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AUDIO FORUMS >> General Discussion and Support >> My high end audio experience
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Message started by Dr3wman on 10/04/22 at 17:35:29

Title: My high end audio experience
Post by Dr3wman on 10/04/22 at 17:35:29

Over the weekend I had an opportunity at a local hi-fi store to hear Richard Vandersteen give a talk on speaker design and his audio philosophy which was truly fascinating, and I could have listened to him for hours.

At the end of the presentation was a demonstration of his latest Kento Carbon floor standing speakers which run $42,000 per pair.

They were powered by a pair of Vandersteen M5-HPA high pass mono blocks at $17,000/pair.

The source was a dCS Dac ( can't remember which one, but it was at least $20,000) . I did not take note of any of the other aspects of the system.

I have to say - I was underwhelmed. I am relatively new to this hobby but the sound was not engaging.

It was impressive in that it was a BIG sound that was crystal clear and played without distortion, but it felt incredibly sterile.

I would imagine this has as much to do with taste as anything, but I want so much more from my system. Especially for that kind of money.

When I listen to my comparatively pauper-like system at home, I get drawn into the experience, and I can't count the number of times if I happen to be reading, the music makes me stop and just listen.

While it was certainly a lot of fun to see that level of equipment, it gave me great reassurance to know that you don't have to spend nearly that much to have a transcendent experience.

Title: Re: My high end audio experience
Post by tempest62 on 10/04/22 at 18:08:30

I hear you.

I'm very, very happy so far with my meager $12-14k system, excluding the 2nd system and headphones/cable, most all of it purchased as used components.

But we have to remember that in those "elite" circles how important it is to maintain inflated egos, rubbing each others' bellies, and party it up playing pocket pool in front of each other all night. Its a competition with penis size. Its all part of The Dance.

Brad

Title: Re: My high end audio experience
Post by Doug on 10/04/22 at 20:09:26

Dr3, you have a local hifi store? That’s weird!

Vandersteen has built quite the business. I’ll bet he has a million great stories. Glad you had a good time.

I had a pair of his model 2 speakers around the mid-80’s that I drove with a big VTL PP amp. I read somewhere that Vandersteen has sold well over 100,000 pairs of the model 2. I guess the model 2’s are ok for what they are, but they’re not that good, and yet, Richard continues to sell them! He must be a marketing master and a great salesman.

Title: Re: My high end audio experience
Post by tempest62 on 10/04/22 at 20:44:26

Doug, I remember hearing one of the Vandy 3’s and it seemed there was something missing in palpability dept. They just didn’t sound very real. I also remember the 2ci back in the day and it was worse. All driven by SS amps, though I don’t remember which.

Brad

Title: Re: My high end audio experience
Post by GroovySauce on 10/05/22 at 18:54:47

Dr3wman, unfortunately that’s the way the mainstream industry has been going. Super high price point components that don’t sound like music. Topping it off, a terrible room. Leaves me shaking my head.

Your experience is the norm. I’ve heard from multiple people who have gone to listen to high end systems, coming away unimpressed.

I spent a bunch of time with a system consisting of CXNv2 -> ZROCK2 -> ZMA -> F15 Iconoclast RCAs and Zenwave speaker cables and DECWARE PCs. It was a fantastic setup! Emotionally moving and could get lost in the music. Guessing this setup is less than the cables used in the demo system you listened to.

Title: Re: My high end audio experience
Post by johnnycopy on 10/05/22 at 20:16:58

Had 2b vandersteens many years ago, big selling point was the time aligned drivers.

Like others here never really cared for em that much.

Bought em used so live and learn and little risk