VR-33

mca · « **Reply #240 on:** 11 Jun 2011, 08:30 pm »

It's been almost five weeks and no word yet on when my pair will ship. I'm starting to get very anxious

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #241 on:** 11 Jun 2011, 09:11 pm »

Quote from: theaudioanalyst on 2 Sep 2010, 07:51 pm

My full review just went live at...

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue51/vr33.htm

Let me know what you think... Thanks.

You write beautifully. Very comprehensive review, too. Well done. You are very impressed with the 33's, that is crystal clear, but there is something you could tell me if you would. Looking at the picture that includes your more expensive speakers, I'm wondering if depth of field on the 33's isn't foreshortened or otherwise compromised. Can you tell me how they compare?

BigSwede · « **Reply #242 on:** 11 Jun 2011, 10:24 pm »

Quote from: mca on 11 Jun 2011, 08:30 pm

It's been almost five weeks and no word yet on when my pair will ship. I'm starting to get very anxious

Should be very soon...I ordered mine in late April.

BigSwede · « **Reply #243 on:** 15 Jun 2011, 10:22 pm »

My VR-33s are in the back of my truck, picked them up at the freight terminal today. I am excited to get them set up tonight...

es347 · « **Reply #244 on:** 16 Jun 2011, 01:15 am »

Gotta see pictures BigSwede

...otherwise how can one be sure

es347 · « **Reply #245 on:** 16 Jun 2011, 08:09 pm »

Come on BigSwede, what's the verdict?

BigSwede · « **Reply #246 on:** 16 Jun 2011, 10:19 pm »

Did some listening last night, right out of the box...some things I liked and one or two things I didn't initially, but it's not really fair to judge until they are broken in so I'm not going to elaborate now. They definitely can fill the room without straining.

I left them on the radio to entertain the dog whilst at work today, so they will at least some break-in. My time to listen tonight is limited unfortunately, it is graduation party season.

pardales · « **Reply #247 on:** 16 Jun 2011, 10:42 pm »

Consider this my mini-review:

I have had my 33's for almost 3 months now. I probably have well over 500 hours on them and have finalized their placement using the Cardas speaker set-up formulas and my XLO test and burn-in CD.

I feel like the speakers are basically broken in and I have listened to all my standards many times, as well as internet radio, and everyday background music. IMHO they needed ALL of 500 hours to break-in and begin sounding their best. Take your time BigSwede.

I am currently driving them with a Van Asltine control amp or a Dayens Ampino, driven by a Hegel HD2 USB DAC playing ALAC files from Pure Music 1.8a. Morrow MA2 IC's and quality copper speaker cables. I use a Wireworld Silver Starlight USB cable. My room is 36x36 with a very high ceiling. For the past 6 years (though in a different room) I have owned various single-driver speakers from Lowther, Audio Nirvana, Tonian Labs, and Horn Shoppe, driven mostly by NOS DAC's and low powered tube amps (Almarro, Vaughn Carina, Miniwatt). The last two years I have had Horn Shoppe Model 1's and CUBE, and the Miniwatt S1. Had the Tranquility DAC for about 1 year as well in this set-up.

The 33's offer a very full, layered sound that does not leave me desiring anything significant I can think of. I have bass like I have never had before and am discovering lower frequency sounds in familiar recordings that I did not know were present. The midrange is full, rich, with nice layering and texture, voices seem real, the highs are crisp and extended, and instruments sound, essentially right.

At times I get that "your there" feeling, with a really good recording, and even mediocre recordings are perfectly enjoyable.

I took a chance on these with the hope that, what is a sizable investment for me would pay off with a high quality speaker that I could keep for a long time. I'm still going to experiment with a few DAC's but i'm basically there. I have tried a few different amps and cables recently and was easily able to hear differences through the 33's. A quality speaker for sure!

The 33's are the closest thing to full range I have ever owned, and they are definitely the best speakers I have ever owned. I look for every moment I can to sit and enjoy the music and am really having a lot of fun with my system right now.

es347 · « **Reply #248 on:** 17 Jun 2011, 02:07 am »

Could not agree more pardales...a quality speaker indeed for a mere $3750

BigSwede · « **Reply #249 on:** 17 Jun 2011, 04:24 am »

Quote from: pardales on 16 Jun 2011, 10:42 pm

IMHO they needed ALL of 500 hours to break-in and begin sounding their best. Take you time BigSwede.

Absolutely...actually they are sounding better after only one day in my very limited listening tonight...so it would definitely be premature to make any judgements.

Ultralight · « **Reply #250 on:** 17 Jun 2011, 06:42 am »

Pardales,

I read your comments with great interest because of your past experience with full range drives and SET tube amps. When I listened to the VR-33 at THE SHOW briefly, I could easily locate the speakers with my eyes closed. It did not have the imaging that I expected after hearing so much about them. They did not dissappear as I expected given their much touted imaging and sound staging.

So questions if you don't mind:

a. What's your listening distance on these?
b. How do they image and soundstage compared to your single drivers?
c. You have a huge area - 36 x 36 feet? Does the Ampino provide enough power? I'm surprised if it does as these are about 90 db if I remember correctly . (Been a few weeks since I read the specs.)

Thanks in advance for any comments.

Thanks,
UL

pardales · « **Reply #251 on:** 17 Jun 2011, 09:45 am »

Quote from: Ultralight on 17 Jun 2011, 06:42 am

Pardales,

I read your comments with great interest because of your past experience with full range drives and SET tube amps. When I listened to the VR-33 at THE SHOW briefly, I could easily locate the speakers with my eyes closed. It did not have the imaging that I expected after hearing so much about them. They did not disappear as I expected given their much touted imaging and sound staging.

So questions if you don't mind:

a. What's your listening distance on these?
b. How do they image and soundstage compared to your single drivers?
c. You have a huge area - 36 x 36 feet? Does the Ampino provide enough power? I'm surprised if it does as these are about 90 db if I remember correctly . (Been a few weeks since I read the specs.)

Thanks in advance for any comments.

Thanks,
UL

I do have an unusually large living/listening room these days. This is a different room that I had all my single driver/SET set-ups. So making any kind of direct comparison is difficult.

a. I sit a full 12-14 feet from the front of the speakers. The speakers are approximately 10' from the each side wall and 16" from the wall behind them. The distance between speakers is about 10'.

b. No worse, a bit better. I feel I have good depth of field and can easily place where instruments and vocalists are with recordings that admit of this possibility. There are some recordings where the speakers disappear more than others and some where I can definitely hear the sound coming from the speakers (no disappearing act). There are some recordings where the sound comes from outside the speakers -- meaning to the left and right of the actual speaker box, above and behind them too.

c. I don't listen loud. Surprisingly the Ampino has plenty of power for me, in this room, with my listening habits. That said, I may be noticing that the Van Alstine Insight+ Control amp offers a bit more overall. Still evaluating the differences and my preferences here.

It is shocking what a great little amp the Ampino is -- keep in mind the price on this amp, folks. Easily one of the best SS amps I've ever heard. Even if I decide I like the Van Alstine Insight+ Control amp better with the 33's, I hope I can afford to keep the Ampino just to have on hand. Incidentally, I had many different amps on my Horns when I had them and for a brief time had the Ampino. The Ampino on the Horns were my favorite. Miniwatt S1 was my second favorite. I probably would have kept the Horns for a second system because I think they are great speakers, especially with the CUBE sub, but I don't have room for two systems right now and had a friend who needed a pair of speakers and liked my Horns.

Hope this helps, happy to try and provide more detail where I'm able. The 33's don't sound like single drivers. They are wonderfully coherent but my current system is really a different animal than my what I've had over the last 6 years.

BfloDave · « **Reply #252 on:** 17 Jun 2011, 03:34 pm »

pardales,

I've had my 33's for 5-6 weeks now and I can't get enough of listening to them. Your mini review mirrors my take on them perfectly, despite our system's differences.
As you know, I am a long-time tubes and vinyl guy, with a vintage tube pre and amp set up in an intimate dedicated basement room with a low ceiling, about 16' wide by 25' deep. Speakers are set up against the short wall. After a month of moving them around an inch or so at a time, I settled on a location roughly 4' from side walls, about 8' apart, 27" back of speaker to wall (the room does bass really well) with a slight toe-in. I listen about 10' from speakers. Tip: don't install the spikes on these until you have determined the location where the speakers "disappear" and low bass integrates with the mid bass.
Over many years, I have owned various models from monitors with subs, magneplanars, homemade large dynaudio and audax systems and more. Like no other, the 33's as you said are "essentially right". I'll add to that they are utterly natural and dynamic in spades. I'll use the old cliche that I'm hearing my vinyl collection, be it large and small scale classical, jazz, folk, rock, whatever with new ears. I'm constantly hearing things for the first time on familiar recordings, especially with respect to rhythmic drive, timing and impact.

Ultralight - pardales and I live in the same town and he graciously invited me over for an audition. Believe me, his Ampino has more than enough power to drive his 33's to a natural spl in a large space. His system sounds wonderful and prompted me to pull the trigger on my purchase.

To potential buyers - you owe it to yourselves to audition these. As others have said, they are a screaming bargain. Well done Albert and company!!

Ultralight · « **Reply #253 on:** 17 Jun 2011, 04:12 pm »

Thanks Pardales, much appreciated. I should go and auditipn the VR-33 after I get my single driver built. If you think of anything else, love to hear more.

UL

Davo50 · « **Reply #254 on:** 22 Jun 2011, 06:29 pm »

I found my way here googling the VR-33s. It appears that some here are using low / mid power tube amps with these? I have a Cary SLI-80 (40 watts triode, 80 in ultralinear) that I would use with them. I called earlier today and actually spoke with Albert - he seemed to think that the Cary would be fine. Thoughts?

Also, I would be using them in front of a large picture window with heavy drapes between the glass and speakers. He seemed to think that that would be fine and that the drapes are an advantage.

I am pretty sure I am going to order some of these. I assume that all you guys that have them are still happy? I am using Proac Studio 140s right now and really like them but as always, looking to upgrade when possible. I like the "British" sound and smooth midrange. Hopefully the VR-33s don't stray too far from that sort of sound signature?

Thanks for any comments,
David

DARTH AUDIO · « **Reply #255 on:** 22 Jun 2011, 06:37 pm »

Quote from: Davo50 on 22 Jun 2011, 06:29 pm

I found my way here googling the VR-33s. It appears that some here are using low / mid power tube amps with these? I have a Cary SLI-80 (40 watts triode, 80 in ultralinear) that I would use with them. I called earlier today and actually spoke with Albert - he seemed to think that the Cary would be fine. Thoughts?

Also, I would be using them in front of a large picture window with heavy drapes between the glass and speakers. He seemed to think that that would be fine and that the drapes are an advantage.

I am pretty sure I am going to order some of these. I assume that all you guys that have them are still happy? I am using Proac Studio 140s right now and really like them but as always, looking to upgrade when possible. I like the "British" sound and smooth midrange. Hopefully the VR-33s don't stray too far from that sort of sound signature?

Thanks for any comments,
David

Asking Albert about his speakers is like asking Yoda about the Force!! If he say's it will work, take his word for it. Buy a pair!! You can't go wrong!! I bought one of the very first pair they made and I haven't found anything under $15K that is better!! Good Luck

pardales · « **Reply #256 on:** 22 Jun 2011, 07:57 pm »

Quote from: Davo50 on 22 Jun 2011, 06:29 pm

I found my way here googling the VR-33s. It appears that some here are using low / mid power tube amps with these? I have a Cary SLI-80 (40 watts triode, 80 in ultralinear) that I would use with them. I called earlier today and actually spoke with Albert - he seemed to think that the Cary would be fine. Thoughts?

Also, I would be using them in front of a large picture window with heavy drapes between the glass and speakers. He seemed to think that that would be fine and that the drapes are an advantage.

I am pretty sure I am going to order some of these. I assume that all you guys that have them are still happy? I am using Proac Studio 140s right now and really like them but as always, looking to upgrade when possible. I like the "British" sound and smooth midrange. Hopefully the VR-33s don't stray too far from that sort of sound signature?

Thanks for any comments,
David

I think your Cary will sound great with the 33's. Go for it!

BigSwede · « **Reply #257 on:** 22 Jun 2011, 10:32 pm »

My VR-33s are improving day by day...talked (for another reason) with Leif at VSA and he said they are selling so fast he has little time for breaking them in at the factory (although you can request factory break-in if you are willing to wait for it), so I guess they were pretty raw when I got them.

BigSwede · « **Reply #258 on:** 29 Jun 2011, 02:12 pm »

At 50 hours I started to get an inkling of what these speakers can do...at 100 hours they are sounding very nice and any reservations I had are now gone.

pardales · « **Reply #259 on:** 29 Jun 2011, 03:58 pm »

Good to hear. I still think you will notice changes for some time yet to come, all improvements.

Poll

Pls let me know your thoughts on the VR-33

VR-33