VR4 SR MarkI upgrade to VR5 Anniverasry Mark II

gammajo · « **on:** 24 Jul 2012, 01:57 am »

I have my VR4 SR Mark I's (which I have loved) with VS for the upgrade to full VR5 Anniverasry Mark II. All they keep are the cabinets and the rest is new. Albert, and all his staff have been very professional, informative, and pleasant during the decision process which made the move a pure pleasure.
As I cool my jets without music, I am wondering what to expect when my speakers come back as VR 5 Anni Mark II's in a few weeks. Has anyone done this upgrade or own the VR 5 Anni Mark II's? Any hints about changes in placement, tweaks, etc that will enhance my listening experience? I will be running them with my Ayon CD5s. Thank you in advance
Joe

htradtk · « **Reply #1 on:** 25 Jul 2012, 12:15 am »

Joe, Congrats on the upgrade. I have the original VR5 Anniversary and was considering the upgrade to MKII until I heard the price, 7,000 for just changing out the wires. I think I'll wait for a MKIII upgrade down the road. Enjoy them!

Henry

gammajo · « **Reply #2 on:** 25 Jul 2012, 02:25 am »

Henry
Thanks for responding. I could be wrong but my understanding is that the Anni Mark II versus Anni Mark I has extensive work inside the cabinet to add a substantial layer of synthetic marble to all interior sides coupled to the MDF with a special anti-vibration layer, adding much weight and the equivalent to 5 inch MDF in terms of cabinet resonance. Then the wire used is uber expensive. I am not sure if some of the drivers and crossovers are different or not. Perhaps VS can clarify. I assume you love your Annis? Did you have any of the other designs such as VR4 Sr's prior?

JackD201 · « **Reply #3 on:** 25 Jul 2012, 03:46 am »

Hi Joe,

I owned SR Mk1s the VR-5 SEs but jumped to VR-9s which are now at Mk.2 spec where the Annie Mk.2 upgrades are derived. My Dad has the Annie Mk.1 which we took to show two years ago.

I think you will be very pleased with the added clarity from the elimination of many of the already low distortions in the SR. Let's start from the top. The 2904 ring radiator is much more extended, smooth and articulate compared to the SR's Vifa unit. Your midrange in the SR-1 was the raw version of the Audax. What you will be getting is from the heavily customized stock with a new doping, different voice coils (copper, no longer aluminum). The peakiness that showed up with many SS gear is gone in the 9 Mk2 due to this and improvements in the crossover impedance matching circuits. The latest generations are much more linear and can be enjoyed at lower levels. They "open up" much sooner. Add to that that you'll be jumping up 3dB in sensitivity from 91 to 94dB and you get added jump as well. The triple layer was a revelation. I had no idea that the 9's already beefy, thick, cross braced cabinet was absorbing and dissipating so much midrange energy. Adding the Mk2 layers sent the energy out where they should resulting in tighter, faster, punchier mid bass. The only place where the magnesium woofered 5s gave up some ground to the aluminum woofered 4s is in the lowest part of the range where SRs could go a down to 20 down 3dB compared to the 6dB for the 5s. It's a tiny price to pay for all the improvements from the top on down.

You'll be hearing so much more of whats on the recording but you will also hear so much more of what's before them in the chain. When they are dialed in however, hooboy! They are so capable that depending on what comes in front, you can make them sound like anything you want from slow and syrupy to lightning fast. They won't be a limiting factor. Great to get one variable out of the way in our quests for more listening pleasure.

Congrats and enjoy!!!!!

gammajo · « **Reply #4 on:** 25 Jul 2012, 01:55 pm »

JackD201
Thank you for your detailed and clear reply. I love the VS sound and therefore trust when Albert said this is the way to go in my system. He spent hours talking to me about the care and reasoning that went into every aspect of the speaker, very impressive passion and dedication to music. I like that he uses a listener panel in A_B_A comparisons to test each small change. I feel like a kid with three weeks to go till Christmas - at 62 years old it is nice to have that feeling!

JackD201 · « **Reply #5 on:** 26 Jul 2012, 04:28 am »

I happened to come across your A'gon pics a few weeks ago by accident Joe. Man, you have a beautiful home. What a view! Now it'll come with an improved soundtrack!

gammajo · « **Reply #6 on:** 26 Jul 2012, 10:29 pm »

JackD201 Thank you for your kind words. The room is quite good due to the very soft Pecky Cyress panelling, maple floor on 12" tresses, and large size. I love the feel I get from your sound room under systems - I bet those VR9's really sing in such a sweet environment.

JackD201 · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 Jul 2012, 02:16 am »

It just occurred to me that you are double lucky Joe. Since yours in an upgraded 1st Gen, you get to keep your African Hazel Wood finish. Over here those and the Ebony like Delacroix's is very much sought after. VSA stopped using rare veneers in there efforts to turn VSA into a green company.

Thanks for your very kind words as well. Only problem with a subterranean lair is that you can totally lose track of time! That can be both a good thing or a bad thing

gammajo · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 Jul 2012, 03:07 am »

Jack Yes, I, and just as importantly, my wife love the look and feel of the African Hazelwood and the style of the cabinets. Of course they replaced Polk SDA 2.3's which were the size of small doors

The sounds is most important to me, but getting to keep the same cabinets was a big selling point of the upgrade to her.
VS got the speakers in great condition last week, have torn them down, have all the parts, are building the crossovers and starting on adding the marble as of today.
My room, as an addition to the house is separated from the rest of the house by an exterior brick wall plus heavy exterior doors so I can listen at good levels even after everyone else has gone to bed without disturbing them. I do like to listen during the day as well when I can gaze at the mountains and the trees swaying in the breeze - it adds to the experience of relaxing into the music. Love to hear your VR9's in your awesome room sometime.

JackD201 · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 Jul 2012, 06:24 am »

You've got a standing invitation should you find yourself on this side of the world Joe

gammajo · « **Reply #10 on:** 27 Jul 2012, 01:34 pm »

Thanks Jack - I do travel, so someday I may see you.

htradtk · « **Reply #11 on:** 29 Jul 2012, 12:22 am »

Guys,
Thanks for the clarification on the MkII upgrade. My dealer did not give me all that info, so now 7K makes more sence! Before I had the Annie's, I had a pair of Martin Logan Oddessey's, nice speaker until I heard the Annie's. By the way, if there are any McIntosh fans out there, I just traded in for the MCD1100 SACD player, this is the best digital player I've heard. The Interconnect I'm using is the Analysis Plus Gold 1.5 Meter. Happy listening!

Henry

gammajo · « **Reply #12 on:** 29 Jul 2012, 01:24 am »

Henry glad to help. Have you guys found much difference listening to the fives with or without grills?

kernelbob · « **Reply #13 on:** 29 Jul 2012, 09:15 am »

Oddly enough, I preferred my Annies with the top grill cover on and the bottom one off. I may be the only one with that preference.

es347 · « **Reply #14 on:** 29 Jul 2012, 01:57 pm »

As I understand it all VSA speakers are voiced grills on...Albert?

kernelbob · « **Reply #15 on:** 29 Jul 2012, 04:40 pm »

My room is very under-damped, so I think that I prefer grills on for the mid-tweeter to compensate ever so slightly for that. Whatever works best in a particular environment.

htradtk · « **Reply #16 on:** 29 Jul 2012, 07:18 pm »

Guys,

You all are getting me the itch to make this upgrade! Maybe next year, I've brought too many toys this year: VSA Masterbuilt cables, McIntosh MCD1100 SACD player and a ipad3. Like they say, the diference between men and boys is the price of their toys!

.

Henry

gammajo · « **Reply #17 on:** 4 Aug 2012, 10:24 pm »

Henry how do you like the VSA cables? They sound very intriguing

htradtk · « **Reply #18 on:** 4 Aug 2012, 11:36 pm »

Gammajo,

The VSA Masterbuilt cables are great, they took awhile to open up but well worth the wait. Music just seems to sound live and wide open. With my new McIntosh MCD1100 SACD player, I just can't leave my listening room.

Henry

gammajo · « **Reply #19 on:** 5 Aug 2012, 12:28 am »

Cool thanks -they may be my next step