Audio Research Ref75 se

BTW @skucie I might be getting the new Signature III if i can sell my vandys and i will be adding just 500$ so its really good to hear u had good experience with them!

i found PASS LABS XA30.5 + XP-20 pre for 8.7k$ 

what do u think..? should i go with it or with the Audio Research

You shouldnt buy anything in that price range without listening/demoing with a purpose. You should, however, go listen to alot of different gear.

Where do you live? Are there dealers near? Make appointments. Decide if you are set on your speakers, if not, figure out what you want. Then determine appropriate electronics. I love, absolutely love, the ref75se. The ref75se will not be performing at its best with your vandys. I also have great appreciation for the pass xa series. My experience owning the 30.5 years ago was it was sloppy in the lower bass. The .8 series is better with bass. Im not terribly fond of pass preamps.

OR

If you dont want to spend a little time and money to go and determine what you want, then by all means buy whatever you want.

Well the problem is that , sadly I can’t listen to all this gear.. but I came down to 3 amps.

I will say that, I want the amp to stay with me for the next years and that I will have room for update the speakers. atm I have to stay with my vandy’s and im quiete fine with it.

:so these are the 3 amps

1. ARC Reference 75SE

2. BRYSTON 4b SST2

3. Pass Labs xa30.5

I can listen only to the bryston probably. might be also listen the pass labs checking it out.

Many Vandersteen dealers carry ARC…. for a reason. The REF75se is a superb amp and should you stay in the Vandy line will take you up to and especially suitable for Quattro ( because of the high pass and built in sub ). Depending on how old your 2’s are ( in continuous production AND improvement since 1977 ), you should consider the latest model, or as advised the more advanced Treo. I run the Treo CT with a 50 wpc tube amp and for a short time ran my 7’s with the 75 wpc ARC - definitely magic midrange. The Treo is an easier load than the II, but the II with acoustic coupler play lower but can reward a SS amp w better lower end control. The REF75 has excellent output transformers so it will also run the II well, within noted volume and room size constraints. You might want to join the Vandy owners forum on the Vandy site. There are many owners there, some w amps mentioned. You got good advice on visiting a dealer and listening to the combo. Rutan in NJ and Randy in Santa Monica both carry ARC and full line Vandy. Alan Jones at HiFi Buys Atlanta same. Think long term and the REF75se can anchor a state of the art system for many, many years.

best to you, enjoy the music and the journey 

Jim