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Considering Vandersteen 3a Signatures

I have Spatial Audio M3 Turbo S which I enjoy but was recently considering trying the Vandersteen 3a Signatures.  I love the soundstage and the holographic feel of the Spatial's but I'm seeking greater clarity in the treble and more detail in the mids.  I am driving these speakers with a Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum with KT120 tubes.  The source is mostly analog via VPI Prime, Dynavector Karat and Parasound Halo JC3+.  Also digital via Auirender N100 and Schiit Gumby.  I listen to a wide spectrum of music, but mostly in the rock and jazz genre.

Should I expect a major difference in sound?  Any other ideas for speakers that would fit the bill?
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helomech
1,677 posts
 
I agree that you won't get any worthwhile improvement in clarity/detail. The Vandy tweeter is a bit sibilant compared to the Spatial's compression driver IME. Where the Vandys excel, and panels/open baffles are lacking, is in pinpoint imaging.

The Spatials also play much louder than Vandys before compression kicks in. You're really going to have a hard time beating the Spatials at that price point. You might look into their new X5 speaker.
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
the 3a-Sig tweeter ( and for that matter mid ) are the same as the venerable 5a
nobody I know thinks the 5a is “sibilant “... but hey, listening would be good. I suppose I could be just a fan boy having owned both...
i know guys getting great sound on 3a-Sig w Parasound, Rogue, Threshold and Music Reference power amps.

try to listen to a bunch of stuff

have fun

enjoy the music !!!!
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
But before buying, get Jim Smiths excellent book an getting better sound

spend some time in the near field, does that fix the detail you crave ?
if so, invest in room treatment

consider a bit more toe in for detail

kill those first reflections with absorption including the ceiling, definitely the floor

get a Leica disto 2 and obsess on setup





tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
Nice system btw all the ingredients for great

have you rolled better small signal tubes into The Rogue ???? Andy at Vintage tube could help, especially if you mentioned more detailed treble/mid

Andy is a zen master

jackd
1,068 posts
 
@tomic601 

But none of those amps you mentioned is a tube integrated.  Closest thing is the Hybrid MR.  Contrary to the Spatial specs they need power to sing and those amps you mentioned would all do a better job plus the upgrade to the compression driver in the M3TM would make an appreciable difference. 
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