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Can Manley's Stingray power VonSchweikert vr4 jrs?

Looking into upgrade options...4 bills large american per component. I have tentatively settled on the Von S. vr4 jrs, but I am undecided on amplification. I use a TT, and am drawn to tubes out of curiosity. I hope to get a EAR 834 blackbox phono preamp. If I don't do the EAR/Stingray tube combo, I would almost definately go with a McIntosh solid state integrated (includes phono stage). What should I do?
mr_stain
philbrady
89 posts
 
Dali Helicon 400 or Acoustic Zen Adagio. Both are easier to drive than Vr4 JR, look great and are good values. Phil Brady.
mr_stain OP
10 posts
 
Philbrady and others: thanks, The Dali's and the Acoustic Zen's both look worth looking into...However, they both seem to require a 50 watt minimum input, while the stingray is rated at 40watts (I'm not sure if impedence difference, or if the tube driven "watt increase" applies here.
buda
46 posts
 
Mr. Stain,

I am running Dali Helicon 400s with a Dared 845 with 22wpc of stunning SET sound. Don't back away from the Dali 400s with out giving them a shot. The are extremely musical, crystal clear highs, and have a very tight bass presentation. Very dynamic - even with 22wpc. The cabinets are outstanding (IMHO). Buy them for the sound and enjoy the eye candy! Good Luck!
buda
46 posts
 
Mr. Stain,

I am running Dali Helicon 400s with a Dared 845 with 22wpc of stunning SET sound. Don't back away from the Dali 400s with out giving them a shot. The are extremely musical, crystal clear highs, and have a very tight bass presentation. Very dynamic - even with 22wpc. The cabinets are outstanding (IMHO). Buy them for the sound and enjoy the eye candy! Good Luck!
kck
184 posts
 
Assuming you continue to desire speakers that are or are similar to the load of the VR4:

1) Buy the Stingray used. Those 40w are pretty good. They drove my one-time Ushers to massive SPLs at about 1/2 volume.
2) If the above is not strong enough but you like the Manley sound:
a) upgrade to the separates which give you double the power:
Shrimp pre and Snapper monos, 100 w of EL34 power. Retail about $6K, should be within your budget used., or
b) My choice, which would be wait around (while owning Stingray) for the new Mantaray integrated to appear, slated for mid-2007. Remote, iPod input, 100 w of EL34s, all in one chassis for about $4K.

As a one-time very satisfied user of the Stingray, and from reading testimonials of their other gear, hard to go wrong with Manley. I switched due to changing to very efficient speakers.
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