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Sorry, yet another

I'm looking to take my system to the next level, and I'm a firm believer that speakers are one of the most important components for reproduced sound to sound like the real thing.

I'm looking for speaker recommendations in the $6k or under range (used / demo) that can replace my Von Schweikert VR-4 III HSE. These speakers do a lot of things well, and I don't want to lose those qualities, but I want to improve on a few perceived shortcomings (on to that in a second).

So if you have experience or have owned the VR-4s, lay it on me. What did it take to get better sound, and the next level?

But first, my system consists of:
- BAT VK-D5 CD Player w/ Amperex 7308 tubes.
- First Sound Presence Deluxe MKII preamp, also with Amperex 7308 tubes.
- Either Parasound Halo JC-1s or ASL Hurricanes monoblocks (have both, haven't decided on which to keep yet).
- Audience AU24 ICs and speaker cabling, PowerChords

My room is around 25' x 20', and speakers can be placed up to 4' into the room (measured front of speaker to wall behind it). I also have three dedicated 20A circuits.

Listening preferences include a lot of acoustic and electric blues, jazz, female vocal, classic rock, older hard rock, and limited classical.

I like the way the VR4s image (holographic soundstage, detail, somewhat forward presentation), their great natural midrange, airy highs and deep bass. I don't like the shorter soundstage I get and the lack of chest pounding bass slam when called for. Dynamics could be improved a touch as well.

So am I asking too much? Does such a speaker exist, whether dynamic or panel and under $6k?

Note: I haven't spent much time in positioning yet as remodeling is hampering those efforts.

Thanks for the help!
1markr
plato
1,543 posts
 
The effects of optimizing the speakers position in the room is CRUCIAL for extracting the best bass. This applies to ANY speaker in ANY room. This fact cannot be overstated!

That said, you do have a couple of 7308 tubes in the signal path that will soften the low-bass slam somewhat. I'm unfamiliar with your cabling, but that could also be a factor. Some cables are better than others at eliciting the most bass extension and slam.

If you got rid of the tube CD player and the tube preamp and went to good solid-state gear, you'd have greater bass extension and control. Using a nice tube or tube-hybrid amp on the midrange/treble modules, and a brute solid-state amp on the bass modules would be a way for you to get the most bass slam and still keep the sweet sound of tubes in the mid-top where it is most appreciated.

If you try all of the above and still can't get enough bass, there are some very good dedicated subwoofers that will pound you till your heart's content. But it won't all fall into place by itself -- you're going to have to go through some trial-and-error to get the exact balance you're looking for... Didn't anyone tell you that this quest for optimization was the fun part of audiophilia? Frank :)
cmpromo
64 posts
 
If you have the room, you might look at a pair of used Dunlavy SCIVA's. They do everything you mention extremely well with a soundstage thats 9 feet tall and 20 feet wide. The bass will slam your chest in if its on the recording, Imaging is pinpoint, Dynamics and detail to die for and a slightly forward presentation. I run mine with a pass x-350 (which made a huge improvement in detail and the midrange from a Krell FPB-200). My price for these 6 foot marvels? $3250 on agon for a 1 yr old pair.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I have a similar set-up with the First Sound Presence Deluxe II and VR4 SE loudspeakers. I'm driving the speakers with a Bryston 14B SST amp. Before I put the First Sound into the system, I was using Bryston BP-25 preamp. There was a perceptible reduction in bass slam with the swapping of tubes intstead of SS. However, there was also a new naturalness with the First Sound that more than compensates for the reduced bass slam. The VR4's have never produced an especially tall or wide soundstage in my 19 x 14 room despite very careful placement (and re-adjustment), so I don't think amplification is the problem here. It sounds like we have similar experiences with the soundstage. I have used both Amperex 7308 and Siemens 7308 tubes in the First Sound, and you will undoubtedly get more "slam" with Siemens 7308 tubes.
cmpromo
64 posts
 
BTW , Preamp used is a sf line 3 with amperex 7308's in the output.
snook2's avatar
snook2
608 posts
 
You can upgrade your speakers through Von Schweikert. It costs $2500 to turn your speakers into the 7's. Go to the website and check the Mods. I believe the new 7's go for $25000.
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