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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
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.
daverz
487 posts
 
There's a pair of Rogue M-150 monoblocks on the 'gon right now for $2400. These are a fabulous combo with the Quatros, and I'm sure they'd be just as good with the 5s.
bjesien OP
1,299 posts
 
Thank you all for the feedback and recommendations. These speakers are part of a level of our house that is 28 by 32, it is an open floor-plan and the listening area is around 14 by 20, however it is open behind.

I currently have an ARC 100.2 and find it has plenty of power for the upper drivers and the bass is handled by the sub amp. I must admit it is unusual for me, however I don't know the impedance curve of this speaker. I've searched a few times but I can't find a good graph. From what you are all saying however they want upwards of 100 wpc.

I have been looking at the V4 but also the auricle monos or maybe even the Ayre SS amps. Summer is approaching here in NE so I'm not concerned about rushing into a large tube setup, but I always miss the glow and energy of tubes when they are out of my system.

Stringreen and Audiofeil, what would you go with at around 3k tube or SS?

Thanks again. I'd spend more but my Z-06 is in the shop.
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