Set-Up Advice for Vandersteen 1Cs

check out peachtree idecco. Hybrid tube pre/power/dac.

I don't want something with an iPod/iPhone dock on it because the connectors change, and I'd like to have something that will have longevity far beyond whatever the most recent lightning/40pin/USB connector might be.

I would like to get a DAC that is external to the amp/integrated amp. If the DAC is in a preamp I would be fine with that, but I think separates would end up costing more.

For the rest of it, I would keep it simple. Keep the audio and video separate. Any gear that is designed for more than 2 channels would be a waste. Starting with video, if your TV has enough HDMI inputs for all of your sources, you're done. If not, just buy a switcher.

I'm not sure I understand. I don't want multichannel. I just want 2 channel, but I do want to get the audio from my video devices to my system because I definitely won't have space for two systems and I don't want to purchase a sound bar or just use the built in speakers on the TV.

Does the HDMI switcher sound like a bad idea? I've found a few that have RCA outputs, but I worry that the output quality will be poor. I know there are some pre amps with HDMI input that have built in DAC. The NAD Master M51 and Linn Majik both have this, but they happen to be in a completely different area code (or maybe country code) from my price range.

In your price range, I like NAD because they give you a lot of options.

Back in the 90's when I had the Vandersteen 1Bs I had an NAD 304 and an NAD 502 CD Player. I did enjoy the NAD sound then and I could see myself doing that now. However, I really would prefer tubes because I like the tube warmth more, I feel it really falls in line with my desire to focus this system (eventually) on vinyl, and I shamelessly want it to look really cool. I am completely open to the idea of picking up some sort of older NAD integrated as a temp solution and then moving it into the bedroom to pair with the RA Labs Black Gold Mini References that I have sitting in a closet practically unused since about 1996.

they are a bit lower than you want to go, lol.

I don't know what you mean by lower. Price? Power?

I might be interested, but I didn't see them listed on here for sale. Links?

--Thank you all for your assistance. I really do appreciate it--

I was thinking about maybe a Jolida integrated? Maybe I can find one used in my price range?

The biggest secondary issue is getting the output from the apple tv/roku/bluray to the inputs.

"I'm not sure I understand. I don't want multichannel. I just want 2 channel, but I do want to get the audio from my video devices to my system because I definitely won't have space for two systems and I don't want to purchase a sound bar or just use the built in speakers on the TV."

I know you don't want multichannel. My recommendation was for 2 channel equipment. For example, if you have a dvd player, you run a video cable from that directly to your TV (or switcher), and send the audio to the integrated amp (or whatever you decide to go with for audio).

I know you don't want multichannel. My recommendation was for 2 channel equipment.

Ok. Sorry, I wasn't trying to be dense.

For example, if you have a dvd player, you run a video cable from that directly to your TV (or switcher), and send the audio to the integrated amp (or whatever you decide to go with for audio).

Ok. Sorry, I wasn't trying to be dense.

The issue with this is that some of the components on the video side do not have seperate audio/video cables. They have HDMI output only. I'm trying to find a solution for that that gets the HDMI passed through to the TV and the audio to the amp without making a mess of the audio first.

"The issue with this is that some of the components on the video side do not have seperate audio/video cables. They have HDMI output only. I'm trying to find a solution for that that gets the HDMI passed through to the TV and the audio to the amp without making a mess of the audio first."

I didn't realize that was the issue. Most TV's have audio outputs. You can just go from the out on the TV to one of the inputs on your pre/integrated. You'll still be able to bypass the speaker on your TV.

Are they the black pair on ebay last week? I bought a pair a while ago for $265 with free shipping. Was the only bidder, felt like that was a bargain.

As for the tube amp in your price range, you'll probably need to look at some of the Chinese made products. I'm currently using a pair of Dared VP-20 mono amps. They only allow for a single input and only produce 18 watts each; probably not for you. Hopefully some other owners of these products will chime in.