Bills piling up, can't afford to keep two pair of large floorstanders, so these must go.
Apologies in advance for the longish post, but Vaughn (like many vendors here) is a lesser-known direct-sell speaker company. Since most folks know little about them I want to provide as much info as possible.
Vaughn offers great value and competes sonically with the big names, at a fraction of the price. Hit this link for more details and to see all the glowing show / user reports on the various models:
http://www.vaughnloudspeakers.com/ I've owned this pair -- the last of the original Triode version 1 model -- in a child / pet / and smoke free home. It has the more expensive exotic veneered baltic birch cabinets, in figured, quarter - walnut finish. This is the actual pair that Jim Jordan (Vaughn owner / designer) used at shows. Several years ago it won Best of Show from Tone Audio at the Rocky Mountain Audio Festival.
Here's Jim's AG ad for this exact pair in 2013:
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/full-range-vaughn-triode-beautiful-figured-walnut-2013-01-15-speakers-95133-san-jose-caThe identical Triode v1 model is pictured in these 2011 show reports (halfway down page for both):
https://positive-feedback.com/Issue58/rmaf20115.htmhttp://www.stereotimes.com/CAS2011.shtmlIn conversations with Jim he confided that he felt the v1 midrange was superior to subsequent Triode versions (v3 was current at the time). He explained that v1 was discontinued because the hefty cabinet and Extended Range Driver (ERD) used were becoming too expensive to meet his desired price point. Later Triode versions were indeed cheaper, but they employed different (and lighter) cabinets and different ERDs. The tweeter and powered woofer sections remained the same.
STEREO TIMES review:
The Triode IIIs have a very intimate presence and ease about them. I didn’t expect these little known babies to sing like they did, and compete with speakers twice their $8,000/pair price, but they did indeed. I kept saying to myself as they improved day after day, “Are you kidding me?” No loudspeaker at this price should sound this good. For those outside of this hobby that price tag may sound like a lot of “ka-ching,” but we know better now don’t we? Especially for a quality loudspeaker that does it all well from top to bottom. Excellent, smooth high frequency extension, check. Deep articulate bass, check. But their biggest strength is beautifully textured, weighty midrange, highlighting subtle nuances in vocals. A bit of toe-in and the Triode IIIs completely disappear leaving voices dead center with instruments hanging in the air. Only a low powered SET amp is needed, since there is a built-in 300 watt class-D amp driving a 12 inch subwoofer. Yet, the Triode IIIs are smooth as silk and well integrated from top to bottom.http://v2.stereotimes.com/post/unheard-unknown-and-unbelievable-soundingDESIGN:99 db efficient with self-powered bass drivers allow the use of low powered SET amps. Larger solid state amps also fine with its 240 watt power handling. True full range sound, frequency response 25hz to 40,000hz
Simply put, it is an 8" wide band driver + self-powered subwoofer + ribbon supertweeter. As such, it disappears, images and stages like a single point source, while giving true full-range performance. The ERD covers 100hz - 5khz (approx). The sub covers below that, and the ribbon supertweeter above it.
The crossover is a very simple affair: a single high quality cap to high-pass the tweeter, and a quality core inductor to low-pass the ERD. Very little to get in the way of the music, resulting in purity and transparency. According to Jim, Bybee bullets are also used.
With thick walls and stout bracing the cabinet is seriously overbuilt and inert -- approx 150 lbs each! Completely separate upper and lower chambers via internal partitions. Both are lined with no-rez. Both are vented with passive radiators -- on the rear for the top section, on the side for woofer.
Jumper cables (w/ bananas) are included to deliver signal to on board sub amp which powers a 12" side mounted woofer. Usual adjustments: crossover, gain, phase, etc. Mirror imaged woofers can be fired either outside or inside. This, combined with amp controls, provides great flexibility in room integration.
The Triode is a full range speaker that disappears into a huge soundstage like a single driver, but is not compromised at the extremes like a typical point source. The adjustable bass is deep, powerful and impactful. Very easy to drive, 300B SET amps are typically used at shows. Not many speakers can give the best of several design approaches, while remaining candidates for single digit amps.
With such high efficiency, the amp universe is wide open -- can be driven properly by virtually anything. Not limited only to SET, they sound great with all the amps I've tried: Rogue Atlas Magnum, Alchemist Forsetti Signature, Will Vincent 6l6 Baldwin Organ Amp, Angela Instruments 300B monos, custom built 6as7 SET amp, Red Dragon S500. Also great with my modest Redgum and Copland SS integrateds. The overall presentation is fast, transparent and neutral (but definitely not lean/dry/analytical!!). These chameleons will let you hear your amp and sources. Fine tune your sound with upstream gear.
INCLUDED:* Soundocity outriggers -- bolted solidly to the bottom -- provide a very stable platform. Quick and easy levelling with top screw knobs. 8 pointy tips screw into the cones. Also included, 8 screw-in gliders to protect your wood floors.
* Jumpers to deliver signal from top binding posts to woofer amp.
* Another pair of solid core inductors. These will shave 3db off the top of the ERD. Obtained directly from Jim when I was initially having trouble getting them locked into my room. The problem turned out to be elsewhere in my rig, so they were never installed. Speakers sound great as is, but you have them if you need to fine tune. Easy parts access thru rear passive radiator.
* Cages that screw on over the woofers. I guess these are to protect the drivers during transit. Once setup in my room, I removed them.
COSMETICS:A few small imperfections but overall look great. No scratches, dents, chips or gouges. Around the tweeter I can see some faint drip marks in the stain, and some dull spots in the poly that are not as glossy as the rest. But it really is very faint. To see it, one has to look very hard in bright sunlight, at just the perfect angle, and even then almost impossible to see. I tried to capture it in the up-close pics (shot in natural sunlight) but as you can see, quite hard to discern.
Overall they present well from the listening position. See my Gallery for more photos, shot recently in natural sunlight. You get exactly what you see.
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=gallery;area=browse;album=20172Be sure to click on all 4 pages. I'll do my best to answer any questions.
Local pickup (zipcode 11561) is preferred, but have materials for safe shipping -- foam inserts all around and double boxed. They are currently boxed and ready to ship. Given the weight and size, freight shipment strapped to pallet is required. Buyer pays costs. Add 3% if PP gift / friends / family not used.
Original direct sell price was $9,000. Sell for $4,000 $3750.I've been in this game a long time, tough to beat at this price.
Thanks for looking.
~John
