Topic: New toys!!!!!!!!!!!!

[carlbeck]

Well everything is done for this week, I am still waiting for my Audible Illusions L2 pre amp.

I recently bought a pair of Von Schweikert VR4jr's, they are the only pair in existence at the moment. I was able to purchase the demo pair from VSA through my dealer, the rest of the run won't be shipped until at least 3/31 at the earliest. Anyway, the speakers are incredible, a pair of 7" bass drivers on each bass module with a monitor on top that has another 7" midrange driver, front tweeter & rear tweeter. These puppies kick so much ass it's scary, I am so impressed with the dynamics. A very nice speaker that I would highly recommend. Right now their is a pride of ownership from owning the only pair that is unmatched. VSA has been an excellent company to deal with & I can't say enough good about them. Check them out if your in the market for some speakers.

I also just added a BAT VK-60 tube amp in the system. This is my first tube amp, 12 tubes & 95lbs of hulking weight. The sound is fluid with a musical flow that has not been heard in this room at any time. I replaced my Mc Cormack DNA-1 with it & while I can say the BAT blows it away in overall sound quality it is lacking ever so slightly in the bass department. This could be due to tubes or only have 60 wpc, I would say it is the lack of pure wattage over the tubes. I think when I do upgrade to a pair on mono-block VK-60's making them 120 wpc each I won't be shy in the bass department. Is all this worth the 3x more asking price of the BAT vs. the DNA-1?? Probably not, the DNA is 90% of the BAT & can be found used for cheap money.

I am running everything with my Benchmark DAC & Parasound CBD transport. I use the Benchmark as a passive pre & it has been working out well. I think it will hang tough with the new Pre-Amp but we won't know until next week at the earliest, stay tuned!

[carlbeck]

here are some pics!

[carlbeck]

more

[carlbeck]

from the drivers seat

[carlbeck]

PS- for any & all audio needs I would highly recommend Jonathan at Chambers Audio, he has done the world for Nick & I. He is the best dealer I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with. If you need anything for your home system drop him a line. He has called us on his dime numerous times, placed us on three way calls for advice. His service can not be topped anywhere for any price. He is truly one of the best, he will end the audio merry go round for you with honest advice & fair prices.
carl
http://www.chambersaudio.com/index.html

[MattD]

Is that the "dark cherry" finish on the VR4jrs? My VR-1s have that finish and it's gorgeous. Hmm ... the 4jrs look like a nice upgrade for some years down the road when I have a house and can move the VR-1s to rears or a second system. I really like the size of the 4jrs. How do they compare directly to the 4s? (or 4 MKII?)

[carlbeck]

I really have no clue but Kevin @ VSA said the 4's are better in the extremes, i.e. extreme highs & lows they better the JR's. I can't imagine that! If I had the room I would go for the 4's in a heartbeat then. The only problem with the 4's is that they are butt ugly.

[Tim]

looking good Carl! sounds like you two have found a great dealer up there...

how do you like the rear firing tweeter?

have you had much experience with tubes?

I see you're selling the dpa's.. just looking for a different sound or trying to better match the playback with the taping rig? That's been one of the most interesting aspects of developing my playback system, trying to mix and match my rig to suit it.

keep the info and picks coming, I'm learning a lot from you and Nick (and everyone else in this forum!).

[zhianosatch]

so cool... i'm just "starting," i guess, picking up some b&w dm302s on ebay and a denon receiver from mattd. should be up and running in a few weeks. someday, i hope to have a system that can kick my ass... but i hope i'm more decisive than carl or nick!
armen

[carlbeck]

Trevor, actually our dealer is on the other side of the country for us but he ships quick & get's the job done since the local boy's can't. This is my first tube power amp, I had a tube pre before this but it is my first "real" tube set-up. Funny thing is that 2 months ago I was leaving tubes entirely & had none in my system! The rear firing tweeter is real nice, it is completely adjustable from off to 10. With it on you can hear a slightly deeper soundstage from the listening position & the speakers seem a little brighter vs. ruler flat. Part of the reason I'm looking to try different mic's is exactly what you said, my system (especially when it was solid state) is rather revealing of recording flaws. The DPA's I noticed have cymbals that sound fake, little splashes of static with no air or sizzle about them. I find this to be an annoying trait & don't know if I can live with.
Armen, the fun in building your home rig is trying everything you can. Either buy & sell alot of stuff used on Audiogon or find a great dealer that let's you demo at little to no cost. Or like Nick & I, do both to the extreme

[Nick's Picks]

decisive is for pussies!

[Wes]

Those speakers are georgeous!  Only problem I see are those damn MIT terminator 2 cables..  I bought a used pair of those before and they were out the door the next day..  They sucked every bit of life out of my system.  

[zhianosatch]

Off-topic: Whose flag is that, if you don't mind me asking?

[JeffK]

I also just added a BAT VK-60 tube amp in the system. This is my first tube amp, 12 tubes & 95lbs of hulking weight. The sound is fluid with a musical flow that has not been heard in this room at any time. I replaced my Mc Cormack DNA-1 with it & while I can say the BAT blows it away in overall sound quality it is lacking ever so slightly in the bass department. This could be due to tubes or only have 60 wpc, I would say it is the lack of pure wattage over the tubes. I think when I do upgrade to a pair on mono-block VK-60's making them 120 wpc each I won't be shy in the bass department. Is all this worth the 3x more asking price of the BAT vs. the DNA-1?? Probably not, the DNA is 90% of the BAT & can be found used for cheap money.

Carl, do you still have the DNA-1?  if so, maybe try biamping the speakers and using the DNA-1 for the lows in the cabinets.  A friend of mine has the VS 4's, iirc, and he biamps using SS for the lows and tubes for the mids/highs and just loves it.  I've never heard the system, since it's across the country, but he loves it

[Nick's Picks]

damn...I bet that sounds good

I'm likely going to be upgrading to the VR4's myself sometime soon.  While i love the VR2s, a great overall speaker
they just can't charge up the room w/bass energy the way i want.  

So Lee...you say the MIT's suck?  i run the TERM 3's, and think them a capable cable, but I've not heard anything else.  Hmmm.....
Of all the things I dont like spending money on, cables top the list.