Vandersteen 2ce Signature and Signature 2?

Despite being 'long in the tooth', Vandy's have always outperformed the competitors both in sound and price.

Indeed. The Vandy 2 is an easy recommendation at its price point, even double its price point. As for "long in the tooth", that overlooks that it is a well-established classic that is also frequently upgraded despite a stable model designation.

Great to read that the carbon technology is trickling down to the 2s. 

I would be very tempted to stretch to the VLR CT with a subwoofer or two.

  

No carbon drivers in the 2! Altho’ a previous iteration of the 5 midrange in now in the 2.

I bought my 2ce SigII’s from a dealer and they have both the 30th Anniversary decal and Richards signature. I could not part with them unless I bought the Quatro CT Wood. I would agree with the earlier comment that they sound better with each incremental amount of clean power. The stands and additionally proper placement also play a pivotal role in getting the very best sound from them. I have mine bi-wired with Analysis Plus Oval brown speaker cables.

@daverz, 
I also own the VLR's.
As I am using them in my office, and more like monitors (way up near the ceiling with some angle downward), I have to say they also outperform well beyond their price. Previously, I had a pair of Zu Omen Bookshelves. They were good but not great. The VLR's smoke them.
If you will be using them on stands and adding subs, I don't think you will be disappointed. Especially with CT's, you would be coming close (70-80%) to a pair of Treo/Quatro's at an unbelievably low cost. Though I would suggest going for the new Sub 3's. Even a pair of 1's with subs is pretty killer.
My office system
VLR's
Hsu VTE-1 Mk2 subs
Modded McCormack Micro Line Drive
Modded McCormack Micro Power Amp Monoblocks 
Ayre Codex
Bluesound Node
and alot of AQ interconnects
A bit much, but I couldn't ask for more.
Bob