Hifiman....that's one of the best ways to answer this question (that's always being asked). Funny as I was a Proac guy for years and years. I didn't like Vandy's until the last few years. I think I just realized what the music was all about and that's it's not the hifi part. As Vandersteen owners realize, the excitement is there in spades when it's produced that way. That's the cool thing. They are as revealing as any other speaker on the market, but when they are, they are coherent and sound the way the cymbal or piano are meant to be. The mids are lush, when that's what's called for. I appreciate a pair or Harbeths or Audio Notes (or their relatives) for their musicality. Wilson's and Magico's are the dynamic duo, but the Vandersteens will give you the best of both worlds like you basically stated.
This thread is turing into a favorite one for me. Yes, partly because I am a Vandersteen fan boy, but it's really interesting to read what many of you other Vandersteen owners hear through your gear.
Oh, many of you know Johnny Rutan who owns Audio Connection in Verona, NJ. He often posts on there and I think he may even be on this thread. He's found an inexpensive integrated that mates extremely good with all the Vandersteen's all the way up to the Quatro's. I think it's under 2k or so. He is pairing it up with the Ayre Codex, decent AQ cables and a Clearaudio TT if you want for an incredible system that has true value. Hi end isn't always about how much you spend, it's about HOW you spend it. I wanted to throw that in because so many folks are always getting in touch and asking how they can get into a Treo or more and not kill themselves with associated gear. We all like to share when we hear of these things. Johnny has the name if you want to PM him from this board or call him. (not an ad at all, but I like it when folks hear of something good and share with me).
Oh, I just noticed when I scrolled up that he's been posting here: https://forum.audiogon.com/users/audioconnection
This thread is turing into a favorite one for me. Yes, partly because I am a Vandersteen fan boy, but it's really interesting to read what many of you other Vandersteen owners hear through your gear.
Oh, many of you know Johnny Rutan who owns Audio Connection in Verona, NJ. He often posts on there and I think he may even be on this thread. He's found an inexpensive integrated that mates extremely good with all the Vandersteen's all the way up to the Quatro's. I think it's under 2k or so. He is pairing it up with the Ayre Codex, decent AQ cables and a Clearaudio TT if you want for an incredible system that has true value. Hi end isn't always about how much you spend, it's about HOW you spend it. I wanted to throw that in because so many folks are always getting in touch and asking how they can get into a Treo or more and not kill themselves with associated gear. We all like to share when we hear of these things. Johnny has the name if you want to PM him from this board or call him. (not an ad at all, but I like it when folks hear of something good and share with me).
Oh, I just noticed when I scrolled up that he's been posting here: https://forum.audiogon.com/users/audioconnection