VR33s up and running..

es347 · « **on:** 3 Jul 2010, 03:03 pm »

A loaner pair of VR33s were delivered this week. I am driving them with el cheapo electronics: an old Sony CD/SACD player, the NC555ES; a $250 Denon AVR which as I recall is about 40W per channel; low end Audioquest ICs; and Paul Speltz Anti Cable speaker wire. The 33s are a pair that was evaluated by one of the Positive Feedback reviewers but Albert said they likely are not fully broken in yet. I will be playing them in repeat mode whenever we are away to expedite the break in. I must say this diminutive system already sounds way better than it has a right to. After things get broken in, any of you within driving distance of Indy are welcome to stop by for a listen...first the VR33s then the VR5 Anniversaries. Stay tuned.

bentknee · « **Reply #1 on:** 4 Jul 2010, 07:24 am »

Hi Gavin,
Are you intending to do a head to head comparison with your Martin Logan speakers?

es347 · « **Reply #2 on:** 4 Jul 2010, 08:53 pm »

Hi Bob,

I just might do that. The VR33s will trounce the MLs bass response but not sure about soundstage and imaging. Could be fun. Happy 4th brother.

Gavin

JackD201 · « **Reply #3 on:** 6 Jul 2010, 07:41 am »

Looks like somebody got sucked into the Vortex.

Knock, knock anybody home?

We're waiting..................

DARTH AUDIO · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 Jul 2010, 11:28 am »

Quote from: es347 on 4 Jul 2010, 08:53 pm

Hi Bob,

I just might do that. The VR33s will trounce the MLs bass response but not sure about soundstage and imaging. Could be fun. Happy 4th brother.

Gavin

Gavin, I think you will be "Pleasantly Surprised" with the VR=33's soundstage and imaging. Enjoy!

es347 · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 Jul 2010, 01:15 pm »

Albert said this pair is probably not fully broken in so I'm letting them simmer for a while before I do any serious listening. I hear you knockin', but ya can't come in...just yet.

JackD201 · « **Reply #6 on:** 6 Jul 2010, 03:26 pm »

My SR Mk3s are fully cooked............OMG. More of everything. Everything good that is.

es347 · « **Reply #7 on:** 6 Jul 2010, 04:46 pm »

So Jack, how do the mkIIIs compare to the annies?

JackD201 · « **Reply #8 on:** 6 Jul 2010, 07:54 pm »

Annies are Cognac and SR3s a really good sipping Tequila. Raunchy basterds I tell ya!

I have a pair of Annies on order. Time for High Noon.

Epic · « **Reply #9 on:** 7 Jul 2010, 02:38 pm »

Quote from: JackD201 on 6 Jul 2010, 03:26 pm

My SR Mk3s are fully cooked............OMG. More of everything. Everything good that is.

Hi Jack,

What amps are you using to drive the SR MK3s?

Cheers

JackD201 · « **Reply #10 on:** 7 Jul 2010, 03:56 pm »

Lamm ML1.1s Epic

htradtk · « **Reply #11 on:** 7 Jul 2010, 10:49 pm »

Hi Gavin,

Havn't heard from you in a while! Just trying to stay cool and listen to those Annie's. We had 105 yesterday and 101 today! Picked up Celtic Women's latest, they do an amazing version of "Amazing Grace". When you get a chance, place some pics of those VR33's!!

Peace,
Henry

es347 · « **Reply #12 on:** 7 Jul 2010, 11:30 pm »

Hey there Henry,

Man that is hot! Al Gore must be patting himself on the back these days. I will take some pix tonight and post them...good idea. I have been running the VR33s all day today and just an early observation: they have killer bass. Not the least bit boomy, just prodigious and well-controlled. I will be evaluating the M/T sonics as they break in. Remember what I'm driving these with...a $250 Denon AVR and even with that, the bass is pretty amazing. Nice to hear from you Henry...stay cool!

Gavin

es347 · « **Reply #13 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 02:29 am »

Per Henry's request, here are some pix of the VR33s in their temporary home. I have them sharing the stage with my Aerius i's in my home theater. They are actually not connected to the HT but rather a separate 2 ch system. Note the uber expensive electronics.

this is a shot from the center rear row

this is a view of our HT from the bar area in the rear

VR33 left side

VR33 right side

killer electronics

how'd that get in here??

jab · « **Reply #14 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 01:08 pm »

ES, and your retired?? Man, thats the way I wanna go out! Terrific room for movie watching and the 33's look like they were made for your room! I'll go out on the limb here and bet you won't be shipping them back! Using midfi gear and getting very nice results make ya wonder huh? Looking forward to your ongoing impressions of the 33's performance and comparison with the Annie's... Have fun! Jack

es347 · « **Reply #15 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 01:52 pm »

Yes Jack, retired since Feb 05. Thanks for the props regarding our HT. We really enjoy it. It's been fun playing a cd on the VR33 system then playing it on my MAC/VR5 annie system. Gotta be honest here, there is a slight

difference but then there darn well better be, right? Stay tuned.

Bill Baker · « **Reply #16 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 02:59 pm »

Nice looking room Gavin,
I must say that both pair of speakers look like they were made for the room. I too am curious to hear your findings once you have some critical listening.
Will you be using any other electronics during your evaluation?

es347 · « **Reply #17 on:** 8 Jul 2010, 03:33 pm »

One of my circle buddies from St. Louis and Steve Sammet (SAS Audio) is planning a trip here later this month. Steve will be bringing along one of his tube pre and power amps. It should prove to be very interesting to see how the VR33s react to being driven by the good stuff. I would connect them to my primary system (all McIntosh) but frankly since I have spend countless hours setting up my VR5 Anniversaries (dialing them in with a pair of subs) positioning them with an SPL meter, I don't plan to move anything again unless absolutely necessary. The HT setup with the stage forces placement close to the front wall which is exactly where the VR33s love being. The bass is pretty amazing. Thanks for the message...more to come.

es347 · « **Reply #18 on:** 9 Jul 2010, 12:51 am »

This pair is the same pair that John Zurek used in his Positive Feedback review that Delacroix posted above.

varsharun · « **Reply #19 on:** 9 Jul 2010, 07:54 pm »

Excellent setup Gavin! Is that ML cinema or the stage center channel in your setup? I have a feeling the VR-33s will do better than the MLs in most respects.

-Arun