is, I have a dear friend who has OCD and more money than I, and he drives me crazy watching him seeking perfection. He has Quatro CTs (he moved up from 3a Sigs) which I implored him to get and he LOVES them.

The Treo CT might be the next best thing if you can live without the bass extension. I love them. Or do it in stages ... Treos and then add subs later? One of the guys who works at "my" Vandy dealer just got Treos because he already had Vandy subwoofers, and he’s very happy with that combo.

Cheers PD