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Any tube rec's on Vandersteen 5's

Fellow Agoners, I'm looking for tube recommendations for the Vandersteen 5 series. I am looking to spend no more than $2800 used and think somewhere between 80 to 100+ watts might be sufficient.

Have Joule LA150 mk 2 pre and Ayre CX7e CDP and some synergistic and Nordost cabling and nice Nordost conditioning systems. Also have decent vinyl system that comes and goes based on room availability.

Looking for something on the warmer side of ARC VS series.
I'm considering the VAC musicblocks. I've owned an Avatar SE in the past and liked it with my devore 9's, but am wondering if the VAC Vandersteen combo might be a tad warm.

I really look for dimensionality in a pure band setup format but tonal accuracy is also important to me.
bjesien
tonyjack
102 posts
 
Try Quicksilver. The V4 mono blocks would be great. If you're on the East Coast, give John Rutan a call at Audio Connection in Verona, New Jersey. Good luck.
samhar
1,048 posts
 
Are your Hi-Pass Filters SE or balanced? Most V-4's are SE!!! I've owned the VS-115 and the V-4's and preferred the V-4's "fuller" sound plus they are easy to bias, built like a tank(trouble free) and can run a wide variety of tubes types!!!! I used them with 3A Sigs and two 2Wq subs, a similar sound to the 5's.
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Cayin 100 will to the trick.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Agree with Stringreen; get a great amp. The speakers deserve it.

Pairing them with a Cayin 100 is like putting retread tires on a Z-06 Corvette.
fjn04
1,561 posts
 
I had the Phi 300.1, Quickie V-4's in SE and another pair in balanced all on the Vandersteen 5A's. I have owned two of Vac's KT-88 amps, the other being the Standard 220 Signature. IMHO, the Vac's are not warm for a tube amp. Not in any of my setups anyway. I have heard their Renaissance amps, and that amp has more of a classic tube sound. They are both very good amps, so it comes down to synergy. I think think the V-4's were a very nice match with the 5's. If it were me, I would go with the Quicksilver's, simply because of synergy. The Nines are waaay easier to drive than the 5's, so keep this in mind as well. If your room is on the small/medium, V4's should be enough. I would not use any less than the V-4, power wise. Just noticed your price range. Grab the V-4's if your room is not too big. Great support, easy to resell if you don't like them.
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