what's the most musical BIG speaker for small tubes????

Tweaker · « **Reply #40 on:** 8 Apr 2006, 10:57 pm »

Do you think you will have enough juice to drive the Vandy's? They are not terribly efficient. Vandersteen recommends 40-200 WPC.

2bigears · « **Reply #41 on:** 9 Apr 2006, 12:31 am »

ha ha,might have to sell the little 30/30 yet.have to sell the VSA VR4jr's.that would be two for two,battin' 100.should have got the chosen speakers first...the 5's have a driven sub right,sooo all your powering is the top ... is this not so????? or does it take that much to drive the top with authority.thks gona get this worked out yet!!!

toobluvr · « **Reply #42 on:** 9 Apr 2006, 01:17 am »

Quote from: Tweaker

Do you think you will have enough juice to drive the Vandy's? They are not terribly efficient. Vandersteen recommends 40-200 WPC.

My initial caveat when I made the 5A recommendation was exactly this.

Quote from: toobluvr

If your VAC 30/30 can drive them, my vote goes to the Vandersteen 5A.

When I heard them at AudioConnections in NJ, the Quicksilver V4 was driving the top. Just like these:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1149280774

The sound was magnificient!
One of the things I really like about the Vandy is you don't need to crazy spend to get great performance.

I usually see stock V4 going for around $2k used.
With all the upgrades, this might be a good deal.....I dunno.
Depends on whether you like the direction that the upgrades takes it.
There are also a couple of stock V4 on AG right now.

As far as power...
Since the speaker has huge onboard SS amp to handle bass duties, the main amp just needs to do mids and highs.....a significanly smaller burden. Many, many moderate powered amps (tube is my preference) would do this nicely. My guess is that a nice EAR or VTL triode amp would sound great as well.

Since you already have it, I would try the VAC 30/30 first.
It is only 30wpc...but maybe a really gutsy 30 watts?
Without trying, you never really know.
My 22wpc 845 SET amp amazes me in its ability to drive speakers it really has has no right driving.

If the VAC is able to drive the 5A, I bet it would sound real good.
If the synergy is not there, you can always get something else that works better.
And I bet you can get it cheaper than the 30/30.

You''re not married to the 30/30....are ya?

2bigears · « **Reply #43 on:** 9 Apr 2006, 01:34 am »

the web site says 87db.this speaker uses its own sub driver sooo your ambs bass attributes are x-passed.that's not the biggest reason you by a tube amp ?? this speaker has a stone solid reb.it is pricey.Kevin at VAC says these little 30/30's act like a 50watt in real world.i guess all a guy can do is try it.just gotta find a set now??

Tweaker · « **Reply #44 on:** 9 Apr 2006, 01:42 am »

The sub is powered, no problem there. The power recommendation I listed is actually for the model 5. The 5A recommended power is 50 watts minimum, 200 max. I can just about guarantee the VAC will run out of gas at higher listening levels. If you listen at lower volumes you should be just fine.
Before you sell what is a very fine amp to you should consider some other speakers. I personally don't think buying the amp first is such a bad thing. Your choices are limited because of it but there are some extraordinary ones available that should sound glorious with
the VAC. This is one that I'm surprised no one has recommended, (or if it was I missed it scanning this thread):
http://www.daedalusaudio.com/design%20notes2.html

2bigears · « **Reply #45 on:** 9 Apr 2006, 01:54 am »

Tweaker,thks for that.that speaker DA-1 is gettin' noticed.no way will it touch the 5a.Kevin at VAC used his 30/30 to drive Theil 3.6's which are no easy load.i would guess or hope the little vac drives the top of the 5a.if any speaker comes close to the reported warmth the van shows i will look at it.i think i am leaning to 5a's for next speaker and i will give the little vac a try.if she don't work,it's amp buyin' time again.there is a few 70/70's up for sale.they have double the number of tubes though.

Tweaker · « **Reply #46 on:** 9 Apr 2006, 02:03 am »

Well, by all acounts the 5A is about as good as it gets. I can understand why you are set on it. And tube amps do seem to have more balls than similar rated solid state designs so you may be just fine with the combo.If it turns out the little VAC can drive them you are going to be in heaven.
Good luck!

zybar · « **Reply #47 on:** 9 Apr 2006, 02:14 am »

Quote from: Tweaker

The sub is powered, no problem there. The power recommendation I listed is actually for the model 5. The 5A recommended power is 50 watts minimum, 200 max. I can just about guarantee the VAC will run out of gas at higher listening levels. If you listen at lower volumes you should be just fine.
Before you sell what is a very fine amp to you should consider some other speakers. I personally don't think buying the amp first is such a bad thing. Your choices are limited because of it but there are some extr ...

No disprespect to the DA-1, but it really isn't in the same class as the 5A in any area. Yes, it is much more efficent and fine speaker, but I would still take the 5A in a heart beat.

I think you were given some good advice by John that if you go the 5A route, try the 30/30's first before selling. It might just work fine and no further action will be needed on your part.

My friend has the 5A's and was using the VAC Phi 220 Mono blocks with them. It was a stunning combination and produced some of the best sound I have heard anywhere - period! If the little 30/30 is even close to the Phi mono amps, you will have one big ass smile and be a happy listener.

George

2bigears · « **Reply #48 on:** 9 Apr 2006, 02:27 am »

zybar,that phi 220 is some nice shit...holy smokes,i would love to hear that system.it's a fine beast compared to the 300b.on the look-out for 5A's,anybody out there.

toobluvr · « **Reply #49 on:** 9 Apr 2006, 04:56 pm »

Quote from: 2bigears

zybar,that phi 220 is some nice shit...holy smokes,i would love to hear that system.it's a fine beast compared to the 300b.on the look-out for 5A's,anybody out there.

Post a WTB on Audigon.
Maybe you'll get lucky.

Hope you get 'em...with the right amp, you are in for a nice treat!

Good luck....John

zybar · « **Reply #50 on:** 9 Apr 2006, 06:40 pm »

Quote from: 2bigears

zybar,that phi 220 is some nice shit...holy smokes,i would love to hear that system.it's a fine beast compared to the 300b.on the look-out for 5A's,anybody out there.

Unfortunately I can no longer hear that combo as he sold the amps and went with the Dartzeel preamp and amp.

I hope to hear his system in the next few weeks...

George

2bigears · « **Reply #51 on:** 9 Apr 2006, 07:00 pm »

you guys have been most helpful here on AC,hats off to ya.i now have a target and can get busy.i am absolutely forced to buy used,new sticker price for these speakers is high.the older design is not an option as the mod is also very high in price.

toobluvr · « **Reply #52 on:** 10 Apr 2006, 02:36 am »

Quote from: zybar

Quote from: 2bigears
zybar,that phi 220 is some nice shit...holy smokes,i would love to hear that system.it's a fine beast compared to the 300b.on the look-out for 5A's,anybody out there.

Unfortunately I can no longer hear that combo as he sold the amps and went with the Dartzeel preamp and amp.

I hope to hear his system in the next few weeks...

George

Audio buddy of mine around the corner has the Dart-Zeel amp.
Speakers are Marteen Design Coltrane.

Certainly the finest solid state amp I've ever heard.....and competes with really good toobulation as well.

zybar · « **Reply #53 on:** 10 Apr 2006, 02:44 am »

Quote from: toobluvr

Certainly the finest solid state amp I've ever heard.....and competes with really good toobulation as well..

At least you are getting something for your $20k!

George

toobluvr · « **Reply #54 on:** 10 Apr 2006, 02:48 am »

Quote from: zybar

Quote from: toobluvr
Certainly the finest solid state amp I've ever heard.....and competes with really good toobulation as well..

At least you are getting something for your $20k!

George

Yeah...
But give me a really good SET amp any ol' time!
I'm a sucker for liquidity, harmonic color, and luciousness.

Vtech2000 · « **Reply #55 on:** 10 Apr 2006, 02:56 am »

Again, the Avantgarde Acoustic Uno's are +100dB efficient, and the bass modules have on-board solid state amplifiers - your amp powers the mids and highs.

Tweaker · « **Reply #56 on:** 10 Apr 2006, 05:23 am »

These are cool.
http://www.jumpingcactusloudspeakers.com/

2bigears · « **Reply #57 on:** 10 Apr 2006, 06:44 am »

those are different for sure,thinking inside the box.do you get a free bottle of Cabo Wabo with every set???

MrCool78 · « **Reply #58 on:** 10 Apr 2006, 03:16 pm »

Hi, 2bigears
You may try this one: Triangle Volante stratos line, this speakers works the best with tube amp. the retail price is $7000

zybar · « **Reply #59 on:** 21 Apr 2006, 03:22 am »

Quote from: toobluvr

Quote from: zybar
Quote from: toobluvr
Certainly the finest solid state amp I've ever heard.....and competes with really good toobulation as well..

At least you are getting something for your $20k!

George

Yeah...
But give me a really good SET amp any ol' time!
I'm a sucker for liquidity, harmonic color, and luciousness.

I just heard the Vandy 5A + darTZeel preamp/amp combo and I am still thinking WOW!!!

You know that I don't impress easily...this was extremely impressive.

George