New Von Schweikert Models

I just returned from CES (1 day only this year) and had a chance to hear the dB99's, VR4jrs, VR4Sr, and VR9's.
I must say, the new 4Srs are stunning and considering the sonics,,, reasonably priced. "Best of Show" goes to VSA using the 9's (I did not listen to the 11's), set up in a 2pr multichannel configuration using EmmLabs, DartZel, etc. Kudo's to the VSA team AND supporting cast, in addition to the above mfg.'s,,, VAC, Oracle, Opera and several others. Spending the day visiting rooms displaying equipment housed in less than ideal listening environments, the Von Schweikerts were absolute standouts being the first and last rooms I visited. All models shown (spread over 7-8 rooms) were knockouts!

Jack

Jack,
How did the Db99's sound? What gear was driving them? I am considering these speakers and would like your opinion.
Thanks,
Mark

Efficacy

I own the 99's,,, black piano finsih. Here's how I feel about them. When they arrive, pitch the boxes,,, you're gonna own them for a long time!

At CES the 99's were powered by Opera(Cyber series). Personally,,, I'm loving and using VAC,, the Avatar. I spoke with Kevin from VAC at the show and they are releasing a new product,, the VAC Auricle Musicbloc(monoblocks). Its a design adapted from the premium Phi 110/110 model. Its a Class A, direct-coupled triode front end that should offer terrific balance.
Used with the Auricle Preamp,,, it should be a outstanding performer. BTW I'm also using Herbie Audio "combat boot" footers(wood floors) under the 99's and Robert Lee's Acoustic Zen Satori speaker cables and AZ's Matrix IC's.

Jack

Thanks for the post Jack. What is your opinion if I wanted to run them wih my present gear: Ayre V-1X amp, BAT 51-SE pre, Ayre CDP with Tara Labs (IC and speaker cable)? I have only read threads with folks running tube amps with these speakers due to their high efficiency rating.

Thanks,
Mark

Efficacy- I also own the DB99mkII's and have used a few solid state amps on them so far. They work great, but you don't need to use an amp with that kind of power, from my experience the less power=more musical, this is not a concrete rule, but seems to be fairly constant. I had a very highly regarded pair of SS mono's and just didn't feel I needed the power and I could get away with much less power and even get back into tubes(which is what I did). With the quality of tube amps of today its a breeze to use them and they are very reliable. I have been looking for a low wattage SS amp with balanced inputs and its pretty hard to find- I want a second amp for summer/background and possibly movies, I can't see wasting tube life on back ground noise. I am thinking of getting a Pass Aleph 30, maybe not the best, but it should suffice for back ground music.

I have run amps as low as 30 watts and as high as 400, the results are typically the same. The speakers are very dynamic and can produce enjoyable sound at levels lower then 60dB, but are also capable of CRANKING if you desire. From my listening so far I find that tube amps make a more natural sound with the db99's. Just make sure you listen only after broken in, when new they sound pretty bad, the tweeter even honks a little when new!

Of course this is just my experience.....