Vandersteen fans

[longbowbbs]

So...The fun at Vandersteen continues...They just announced the new Treo CT. They are adding the 5A Carbon tweeter as a $1500 upgrade option to the standard Treo. I can't wait to hear it.

[junker]

About a year ago I put together all stainless steel hardware for the stands on my 2s. The stainless looks nice but I wanted to try out brass & bronze to see if it changed these sound at all. So, today I received all of the new hardware and if for no other reason they look great. Jingling the or tapping the hardware you can tell it sounds less hard and sharp. Also, sliding the speakers with the bolts at this height can shriek - never had this happen with the SS before. The brass bolts and washers attach the stand to the speaker, and the round head bolts are silicon bronze but the nuts are brass. This is a night photo but the brass looks brass, and the silicon bronze looks orange-red. It's a lot more attractive than this photo would suggest. Still need to do some listening to see if they sound any different.

The parts with shipping and tax came in under $50 from McMaster-Carr. If anyone is interested I can post the parts lists.

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/ipu48h1hm6bugev/LeqjvVlVp3

[longbowbbs]

Classy! Would this be an Audiophile version of spinning rims?

[junker]

It does look nice, but hopefully there is a positive sound improvement as well. After all most orchestral instruments, symbols, bells etc. are made of brass or bronze. There is also the effect of having a "constrained layer" for damping. There is wood->steel->brass->sand/steel->brass->bronze here in the stands now.

Not sure if you are familiar with these speaker drivers, but this is another example:

http://www.phy-hp.com

It's interesting to me how different materials can sound so different. A good example of this is Vandersteen's balsa-cf material. Focal is now using flax. And many people swear paper drivers. Sometimes low-tech is better. Back to the Bronze Age I say!

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by longbowbbs

Ken, the new Vandersteen amps that Richard developed specifically for the 7's are 2 stage with a tube front end and SS after. 600 Watts too. You nailed it with what works best for them.Speakers and Amps run $104K Add a top end Pre like a ARC Ref 5 SE or Ref 10 and you have a phenomenal setup.

Eric

Hi Eric,

Thanks, that is some really great information. I've not yet heard the Vandersteen amps but I can only imagine how wonderful they sound. Probably not a coincidence that Richard went the same route with his amps as the Atlas monoblocks but with the added efficiency of not having to drive the bass frequency range. It would be fun to hear that setup although it is way way out of my grasp financially.

Best,
Ken

[junker]

I finally got my hands on my dream speakers...let's see how they look and sound when they show up. Not sure I will be able to have 2 systems and keep the 2s. May need to sell them with my brass/bronze and SS hardware.

[JBT]

Originally Posted by longbowbbs

So...The fun at Vandersteen continues...They just announced the new Treo CT. They are adding the 5A Carbon tweeter as a $1500 upgrade option to the standard Treo. I can't wait to hear it.

Where did you hear about the Treo's. ????

[longbowbbs]

Originally Posted by JBT

Where did you hear about the Treo's. ????

email : Webview : Vandersteen Audio Increases Its Carbon Footprint ...

[JBT]

Originally Posted by longbowbbs

email : Webview : Vandersteen Audio Increases Its Carbon Footprint ...

Thanks. The Treo might be Richard Vandersteen's true masterpiece for a value speaker. 6500 for the stock Treo is by no means cheap, but as far as high end speakers go it is a fantastic deal. And they look great too!!!

[longbowbbs]

That is exactly what I am thinking. I was already saving toward the Treo...I think I will just save a little longer.