2. amps-preamps
  3. 1363884736

Vandersteen Amp?

I've seen pictures on line of the new Vandersteen M7-HPA. It's a hybrid amp putting out 600 watts as I recall but designed to only play above the 100 Hz frequency levels. It's intended to pair with his speakers utilizing a powered sub, especially the Model 7 I would think. Projected price $35,000-$40,000.

The pictures I've seen look like a pure prototype. Does anyone have any knowledge or experience with these monoblocks in operational form? It sounds like an interesting concept, eliminating the need for the high pass filter between the pre amp and amp. Still, it's significantly more costly than the Ayre MX-r and the Audio Research Ref 250s both which work very well with the Vandersteen speakers. Will this be worth the price for a manufacturer's first step into the realm of stand alone power amps or for a pair of monoblocks only for use with speakers having a powered woofer?

My guess is that any Vandersteen product is a pretty safe bet.
sonofjim
unsound
7,329 posts
 
Has Vandersteen lost his Dutch value of value?
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
I think Richard has simply gone the route/business strategy of appealing to the 1% who can afford it.
audioconnection
1,271 posts
 
Hey Guys
Vandersteen still builds better then ever Model ones, twos and three"s at what are amazing prices corrected for inflation over the last 35 years.
The Patented Midrange in the Five As trickled down to the Treo's and now to the 2 and 3 series along with other much better sounding parts.

You really need to get out of your assumptive mind set and in for a listen to appreciate these advancements.

Any designer sometime in his or her lifetime would like to pull out all the stops with no consideration of price.

If a very expensive caps sound better, put it in, etc. That's what he has done in the Model Seven and many people appreciate them. So cut the guy some slack even if you can't afford it you might enjoy a listen anyway.
Best JohnnyR
unsound
7,329 posts
 
35-40 $K for an amp that doesn't need to provide bass. Not exactly how Vandersteen started out, huh? Sure, the dealer likes it. Hey, he can do what ever chooses, just seems to have strayed off the path that made him so successful in the first place.
ablang
165 posts
 
Agreed that the new 1Ci is a great speaker and a great value. Vandersteen keeps trickling down its technology. I'm probably the only person in history to have stepped down from the 2CE Sig II to the 1Ci (I prefer the better off-axis coherence of the 2-way), and I love them. Johnny R was kind enough to sit me and my wife down to listen to the Model 7 the day we bought our 1Ci. While the 7 is amazing, I'm still smiling every time I sit down in front of my $1K Vandersteens.
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