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Help: Searching for Vandersteen-like speakers...

I have been searching hi and lo for the right speakers until I found the Vandersteen 2Ce and I thought my search was done. Ok, so, after hearing a few amps, I think I am really in love with SET tube amps of one kind or another. The thing about SET amps that I have seen is they have very low wattage(one had 3 watts and another had 18 watts) and this leaves the Vandersteens out in the cold with an 86db sensitivity. I can see why Vandersteens go well with SS amps. Plus, besides the sensitivty, Vandersteen 2Ce also have a recommended amplification of 40 to 160 watts. This sort of leaves SET amps right out of the question.

My thing here is that I would like to find something like the Vandersteen 2Ce in the $1500 dollar range or else forget about an SET; however, if all else fails, I will go back to my original idea of mating the 2Ce with an ARC 100 watt amp.

Any ideas?
matchstikman
joe_b
421 posts
 
Suggest you try the Quicksilver 60W monos with the 'steens.
phasecorrect's avatar
phasecorrect
2,013 posts
 
Maybe a tube pre, tight solid state bass power,coupled with Vandy boxless sound...I wouldnt get too wound up on SETs...there is only one Vandersteen...and a plethora of ways to incorporate tube sound...
matchstikman OP
205 posts
 
Phasecorrect, I really like the tube sound. I already started a thread about finding a SS amp with a tube sound and the ending result seem to be that there is really no such thing; close, but no cigar. However, are you suggesting that it is possible to get a nice tube sound from a SS amp if I used a good tube pre-amp?
phasecorrect's avatar
phasecorrect
2,013 posts
 
Precisely...all the benefits of tube "warmth" in the highs with tight,clean,bass from the SS power...am I the man or what? Jolida makes some decent hybrids...check out their website....if you want to go that route...
joe_b
421 posts
 
If you like the tube sound, especially what you have heard from single ended stuff, I doubt you will find a better combo than the Quicksilvers and Vandersteens. It won't have tight bass. It will have a midrange that you will probably like very much.
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