[Mr645]

After about 12 years I finally upgraded an old B&K front end to something more modern.  I picked up a Pioneer VSX-32 receiver on the cheap, close out and finally I can explore the latest BluRay audio formats. 

Anyway, I have always enjoyed my 2Ce pair for music.  Excellent soundstage, life like sound and they have performed perfectly for about 15 years.  I kept the external amp (Parasound HCA_855) that was powering them for years and used the Pioneer as a Processor.  I found that even though the Pioneer is rated at 110wpc and the Parasound in 85, the Parasound is much more powerful.  Both the Pioneer and Parasound set set up in Bi amp mode, 4 channels to the 2Ce pair.

Well yesterday I finally had some time to really tune the system.  The VSX-32 gives me a lot of automated set up options and manual control over everything, except the crossover for the sub, an M&K V75II. 

With a little tuning, mostly smoothing out the eq adjustments the MACC auto set up made to the speakers, and tweaking the sub output, I am really happy with the sound quality.  I would say that the Pioneer is not quite up to the B&K Ref 20 it replaced for 2 channel sound, but exploring some multi channel BluRay audio, it is sort of like going from an MP3 (DD5.1) to CD quality sound.  The Master audio formats coming over BluRay sound awesome.  I listened mostly to music while tuning.  So after being really happy with the set up and listing to some BluRay concert footage from Blue Man Group, Rush, and Joe Bonamassa, (all performances I have heard live) I started wondering how close to concert levels  could get. 

Well, pretty darn close.  As I added volume a couple of DB at a time, I listened for clarity, soundstage and any sounds of distortion.  As the Pioneer went into the positive DB numbers, the volume kept getting louder.  finally at +8.5 on the display, the whole house was shaking, it was starting to get uncomfortable to listen to. Soundstage had weakened slightly, the bass, while solid, was not to concert level impact  but I was impressed at the clarity and overall sound quality.  I also noticed that after about 6 or 7 minutes at this level, both the Parasound amp and the Pioneer receiver were only slightly warm.  The Pioneer powers the rear surrounds. 

Todays project will be to set up another preset for movies.


Sony BD-580
Pioneer VSX-32
Parasound HCA-855a
Vandersteen 2Ce
M&K VX-75II sub
M&K LCR-750THX rear
Interconnects by Audio Quest
Speaker cables by Straight Wire

[jeffreybehr]

645, welcome to the Vandersteen-speakers Circle.

I'm glad you're enjoying your 2s with the latest hi-rez video formats.  I have 3 V-steens in my multichannel-audio/video system and LOVE it and them.  I too am still evolving poweramps in my system, as apparently I haven't yet met the poweramp that's perfect for me and my system.

As you describe your level-v-quality test, I imagine I would have turned it back down about 15dB earlier than you did...or wore hearing protectors.   

[pijtoo]

I've had my 2's in home theater since the first generation of Pioneer Dolby Pro-Logic. I combined them with the Vandersteen 2W Sub and VCC-1 center channel speaker. A family of sound that has served me well! I'll be downsizing though. My wife's redecorating and theirs no room 

[nature boy]

Great minds think alike.  I have a vintage pair of 2CE's and center channel VCC-1 speakers in my HT set up.  All powered with an Onkyo TX-SR608 I purchased a few years ago.  These speakers have really held up well after almost 20 years.

Always been a fan of Vandy speakers and they sound very good in this set up.  You need a decent sized room and allow for placement a couple feet from the rear wall to make them sound their best. 

I think I'll be adding a Roku 3 shortly to my system to stream Netflix, Hulu, etc. 

Enjoy.

NB

[geowak]

About a year ago, I went out to dealers and listened to as many speakers as I could for about 2 months. B&W, Klipsch, Paradigm, Totem, Martin Logan, Tannoy, KEF and others. The Vandy's came out on top. I have the 2CE Sig II. The only speaker that came close was the Magnepan 1.7. Although the Maggie did not have the bass, until it was driven by a 2.5k$ amp.

[mgsboedmisodpc2]

" Although the Maggie did not have the bass, until it was driven by a 2.5k$ amp."
and what amp was that might I ask?

[geowak]

" Although the Maggie did not have the bass, until it was driven by a 2.5k$ amp."
and what amp was that might I ask?

A used Musical Fidelity M6500i. (Dual mono integrated). I also heard it sound better with some McIntosh mono amps.
On a further note, later I picked up a pair of MMGs for a second audio system. Driving them with a Parasound HALO A21 and they sound great.