Speaker Recommendations - from Vandersteen 5As


I have been using Vandersteen Model 5 speakers in my system with excellent results.  I like the open sound, balanced top to bottom sound, sound stage 3D dimension, and having deep bass that is adjustable.  They really have a huge sound that is also very musical.  I used to own Alon V MKII speakers and the Alnico mid-range driver produced a better mid-range sound  compared to the Vandersteens in that one aspect.  That mid-range was just pure magic and the Alons had more impact but were not close to being as balanced of a speaker.  I recently sold my older model 5s because I got a great deal on a much better cosmetic condition Vandersteen model 5As.  To me the 5As just don't sound like my old model 5s.  I have not really had the chance to play around with them that much and my system unfortunately changes in some ways because my Audiomeca CD transport bit the dust.  That was one hell of a great sounding CDT.

I am looking in the $7500 price range and usually purchase used.  I have plenty of dealers in the NYC area that I can visit and people that I know so I will be taking the time to take a look around.  I do like the size of the Vandersteen 5s so that if something I would be considering.  I was thinking of a short list and thought Verity Parsifals, Sonus Faber, Legacy, DeVore, etc.  I tend to focus on piano so I need a speaker that really can produce that sound first before I look elsewhere.  I probably lean towards a musical sound maybe slightly warm, open on top with air.  I can adjust the sound by changing caps and resistors in my components so I guess I just need a balanced sounding speaker with a great mid-range that can also product deep bass.  

Also note that I build my own DAC (separate power supply), preamp (separate power supply) and power amp so I can build anything for any speaker.  Right now my DAC is a DHT design, preamp 6SN7 design and amp is a hybrid 6SN7 design.  My system is dead quiet and the components are reference quality compared to the best that I have compared them to at local dealer showrooms.  I only spin CDs right now through a transport and I am using a Metronome CD1A  transport with a separate power supply.

So knowing that I am in the NYC area, what speakers in the price range should be on my short list to go our and hear?

I probably sound like an A-hole but I would really like some recommendations.  If you are in the local area, I would enjoy the company if you are interested.  I'll buy the pizza and beer!

Thanks and Happy Listening.
bigkidz
@gdnrbob,

Are you a member of the NY Audio Syndrome Audio Group?  Steve is the dealer for the speakers.  If you want to go hear them, let me know and I will meet you there.  If you check out the prior two Capital Audio Fests, they used my DAC with an Esoteric CDP as a transport. I am off the week of August 26th if you have a day you can break free.

I will hook up them 5As again this weekend.  I have an Agon member that I have been friends with for a long time coming in from Ohio.  He has my DAC in his system also.  He heard the 5s in my system at the beginning of this year and freaked out about the sound of my system.  He wanted me to build him an amp.  Funny thing is that the amp is way more improved now versus back then.  I rebuilt the amp form top to bottom all point-to-point wired, etc.

Let me know.

Peter


Are you sure you got the “great deal” you thought you did? Are you sure all the drivers (and the crossovers) are working as expected? 
@nrenter No I am not sure.  I used an oscillating sweeping tone and confirmed that all of the drivers are working.  The one sub-amp has a blown capacitor and resistor but it still works.  I have to order those parts and repair that sub amp (this weekend?).  The sub amps do not seem as powerful as my older 5s for some reason. Again I will play around with them over this weekend.  I just finished moving all the gear round so I can get to everything very easily now. If I cannot get them set-up to sound like what I had, I will contact Johnny R to come over for a visit.  He actually knows the person I purchased the speakers from.  That person purchased the model 7s.  I don't know how to test the x-overs so I may have to take them out and send them to Richard V. I am hoping that I don't have to do that.  I also had built my own HP filters that sounded much better than the original Vandersteens HP filters that I used and sold with the 5s so I have ordered the parts to make them again.  That will make a sonic improvement also.

Thanks
I have 5A's and think they're quite wonderful.   A reach out to Richard or John will find the missing link.
I agree with @nrenter and @stringreen .  The 5A's should be a step forward and if not, something is not working right.  As you do, I purchase used, and have had equipment that wan't quite right (and not that I think I was defrauded, but the seller didn't notice).  While not cheap, shipping the 5A's to Vandersteen and letting them go through them (especially since he does running changes on many speakers) is a surefire way to get them back to new condition.  

I was a in a similar situation last year, my Magnepan 3.5's had a delaminating woofer.  I was trying to decide if it was a good time to upgrade to a 3.6 or 3.7, but could face the same issue, try to fix myself, or take a chance on having them done by a third party.  I ultimate ponied up, boxed them, spent the $250 to ship them to Magnepan.  $1100 in addition from Magnepan for a rebuild and shipping back, but I got back speakers in brand new condition that I knew were checked and fixed properly by the manufacture.