My new VR-5 Anniversary MKII's

htradtk · « **on:** 30 Nov 2012, 08:46 pm »

Greetings Everyone,

Yesterday I got my new VR-5 Anniversary MKII's back and set up in my listening room. First impressions while playing an SACD of Holly Cole. Wow! Speakers seem to have greater depth of the sound stage, bass is tight and Holly's sultry voice is up front and center. Of course I still have a few hundred hours of break in time to go but very impressed with VSA on the upgrade. I highly recommend this upgrade to all VR-5 Anniversary owners. I report move as the break in process evolves.

Henry

JackD201 · « **Reply #1 on:** 1 Dec 2012, 11:31 am »

Gavin is in trou-bllllllllleeeeeee

Ooops, so is my Dad!

kernelbob · « **Reply #2 on:** 1 Dec 2012, 01:22 pm »

Henry,

Folks considering the Mk-II upgrade will be keenly interested in your impressions of its impact and your evaluation of the cost/benefit relationship. I believe that as a system's resolving power is refined, benefits from improvements such as the Mk-II upgrade become increasingly important. Keep us posted!

Robert

htradtk · « **Reply #3 on:** 1 Dec 2012, 04:19 pm »

Robert and everyone,

As for the cost/benefit of this upgrade. I was given $2800 quote from Albert for the upgrade which included a rebuilt crossover, the Delphi wiring and the internal damping blocks. Also, I had my cabinet repaired (I had a small nick in my cabinet, looks really good indeed!) and a new rear ambiance tweeter dome replaced which was damaged. I always believe that if you want something and you can afford it, go for it!! I'm not finished yet, I need to replace my interconnects between my McIntosh MC352 amp and Integra Receiver, and possibly a power cord. That's probably the two weakest links in my system. However they are on next years budget. As I've said earlier I still need many hours of break in to go through but the sound is amazing from what I've listened so far. If you are into the sounds of the season, check out Steve Oliver's Snowfall CD, his guitar playing is amazing. His version of the Christmas Song is breathtaking, highly recommended!

Henry

es347 · « **Reply #4 on:** 1 Dec 2012, 09:58 pm »

Quote from: htradtk on 30 Nov 2012, 08:46 pm

Greetings Everyone,

Yesterday I got my new VR-5 Anniversary MKII's back and set up in my listening room. First impressions while playing an SACD of Holly Cole. Wow! Speakers seem to have greater depth of the sound stage, bass is tight and Holly's sultry voice is up front and center. Of course I still have a few hundred hours of break in time to go but very impressed with VSA on the upgrade. I highly recommend this upgrade to all VR-5 Anniversary owners. I report move as the break in process evolves.

Henry

..la-la-la-la-la....(fingers in ears)...la-la-la-la

gammajo · « **Reply #5 on:** 1 Dec 2012, 10:13 pm »

Henry - Congratulations and here's to many hours of enjoyment ahead! They do sound great right off and then sweeten and open up even more. I assume the shipping part went smoothly.
When mine came to me there was distortion in one channel. Albert and team bent over backwards assessing the issue and assured me that it would be taken care of. They even sent out a pair of loaner amps to help diagnose the problem. Turned out the issues was in one of my amps and that the speakers were fine. Amps are now fixed and all is wonderful listening. Great to know the VS support after the sale is stellar even if the problem is not with their product.

htradtk · « **Reply #6 on:** 2 Dec 2012, 11:23 pm »

Gammajo,

No shipping issues, everything went smoothly to and from VSA. Glad that your issue was solved. Hats off to Albert and everyone at VSA! They really treat the customer very well! Yes, the break in process can be fun, happy listening!

Henry

thankful · « **Reply #7 on:** 4 Dec 2012, 12:56 am »

Henry,

Congratulations on the upgrade. I bet they sound amazing. Happy listening during the holiday season.

htradtk · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 Dec 2012, 12:26 am »

Seasons Greetings everyone,

After having my Anni MKII's for two weeks now, they are really opening up. I seem to have a wider soundstage. Instruments seem more distinguished and seem more life like. On choral Christmas music, vocals seem clear and separated. This is the best thing I've done, period! I'm serious about a power cord and interconnects on next year's budget! Happy holidays to everyone!

Henry

es347 · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 Dec 2012, 10:28 pm »

Way to go Henry...enjoy

Holli82 · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 Dec 2012, 12:08 am »

If you are married, your wife probably hasn't seen too much of you recently.

She knows where to find you though.

htradtk · « **Reply #11 on:** 17 Dec 2012, 11:35 pm »

Not married, and no interest in getting married! That's why I can afford all these goodies!

es347 · « **Reply #12 on:** 18 Dec 2012, 12:27 am »

I hear you Henry. Had I not gotten married I could afford the VR5 upgrade

Holli82 · « **Reply #13 on:** 18 Dec 2012, 05:14 am »

Tell your wife you are thinking about a motorcycle but will settle for an upgrade to your speakers instead.

es347 · « **Reply #14 on:** 18 Dec 2012, 11:12 pm »

..won't work...already have one parked in the garage

gammajo · « **Reply #15 on:** 19 Dec 2012, 02:47 am »

Tell her that you are selling your motorcycle to pay for the upgrade

es347 · « **Reply #16 on:** 19 Dec 2012, 03:13 pm »

Discerning whether an upgrade changes or improves your sound versus being able to say with certainty whether or not there's a motorcycle parked in you garage....hmmm

gammajo · « **Reply #17 on:** 22 Dec 2012, 01:01 am »

That is a tough one! For me my speakers never put my in a body cast for a year but my motorcycle did. But I do occasionally miss that perfect ride.

es347 · « **Reply #18 on:** 22 Dec 2012, 04:08 pm »

Actually I must come clean. That M/C parked in my garage is no longer. I sold it last summer for fear of the body cast scenario. At my age riding a M/C is pressing one's luck. That's not to say that sitting in the sweet spot, again at my age, cannot be dangerous. But I feel relatively safe with my VSA/MAC system

JackD201 · « **Reply #19 on:** 23 Dec 2012, 08:32 am »

Bought a Vespa to scratch a spending itch but wish I had the dough to scratch the VR-11 Mk2 itch