A major upgrade.........

I have been enjoying my Vandersteen 1C's since 1997. They are truly classic speakers, and I have really loved every minute of my time with them. But.... as we all know about our hobby, we get the itch to upgrade, and this is exactly what I have done. After listening to many speakers over the past year, I finally decided to buy the Revel F12's.

Let me tell you...these Revel F12's are truly outstanding loudspeakers. Initial noticeable improvements over my Vandersteens include superior dynamic range, deeper bottom end (at least an octave lower) with tightness and speed, smooth and velvety midrange with a realistic presentation of both male and fermale vocals, clear and shimmering top end with no harshness, and a wider and deeper sounstage. The image placement is really impressive, and there is a cohesive feeling of top to bottom balance that is natural and musical throughout the full range of what my ears and room allow me to hear.

I really owe a lot to my Vandersteens, as they have enabled me to appreciate what great musical reproduction is all about. But now, with my new Revel F12's, I feel like I have truly taken a giant step forward in my own"audiophile music loving world." And so far, the synergy between the Revels and the rest of my system (to remain unchanged for quite a while) is sublime. My Rogue Cronus amp and Rega P3-24/Rotel front end seem to love the Revels.

adam18 August 14, 2012 14:08

An excellent change to my system...... With a "why not try them and hear how they sound" idea in mind, I swapped out my AQ Type 6+ speaker cables for a pair of Speltz Anti-Cables. I am really surprised at how much better the music now sounds. My initial thoughts..... increased dynamic range with more sparkling highs and properly textured bass, natural midrange without any apparent congestion, very good positioning of voices and instruments within a nicely defined soundstage, excellent truth of timbre, and a very clear presentation of each recording. No noticeable harshness or rough edges, and very nice flow, decay, and distinction of musical notes. These Anti-Cables are here to stay.

adam18 January 28, 2012 11:34

A very sensible update. I took the "computer audio" out of my main system, leaving it in its original analog and CD deck configuration. I then bought a demo pair of AudioEngine A5 speakers, and set them up in my upstairs library ..... computer via Belkin Gold USB cable to the HRT Music Streamer II, AudioQuest Sidewinder IC's from the Streamer II to the left A5 speaker (via the supplied RCA to 3.5 mm. adapter,) and left to right A5 via the supplied cable. After only a few hours of listening, I am extremely impressed. Wonderful musically satisfying sound from these great little speakers. Will listening to my new computer based audio system in my upstairs library replace my lovely listening sessions in front of my Vandersteens in my downstairs music room ?? Of course not, but hours in my library easy chair, reading a great book with marvelous background music will now be mighty satisfying. Happy New Year.

adam18 December 31, 2011 19:18

Adam, I just picked up a Rega Exact for my P5 and I have to say I'm stunned!! I have gone through all the "trendy" carts and ended up back with Rega and am shocked. I too, have a Rogue Cronus Magnum version, and am curious if you are using the on board phono stage or have you tried an outboard version like a graham slee or moon, etc???

jimbojrjb November 30, 2011 19:21

Nice too hear the venture into computer connected is going well. I hope to make the move at some point and trying too see which is the best road. Love the Rogue. Happy listening.

glenfihi January 02, 2011 04:15

Thanks,they mesh very well Adam18.I'm glad the Tempest has 4 ohm taps,it makes a big difference.

tpreaves November 04, 2010 18:20

Hi TP..... Yeah, there's something pretty magical about the way Rogue and Vandersteen work together. The synergy creates some wonderful music. Your system looks real sweet. How do you like the Rogue/Tyler synergy ? A good match ?
Hi Elescher .... No, I'm far from being a professional in the business, and no, I don't teach people how to listen. I'm simply a guy who loves music. And by the way, you're system looks pretty awesome. My compliments.

adam18 November 04, 2010 16:48

I have heard the Rogue/Vandersteen combo,very nice indeed.

tpreaves November 04, 2010 14:04

Wow I am impressed...you must be a professional in the business or something. I notice the fancy guitar equipment, you must really know your music. Do you teach people on how to listen to music, too?

elescher November 04, 2010 12:57

Hi Elescher .... Thanks for your comments. The blanket over the TV helps to tame the direct reflections from the speakers. Since the Vandersteens have no cabinet, the sound emanates from the sides, tops, fronts, and backs of the speakers. The blanket seems to help the music sound better by minimizing the sound waves bouncing off the sides of the TV.

adam18 November 04, 2010 12:20

Nice system....Can I ask what is the purpose of having that sheet over your TV?

elescher November 04, 2010 00:41

Computer audio as a new addition...........I recently hooked up an old Windows XP Pro based laptop to my integrated amp with the new HRT Music Streamer II, using a Belkin Gold USB and Audioquest Sidewinder cables. There's a lot of great music out on the internet, and I'm having a ball exploring some great websites.

adam18 October 05, 2010 17:23

I recently swapped out the original Svetlana EL-34's for a new matched quad of Genelex Gold Lion KT-77's. My amplifier, and entire system, is sounding better thatn ever. Small ensemble Blue Note jazz on vinyl ... absolutely stuuning !!

adam18 September 17, 2010 15:44

Thanks for the kind words, Guppy.......I am extremely happy with my system, and the music flows through all the components in a way that can keep me joyously listening for hours and hours. Lately, I find that I'm spending considerably more time listening to LP's, and a lot less time with CD's. The signal from the Rega cartridge/arm/table through the Rogue tubes, and out of the Vandersteens, creates a gorgeous (and truly musical) sound, and my jazz LP's sound simply wonderful. Miles, Rollins, Mobley, 'Trane, Brubeck, Ella, etc., etc. seem to be in the room with me.

Every once in a while, I think of "moving up" to the Vandersteen 2Ce Sig. II's, but every time I or any of my audiophile (and non-audiophile) buddies sits in the sweet spot, we all agree that everything is pretty perfect just the way it is.

adam18 February 06, 2010 16:40

Nice system, nice listening room and I love your enthusiasm!!

guppy January 21, 2010 19:28

Hello Katkrazy, and Happy New Year ! Thanks for your comments, and I'm very glad to learn of your loving the sound of vinyl as much as I am. Your system is pretty impressive, and I'm sure it sounds really fine. I've always been impressed by the MG 1.6's, as they have an "open sound" similar to my Vandersteens.

Like you, I find myself listening to a lot more LP's than CD's lately, and I've been buying a lot of records, adding to my ever-growing collection of 1950's - 1960's jazz. It seems as if we share a common love of music, and a true appreciation of our hobby.
Stay well, and Happy Listening !!

adam18 January 03, 2010 03:14

While mindlessly meandering at My Page, I ran across a post I made about this time last year concerning the terrific system you were enjoying. I also noted you upgraded your P3 with a TT-PSU. Since then, I've off'ed the Pro-Ject for a P5 with same. I agree: WOW! I've been enjoying more vinyl the past 8 months than the previous 10 years combined. Check out an AT-150MLX for your Rega when it's time for a new cart: it sounds killer with the turntable!
My system is now the P5 setup, ARC PH3, Consonance Sig 100/6550 integrated, Cambridge 740c, and MG1.6s...:)

katkrazy November 25, 2009 17:02

Analog front end update........I recently added the Rega TT-PSU external power supply to my P3-24/RB-301/Exact 2 set-up, and WOW !!!! My LP's now sound better than ever.

adam18 September 22, 2009 13:01

Hey Jimbo.................Thanks for your comments, and my compliments to you on your system. Be patient, and try small changes with the placement of your Vandy's. Make sure to pay attention to the proper vertical tilt.....it will make a huge improvement once you get it right. You can download the instructions for tilt and placement from the Vandersteen website. As far as amps go, the Vandy 1's are VERY "tube friendly," and there are a lot of excellent tube integrateds that are affordable and should sound great. Have fun, and Happy Listening.

adam18 September 11, 2009 02:11

Very nice man! I just picked up some Vandersteens here on Audiogon and am struggling with placement and trying to smooth them out a bit. I had a pair of Monitor Audio MA800 golds that are smooth and rich, but with having a 1.5 yr old running around the house, it's tough to keep them on stands. Any recomendations for amps on the Vandersteens?

jimbojrjb September 10, 2009 19:52

Thanks a lot Papermill. The Bearden print was a gift from my folks many years ago, when I first starting to put my music room together. And......kudos you you, sir. Your system looks absolutely amazing, and I'm sure it plays beautiful music. Happy Listening !!

adam18 September 08, 2009 12:57

Adam,
Couldn't help but notice your Romare Bearden poster which I've had for some 20 years and awfully familiar to me. Nice. Nice system too!
Dave

papermill September 07, 2009 23:15

My previous Vandersteen 1C system was driven by an Arcam Delta 90 integrated amplifier, a Marantz CD-63SE deck with a Musical Fidelity X-10D output stage, and a great NAD 533 turntable (a re-badged Rega Planar 2 with the RB-250 arm) with a Goldring Elektra cartridge. It was a wonderful system, and I really enjoyed it. My first upgrade was to replace the Arcam with the Rogue Audio Cronus, and then the Rotel RCD-1072 took over for the Marantz. About a year later, I sold the NAD table and got my Rega P3-24/Exact 2, and just two weeks ago, I added the Rega TT-PSU power supply. The turntable sits on a home-made Vibrapod platform, and a Herbie's mat sits in place of the Rega felt. My Vandersteens now sound absolutely incredible, and the music flows sweetly to my ears, heart, and soul. Maybe, one day, I'll move up to the Vandy 2Ce Signature II's, but, for now, I am extremely happy with my system. All the components seem to work amazingly well together

adam18 September 06, 2009 21:09

What other turntables have you used in your system, if any.

musicpod September 04, 2009 04:25

Another system update.......Low cost with a very nice improvement. I replaced the standard Rega felt mat on my P3-24 table with the Herbie's Way Excellent II mat. There seems to be a noticeable increase in clarity and focus, while still maintaining that lucious Rega warmth, PRaT, and musicality. A fun tweak, that's adding to my thorough enjoyment of our hobby.
HAPPY LISTENING !!!

adam18 March 31, 2009 16:48