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John Atkinson's thoughts on the New Vandersteen System Nine from LA Show

I have read JA's outstanding reviews of Vandersteen speakers for years, but this is the first time he's heard their new System Nine.  Please read all the way down as Fremer mentions the late AJ Conte's outstanding TT:  Enjoy

From JA:
The first room I went to at the 2017 LAAS was that hosted by LA dealer Optimal Enchantment featuring a system based on Vandersteen's Model Seven Mk.II speakers ($62,000/pair) and M7-HPA amplifiers ($52,000/pair), which I reviewed in May 2016, this time reinforced by a pair of Vandersteen's SUB NINEs operating below 100Hz. It may have been the first room I visited but as good as many other systems sounded, they didn't match what Vandersteen refers as System NINE for its effortless sweep of sound, precise, palpable imaging, and smooth yet detailed high frequencies. On the title cut from a test pressing of Dave Brubeck's Take Five, the reverb surrounding Joe Morello's drums in his solo was more audible than I hear from my own system and the textures of his cymbals were superbly well differentiated.

The rest of the system comprised Audio Research Corporation's REF-10 phono preamplifier and line stage, with isolation stands and bases from Harmonic Resolution Systems (HRS) and cabling and power-line conditioning by AudioQuest—a Niagara 7000 for the amplifiers and Niagara 5000 for the front-end components. But it is the LP player in this room that drew visitors' attention.

image: https://www.stereophile.com/images/060217-Basis-600.jpg

Michael Fremer shared my enthusiasm for the sound in this room, which had LPs played on the late AJ Conti's Transcendence turntable with the Super Arm fitted with a Lyra Atlas cartridge. In Mikey's words: "This turntable is the acrylic-free, minimal-plinth design I always hoped AJ would design and build."


Read more at https://www.stereophile.com/content/jas-final-report-2017-laas#mX8Fja9AgBY4SDyp.99
ctsooner
cedargrover
302 posts
 
Disclaimer:  Vandy Fanboy.

That said, I am suspicious of what benefit *additional* powered subwoofers could add to the Model 7.  I haven't heard the system demoed as the LAAS, so my suspicion is nothing more than that.  My understanding is that these subwoofers are very, very expensive so I would love to hear RV's explanation.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,085 posts
 
I too think very highly of Mr. Vandersteen and his products. But if I was going to add a very expensive sub to an already full range loudspeaker, it would be the Eminent Technology TRW-17 Rotary Sub---flat to 0 Hz!
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner OP
2,480 posts
 
pdp, does it have analog room correction built in?  I believe it will just move more air and integrate well.  

Guys, the reason I posted this is to get dialog going as I said.  By using 4 of the same subs, you can do a swarm and equalize any 'hot' spots in the room.  I am strongly considering his smaller subs with my Quatro's for just this reason. 


jl35
4,131 posts
 
we seem to get lots of alerts when Vandersteen gets good press...
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
ALERT!  I am a Vandersteen owner.  I'd like to humor myself with the notion that I can get over my "fanboy" status and attempt objectivity.  I've had the pleasure of listening through various brands of fine transducers and regard them accordingly.  I think the thing about the Vandy line is that ALL of his speakers have that ability to liberate the listener from the speaker and let the music do the talking.  A remarkable career achievement for RV.

One almost unique quality is that the Model 7s are so small of stature compared to the statement speakers of so many other designers.  I'm listening to Treo Cts.  'nuff said.
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