From: jan@gluon.ansoft.com (Seaway Jan)
Subject: Summary : Amps for Vandersteen 2Ce
Organization: Ansoft Corporation
Distribution: rec
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 16:22:24 GMT


Thanks for all the responses. Here is the summary on the Topic:
"What amps are best for Vandersteen 2Ce ?"


============================================================
Date: Thu, 10 Dec 92 13:08:49 PST
From: godogs@hoovertower.Corp.Sun.COM (Rick Brusuelas)
Message-Id: <9212102108.AA19451@hoovertower.Corp.Sun.COM>
To: jan@gluon.ansoft.com
Subject: Re: Which amp for Vandersteen 2Ce?
Content-Length: 1716

Jan:

I have been very happy with my Vandersteen (older 2c) driven 
by a B&K ST-140 amp.  This amp is conservatively rated at 
105 watts/channel, and has a very smooth, almsot tube-like 
quality.  Back in the days when I bought the 'steens and 
B&K amp (around five years ago), I recall that Stereophile 
suggested that this was an excellent pairing, particularly 
for those on a budget.  I believe the ST-140 still goes for 
less than $500 (I bought mine through a friend in the buisness, 
and paid $300 for mine).

One recommendation... Vandersteen recommends "bi-wiring" the speakers, 
meaning you run two sets of speaker wires (preferably matched and 
of high quality).  I was (and still am) too poor to do this (I run a 
single set of Distech cable... individually wrapped multi-diameter 
silver OxFree cable), so I lived with the Vandersteen-supplied "jumpered"
pair of bana plug set up for years until the thing literally fell 
apart.  I recently greatly improved the set-up by pulling the back plate off 
and soldering my own internal jumper between the two sets of speaker lead 
inputs.  This way, I run the newly banana-plugged speaker cables 
directly into the speakers, and it sounds (and looks better).  The speakers 
had just turned five years (warranty ended), so I felt comfortable 
doing this.

Other amps to consider would be Adcom 555 (I thought the Adcom sounded 
more "electronic", but it has better low-end extension and control 
than B&K), and the current Hafler.  If you can afford more, I 
have heard the Vandersteens through a Forte amp and was extremely 
impressed.

You have selected a great speaker... so good luck with the amp choice!

Rick Brusuelas
Sun Library
Sun Microsystems, Inc.
=========================
Date: Thu, 10 Dec 92 20:23:51 -0500
From: wdh@grouper.mkt.csd.harris.com (W. David Higgins)
Message-Id: <9212110123.AA26434@grouper.mkt.csd.harris.com>
To: jan@gluon.ansoft.com
Subject: Re: Which amp for Vandersteen 2Ce?
Newsgroups: rec.audio
Organization: Harris CSD, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Cc: 

In article <JAN.92Dec10112041@gluon.ansoft.com> you write:
>
>I am interested in getting a pair of Vandersteen 2Ce, I would like to know what
>power amp/pre-amp is used in netter's system with 2Ce.

I used to own an earlier version of the 2C Vandersteens.  I ended up
purchasing an Aragon 4004.  Seemed like a good match to me -- the
Vandersteens have lots of bass, but typically a little 'flabby'.
The Aragon controlled that nicely without losing any of the bottom.

The down side is $1800 for the current incarnation of the 4004, and
you'll need a preamp as well.   Sigh.  Nobody said it would be easy.

==============================================================
From: rgo@druhi.att.com
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 92 09:15 MST
To: jan@gluon.ansoft.com
Subject: Re: Which amp for Vandersteen 2Ce?
Reply-To: r.g.olsen@att.com

I recently helped my girlfriend put together a system
with Vandersteen 2Ce speakers.  We looked at Adcom and B&K,
and finally decided on the Parasound P/FET-900II preamp and the
Parasound HCA-800II 100 wpc amp.  These work extremely
well with the Vandersteen speakers.

Parasound makes very highly regarded amps and preamps that
are "best buys" in their class, offering excellent performance
and prices lower than their competition (Adcom, B&K).
Noted audio designer John Curl, who designed amplifiers
for Mark Levinson, is responsible for many of the Parasound
products.

Parasound amps and preamps have gotten excellent
reviews in many audiophile magazines around the world;
the HCA-800II amp is on the Stereophile Recommended Equipment list,
and the P/FET-900II preamp is in their class K (not yet reviewed,
but should be good).

The Parasound P/FET-900II preamp lists for $455,
and is available mail-order for $355 from Reference Audio
in California (310-517-1700).

The Parasound HCA-800II 100 wpc amp lists for $425
and is $335 mail-order.

Parasound also makes a 200 wpc amp (model HCA-1200)
and a 220 wpc amp (model HCA-2200), which 
have gotten rave reviews in the audiophile press.
All Parasound amps are high-current designs that
can drive low-impedance loads.

Check out the Parasound ads in Audio or Stereophile
for their 800 number; they'll send you literature
and reviews of all their products.

	Ron Olsen
	Boulder, Colorado
	r.g.olsen@att.com
========================================================
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1992 12:29 EST
From: Stanton Loh <U2ZJ@VAX5.CIT.CORNELL.EDU>
Subject: Which amp for Vandersteen 2Ce?
To: jan@gluon.ansoft.com
Message-Id: <01GS6U2XBKTSASENPJ@vax5.cit.cornell.edu>
X-Envelope-To: jan@gluon.ansoft.com
X-Vms-To: in%"jan@gluon.ansoft.com"

>
>I am interested in getting a pair of Vandersteen 2Ce, I would like to know what
>power amp/pre-amp is used in netter's system with 2Ce.
>

My brother is pleased with his PS audio 6.1 / Adcom 555mkII driving
his Vandersteens.  I had the same preamp/amp, then switched to a
Muse 100 amp, which has a slightly nicer sound.

-Stanton Loh
u2zj@vax5.cit.cornell.edu
=========================================
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 92 13:56 PST
From: cfortier@borland.com (Chris Fortier)
To: jan@gluon.ansoft.com (Seaway Jan)
Subject: Which amp for Vandersteen 2Ce?

   Newsgroups: rec.audio
   From: jan@gluon.ansoft.com (Seaway Jan)
   Nntp-Posting-Host: gluon
   Organization: Ansoft Corporation
   Distribution: rec
   Date: Thu, 10 Dec 1992 16:20:41 GMT


   I am interested in getting a pair of Vandersteen 2Ce, I would like to know what
   power amp/pre-amp is used in netter's system with 2Ce.

   Any other suggestions are also welcome.


It was my understanding that the 2Ce's were supposed to be reltively amplifier
independent.  In other words, they are not hostile towards amplifiers, or
do not present an amplifier with an extremely low impedance.  Therefore, you
should buy the best amp that you can possibly afford.

On a side note, how are the 2Ces?  I am thinking of purchasing a pair and
am interested in your opinion.  I understand that they may be sweet.  I, myself
prefer accurate, but I can live with sweet.  What other speakers are you
comparing to the Vandersteens before you decide to purchase them?  I've
heard the Thiel CS2.2s, which seemed to bright for me.  Ideally, I'd love
to get the Apogee Stages, excellent overall sound quality.  But, alas, there
is no dealer in my area.

Thanks,
Chris
====================================================
Date: Sun, 13 Dec 92 12:12:58 -0800
From: daniel@netcom.com (Sam Daniel)
Message-Id: <9212132012.AA09757@netcom.netcom.com>
To: jan@gluon.ansoft.com
Subject: Re: Which amp for Vandersteen 2Ce?
Newsgroups: rec.audio

Vandersteen's are very forgiving speakers, with an impedance that
hovers right around 8 ohms.  I'd recommend something around 100
watts/channel or more, to give the extra punch you might need when the
volume goes up.

I use the Adcom 555II, and the 545II should do just fine.  I've heard
the speakers with several other amps, including Bryston Model 3, B&K
ST-202, Forte 4.

If the amp/preamp is good and has a musical sound, the Vandersteens
will never let you down.  Enjoy....
-- 
*
Sam Daniel          *   UUCP (Smart):  daniel@netcom.com
Paramax Systems     *         (Dumb):  {...}!uunet!netcom!daniel
1001 W. Maude Ave.  *          Voice:  1-408-235-2661
Sunnyvale, CA 95131 *     Disclaimer:  It's only my opinion, but it's
                                       a DAMN good one...
=============================================
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 09:29:25 -0500
From: gfl@hera.cc.bellcore.com
Message-Id: <199212141429.AA22855@tbird.cc.bellcore.com>
To: jan@maxwell.ansoft.com
Subject: Re: Which amp for Vandersteen 2Ce?

Vandy's are pretty easy to drive, so you can get away
with a modest amplifier (in power / current).  Your own
taste is the only criterion for other tradeoffs.

I've used:
	Sonogy (great)
	Hafler (not bad)
	NAD (surprisingly OK)
	ARC classic 60 (excellent - a little weak in bass)

Grant


================================================================
From: markw@hpcss01.cup.hp.com (Mark Williams)
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 17:54:56 GMT
Subject: Re: Which amp for Vandersteen 2Ce?
Organization: Hewlett Packard, Cupertino
Newsgroups: rec.audio

Preamp:  Hafler 110
Amp:     Hafler XL280

================================================================

From: gt0869a@prism.gatech.EDU (WATERS,CLYDE GORDON)
Newsgroups: rec.audio
Subject: Re: Which amp for Vandersteen 2Ce?
Date: 17 Dec 92 16:57:00 GMT
Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology

In article <64320009@hpcss01.cup.hp.com> markw@hpcss01.cup.hp.com (Mark Williams) writes:
>Preamp:  Hafler 110
>Amp:     Hafler XL280

A friend of mine has very good results from the B+K preamp/amp combo,
don't remember the preamp model but the amp was a ST-140. 

Or, another good setup involved Rotels. Anything would good current
and smooth (not bright! ) treble should work well. IMHO, the 2ci's and 
2Ce's can be too bright on some amp/preamp combos. Investigate this before
purchasing.

Regards,
Gordon.

-- 
WATERS,CLYDE GORDON-Class of '93-Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta Ga. 
"Out of the mountain of despair, we can hew the stone of hope"- MLK Jr. 
uucp:	  ...!{decvax,hplabs,ncar,purdue,rutgers}!gatech!prism!gt0869a
Internet: gt0869a@prism.gatech.edu
Newsgroups: rec.audio