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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

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ottoa63 OP
36 posts
 
I'm listening to first dose of female vocals and it's the best I've heard in all my system.I thank you guys for putting me on to the Vlrs....boy I'd love to do o a face off with the LS 50s!! Lol

I'm smiling ear to ear...I'm hearing more details from my music than ever before. Next decision/direction? I have a Musical Fidelity v90 dac. Pretty incredible piece for 299.00. Reviews you know are Gaga.  Do I do a Bitfrosh. Or keep the top and replace the NAD with a Schiit Vidar? Hummmm. What do you all think...
mr_m
1,900 posts
 
Used Ayre Codex...
cedargrover
302 posts
 
Yes, Ayre Codex.  Ayre + Vandersteen is a great combo.  (check out my system page!) 
helomech
1,677 posts
 
You’ll notice a much greater difference with by going the route of amplification.

IMO, SS DACs belong in the category of placebo products, i.e. cables, fuses, and most power conditioning. If you want a different flavor of sound (not necessarily better) you can get it with a tube DAC.

Another path that will yield greater results is a speaker stand upgrade. Anything that’s mechanically coupled to your speakers will affect resonance behavior and therefore, the sound. This is clearly audible. $600 on Sound Anchor stands is a vastly better purchase than $600 on a DAC.

If you get something like a Bifrost, and you’re objective in your listening, you’ll realize why the $300 V90 DAC is rated "class A" by Stereophool, higher than far more expensive pieces like Shiit’s Yggdrasil. Hint: it’s not because it’s better.
BTW, I’ve owned the V90 DAC. I also own a DAC that retailed for $1800. If I’m honest with myself, they sound almost identical to my $100 Topping DAC.
gdnrbob
4,445 posts
 
An Ayre Codex is probably more similar to the Schiit Gungnir or Yggy, than the Bifrost.
Either of the three would be a significant upgrade.
Now I really kick myself for not getting that pair of VLR's last year.
Bob
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