Tube Integrated for Von Schweikert VR4 Gen III HSE

hey grant... i think it's gonna be hard to beat your phi 110. i wish i could find a phi beta for 7500 too, dang that'd be nice. i still hold out that integrated as a final resting spot on my little (ha!) audio addiction. are the von schweikerts considered detail speakers, or more warmish speakers? i could never figure that out. i heard a pair with a spectron digital amp, and i thought it sounded really average. totally flat soundstage.

are the von schweikerts considered detail speakers, or more warmish speakers?

They are neither, IMO. Rather, they sound like whatever is in front of them.

i heard a pair with a spectron digital amp, and i thought it sounded really average. totally flat soundstage.
Dennis_the_menace (System | Threads | Answers)

That's the Spectron amp. The VR4 Gen III HSE produce a three dimensional, holographic soundstage with the VAC Phi.

Again, it's what in front of these speakers that counts.

yep, i figured it was the spectron. totally agree that the amp makes a big difference. i think if i was in your shoes, i'd probably consider the vac avatar super (one listed now), a vtl it 85 (only because i owned one for a while and was really blown away with how great it sounded), and maybe a cary sli 80 (maybe the f1 model). oh yeh, and another integrated that i'd love to try but that might not have enough power is that mastersound reference integrated w/ 845 tubes...

TVAD, you may want to check with Kevin at VAC, I saw that the VAC Avatar Super is temporarily out of production, I wonder if a different model is coming?

Pathos makes some beautiful amps; I'm using twin Classic One MkII units in bridged mode. Puts out 170wpc. Extremly pleasing sound. Something to consider, and definitely audition if you can; the use of integrateds as mono amps eliminates the extra preamp and IC's, which to my ears sounds extremely rich and clear.
I posted a review of the stereo as well as review of these in bridged/mono mode on audioasylum.com