Replacement for current speakers suggestions
Greetings! I am 64 years old and started the hi fi journey at 19. I am thinking of replacing my current speakers. I have a pair of Von Shweikert VR 2's driven by a Mcintosh MA 250. Analogue sources are a Clearaudio Emotion Red with a Hana EH cartridge, the second deck is a Technics SL-1200 GR with a Clearaudio Maestro Cartridge. My VR 2's sound outstanding with the Mac however, they are sounding clinical these days. I realise that at 64 with all my health issues hearing changes for the worse. Diabetic for 39 years, Cardiac issues, (massive MI in 95, double bypass in 05) and the latest is stage 4 cancer, no remission possible! I like a warm sound that recreates music in great detail without sounding clinical, not sure if that makes sense! Disability does not pay all that well! The days of affording 3k to 5k are done! Looking at some Wharfdale towers, Maggies and possily Monitor Audio. I want to stay abour or below 2k.I will appreciate your opinions!
Thanks, Bogiedr
@bogiedr1 ... sorry you face such serious health concerns. From your descriptions, our sonic preferences are quite close. If it were me, I’d go out and find a gently used pair of Vandersteen 3A. All the Vandy models are musical to a fault, in my experience. Here’s a listing of some used ones: |
I’ve always loved the Monitor Audio sound, a very musical speaker. From first hearing Silvers and Golds back in 01, even the low budget Bronze series. I finally pulled the trigger on a pr of Monitor Audio Platinum PL300II over a year ago and couldn’t be happier. I was fortunate to get mine in Santos rosewood, and love the true beauty and build of these speakers. The sound quality speaks for itself with either tubes or ss. |
Thanks everyone. Well I took the best ears in the family, my wife who has become an audiophile as our blog evolved, so she could listen to the Magnepan's 1.7. Before I go there, I have always have in my bucket list owning a Mcintosh amplifier. I auditioned the MA 252 which I could have as a demo unit at a nicely reduced price. My sales rep brought it to our house on a Saturday morning, hook it up so we could have an in home audition.The amp it replaced is an NAD C 375Bee which I want to sell but not sure there will be any interest localy. Anyway, my wife heard the Mac and it had enough hours on it that it fully opened in our audition. My wife said it found a home! She was right! So in the 1.7 audition Brian had already set them up by the time we got there. He had a Van Morrison CD in his Electrocompaniet transfer. After less than 30 seconds my wife was shaking her head grinning! I asked what that was about and she said, "I now understand why you have talked about Maggies forever! Wow, you are not listening to a speaker you are listening to music!" Seal of approval! I just need to make sure the Mac 252 at 160 watts into 4 ohms can drive the 1.7's with no issues! I found a pair locally for $1,300.00 and in South Florida a pair for $800.00. However my dealer has been awesome for the last 18 years, I rather pay full price to support my local small business and help keep his store going than inherit possible issues from a seller I don't know. I am now doing my due diligence and will probably pull the trigger in a month or so. Thank you everyone for the helpfull suggestions. Martin, Brian says HI. I will call sometime this coming week depending on how badly chemo puts me down! Cheers everyone and a happy Thanksgiving to all! |
