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Vandie .7 vs Maggie .7

*** I tried to edit the TITLE.,,Sorry   I mean Vandie 1ci    Thanks

Hello to all! I am hoping I will get some opinions on these 2 speakers. I’m 65...a Pro musician with a degree in music. I’ve own of equipment for sure. Nothing in the Mega buck range. I did own a par of Maggie III’s 25 years ago. Vandersteen’s are really a brand I have never owned or stopped at a dealer or known someone who owned them.

I know opinions are GOING to vary. These are kinda 2 different speakers...but a similar approach. Maggie flat panel, and Vandie "no baffe.

I have an NAD 326BEE integrated amp..( very decent)....I’m about to spring for a Schiit Vidar. I have an MF V90,,Schiit Saga... I own Whafdale Diamond 240’s.

I was also set to pop for the Vidar and got into a discussion with someone at Schiit, and he generally said, looking at speakers/ headphones are usually a bigger change. So started my re-evaluation.

These are the 2 I am down too. I have 1400-1500 to spend. True-ness of timbre, soundstage are most important ot me ...because I have listened and played live music since I was 15.

I do very much appreciate your opinions. I want member to BE subjective and give me your take based on personal experience. Thank you very much, Otto

128x128ottoa63
gdnrbob
4,442 posts
 
In my opinion, the Schiit Yggy or Gungnir is comparable to an Ayre Codex. I owned just about all the Schiit DAC's and can honestly say that sound reproduction gets better with each model up. The Bifrost (I had the Multibit) is a great DAC, but compared to the Codex, it is way behind. 
B
ottoa63's avatar
ottoa63 OP
36 posts
 
I'm back... I got gold plated AQ copper spades today and removed the AQ silver reusable BFA bananas... And I'm a believer... Everything is tighter.. Better in every respect... That was easy...!! I'm listening on all DAC comments.. Is there anything between my V90 and the Codex?
I have a budget.. As far as speaker wire I use Signal Cable silver reference.. Don't feel I need to change these out.. Pretty darn  happy with them. Sorry to say the Blue Jeans digital coax beat out the AQ Cinnamon.. Easily... Might order the Signal Cable silver resolution digital coax to Compare.  Next purchase will be heavy stands... Oh some more news... I'm selling  my NAD 326BEE.. It's here on Audiogon and Ebay.. Lower than the 4 other ads I see out there. 2 years ago I owned a Linn LK85 sold it to buy the NAD... I went fishing and saw a Linn LK140  got it for 350.00  its on its way.  I know this opens up another thread.. But when I sold Linn back in the 90's.. I grew to love their stuff  the LK85 was very musical.. I expect the LK140 to be even better. I took the NAD out of the system to take pictures.. I have an Adcom GFA535II.. And it's doing a very nice job.. A little mellow compared to the 326bee.. But imaging and soundstage are all there. I'll be selling this too.. I modified it with an IEC AC socket and swamped out the  input connectors for some better oxygen free ones.. I'm using a 10 gauge power cord and this one modification has made a big difference... Replacing the 14 gauge zip cord this amp comes with... Before power cords became the rage.

After the linn gets into the rig I bet I'll have more to talk about  Main things these speakers have really been wonderful to own. Thank you guys who put me onto them!!!
ottoa63's avatar
ottoa63 OP
36 posts
 
Good evening.. I hit the Linn Lk140 yesterday... And tonight is my 2nd session.. The Linn like the NAD has a stand by mode.. So the power supply is always charged.. After 24 plus hours... It's the best sound I've had to date. Very musical... That Linns are know for.

The orchestra instruments have more character... More meat... My favorite female singers are much more fleshed out than ever before... Same DAC V90... The amp made a good difference...

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,884 posts
 
nice
spades are your friend !
yes banana is easy and in the garage and repair bench Pamona bananas everywhere
but for a good gas tight high current connection, pretty much nothing beats a soft metal low mass spade....yrmv
well nice to hear on the LINN amp singing ;-)
let us know how the signal digital cable works out !!!!!
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,884 posts
 
catch JA video interview of Richard at CES for insight into his designs and i believe an interesting VLR development..... he mentions SEAS as the driver supplier now but an upcoming change to Scanspeak.....
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