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Vandersteen, DNA & SMcAudio (AKA "Mod Squad")

Just had an "interesting" conversation with SMCAudio (04/10/18).

I had just picked up a pair of cloth Quatros the end of 2017, and picked up DNA 0.5 for those Quatro a couple weeks ago (mid/late March 2018). I had the seller send the amp directly to SMcAudio for the full "Gold" upgrade (+ Balanced inputs, +additional Cardas Binding Posts for bi-wiring). 

What was interesting about the conversation was, without seeing, or conversation with anyone else, I thought I had imagined all on my own, adding a switchable "high-pass filter" for the Quatro's into the amp. During that conversation, I was told that my amp was one of three currently in there for upgrade, of which all three were going to be used on Vandersteen Treo's, Quatros, or Model 5's. Even more interesting, I was told that all three customers had requested the same type "high-pass filter" upgrade for their Vandersteen speakers.

There seems to be a belief that upgraded DNA's are a good match with Vandersteen speakers.... I did this mostly blind. Is there a consensus out here, or is there one just now forming?
kmckenn
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
I have an extensively modified cj PV12L line stage. All modifications were done by Bob Backert.  
kmckenn OP
36 posts
 
@gdbrbob... I can't really claim completely blind, in regards to, I have owned a "Mod Squad" Prism (Modified Magnavox CDB-650) since 1989 (which I still have and would loooooove to get playing again), and had a "Mod Squad" Line Drive Deluxe that I very regrettably gave up to move to a multi-channel system. So, Mr. McCormack has had my attention for a very very long time. After getting the speakers, I got a lot of recommendations for tube amps. The front end of the system is used for daily entertainment center type use, and I just could not get myself to justify burning up great tubes for "Wheel of Fortune" or "Blue Bloods". So, I sought what I felt would be the best SS solution I could find without killing my modest budget. When those sorts of claims ("world class sound without the world class cost") were made by none other than my long held hero(s), I decided to stick my neck out and go with the guy who I had the most confidence in that by my experience knows what good sound is (besides Mr. Richard Vandersteen).

As far as the pre-amp, unfortunately I cannot claim quite nearly as sexy equipment as the sole front end equipment. The current pre-amp is a Marantz 7702MKII 11.2 Surround.

The rest of the front end is Audioquest Water balanced interconnect, and two solo pair of MIT aVT2 speaker cables. I have a Adcom GFA-2535 driving a pair of Vandersteen 1B's, and a pair of I won't mentions of high back speakers.

Thanks everyone for the positive feedback (don't flog me too badly for my "pre-amp" ;-) )
kmckenn OP
36 posts
 
... the DNA + Quatro's replaced a vintage pair of Vandersteen 2C's, and a pair of vertically bi-amp'd B&K ST-202's (which I now need to sell, along with an old PS Audio 100C that used to drive the 2C's)
vonharaland's avatar
vonharaland
62 posts
 
After six years with a Parasound 2250 driving Vandy 2 CE to excellent results in my small room, The wife and I have remodeled. On the way is a SMc DNA1 Ultra Gold 18 with an enormous Plitron shipped directly from eBay to Steve. Cloth Quatros, shipping from John Rutan in Verona NJ next week, Anticables 2.1 cables arriving Monday. My preamp is a Sciit Mjolnir 2 tube hybid with Pyst and Vampire interconnects. With a month or more of burn in, calibration, and room treatment ( Mr Rutan has recommended an angled across the room approach to minimize 1st reflections ) I will post results and progress. 
But I am thrilled by where I am headed.
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