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Trying to extract more from my Vandersteen

I've come to the realization that my ideal system is always 2 steps ahead of whatever my current system is. I am only satisfied with whatever updgrade for a few months, before I convince myself that I need to upgrade again. This is as exciting as it is unsettling.

My current system is as follows:
Vandersteen 2CE sig
McCormack DNA-1 deluxe
TAD-150 sig tube preamp
Eastern Electric Minimax tube CDP
Blue circle Power cords
MIT IC's and speaker cables

I had spent the past two years building this current system, and I had been fairly happy with it. I thank this system for introducing me to the world of jazz. Switching to tubes really helped my Vandersteens "sing". I had entertained the thought of replacing the McCormack with a tube amp, such as TAD-60 or other equivalent, but I never did. I was happy with my system and figured it would remain intact for awhile.

Then something had to rain on my happiness or complaceny. Due to a busy work schedule, I was forced to do most of my music listening either in my office through my old NHT and all rotel setup or at home through my Sennheiser headphones. After a couple months of this, I finally had time to do some listening through my main system. It had never been apparent to me before, but all the music coming out of the Vandersteens sounded "veiled". Before, I purchased my vandies, I read and heard all the criticisms regarding this "veiled" or "shrouded" sound. I never felt this was true about my vandersteen's until now.

So instead of making generalizations, I figure this is a good opportunity to "improve" my system. I am still more than happy with the soundstage, midrange clarity, and bass dynamics. Perhaps what I want to improve is higher frequency extension.

All this being said, I welcome all recommendations and comments that need not be limited to the following topics:

tube-rolling...

Pre-amp...
Any recommendations on pre-amps (tube or SS)?
How about a passive unit (Sonic Euphoria, Placette, Mccormack TLC)?

cables...
anyone recommend Purist?

Amp...
Any good integrated's out there?
What do you think about the Eastern Electric Integrated?
How about Krell KAV 400xi? For that matter, how does Krell match with Vandersteens?

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to reading your comments.

Drew
drewyou
drewyou OP
24 posts
 
I replaced the MIT 2 biwires with Kimber 8TC (shotgunned and biwired). The sound improved tremendously. In comparison the MIT's were in fact darker sounding, perhaps contributing to the "veiled" sound. The Kimber really opened up the music. Hi-end extention was greatly improved, and the bass tigthend up as well. These cables are definitely more forward-sounding for lack of a better description.

I moved my system to the short wall. The room is approx. 25X15. I also reset the tweeter and woofer contours back down to 0db on the vandersteens. To my ears this setting seems to best complement my system with the room.

So after 6 months of pondering, researching, listening, and necessary (financially affordable) adjustments I am now pretty happy with my system. The Vandy's can sound "veiled", but I think after my little journey here in the past few months, I realized that with the right setup and proper matching, they can be made to reproduce wonderfully clear and dynamic music.

Now I am thinking to...
add a 2WQ subwoofer to my system, maybe in a stereo setup. Woundn't that be nice...
wmlov2kmba8f83
1 posts
 
Drewyou - Now that you have them sounding better, which connections are you using on the back of the DNA deluxe? I have the same amp and speakers and I (accidentally) found that the barrier strip connections sounded better to me than the Cardas posts. I have a true biwire set up with cables I made. I tried several permutations of connectors and putting high/low on one or the other amp connections and found that it sounded best to me with all the speaker leads connected to the barrier strips. If you're looking for one more thing to try.....
drewyou OP
24 posts
 
I have both shotgunned biwires connected to the Cardas posts. I tired putting both on the barrier strip, and although the sound seems fine, I was worried about not having a secure fit with the screws. One thing I experienced was that putting both hi and low connections on either the Cardas posts or the barrier strip was better than separating out to each.
cityside
3 posts
 
No one here mentioned adding a sub. (i care because i am contemplating one)
Some of what i read tells me that adding a sub even to 2CEs will enhance the mids and highs. What do you smart folks think of that?
tlg
69 posts
 
Go for it. Get 2 if you can. You won't be disappointed.
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