Description

My two channel addiction started while selling high end audio in the mid eighties. After hearing a modded Stereo Seventy with a ARC6B preamp into Vandersteen 2C's I was hooked. Enjoy listening to various amps as you can see. I am shopping for a newer CD player. Considering the new Cary CD500. Overall I like the system synergy.

Any comments are welcome.
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Components Toggle details

    • Vandersteen 2Ce Signature 2's
    For the price hard to beat. Purchased Anchor Stands from Florida. Price difference is worth it. Very heavy. I used Anchor Stands for my original Vandersteen 2C's(1987)... The upgrade to the newer 2Ce Sig 2's was dramantic to say the least. Vandersteen keeps upgrading this speaker and even my recent model(2011)has been tweeked again with a newer mid range driver. If this is my last speaker I'll still be happy.
    • Audible Illusions 3B
    Beautiful board design. Has stood the test of time as a great preamp.
    • Sota Sapphire basic
    Great build now 27 years old.
    • Sumiko FT-3
    Overall a good tone arm. Bought with table 27 years ago.
    • Denon DL-160
    For the price a great find. No longer available. High output moving coil.
    • Cary Audio Design CD-306
    306/200 I bought this used in mint condition. I have never heard cd sound this good. I wonder how the current Cary CD303T sounds?
    • Quicksilver Mid-Mono's
    For it's price point a beautiful sounding amp. Can use various output tubes. My favoriate are Gold Lion KT66's
    • Quicksilver Silver 60
    The smaller version of the current V-4's. Uses same transformer Quad of tubes per side. More drive than Mid Mono's. With Gold Lion KT66's wonderful...
    • Dynaco Stereo 70
    Will Vincent modded Stereo 70. With Gold Lion KT66's very nice! Will drive the Steens no problem..
    • Dynaco Mark IV
    Audiogon Cleby mod. Great mod for this amp. Mark 4's power transformers fail over time. Cleby's mod are with new Dynaclones. Output transformer are early A470 cloth lead. This modded MK4 is great sounding with slightly more power than a Stereo 70 with more bass and a deep soundstage.
    • Belles 150a Hotrod
    My only solid state amp. Very tube like great overall match with Audible Illusions preamp and Vandersteens. Makes me wonder how the 150A Reference sounds...
    • Sansui TU-717
    Great tuner used. Great performance Beautiful design.
    • Magnum Dynalab FT-101
    Another great overall performer from the past. Original FT-101.
    • Signal Cable Anolog 2 interconnects
    For the price hard to say no.
    • Nakamichi Dragon cass
    Great sounding playback from cassette.
    • Signal Cable Ultra Speaker Cable
    Bi-wire. Whole system currently all Signal Cables with Magic power cords. Silver Resolution cable for phono cable.
    • Mapleshade Heavy Foot 2
    These bass footers used under preamp,cd and amps. Great product that also looks good.
    • VTI Manufacturing BL304
    Three legged stand using metal tip toes. Down tubes can be filled to increase weight. Well made.
    • Michigan Maple Block 18
    For mono amps. Raised with tip toes. 18" x 12" x 3".

Comments 7

Owner
System edited: System Update. Just added another Will Vincent amplifier. Dynaco Triode Stereo 70. It puts out some 22 watts per channel and drives my Vandersteens 2Ce Sig 2's without issue. The mid range is the best I have heard. This Triode has the meter front which makes ajusting bias so simple. Mated with a quad of KT66 Gold Lions...bliss...

exocet954

I knew you'd like the 306/200 exocet, enjoy!

pehare

Owner
System update,

I pulled the trigger on a perfect condition Cary 306/200 CDP. Granted it's some 11 years old but, it looks like it was just built. The sound is an even more analog sounding than the Denon 1650AR which I thought sounded pretty good.
The Cary has huge bass, much bigger soundstage. Granted my system is a bit dated like myself but it sounds really good now with this Cary. HDCD is big ear opener and the ability to upsample is great too. Someday I want to hear the newer Cary 303T. It's just to rich for me. Hope I don't have to wait 10 years.

exocet954

Owner
Vanderstephen,

I have not heard the latest 2CE SigII. You could ask John at Audio Connection in New Jersey or, Randy at Optimal Inchantment in Santa Monica, CA. Both big Vandy dealers.
I think if you can get a good price on the earlier Sig2's
you would be happy. Keep in mind this speaker has been updated several times over it's long 30 year history. I've yet to see any posts on Audiogon regarding the difference of the new woven midrage and new cross over upgrade. All I can say is I'm very happy with mine with no interest to upgrade. Hope that helps. Another source would be Mr. Richard Vandersteen. He's a great down to earth guy and will take your call.

exocet954

Have you had a chance to compare the latest 2CE Sig II with the newest woven midrange to the previous Sig II? I've haven't been able to find any threads that discuss the difference in sound quality. I'm 95% sure that one of these two will be my big speaker purchase this spring. My local dealer has NOS of the previous Sig II, but does not have the very latest version. It would be nice to get the previous version and save some money, unless there's a significant difference. I'd love to get your feedback. Thanks!

vanderstephen

Owner
System Update:
After several days warming up the Denon DCD1650AR my older
DCD3300 is in storage. This player is more transparent sounding with nice focus of the soundstage all with the great Denon analog sound. Granted it's still an older CD player from 1998 but, it still sounds great! Good build qualities as was the the much older 3300. The Cary CD500 player has been discontinued with another Cary Cd player coming in Spring of 2013. Until then I'm very happy with this mint Denon 1650AR.

exocet954

Owner
My Denon DCD3300 started to fail in tracking. Hooked up my back up Rotel RCD1072. I've been listening for about two months. Lots of detail and quite background. Repaired the Denon and the soundstage was back! It is a much smoother presentation with a more 3D soundstage. I like it much better. Just bought a used Denon DCD1650AR from another Audiogon member. It's a much newer version of my 25 year old DCD3300 but with similiar build qualities. Currently waiting as the 1650AR is in transit.

exocet954

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