Hey Guys
Vandersteen still builds better then ever Model ones, twos and three"s at what are amazing prices corrected for inflation over the last 35 years.
The Patented Midrange in the Five As trickled down to the Treo's and now to the 2 and 3 series along with other much better sounding parts.
You really need to get out of your assumptive mind set and in for a listen to appreciate these advancements.
Any designer sometime in his or her lifetime would like to pull out all the stops with no consideration of price.
If a very expensive caps sound better, put it in, etc. That's what he has done in the Model Seven and many people appreciate them. So cut the guy some slack even if you can't afford it you might enjoy a listen anyway.
Best JohnnyR