As time has passed, I have focused more on the 2-channel chain in my system, which combines HT and stereo. With good source material, the 2-channel portion sounds pretty good right now.
Strengths: Excellent bass extension and definition, wide and tall soundstage, usually smooth and extended highs, nice, first or second row presentation, especially with female vocals, terrific extension into the room (even wrap-around with some material - sounds like DPLIIx with only two speakers!). Pretty good macro-dynamics, fair micro-dynamics.
Weaknesses: Lack of soundstage depth, Some hiss and very low level hum (usually not an issue when listening).
Goals: I am pretty happy right now. I expect incremental improvements in cables, AC cords, etc.
As always, I am open to suggestions, and take constructive criticism fairly well.
Update 12/12/07: Finally got around to replacing the adjustable Vandersteen crossover for the 2Wqs with fixed-value in-line crossovers. Improvement was immediate. Better image stability, better channel balance, better transparency and a wider, more evenly spread out soundstage. One of the better low-cost improvenments I've made ($120/pr).
how important was that center channel for your ohm 2000's. Im just doing 2.1 now with some ohm B+'s and recently have been thinking about going with either the ohm 4 from walshs outlet store or the 2000's.
Hi, I'm struggling with the decision of auditioning the Ohm 2000. I currently own 1.7i powered by karan acoustics and I listen mostly to classical music. Based on your experience, should I give it a go? Thank you in advance, Riccardo.
Well, I can't seem to edit my own Virtual System on the new site just yet, but here are some changes I've made:
1. Upgraded from the Rotel RCD-02 CDP to the Oppo BD-93 univeral BD player (stock version).
2. The newer Pioneer AVR includes the excellent MCACC room EQ program, which does a nice job of taming bass modes in my room, so the Behringer 1124P and the Paradigm X-30 have been removed from the system.
3. I have purchased a pair of the Vandersteen MHP-5 active hi-pass crossovers to replace the Vandersteen in-line filters that are required for the Vandersteen 2Wq subwoofers. As soon as they come back from their battery replacement (they require a 9-volt battery to be soldered into each crossover), I can try them out. According to Richard Vandersteen, the difference should be significant with a decent system.
System edited: Numerous video and audio upgrades made in the Spring of 2011. Biggest surprise is the improvement made by upgrading tubes from McIntosh-supplied 12AX7s in the C220 preamp to Mullard reissue 12AX7s. Paid $40 for each matched pair. Huge improvement in treble refinement, dynamics, and noise floor has been lowered dramatically.
System edited: Well, I took the plunge and purchased my first high-end digital cable to connect my CDP with my DAC. I went with the K-Works Golden Heart Digital ($350.00), made by the same company that mods the Beresford DAC into the SuperBerry DAC. Holy smokes! I would never have imagined that a digital cable would make such a huge difference. My soundstage expanded dramatically, bass got tighter, the sound became smoother, and instrumental textures were reproduced with much more detail. It also seems that the soundstage has more sense of space, something I rarely hear except on very expensive systems. Great upgrade!
System edited: Finally replaced Vandersteen center with Ohm Walsh center. Perfectly matches timbre of the other Ohm Walsh series speakers in the system. This is the smaller Wlash center, which Ohm recommended based on the distance from the center speaker to the listening seat. Very clear dialog reproduction. Another excellent design from John Strohbeen.
System edited: July of 2010: Upgraded from Conrad-Johnson PV-11 preamp to McIntosh C220 hybrid tube/ss preamp. Added transparency has rendered the Behringer T1951 EQ too colored to use. Thankfully, the Mac has tone controls which are easier to adjust and do almost as good a job of making poor recordings a bit more listenable. Full review of C220 will be posted in review section eventually.
lg316b - Sorry, I just noticed your post. My complete review is posted in the member reviews section. I have never heard the 3a, and they would have been too large for my room (as are the 2a Sig IIs). But my review does compare the Vandersteen 1Cs I upgraded to the Ohms from. Additional comments can be found throughout the gigantic Ohm Micro Walsh Tall thread in the discussion forums.
System edited: Just added a Denon DL-160 pickup mounted on a seconf arm wand for the stock Thorens 'table. Initial impressions are good - very smooth, excellent stereo separation and soundstage presentation, good extension top and bottom, good tracking ability. I will most likely reserve this cartridge for better Jazz and classical recordings, using the Ortofon for less critical listening.
Bondmanp how are you liking the new Ohm Walsh 2000? These were on my short list of speakers but never had a chance to listen to them. Decided to go with a Vandersteen setup after that.
System edited: I have finally upgraded my speakers, after 10 years with the Vandersteen 1Cs. I now have Ohm Acoustics Walsh 2000s, with Ohm MicroWalsh Talls as surrounds. A matching center will be added soon. I also upgraded to a fantastic little DAC that has really cleaned up and improved my digital playback. It's a local modder's product, so please write to me if you want more details.
After much thought and thread reading here on Audiogon, I have placed an order for Ohm Walsh 2000 speakers ($2800/pr). I have had my Vandersteen 1Cs for over 9 years now. They are amazing speakers for the money, but, in my room, with my gear, they do not encourage extended listening sessions. Hoping the Ohms will. I will post followups after they arrive and break in.
Check out the Veena speakers from Reference 3A. They would be perfect for your system.They are rated down to 40 but when i heard them they did not leave me wanting for a sub which almost all speakers usually do.I can almost guarantee you that if you buy them you will not think of upgrading for a very long time.They are that good.They are about 3000 new.Also as far as cd players go i went through Cambridge,Roksan,Exposure,Arcam,CEC,Rega,Shanling,Cayin and numerous others.The only player under 2000 that i could live with was the Exposure 2010s.It is truly fantastic.Warm, smooth, lots of prat and a rock solid low end.I sold mine and severly regretted it. I recently bought it again but am selling again to afford the turntable of my dreams.I know i will regret it again, but alas i'm impatient.Lol.
System edited: Speaker and/or CDP upgrade suggestions, anyone? SPeakers must be floorstanders, under 12" wide, extend down to 40Hz or lower, price $2500-$6000. CDP or DAC up to $1500. I am looking for more than a subtle improvement.
