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Is VonSchweikert VR-1 good upgrade from Spica TC50

I'm thinking of replacing my Spica TC-50's with something that shares it's strong points (imaging, sounstage, vocals, natural timbre) but has better bass, highs, and dynamic capability. Right now I play through a vintage Fisher 400 tube reciever(which I'm thinking of replacing with a Jolida102-B - any amp suggestions?) and fronted by a CAL Sigma II DAC. I listen to rock(soft, acoustic), jazz, blues, folk and a little classical. I have not heard the VR-1's but from reading it seems like they may be a good upgrade. Please comment. All advice, suggestions, and opinions are welcome. Thanks for looking.
dakajoba
jsujo
348 posts
 
So is the Spica Angelus just more of the great qualities and improved bass?
tmoran's avatar
tmoran
34 posts
 
My regular speakers are Merlin VSM's with VAC amplification. My current project is to rebuild a vintage McIntosh MC240. I didn't want to ruin my Merlins if the MC240 did anything weird, so I bought the best pair of speakers I could for $200, the TC50's. This past weekend I get half the power supply rebuilt and hooked up the 240 to the Spicas and was floored by the sound. Certainly not as detailed or as open as the Merlins, but the Spicas do have that magic. All that being said, I'd add in a sub if I was you and continue enjoying the Spicas. One of the best bargins on the used market.

I haven't heard the GM Europas, but their reputation says that it would probably be a great speaker for you as well.
jrd351
332 posts
 
yes..the angelus is just as magical.
seandtaylor99
1,262 posts
 
The angelus doesn't have a whole lot of bass itself, but it does have some. I run my angelus with a REL strata to help out in the bass and it works pretty well. The angelus bass goes very deep, but it's very lean and there seems to be a whole in the midbass, so overall it sounds more like a good monitor, than a floorstander.

The midrange and imaging is absolutely fabulous, though, to compensate.

As previously mentioned the Green Mountain Audio Europas were designed with a similar goal as the spicas .. linear phase response. I've never heard them but they would be top of my audition list if I were planning to sell the angelus.
jtinn
1,124 posts
 
Being a VSA dealer, I am a big fan. I have to also say that we are not really talking apples to apples. If the TC50's were being sold today, I am sure they would be quite a bit more money than the VR1's.

Now that all that is behind us, I am 45 years old and have been around this since birth. My father had Bozak's when I was born and still uses them as subwoofers with TC50's for mids and highs. He actively drives the different speakers and uses an electronic crossover. He gets suprisingly great sound.

I do not want to cost Von Schweikert Audio a sale, but as good as the VR1's are, unless you are considering the VR2's, I might stay with the Spicas. The boys at VSA are going to be pissed at me. :)
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