VR-33

yo2tup · « **Reply #200 on:** 3 Sep 2010, 11:56 pm »

Any tube amp recommendations that work well with these speakers?

ceedee · « **Reply #201 on:** 4 Sep 2010, 09:02 am »

Hey,

Your two tubes to drive the VR 33 can come from KR Audio.
We use them for more than 12 years. Full of power dynamics and reality, a nice match with VSA. The VR 33 can handle a lot of amplifiers. The best rule is, just connect, sit back and listnen to the music and............ enjoy it.

Welcome in Denver next month at the RMAF and meet the KR-VSA combination.

Good luck.

Cor

DARTH AUDIO · « **Reply #202 on:** 4 Sep 2010, 01:33 pm »

I bought one of the very first pairs of the VR-33's. Never heard them or saw them(I did see a picture, but it wasn't that good)!! These speakers are AWESOME!! I've been to a lot of shows and listened to a lot of expenseive speakers and these are just as good if not better. I would say they compete with speakers costing $10k to $15k!!.

Here is the latest from Positive Feedback. Maybe this will help?
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue51/vr33.htm

I use 200 watt tubed monoblocks

Saturn94 · « **Reply #203 on:** 4 Sep 2010, 02:18 pm »

Quote from: theaudioanalyst on 3 Sep 2010, 10:27 pm

Understood. I wouldn't consider $300 "trivial" at all, and I completely understand. I can say, of the speakers you've mentioned that I've heard, the Maggies are leaner balanced, the Ushers can't TOUCH the bass - even the Diamond DMD, and there is just something about the SALKs that, though I can't put my finger on it -- exactly, don't do it for me. Sigh.

I haven't heard those GRs from Danny, and the only Revel I am familiar with that has a model number 32 is the C32, which is a center channel, so...

I cannot tell you how very much I hope you get to hear a pair of Vortex VR-33s, well set up with some good synergistic gear, before you have to make your decision. I am UTTERLY overwhelmed by what they achieve at this price… MY GAWD, what a ton of speaker for the $$$. Good luck!

Thanks for the feedback.

I sent another e-mail to Mr. Von Schweikert to see if there are any VA/NC owners willing to offer an audition. Hopefully my wait/patience will be rewarded.

In the end I can only afford to choose from speakers I can audition in person. While reading reviews and forums helped narrow my initial choices (I narrowed my choices to those with overwhelmingly positive feedback, and that includes the VR33), the final decision will be based on auditions. All the speakers I've auditioned so far had many positive qualities, but they've all been different, and this is where personal taste comes in. I can keep reading positive feedback and reviews, but none can tell me what speaker is right for me.

So for now I'll keep trying to arrange an audition. Hopefully I won't have to strike the VR33 from my list because I wasn't able to hear it.

PS- I corrected the model number for the Revel; it's the F32 (I think this model has been out for some years now).

Saturn94 · « **Reply #204 on:** 4 Sep 2010, 02:29 pm »

Quote from: DARTH AUDIO on 4 Sep 2010, 01:33 pm

I bought one of the very first pairs of the VR-33's. Never heard them or saw them(I did see a picture, but it wasn't that good)!! These speakers are AWESOME!! I've been to a lot of shows and listened to a lot of expenseive speakers and these are just as good if not better. I would say they compete with speakers costing $10k to $15k!!.

Here is the latest from Positive Feedback. Maybe this will help?
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue51/vr33.htm

I use 200 watt tubed monoblocks

Thanks for the link. I have read that review.

The feedback for the VR33 has been overwhelmingly positive. But the same could be said for other speakers I'm considering. That's why I really need to hear them for myself to see if they suit me.

Internet direct selling has been a double edge sword. On the one hand, it has given us great bargains. On the other, it makes it hard to evaluate products before purchasing. Sometimes I miss my local AV specialty shop!

roscoeiii · « **Reply #205 on:** 4 Sep 2010, 02:42 pm »

Saturn,

While I hope you find someone in your area, I'd recommend just considering the potential return shipping costs the price of an audition. These are new speakers so not a lot out in the world just yet. So you'd potentially be adding $300 (or whatever shipping would be) to the purchase price of the speakers you eventually buy if you decide the VR-33s are not for you. Or consider it $300 for an up to 3 month rental. Considering the prices of the speakers you are interested in, that's not too much extra. Of course, this is IF you are looking for the qualities described in the reviews of the VR-33s. And trying them in YOUR ROOM in YOUR SYSTEM is going to be far more relevant than auditioning in a space and with equipment different from what your set-up will be. System synergy can really affect things as can the room interaction. And of course, I'd speak with Von Schweikert to see his opinions about the fit of your room, your musical tastes, your equipment with the VR-33s. It may be that something in his line is a better fit for what you are looking for.

The Salks and VR-33s are still such a great bargain for the performance you get, that even being out the cost of shipping if you don't like your choice, still leaves you with a screaming audio bargain.

mfsoa · « **Reply #206 on:** 4 Sep 2010, 03:14 pm »

...or consider the possibility of reselling them within that trial period.
This could likely be done for less of a hit than sending them back.

Saturn94 · « **Reply #207 on:** 4 Sep 2010, 04:30 pm »

Quote from: roscoeiii on 4 Sep 2010, 02:42 pm

Saturn,

While I hope you find someone in your area, I'd recommend just considering the potential return shipping costs the price of an audition. These are new speakers so not a lot out in the world just yet. So you'd potentially be adding $300 (or whatever shipping would be) to the purchase price of the speakers you eventually buy if you decide the VR-33s are not for you. Or consider it $300 for an up to 3 month rental. Considering the prices of the speakers you are interested in, that's not too much extra.

Thank your for the different perspective. I'll keep that in mind. Fortunately, because I already have speakers I still enjoy (ADS L1290s I've owned for 24+ years!) I don't have to rush. So hopefully while I'm waiting an owner will turn up.

Quote

Of course, this is IF you are looking for the qualities described in the reviews of the VR-33s. And trying them in YOUR ROOM in YOUR SYSTEM is going to be far more relevant than auditioning in a space and with equipment different from what your set-up will be. System synergy can really affect things as can the room interaction.

Everything I've read so far about the VR33 sounds very attractive. I also agree with you that ideally auditions should take place in my home (if only that were possibe...sigh). At least in the case of the Revel, Usher, and Salks, I was able to take my speakers to the auditions so that we were hearing the speakers in the same room with the same equipment.

Quote

And of course, I'd speak with Von Schweikert to see his opinions about the fit of your room, your musical tastes, your equipment with the VR-33s. It may be that something in his line is a better fit for what you are looking for.

I have been in contact with Mr. Von Schweikert and in his opinion my setup/room is well suited to the VR33.

Quote

The Salks and VR-33s are still such a great bargain for the performance you get, that even being out the cost of shipping if you don't like your choice, still leaves you with a screaming audio bargain.

Good point. Thank you again for the feedback.

Saturn94 · « **Reply #208 on:** 4 Sep 2010, 04:31 pm »

Quote from: mfsoa on 4 Sep 2010, 03:14 pm

...or consider the possibility of reselling them within that trial period.
This could likely be done for less of a hit than sending them back.

Thanks.

While not ideal for me, it's certainly another option to consider.

theaudioanalyst · « **Reply #209 on:** 4 Sep 2010, 09:08 pm »

Oh my GAWD. A/D/S L1290s... What a KILLER speaker. That 3 inch dome mid was PHENOMENAL. Did you ever get to hear the refrigerator sized L1590s? In their day, they were just about the finest speakers I can recall...

Saturn94 · « **Reply #210 on:** 4 Sep 2010, 09:55 pm »

Quote from: theaudioanalyst on 4 Sep 2010, 09:08 pm

Oh my GAWD. A/D/S L1290s... What a KILLER speaker. That 3 inch dome mid was PHENOMENAL. Did you ever get to hear the refrigerator sized L1590s? In their day, they were just about the finest speakers I can recall...

I did hear the L1590 when I was speaker shopping in 1986. They were out of my reach financially so I got the L1290 and they've kept me happy for the past 24 years. It's only been this year that I started thinking of finding an upgrade. After doing some direct A/B comparing the Salks would definately be an upgrade and from the feedback I've been reading about the VR33 it seems it would be an upgrade as well.

I did exchange a few messages with a VR33 owner who use to own a pair of L1290s and he prefers the VR33. But again, until I can hear them I won't know what I'll like the best.

My only experience with Von Schweikert speakers are a pair I heard briefly many years ago (I believe the model was the VR2) at a local AV shop (sadly no longer around). I remember thinking they sounded great.

So while I'm trying to decide what to do I'll keep enjoying what I have.

es347 · « **Reply #211 on:** 10 Sep 2010, 08:54 pm »

If you are looking for tube amps that mate well with the VR33, I can offer first hand experience. Steve Sammet of SAS Audio Labs brought his preamp and monoblock amps over here and we used them to drive a pair of VR33s I had on loan from VSA. The results were outstanding...much better than, given the modest system price, they had any right to be. Steve builds no nonsense amps that are as functional as it gets and reasonably priced. Here's his website:

http://www.sasaudiolabs.com/home.htm

bogiedr · « **Reply #212 on:** 11 Sep 2010, 12:19 pm »

Seldom has anyone mentioned what amplification is driving the 33's, please? That would be nice! I say this because reviews of low power need an "wonderful with low powered tubes" led me to get my VR2's.

After afew years of love hate with them I am ready to toss the 2"s into TampaBay.

I'd hate to get the 33's with the wrong amp and voila!! Another few grand in the bay. Better with solid state? Thanks!

es347 · « **Reply #213 on:** 11 Sep 2010, 01:00 pm »

How about tossing those VR2s in a UPS container with my address on it?

mhconley · « **Reply #214 on:** 11 Sep 2010, 01:46 pm »

Even better - I'm 2 hours south of Tampa Bay - I'll drive up and save them...

Martin

es347 · « **Reply #215 on:** 11 Sep 2010, 02:48 pm »

Best hurry Martin. They gotta be taking on water by now

bogiedr · « **Reply #216 on:** 11 Sep 2010, 03:22 pm »

you guys are hilarious!
Ok, so if you reccomend a couple of integrated amps that I can audition, I promise to be nice to them.

I am thinking of getting an NAD 375 BEE (150 w), Marantz Pearl (100 w) or Exposure 2010s (75W). I am hoping one of these will cure the issue, but should I choose to go with 33's, will any of these amps work well?
Thanks!

es347 · « **Reply #217 on:** 11 Sep 2010, 04:03 pm »

Hey bogiedr,

I have heard the VR33s with the SAS tubed amps and an el cheapo Denon AVR (see my review here) and trust me, these speakers will match up with just about anything. But as Bernie Sill said in my review, the better the electronics...the better the outcome (duh). If SS floats your boat (sticking with the tampa bay metaphor), I'd be looking at the Emotiva or Cambridge amps...cheap but very good reviews. There is some very good tubed gear out there for under $2K as well. Good luck with your search for amps, but if you are contemplating spending around $4K on speakers, your search should end with the VR33s....trust me.

WGH · « **Reply #218 on:** 11 Sep 2010, 04:05 pm »

Quote from: bogiedr on 11 Sep 2010, 03:22 pm

you guys are hilarious!
Ok, so if you reccomend a couple of integrated amps that I can audition, I promise to be nice to them.

Still searching? I'll give AVA one more plug. Try the Insight+ Control amp - 90 watts per channel for $1499. I would definitely go for the double die option for just a little more.

I know for a fact that AVA electronics work great with the VR2's because that is what I use, their amps sound great and have terrific deep, strong, tight bass. PM Tone Depth or Vinyl Lady, they both have heard my system.

Wayne

es347 · « **Reply #219 on:** 11 Sep 2010, 07:13 pm »

Never heard any of the van alstines personally Wayne but have only heard good things about them.

Poll

Pls let me know your thoughts on the VR-33

VR-33