Vandersteen 2ce 2 channel amp

[Taylormade2]

Hi,

I've been using a Rotel RB-956AX 6 channel amp, bridged to 3 channels to power a pair of Vandersteen 2ces and a VCC-1 center channel speaker. I'm going back to 2 channel only.

I would assume it would be best to switch to a dedicated 2 channel amp rather than using a bridged amp. Rotel seems to work well but I was recently told by a dealer that Rotel amps aren't the best match for Vandersteens.

Anyone with any recommendations? Looking to spend <$500 for a second hand amp. Perhaps a PSE studio IV or Classe CA100 would be a good choice.

[scorch123]

Taylormade2,

What was the reason why Rotel amps aren't a good match for Vandersteens? I have only driven my 3A-Signatures with an integrated Yamaha amp, and now Crown pro amps.

- Steve O.

[Taylormade2]

I think it was an opinion in that Rotel amps tend to be forward and Vandersteens are a forward sounding speaker.

I have received lots of opinions on audiogon and from dealers and I think I'm going to go with a Rega amp. From my search though, Bryston, McCormack, and PSE are also good matches for Vandersteen. I was looking in the $700 range for new or used. Of course, what matters the most is how it sounds to you, but in my situation, I already know that a bridged multichannel amp like my Rotel is not ideal for 2 channel music.

[dookie1]

forward? vandersteens, or at least my 2ce sigs, are about as neutral as they come.

mine are absolutely magical with acurus rs-11/bryston 4b-st/transparent.

$0.02,

dookie

[David F]

Vandersteens are anything but forward.

Let me guess. Your dealer doesn't sell Rotel but does sell the kind of amp that will work great with the Vandersteen, right?

[Taylormade2]

[QUOTE=David F]Vandersteens are anything but forward.

Let me guess. Your dealer doesn't sell Rotel but does sell the kind of amp that will work great with the Vandersteen, right?[/QUOTE]

Obviously, that was a typo. If the Rotel amp was forward and the Vandersteens were forward then there wouldn't be a problem with the combination.

I meant to say that Vandersteens aren't forward and that Rotel amps are. That's why I was told they aren't a good match.

[bob53]

Actually I find Vandy to be mellow maybe too mellow for my tastes... Most people find that pairing a forward amp with a forward speaker to be too much of a foward thing... Likewise mellow + mellow = too mellow... That is of couse if you believe that amps have a character of their own. :) if you'd like, I have an Anthem Amp2 SE for sale for a reasonable price if you want to try something IMO better than rotel - the tubes can be changed in the input stage to alter the sound to your taste...

Bob

[Jack Gilvey]

The 2Ce sound magnificent on tubes, not sure about that price point though...you might find some used Quicksilvers for them or a Jolida, ASL...

[AVWERKS]

The PSE IV is a great amp. I've had mine for about 6 years and at the time used them with Vandersteens (now gone) It was a perfect match. Very transparent and specific on imaging
If you compare and older Mark levinson 23 to this, the ML will have slightly better bass and that's it!

The PSE mono's are a hot ticket if you can spring the extra bucks

David