AudioCircle
Audio/Video Gear and Systems => Owner's Circles => Von Schweikert Audio Owners => Topic started by: RH37 on 30 Sep 2020, 04:22 pm
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I just acquired VR-33's and am delighted with them! They are such a revelation, I am truly hearing elements in my music that I've never heard before and with a presence that is amazing. I realize this is nothing new to anyone on this forum, but I am so happy to have discovered the wonder of VSA. The only drawback is that it is now making me reconsider my other equipment in order to live up to the speakers!
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..welcome to the wonderful world of Von Schweikert. Please tell us about your front end and amplification..
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Yes, welcome to the VSA world. As you review possible equipment changes, the VR33 or VR35 speakers perform well with an amplifier with high damping factor (low output impedance). This will allow the amp to maintain a more vice-like control of the bass driver, resulting in tight, high bass resolution.
As you look at speaker placement, these speakers are designed to perform well when placed close to the front wall. If you have the space to move the speakers further away from the front wall, that wall coupling can be mimicked by placing a rigid vertical object behind the speaker at an optimum distance. This could be a butcher block cutting board, cement blocks, etc. This isn't necessarily better than the placement near the front wall, just an option if you want to experiment.
I hope this is helpful, enjoy.
Robert
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I am running a Rogue Sphinx integrated amp. I am quite happy with it, though I may go for an all tube amp next (for my budget I'm thinking PrimaLuna). I got the VR33's based on reviews and reputation alone, and I have not been disappointed. Being VSA's base model, I can only imagine how exquisite their higher offerings must be!
In my room I need them close to the front wall. I'm still experimenting with distance; currently they are at 13" away. Initially I bi-wired with 14 awg cable. I feel I heard a bit more detail, but it sounded somewhat thin overall. I combined the cable to effectively 11 awg for full range, and it had a good bit more body. I am happy with that for now, but may go down that rabbit hole more later. :)
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Hi RH37.
The VSA speakers have separate inputs for Mid/Treble and Bass drivers. There are actually two independent crossovers which support both biwiring and biamping if desired. If using a single cable connection, the bass signal's current will modulate the mid/treble signal. This is why VSA recommends that if you use a single amplifier that biwiring is preferred to a single cable with a jumper at the speaker terminals. If biwiring, the same brand & model of cable should be used to avoid different sonic signatures by mixing different brands of speaker cables.
Some cost effective brands that get high praise include AntiCable and Blue Jeans Cable. I use MasterBuilt cables (Ultra). I'd suggest looking into the MasterBuilt Performance cables which is their entry level of their four cable lines. VSA is a distributor for MasterBuilt.
Regarding balancing the bass response of the VR33, you've probably already noticed that small changes in the distance to the front wall can significantly impact bass level. So, keep that in mind if you audition cables.
You may want to call or email VSA and hear their thoughts on getting the most out of your VR-33 system.
Enjoy,
Robert
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I had good performance with anti cables bi wire on my VR4jrs
Don P
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VR33's normally come with just a single set of terminals, though mine have the optional dual sets for bi-wiring. I wonder if the crossover on these was designed for bi-wiring, or is merely bi-wire capable?
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If you have two sets of terminals then the speaker is set up for biwiring and, if desired, biamping. The bass terminal connects to the bass crossover only. The mid/treble terminal connects to a completely separate mid/treble crossover. There are no internal connections between the two crossovers. That's why, if you want to use only a single speaker cable connection, you would need a jumper to join the two sets of terminals with one jumper on the + to + and one connecting the - to -.
Biwiring will sound better than a single cable & jumper since the current of the bass is greatly attenuated in mid/treble cable. This is because the mid/treble crossover presents a very high resistance in the bass frequencies. This blocks bass current from flowing through the midrange and treble drivers.
Biamping opens up opportunities to use different amps. For example, a beefy solid state amp might be used with very low output impedance (i.e. high damping factor) to drive the woofer. A tube amp could be used to drive the midrange and tweeter. You would need a way to match levels since different amps would probably not have the same gain. This could be a fixed or variable attenuator.
If you start with biwiring, you could use separate cables with both attached to one amp. That way, if you ever want to try biamping, you wouldn't need to get a second set of cables. Separate cable give the same benefit as a biwire cable that has one amp termination that is then split into two cables running to the speaker.
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Hm, I will have to try bi-wiring these, once I get a final placement worked out. I've got more than enough unused speaker cable!
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I tried bi-wiring with 14 gauge quad cable, but even though I thought I heard more detail, it sounded a bit thin. When I doubled up the wires to effectively be 11 gauge for full range, it sounded fuller, which I preferred. Granted bi-wiring with 11 gauge or larger may be better yet, but right now all my dollars are going towards a new tube amp.