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Dynaudio Contour C60 or Magico A3 or Vandersteen Treo CT

Hi everyone. My first post on Audiogon so bear with me please. Trying to decide on a new set of speakers and struggling to pull the trigger on one of the 3 in the title of the post (Dynaudio Contour C60 or Magico A3 or Vandersteen Treo CT).  I understand that the best way to try and decide is to listen to them but I would have to drive up and down the east cost to find retailers and the auditioning would be with 3 different component set ups so that presents a challenge.  I would appreciate any help members can provide, especially those who may have listened to all 3 speakers.  I listen to mostly acoustic jazz/human voice (~70%) and rock/alternative.  I have an upgraded (spring 2017) McCormack DNA 0.5 power amp and upgraded McCormack TCL1 preamp.  VPI Prime Scout TT, Moon CD player and JL sub.  Currently using  20y.o. Totem 1s and I'm ready for a floor standing speaker.  Room is relatively large with plenty of space on either side and behind the speakers and I can be flexible with the distance between the speakers and seating distance.  Thanks for any help you can provide.
mahlijanian
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,327 posts
 
Each of these speakers is highly competent and in fact highly rated by many.  What you're going to get, in large part, is a sequence of posts from people who favor one over the other two; few of them will have had the opportunity to hear all three, and those that have, have arrived at their own preference based on their own set of ears.  That's the problem with this kind of thread.  You could run a simple poll, but different forums have members with different preferences.  Based on my observation of the 'gon, you'll receive most votes for Vandersteen, followed closely by Magico, with Dynaudio trailing somewhat.  From what you say, I assume you're arrived at this shortlist based on reviews, etc., rather than direct listening.  The problem is of course that there are probably makes and models out there that you would prefer over all three if you had the opportunity to hear them.
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,182 posts
 
 @twoleftears  bravo !,,,,,with a twist......i would suggest the used Vandersteen 5a on audiogon and ditch the sub you have.....
i have heard the other very competent speakers listed by the OP

i do own 7-8 pairs of speakers, some of them not Vandersteens...ha


tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,182 posts
 
but to be fair to OP, i love my Vandersteen Treo CT in Ambrosia Maple.....sweet, detailed but not hyper etched fatigue....same tweeter and midrange as the $14 k Quattro in a cabinet you can get closer to back wall with. Suprised with the low end performance with just a 40 wpc NAIM amplifier - although I have heard them with > 100 wpc Rogue tube power....

two dealers on East Coast I can recommend without reservation are John R at Audio Connection in NJ and Alan Jones at HiFi Buys in Atlanta..
have fun
enjoy the music!,,,,,
mahlijanian OP
17 posts
 
Thanks both. The only speakers I have heard in audition are the Dynaudio and that was fun.  I appreciate that this ends up being, at some level, a popularity contest but feel that it will have some value for me. Will have a look at at the Vandy sub, thanks again.
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