[headshrinker2]

Greetings,

I own a pair of Vandersteen Model 1B's (given to me by my wife on my 30th birthday). Yes, it was a very nice birthday present. Now that I am setting up a HT system (Onkyo 706, Panasonic BD35) in my family room, I am thinking of moving the Vandersteens to their own dedicated 2-channel listening environment. I am looking for an economical way to improve the signal I give the Vandersteens.


Other older equipment:

NAD T761 AV Receiver

NAD C541 CD Player

Rotel RB-956 AX 6 Channel Amp


(1) Do you think a dedicated integrated amp like a NAD C315BEE or C315BEE would give me a significant sonic advantage over the T761 alone?


(2) Would a C315BEE or C315BEE likely offer a significant advantage over the T761, preamp out to the Rotel multichannel bridged?


Thanks in advance.

 

[DougWinsor]

 http://www.vandersteen.com/pages/1clit.html


IMPEDANCE: 6.8 ohms 2 ohms

EFFICIENCY: 90dB with 2.83 volts of pink noise input at 1 meter on axis.

RECOMMENDED AMPLIFICATION: 20 to 100 watts per channel


Since it drops down to 2 ohms I would look for a amp that can handle a 2 ohm load.

 

[headshrinker2]

Thanks very much for the reply and link. How do I know if an amp can handle a 2 ohm load? Can you give me an example?

Quote:
Originally Posted by DougWinsor /forum/post/15468480

http://www.vandersteen.com/pages/1clit.html


IMPEDANCE: 6.8 ohms 2 ohms

EFFICIENCY: 90dB with 2.83 volts of pink noise input at 1 meter on axis.

RECOMMENDED AMPLIFICATION: 20 to 100 watts per channel


Since it drops down to 2 ohms I would look for a amp that can handle a 2 ohm load.

 

[OttoSpiral]



Quote:
Originally Posted by DougWinsor /forum/post/15468480

http://www.vandersteen.com/pages/1clit.html


IMPEDANCE: 6.8 ohms 2 ohms

EFFICIENCY: 90dB with 2.83 volts of pink noise input at 1 meter on axis.

RECOMMENDED AMPLIFICATION: 20 to 100 watts per channel


Since it drops down to 2 ohms I would look for a amp that can handle a 2 ohm load.

Are we sure that that means a 2 ohm minimum? Some of Vandersteen's specs for their other speaker show it like "8 ohms 4 ohms minimum". Another shows a different speaker as "8 ohms +/- 2 ohms" (they may not use those exact numbers, but they use those formats).


So, the "6.8 ohms 2 ohms" listing is very ambiguous. Certainly, 2 ohms is awfully low. For this case, I would think that 6.8 ohms +/- 2 ohms might make more sense. That would end up with a range of 4.8 to 8.8 ohms, which is very reasonable.


To be sure, one would have to contact Vandersteen directly and have them clarify the spec.


I'm not sure about your original question, but many good separate amps will drive a 4 ohm load.


What do you find lacking in your current sound?

 

[DougWinsor]



Quote:
How do I know if an amp can handle a 2 ohm load? Can you give me an example?

What ever amp you are interested in should have the specs posted on the makers website.

 

[lvtdude]

I have the Vandersteen 1C's and have a lot of experience with 1's and 1B's. Any incarnation of this speaker is a relatively easy load to drive. I've seen them driven just fine with a 30wpc Yamaha receiver, and have heard of people using tube amps to drive them.


I also have an Onkyo 706 that is perfectly capable of driving them, but I use an older Halfer XL280 to drive the mains (the 1C's) in my 7.1 setup.


I'd be surprised if any high quality amp you choose would be unable to drive the Vandy's. If you like Onkyo equipment, you may want to look at the A-9555 integrated. I've read nothing but good about that amp. You could probably do fine with a lower-powered amp like a Creek, Cambridge, etc., if you aren't a head-banger. I just looked at audioadvisor.com, and they have Cambridge integrateds heavily discounted right now (the Azur 640 is $399 and the 540 is $299!)

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo...umber=CA640AV2


Find your favorite 50-150wpc amp and enjoy.

 

[lvtdude]



Quote:
Originally Posted by DougWinsor /forum/post/15468480

http://www.vandersteen.com/pages/1clit.html


IMPEDANCE: 6.8 ohms 2 ohms

EFFICIENCY: 90dB with 2.83 volts of pink noise input at 1 meter on axis.

RECOMMENDED AMPLIFICATION: 20 to 100 watts per channel


Since it drops down to 2 ohms I would look for a amp that can handle a 2 ohm load.

Steve Guttenberg of Home Theater Magazine reviewed and measured the 1C's in October 2005. Here's a bit of the review that you might be interested in:


"The 1C's listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/-15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +1.20/-4.19 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The -3dB point is at 49 Hz, and the -6dB point is at 41 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 6.14 ohms at 9.6 kHz and a phase angle of -49.28 degrees at 69 Hz."