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Attention Vandersteen 5A owners/ amp matches

What are all you other 5/5A owners using to drive your speakers these days. I have noticed members using Bel and also Quicksilver. I am really thinking about selling my humble farm and spending up to 15 k (new) or used on an amp. I generally have leaned in the direction of tubes in the past, but am not totally close minded to all SS right now. I prefer a slightly warmer sound, but now of course want (almost) everything with my upgrade. I am now considering Audio research , VTL S400, Jadis Ja 80, and am interested in a used pair of Jeff Rowland 9 monos. I am looking for plenty of power( although I know 5A s are o.k. with less) which I hope will translate to a relaxed effortlessness. I want the 5A to fill my 23/12/8 size room with a nice wide ,deep soundstage with good dimensionality. Thank in advance to any and all suggestions. Boy, am I going to miss that farm.
fjn04
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,378 posts
 
The best by far that I've heard the 5A's has been with Joule Electra OTL monoblocks at CES 2005. Plenty of power and glorious OTL sound.
If you don't live near a dealer, I recommend Rich Brkich at Signature Sound. He is very experienced w/the Joules. Cheers,
Spencer
agaffer
256 posts
 
I've used Jeff Rownands, Theta Dreadnaught, and now the ARC VTM 200's. I haven't had any desire to use anything else since switching to the ARC monoblocks. They also sound great with the ARC VT-100 MK III's.
4yanx
1,576 posts
 
I have them with a McCormack DNA-225 upgraded to Steve McCormack's Platinum specs. (see review). It is one of the finest combos I've heard at any price. One of these days I plan to do them in dual monos.
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