Pre and power amp for Vandersteen 3A Signature?


Vandersteen 3 A Signature is one of the main contenders that I'm considering now for my rather large living room. For stereo as well as HT purposes. I know that Audio Research is the ideal amp for them but I would prefer solid state pre-power amp combo and of course preamp must have the HT bypass. My main concern with Vandies is PRAT and dynamics. Nobody doubts their incredible musicality but I want them to sound fast and tight when necessary (be it heavy metal or movies) and deliver the best bass they can as well as the most explosive dynamics they are capable of (I'll have almost 4 meters between my ears and the speakers). I know Krell is a good choice. What do you guys suggest?
antonkk
You must have a really large room, that 13 foot distance from the Vandy's would require almost the same separation between the speakers to get the best sound from them (Wow that's large enough for an IMax screen). I second Unsound's recommendation because they are a very synergistic combination, plus its the same combination I use in my Vandersteen HT setup. I use a TLC-1 Dlx Ultra to drive a DNA-1 Dlx Gold for the 3A Sig's and a DNA HT-1 Dlx and DNA 0.5 Dlx for the Vandy center and surrounds. At one point I was vertically bi-amping a pair of 3A'Sig/2Wq combination with a pair of DNA-1 Dlx Golds that made the most awesome sound. Unfortunately they were removed from my possession during a recent move. Anyway McCormack makes a couple preamps with HT pass through or a feature that can be used as that, I just turn my TLC all the way up for the pass through. Plus the McCormack's offer an upgrade path through SMc Audio (Highly recommended) as your budget allows. Planning a pair of DNA-1 monoblocks myself. Try all the recommendation made here but try them used that way you have little to no lose when you sell something your not happy with. Good Luck in your search and above all else have fun doing it.
I think you'll see Ayre, Audio Research and McCormack come up often in this thread.
I use a Cary SLP-05 preamp feeding Vincent ST-8 hybrid monoblocks with my Vandy 3A Sigs. The Cary is a fantastic tubed pre and the Vincent is a German-designed, Chinese-made tube/SS hybrid design pushing 200 w/ch. The combination is wonderfully life-like in tonality with plenty of power when neeeded.
I'm using Quicksilver V4 mono blocs and ARC SP16 with very good results. I know you requested solid state, but this is a most musical combination with tubed components.