AudioCircle
Audio/Video Gear and Systems => Owner's Circles => Von Schweikert Audio Owners => Topic started by: es347 on 30 Apr 2009, 01:58 pm
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My VR4 SR MKIIs are presently at the VSA factory for a "VR5 Anniversary facelift". After beating myself up over this for several months, I decided to bite the bullet and go for it. I've asked Joe to document the whole process via digital photos which I intend to add to this thread as we go along. As it turns out, my VR4s were actually built last Fall with the VR5 Anniversary cabinets so the upgrade will consist of adding faux stone blocks to the inside of the cabinets to further deaden things, replacing all drivers with the exception of the rear-firing tweeters, changing out the jacks to those really cool WBT jewels, and, of course, replacing the crossovers with those of the servo-controlled variety. I have requested that Albert "lay hands" on my speakers :bowdown: and perhaps perform incantations; the same ones he performs on the VR9s would be nice aa I apologize for those former posts where I drug a few of you through this gut-wrenching, hand-wringing decision making process but in a week or two, I'll actually be starting yet another break in process...and I can't wait...and neither can Pam :duh:
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Congrats! :banana piano:
Looking forward to the continue !
Best,
Rune
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This should be very interesting to follow :drool:
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We've had a slight mid-course correction. Rather than upgrading my VR4s we've found a buyer so Albert is building a new set of VR5 Anniversaries for me. We are still going to document the construction process showing internals, crossover board construction, robed incantations, etc. I will post pix as soon as they become available. Gotta get these babies home and in my listening room. The old MLs just aren't doing it for me :bawl:
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Now that is the kind of mid-course correction one can only envy, Gavin.....just don't be tempted to go to pair of 9s while you are at it.....:)
Seriously, it would be great for the folks here to learn about the process so keep us posted and let's see if we can't get some pics going.
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That's the plan Delacroix. Albert said they will be taking digital pix throughout the process even one with him standing beside the monitor with my speaker's freq. curve showing. I will post them as I get them.
Gavin
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This thread is gonna ba a CLASSIC!!!!!!
:thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
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This thread should change name. That is a fantastic mid-course change IMO. :drool: Send pix ASAP plz.
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This thread is gonna ba a CLASSIC!!!!!!
:thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
Pressure's on!
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What is the MRSP of these speakers?
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Gavin,
Welcome to the 5's world :D
I am sorry to tell you but you won't miss your 4's at all :green:
Andrew
Greek team of VR 5 Anni's (we are only two of us in Athens)
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That's what everybody tells me Andrew :thumb:
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Hi Gavin. Congratulations in advance!
I truly believe you made the right choice. :duh:
Seriously, if your reaction will be like Jack's when he first got the 5's, it should be just giddy laughter and disbelief. :lol:
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Hey Keith,
Thanks for the reassurance. I can't wait to hear them. I am trying to picture Jack laughing giddily :rotflmao:
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Good morning gentlemen, and ladies! I see our good friend Gavin has posted the pictures we took for him. I'll give you guys a little insight to some of those pictures, so that you know what you are looking at.
The 1st, 7th, and 8th pictures are of the M/T unit, mainly taken to show the internal bracing of the M/T unit before all the internal dampening is done to the cabinet. Why more than one shot? Well we discovered, none of our guys are really photographers, so we took a lot(there's a lot more) of pictures hoping some of them came out good. :thumb:
The 2nd shot is of our crossover for the M/T unit, minus a few things, we weren't comfortable showing of the whole crossover, so we showed what we could.
The 3rd shot is of the bass crossover, minus a few little things as well, just to give Gavin a little idea of whats sitting inside those cabinets.
The 4th shot is of the bass cabinet laying on its side with the stones being installed.
The 5th shot is a shot taken from the top opening of the bass cabinet showing the internal bracing used inside our bass cabinets.
And the 6th shot is of the M/T unit on it's side with the stones installed.
I hope these little descriptions help you out when looking at these pictures. any questions please feel free to ask.
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Good morning gentlemen, and ladies! I see our good friend Gavin has posted the pictures we took for him. I'll give you guys a little insight to some of those pictures, so that you know what you are looking at.
The 1st, 7th, and 8th pictures are of the M/T unit, mainly taken to show the internal bracing of the M/T unit before all the internal dampening is done to the cabinet. Why more than one shot? Well we discovered, none of our guys are really photographers, so we took a lot(there's a lot more) of pictures hoping some of them came out good. :thumb:
The 2nd shot is of our crossover for the M/T unit, minus a few things, we weren't comfortable showing of the whole crossover, so we showed what we could.
The 3rd shot is of the bass crossover, minus a few little things as well, just to give Gavin a little idea of whats sitting inside those cabinets.
The 4th shot is of the bass cabinet laying on its side with the stones being installed.
The 5th shot is a shot taken from the top opening of the bass cabinet showing the internal bracing used inside our bass cabinets.
And the 6th shot is of the M/T unit on it's side with the stones installed.
I hope these little descriptions help you out when looking at these pictures. any questions please feel free to ask.
Yes, what he said :oops:
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So let me get this straight, for $28,000.00 you get:
1. A crossover with components hot glued to a piece of wood
2. Resistors, capacitors and inductors of garden variety
3. Resistors soldered in series
4. Electrolytic capacitors
5. Iron core inductors
6. Wire soldered to unsupported component leads
7. A HDF speaker box with some Black hole dampening glued to the inside
8. A beautiful black piano finish
Man am I in the wrong business!
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My bad. I forgot to mention the Analysis Plus wire.
$28,000.00 you say?
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Apparently so audio_builder. Granted these are not Altec Lansings but there is method to VSA's madness regarding construction of the crossovers. BTW, have you ever heard a pr. of Albert's speakers? If not, that may explain your skepticism. We need Albert to jump in with an explanation at this point. I'm not qualified to answer nor interested in doing so quite frankly. Thanks for the post however.
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Hello es347,
You are definitely right, they are not Altec. I have had the opportunity of hearing one pair of Albert’s speakers. I have no skepticism about the speakers; I was just commenting on the parts and build quality vs the price of the speaker.
A picture is worth a thousand words. No need for any other explanations.
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.
Enjoy the music.
Lee
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$28,000.00 you say?
You know what they say.........Ya can't take it with ya!
Go Gavin! May the pleasure you get wipe away the sticker shock! :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
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The speakers are still under construction, and if I were to post all of Albert's secrets for his crossovers and cabinet construction on the internet, he'd kill me :lol: Anyways, Albert let us take these pictures as a favor for a customer, and we tried to do our best, but of course the pictures didn't come out professional because we had to lay off our photographer(just kidding, we just don't know how to take pictures). As for parts used, I wouldn't say garden variety, you can't even go out and buy some of the parts we use as they are custom made to Albert's specs for Von Schweikert Audio. Please understand, the price difference for from the VR-4SR to the VR-5 Anniversary is largely due to the custom parts used in the crossovers, and the custom drivers we have modified for us(which costs a lot of money if that makes you feel better about it) that's what makes the VR-5 far more superior than the VR-4SR. The VR-5 may look like your "garden variety" but they got a whole lot going on that you don't know about that makes them unique and special, just like the blue foot chicken (look up blue foot chicken up on google)
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Hi Joe,
Thanks for jumping in but no need to defend your company to me or anyone else. The accusations about cheap parts and poor enclosure construction were made by someone who unfortunately doesn't have the full story and perhaps may even have an axe to grind. I was excited to share this experience with the VSA circle regulars...pictures of the construction process...but it has degraded into an attack on VSA. I have asked Delacroix to pull the thread and I will simply enjoy my new speakers without the negative distractions.
One last volley regarding the crossovers: the fact that Albert refuses to use PC boards for parts mounting and interconnection shows his attention to detail. It never made sense to me to spend good money on expensive cabling only to find that when connected to its destination, the signal path runs through a printed circuit board with precious little current conducting ability not to mention the potential problems with induced currents, crosstalk and so forth due to close proximity of components. Albert figured this out over 30 years ago and as a result, builds superior sounding crossovers. They may look a bit home made but the proof is in the sound. He also employs very expensive parts...the ones in the signal path...regardless of what some people have said from viewing the photos. OK that's my rant for the day. Read quick because this thread is headed for the great cyberspace graveyard.
Gavin
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Please don't pull this thread because of one erant comment. I have enjoyed this thread and was looking forward to reading and seeing more.
Pleeeeeeass,
Gary
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Yeah Gary, isn't that the way it goes. I was looking forward to sharing with you guys but Albert and I discussed this and we agree that it's best to pull the plug. It was my idea to post the in-process pictures even though he was somewhat reluctant to do so primarily because of his crossover designs. What the uninitiated see in what appears to be a bit of a Rube Goldberg construction is in fact breakthrough. Albert could use PC boards if he wanted but he has learned by careful testing that the crossovers sound better if you employ adequately sized point-to-point wiring and pay close attention to how the components are arranged relative to one another. It may not look pretty but it sure sounds pretty. Negative comments about the parts he uses are just flat wrong. Everything in the signal path is expensive and carefully thought out. That's enough from me. I'm just sorry that Albert has come under this scrutiny and I am following his wishes to have delacroix zap the thread.
Gavin
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Yeah Gary, isn't that the way it goes. I was looking forward to sharing with you guys but Albert and I discussed this and we agree that it's best to pull the plug. It was my idea to post the in-process pictures even though he was somewhat reluctant to do so primarily because of his crossover designs. What the uninitiated see in what appears to be a bit of a Rube Goldberg construction is in fact breakthrough. Albert could use PC boards if he wanted but he has learned by careful testing that the crossovers sound better if you employ adequately sized point-to-point wiring and pay close attention to how the components are arranged relative to one another. It may not look pretty but it sure sounds pretty. Negative comments about the parts he uses are just flat wrong. Everything in the signal path is expensive and carefully thought out. That's enough from me. I'm just sorry that Albert has come under this scrutiny and I am following his wishes to have delacroix zap the thread.
Gavin
What a shame. I was just curious about the price and I love the speakers. One of the nicest setups I've ever heard were VR5's with VAC amplification.
I should have known better than to bring up price since it invariably leads to problems. For now on, I'll google it or use PM to find out prices.
Sorry.
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Dear Gavin,
As a representant of VSA for more than 12 years now, I spoke a large number of 'sceptists'.
There are always people who do not understand this theory.
Only a few seem to know that point to point wire acts best. Tube designers know this for years.
Guys like 'Altec' might be jealous, they probably bought speakers at more cost looking very expensive with beautifully build crossoverparts, often with gold but not sounding really like music.
One day 'the dime will fall', if they really like music.
Good luck,
Cor
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Wow. I described the parts what were in a picture and everybody gets all fussy.
Why is everybody so sensitive about the cheap parts in a high end speaker?
What happened to the idea of open communication and intelligent discussions about audio?
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Folks
Let's stay calm here - Altec explained his view and others have theirs on matters of price and quality. I read no offence in anyone's comments. I just don't really understand how anyone can determine quality of sound (which is what we are paying for, surely) from a picture of a speaker's innards but I'm ready to be enlightened.
Those of us who've heard Albert's designs tend to like them and think them worth our money. I think the pics are great for all of us who want to learn more but it's up to VSA if they wish to share them or not, unless someone here wants to take their speaker apart and post the results (don't all rush at once :)
In the meantime, let's keep the forum civil and informative, and yes, let's allow some room for honest exchange of differing values.
Peace
Delacroix (facilitator)
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Wow. I described the parts what were in a picture and everybody gets all fussy.
Why is everybody so sensitive about the cheap parts in a high end speaker?
What happened to the idea of open communication and intelligent discussions about audio?
That's just it Lee, the parts aren't cheap. I realize you are apparently up on this sort of thing but according to Albert, the parts are far from cheap and if it's ok with you, I choose to believe him. I'm all for intelligent conversations about audio but I don't think your comments have been objective at all. If you have a beef with high end mfrs. so be it but why troll here and trash VSA speakers, especially knowing that someone, namely me, just purchased them. Yeah I'm getting fussy and so would you if you were belittled after making a significant purchase. If you feel strongly about making your point, you can email Albert personally at albert@vonschweikert.com. I'm willing to bet that you may come away from that exchange with a different opinion.
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My apologies to all you misguided VSA owners for starting this exercise in panty twisting. You gotta appreciate the display of solidarity though :guns: If anyone is interested, there's a Altec Lansing crossover on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180354085056...the opening bid is $0.99 :hyper: Sorry I couldn't help myself. :oops:
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I really don't want this thread to be derailed into costing for chrissakes but let me say one thing. I have a whole lot of friends who are into vintage and DIY. We offer each other mutual respect and we listen for the good things in each others systems. They can be so different but enjoyable none the less. We've managed to all become steadfast friends because we never question each others personal listening preferences.
Over copious amounts of alcohol however, we've had many discussions regarding prices of parts and cabinetry. Even the price of painting. While they are right when it comes to off the shelf parts what they often forget is LABOR and more importantly KNOWLEDGE (how do you put a pricetag on that?). My DIY friends count labor as FREE. Time is money however and I illustrated this to them with a simple exercise.
I took what I make in a year from my day job and divided that into working hours per year. Assuming, and boy this is a BIG assumption, all parts were off the shelf and assuming I had the knowledge, tooling, paint booth and skill to build everything myself. Linearly it would take me about 3 years to build a VR-9. Now take away what I would have earned had I stuck to my day job along with that and suddenly the VR-9s turn into $3,000,000 speakers. That's just LABOR! We all had a good laugh. They said what if you only make $50,000 a year? Well I said they'd still cost you $300,000 wouldn't they? Besides I said if you buy speakers that cost almost as much as two years income you should be spending your money on THERAPY. That was the BIGGER LAUGH! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
So lighten up folks. It's all good!
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You are right Gavin. VSA are great speakers. I wish I could afford a pair. I guess I will just go back and listen to my Altecs.
Maybe as I get old and deaf I will by a pair of VSA.
Enjoy your “anniversary cost-no-object” speakers.
Lee :green:
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Where are the photos you talk about? :scratch: I'd love to see them!!!!
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Hey! My wife thinks I'm old and deaf, but she cant hear a thing and her ears work fine! aa
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Well at least I got to see the pictures before they were pulled. Gavin you're getting a great pair of speakers. I know. I have a pair of VR4's that were modded to VR5, of course that is the older VR5, and no they are not as good, probably not even close but not a dog either.............we'll see if Albert says anything??? My now old VR5's had extra thick new end caps made. They are over 1 1/4" made of dark red cherry. NICE
I AM NOT HAPPY with mr. altec but I do think there was a little over reaction also. I DO not blame Albert for not wanting the pictures there, and that is what it really comes down to. As someone that has done some speaker work myself I am very guarded about my secrets (and I do have a few).
As far as no circuit board being used I can tell you they work for amps and preamps etc. BUT THERE IS NO WAY I WOULD USE ONE FOR A SPEAKER.
As far as cheap parts in the crossover that mr. altec said.............NO WAY, I know those long green resistors were Mundorfs and Probably the 3 capacitors in a row were Mundorf too although I am not sure. Mundorf IS ONE OF THE BEST CAPACITORS OUT THERE.
What gets me about mr altec is that he invades the thread, SAYS UNTRUE things Like cheap and other things, pretty much ruining it for others and then goes what's the matter, free speech, just my opinion, stuff like that.
Well that is all I have to say for now.
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Who else missed the depth charge sized V-caps. I didn't know $1,200 for a pair of caps was "cheap". aa
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Jack,
agree on the V-Caps TFTF ... when I saw them I was thinkin there goes a pretty good CD Player right there. :lol: And that was just for one speaker. :duh:
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I too enjoyed seeing the photos before these were pulled. I regret these photos are no longer available, but respect the reasons for withdrawing these. It was fun to get a small glimpse behind the curtain of how performance improvements are achieved as one moves up the Von Schweikert product line. I lack the knowledge to offer any informed comments on the virtues and value in speaker and crossover design and components, but appreciate exchanges that may enlighten me and enjoy listening to the results.
When sharing the deliberations that went into the decision to select a speaker or other component, this creates a vulnerability to criticism. One of the reasons I participate in this forum is the opportunity to share in other's experiences, opinions and decision making. It is unlikely that I will ever be able to upgrade from my VR 4JR to VR5 speakers, but I enjoy the vicarious thrill of reading about another enthusiast's deliberations, excitement while awaiting the new speakers and assessment when listening to them. Gavin, thanks very much for sharing your experience. I hope you will continue to post your candid observations.
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I too am glad I was in here to see the photos before they were pulled. I have lusted after Von Schweikert speakers for the last several years that I have indulged in this hobby. The photos just stirred that lust. I hope to one day hear a pair, let alone own one. I have time and again thought about selling my Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v.4s and picking up a used pair of VR 4 JRs. I would love to hear a pair but that would probably push me over the threshold.
My dream speakers are VR4/VR5’s while my cost is no object, lotto jackpot would probably lean toward VR9/VR11 territory. I love Parasound Halo gear and would be tickled to hear some VR4/VR5s driven by a Parasound Halo JC 2 / dual JC 1 setup. Unfortunately this economy has me being a little more fiscally reserved than normal. I am hoping the economy and my new side business will help me out on the VSA front.
Enjoy the speakers and just shine the naysayers and flame inciting muckrakers.
Martin
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Jack,
agree on the V-Caps TFTF ... when I saw them I was thinkin there goes a pretty good CD Player right there. :lol: And that was just for one speaker. :duh:
Or a pretty darned good turntable. That's an SL-1200 Mk2 with a cart :P
Sorry guys, inside joke. I've been trying to get Keith to go vinyl for a looooooooooong time aa
mhconley, your time will come. In the meantime, your paradigms make for very good company :)
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You are right Gavin. VSA are great speakers. I wish I could afford a pair. I guess I will just go back and listen to my Altecs.
Maybe as I get old and deaf I will by a pair of VSA.
Enjoy your “anniversary cost-no-object” speakers.
Lee :green:
Maybe as I get old and deaf I will by a pair of VSA. Not sure which is worse...being old and deaf or young and stupid. Thanks for the props however, audio_blunder; I do plan to enjoy the VR5 Anniversaries. When you finally free yourself from the minimum wage thing, maybe you could borrow enough from relatives to buy a pr. of used VR1s. Now...as I make my exit, and if my back would allow it, I would bend over so you could give me a big goodbye smooch. Good luck young fellow and please get back on your meds.
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There are more pictures coming and thank God, they will be non-controversial shots of the finished product and maybe even a couple of Albert standing next to my freq. response curve on the monitor. No more candid shots of all that cheap crap that VSA insists on using on the speakers innards :nono:. Heck I'll even post some pix right here of the anniversaries in their new home. So stay tuned all you "misguided" VSA fans.
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Gavin,
Thanks for posting the pics.
The criticism reminds me of a thread on another forum discussing the Unifield IIIs -
They figured out Albert's secret, down to the PartsXpress part #s for the cabinets, which they say were unmodified, and the $100 or so worth of drivers! :lol:
Let 'em think what they want.
Enjoy your fabulous new speaks!!
-Mike
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Gavin,
Great thread!! I wish I could be there when you crank them up with your Mac's!! For everyone else out there, I've had my Annies for 6 months now. Believe me, the sound is UNBELIEVABLE despite how cheap the crossovers look. Heck, I don't care how they look, YOU CAN'T SEE THEM ANYWAY!!!!!!!!!!! The bad thing is, Gavin has to go through another 400 hours of break-in. :( Have fun Gavin, will chat soon, Have a great weekend!
Henry
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Just to inform those that may be interested, I have received a few very unprofessional and opinionated emails from Mr. Von Schweikert.
Even though Albert runs a “$30 million company and has two engineering degrees and 42 rave magazine reviews and has sold over 43,000 pairs of speakers” the emails contained no valuable information as to the reasoning for the low quality of crossover parts in his $28,000 speaker.
In all truth, Albert was more interested in personal attacks than talking audio although Albert did offer up some information as to how I could fix my Altec speakers. I graciously declined.
Toto, we are not in Kansas anymore. :green:
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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder thus value is also determined by he that beholds that object. I think there can be no argument there. Why not just state your opinion that the speakers according to your calculations should cost less than this amount and be done with it if indeed, that is what your opinion is? Nobody is selling you a pair and certainly nobody is trying to convert you. This is a user's circle not a cult. We aren't fan boys either and we do tell Albert what we like and don't like in his speakers. The reason the guy has been around so long is that he takes the criticisms and finds engineering solutions to address them. Frankly if he did so using duct tape and badger hair I couldn't care less. I just want my finished product the way I want it.
Here's a CHALLENGE I throw to the bean counters who assail commercial products solely on the parts lists without taking into consideration how in the end they satisfy their owners:
For you bean counters out there, why not do some investigating about your other possessions like how much the fabric, thread and zipper on your jeans cost? How about the leather and rubber in your shoes? Go further and find out the gate prices of the food you eat compared to what you pay for at your local grocery ? How about the cost of ingredients at your favorite restaurant?
Now think hard. Feeling screwed? Part and parcel of the "Parts List World View".
So Mr. Audio Builder. Let me know if you decide to sew your own clothes, build your own shoes and grow your own food. If by some chance you already do please tell us how you ever find the time to actually listen to music.
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Audio Builder
I have had the pleasure and privilege of meeting Albert on several occasions. Unprofessional is not what I think of when I hear his name. I can say without reservation he loves what he does and is a passionate about music . There is no doubt that he pours his heart and soul into his speakers. If you feel his that his components are overpriced, enjoy your current speakers. The rest of us will smile and appreciate Albert's efforts. When you get old and deaf take go buy some Wilson's.
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Just to inform those that may be interested, I have received a few very unprofessional and opinionated emails from Mr. Von Schweikert.
Even though Albert runs a “$30 million company and has two engineering degrees and 42 rave magazine reviews and has sold over 43,000 pairs of speakers” the emails contained no valuable information as to the reasoning for the low quality of crossover parts in his $28,000 speaker.
In all truth, Albert was more interested in personal attacks than talking audio although Albert did offer up some information as to how I could fix my Altec speakers. I graciously declined.
Toto, we are not in Kansas anymore. :green:
One last volley then this guy will assume his rightful place in my life. I read the message that Albert sent to mr. wizard and it was chocked full of information regarding the crossovers, cabinet construction, etc. I had sent Albert a copy of a PM I received from mr. wizard with it's laundry list of criticisms around VSA speakers. Albert addressed each one point by point in infinite detail so for this loon to continue to describe the parts as low quality tells me he either has a personality disorder or a plate in his head. There's a back story here that I will not go into but suffice it to say that mr. wizard has a "beef" with VSA speakers and it involves an DIY tube amplifier from mr. wizard's shop. People like mr. wizard are nothing new to Albert Von Schweikert; I'm sure he has run into folks over the years who have been critical of his designs so mr. wizard is nothing more than a rock in the shoe of Albert's life. It's a pretty sad case actually.
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Gavin,
Great thread!! I wish I could be there when you crank them up with your Mac's!! For everyone else out there, I've had my Annies for 6 months now. Believe me, the sound is UNBELIEVABLE despite how cheap the crossovers look. Heck, I don't care how they look, YOU CAN'T SEE THEM ANYWAY!!!!!!!!!!! The bad thing is, Gavin has to go through another 400 hours of break-in. :( Have fun Gavin, will chat soon, Have a great weekend!
Henry
Hey there Henry,
I know all about the break in period having gone through it with VR4s but I'm told the Anniversaries will pass the VR4 SR MKIIs up in about 50 hours. I can't wait to hear them with 400+ hrs. on them after those drivers and cheap crossovers start loosening up. And great choice in music...Fagen's Nightfly. I've got everything he and Walter have recorded and then some. Also a couple of promo cds of Fagen solo stuff. If you are interested I can burn you a copy.
You have a great weekend too.
Gavin
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Good folks of the VSA forum: We are here to discuss audio and in the course of these discussions we may disagree.This is normal. However we may not resort to insults, barbs, or accusations of each other's motives or levels of professionalism. I have sent a private note on this matter to posters I believe are stepping over the line. As Facilitator I can move threads to the wastebin but I trust we can all behave in a manner that will make this unnecessary. Please remember the spirit of this forum which is one of the best on the web for serious audio discussions but which will only remain so if we all work to keep that spirit alive. If you need a reminder of the guidelines, see: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=37305.0 Many of us want to know how Gavin's upgrade is proceeding and it would be a shame if we could not share this experience through the forum. Peace.
Delacroix
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Thank you Delacroix. Many of us have enjoyed this forum because it is such a refreshing change from the other audio forums. As Delacroix and I can both attest a big part of what started this group was the nastyness of other forums. There are going to be posts that are are at best not in good taste. The key is not to pour gas on the fire. If we do not get into pointless arguments those who like that sort of thing will go elsewhere and our enjoyable experience will continue and grow. Hobbies are supposed to be fun and I am thankful for those who have made this group both fun and informative. Let's keep it going for years to come.
Bless you all, Bob
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Gavin,
I'm following your upgrade with great interest, thanks for posting the pics. The faux marble Albert adds to the VR5 is a brilliant idea, I just may glue some in my VR2's.
Have you thought about the inaugural play list? Will you go with vinyl for the first song or a CD? And what will the first cut be?
Wayne
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Hello delacroix/bentknee,
I admire the grace you both display in your posts and wish I could "love thine enemies" in like manner. However when someone shows up on a forum for VSA owners/fans with an agenda my feathers get ruffled at light speed; not what you would describe as an admirable quality. I admit to fanning the flames but I feel incumbent to set straight misleading comments made here regarding VSA designs/construction practices. Albert deserves better. If I have pushed the boundaries regarding circle behavior, my apologies.
Gavin Hadley
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Gavin,
I'm following your upgrade with great interest, thanks for posting the pics. The faux marble Albert adds to the VR5 is a brilliant idea, I just may glue some in my VR2's.
Have you thought about the inaugural play list? Will you go with vinyl for the first song or a CD? And what will the first cut be?
Wayne
Hi Wayne,
Thanks for the supportive reply. The faux marble is what Albert calls Shakti stone difference being it likely has had the "laying on of hands" of Tibetan monks :bowdown:; but seriously it apparently makes the cabinets quite inert. A dead, nonresonant cabinet :shh: coupled with high quality drivers/crossovers make these speakers really sing. If they are as much an improvement as claimed over my old VR4 SR MKIIs they must be something. The first song will like by "Vix 9" from Three Flew over the Cuckoos Nest" by Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. That's a cut that has huge dynamic range...low bass, lots of midbass slam and airy treble. I always use it when I audition speaker systems.
Gavin
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The faux marble is what Albert calls Shakti stone ...
Gavin
There is a product out there called the Shakti stone (http://www.shakti-innovations.com/audiovideo.htm). It is supposed to absorb EMI. He couldn't be referring to it could he?
Martin
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All,
Just have to say a few things here. This forum has really give me much joy and information about VSA and people from all walks of life. Having a disability and unable to get out as much, I look forward to reading the threads posted here. True, everyone has there own opinion, that's what make us different. I personally would like to thank Gavin for becoming an on-line friend. When I first joined AC, he sent me a personal message and we have gone back and forth ever since. Thank you Gavin!! And yes, would love to have a promo copy of Becker/Fagen's work. Love all of there stuff, including all of Steely Dan. Just wish they would release "Aja" and "The Nightfly" in the SACD format. Gavin, I'll contact you in private about that promo CD.
Henry
ps. This thread is getting huge, 4 pages and counting!
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The first song will like by "Vix 9" from Three Flew over the Cuckoos Nest" by Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. That's a cut that has huge dynamic range...low bass, lots of midbass slam and airy treble. I always use it when I audition speaker systems.
Gavin
Plenty of fast playing on that cut, I'm sure the VR5's will have no trouble putting the boys in your room. As a side note, Bela is touring with Toumani Diabate (http://www.myspace.com/toumanidiabate), I'm getting tickets to see him at the Rialto here in Tucson on June 17th. The theater seats only 500 split between the balcony and main floor so it should be an intimate and interesting concert.
Wayne
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We have had the good fortune of seeing Bela in concert at least 4 times. It was at a small venue (Jazz of the Roof in Indy) and our table was front and center not more than 10 feet from the stage. We had that table reserved for the better part of 4 seasons. Sad to say, Jazz on the Roof no longer exists....pity. But now I can still enjoy the live performances via my VSA speakers.
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The faux marble is what Albert calls Shakti stone ...
Gavin
There is a product out there called the Shakti stone (http://www.shakti-innovations.com/audiovideo.htm). It is supposed to absorb EMI. He couldn't be referring to it could he?
Martin
Albert or Joe will have to answer that one.
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All,
Just have to say a few things here. This forum has really give me much joy and information about VSA and people from all walks of life. Having a disability and unable to get out as much, I look forward to reading the threads posted here. True, everyone has there own opinion, that's what make us different. I personally would like to thank Gavin for becoming an on-line friend. When I first joined AC, he sent me a personal message and we have gone back and forth ever since. Thank you Gavin!! And yes, would love to have a promo copy of Becker/Fagen's work. Love all of there stuff, including all of Steely Dan. Just wish they would release "Aja" and "The Nightfly" in the SACD format. Gavin, I'll contact you in private about that promo CD.
Henry
ps. This thread is getting huge, 4 pages and counting!
Thanks Henry.
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We have had the good fortune of seeing Bela in concert at least 4 times. It was at a small venue (Jazz of the Roof in Indy) and our table was front and center not more than 10 feet from the stage. We had that table reserved for the better part of 4 seasons. Sad to say, Jazz on the Roof no longer exists....pity. But now I can still enjoy the live performances via my VSA speakers.
Hi Gavin,
That is what Albert has made his speakers for.
To enjoy good (live) music.
We are happy with them every day.
Regards,
Cor
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My VR5 Anniversaries are shipping today so should have them by this weekend and I can't wait. As good as the old MLs are, they are no match for the VR4 SR MKIIs, much less the Anniversaries. I plan on spending a lot of time with the mrs. this week because once the annies get here, she will be sliding my food under the door :wave:
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Got 'em. Albert had put about 60 hrs. on them so already pretty smooth. Just wanted to let you all know I have them singing as I type this and will put together my thoughts in the next couple of days. Suffice it to say I am not disappointed :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
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Soowweeeettt!! Grats. Need pix please.
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Not sure how to post pix now that our galleries are gone....but will eventually.
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This will be the first in a series of reports I will post as my VR5 Anniversaries continue to break in. I received them this past wednesday and bribed my neighbor with a couple of Rolling Rocks to come over and lend me hand...make that, do all the lifting. It was pretty much routine both of us having been through the same drill last fall with my VR4 SR MKIIs. I had masking taped the exact locations of my VR4s so we sat the annies in the same footprints; no spikes just yet as I may play with the placement. I hooked them up with my VSA bi wire cable, cleaned up all the packing materials, windexed the cabinets, swept the carpet all prior to turning things on. Sort of like the old beer commercial where the cowboy eats potato chips whilst crawling through the desert sand building that thirst....OH BOY! I turned on my MAC electronics and loaded Bela Fleck "Vix 9", the same cut I normally use to audition any speaker...lots of low end, mid bass slam and extended highs. I was not expecting things to sound so good "right out of the box" but huge soundstage, tight low end and no harshness in the treble to speak of. Albert and company actually put some 60 hours on my speakers so I was spared much of that edge one hears with a brand new tweeter. Last night, day two, I sat down for a listen to Boz Scaggs "Speak Low" and when I got to track 8, "Ballad of the Sad Young Men" it was goosebump city...way better than my fully broken in VR4s--no kidding fellas. I couldn't help feeling all warm and fuzzy knowing that these things will only continue to get better. Just how good can it get?? Just as an aside, I have sat and listened to the Magico V3s...a very nice speaker by the way but the VR5 Anniversaries eat their lunch in the lower registers. I would say the midrange and trebles are comparable but give the edge to the anniversaries. I can't see it being a contest once the VR5s are fully broken in.
Well that's all for now...so much music, so little time.
Gavin
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I won't bore you with all the details but long story short(er), I installed some really nifty titanium spikes that I got from VSA today after getting the anniversaries exactly where I wanted them...lots of eye rolling from the wife as I measured and remeasured the locations then marked with masking tape. Anyway it tightened up the bass considerably and even seems to have smoothed the upper registers somewhat...not as if they needed it. I must have over 100 hours on them so far and they sound better all the time. Suffice it to say there is some real synergy between MAC and VSA. I had it with my VR4 SRs and have it with the anniversaries to a much greater degree. The MACs work very nicely with just about any speaker but they really shine with high resolution speakers like these. All the detail you could ever ask for is there but it's in no way fatiguing. I have sat in the sweet spot of Wilson Watt Puppy 8s with BAT electronics and the fatigue factor was obvious in just a few minutes. Not so with the anniversaries and it comes at no expense to detail resolution. I am a happy camper--getting happier daily :dance:
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Kinda makes one wonder why Wilson has replaced the WP8 with Sasha, doesn't it?
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I wonder if the Sasha will sound any better? I have only heard the puppies and the Sophia...none of the big boys. Is it a characteristic of Wilsons to have that glassy edged high end? They come across very impressive in short bursts...auditions...but wear you out in short order. Apparently Dave Wilson has started naming his lower end speakers after his children? Maybe Albert should come out with a Damon :duh:
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Hi Gavin:
I'm Just curious, what finish did you end up getting???
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Piano gloss black..
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how about some photos now that they're all done? that will be good enough for most of us :).
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Gavin,
Thanks for posting the review of your VR5 Anniversaries on the forum at Audiogon.com. http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?rspkr&1244491259 (http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?rspkr&1244491259) I enjoyed hearing more about your impressions and the listening experience.
Mike
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how about some photos now that they're all done? that will be good enough for most of us :).
Not sure how to do that since they've pulled the galleries here on AC.
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Gavin,
Thanks for posting the review of your VR5 Anniversaries on the forum at Audiogon.com. http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?rspkr&1244491259 (http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?rspkr&1244491259) I enjoyed hearing more about your impressions and the listening experience.
Mike
Hey Mike,
Apparently nothing gets past you! Thanks for the message and link.
Gavin
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Going to listen to a pair of vr-4sr mkii's tonight. An unemployed fellow in my town has a pair for sale. Can't hurt to enlighten my horizons some.
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Proceed with caution...and your checkbook!
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Ha. Turns out joke was on me. These belong to Neng Kue who I knew from AKFest. He is the genius behind Zentara cables.
http://zentaracables.com/index.html
Oh, yeah, the speakers imaged extremely well and had a nice smooth delivery with a deep soundstage.