Ross B. Posted July 8, 2023 Share Posted July 8, 2023 I’m considering an upgrade to the Modem 5, and would need an upgrade to my electronics to match. I’m looking at a few brands, and wanted to get opinions from those who know best: * Audio Research * Pass Labs/First Watt * Rogue Audio * McIntosh (~70’s era) I tend to prefer a slightly warmer, more romantic tone, as far as it goes, but I’m primarily looking for direct performance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Vandersteen Posted July 8, 2023 Share Posted July 8, 2023 2 hours ago, Ross B. said: I’m considering an upgrade to the Modem 5, and would need an upgrade to my electronics to match. I’m looking at a few brands, and wanted to get opinions from those who know best: * Audio Research * Pass Labs/First Watt * Rogue Audio * McIntosh (~70’s era) I tend to prefer a slightly warmer, more romantic tone, as far as it goes, but I’m primarily looking for direct performance. Ross B, stay with the Audio Research you have until you get the Model 5's dialed in to perfection then substitute any candidate one at a time because some of the options you are considering will not work as well as what you already have, IMO. RV 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross B. Posted July 8, 2023 Author Share Posted July 8, 2023 Thank you Richard. Is your opinion, broadly at least, that ARC is the best of the brands listed? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Vandersteen Posted July 8, 2023 Share Posted July 8, 2023 21 minutes ago, Ross B. said: Thank you Richard. Is your opinion, broadly at least, that ARC is the best of the brands listed? It doesn't matter what my opinion is but Vandersteen owners using their own ears have found ARC, Ayre and our High-Pass Amps to be musically satisfying. I am only encouraging you to find musically satisfying gear for yourself. A neutral speaker allows owners to make them sound very different to an individual's taste. To answer your question, Yes, it is listed on our warrantee cards very often. RV 22 minutes ago, Ross B. said: Thank you Richard. Is your opinion, broadly at least, that ARC is the best of the brands listed? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stringreen Posted July 8, 2023 Share Posted July 8, 2023 2 hours ago, Ross B. said: Thank you Richard. Is your opinion, broadly at least, that ARC is the best of the brands listed? I own model 5A's and am using all Ayre electronics.....happy with the sound 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GdnrBob Posted July 9, 2023 Share Posted July 9, 2023 17 hours ago, Ross B. said: that ARC is the best of the brands listed? Your ARC should make a nice match, but if you do want to change, I would see if a friend/dealer could loan/rent you the amps you are interested in, before buying. Bob 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stebaht Posted July 30, 2023 Share Posted July 30, 2023 We are using M5-HPAs with our Model 5s. Currently the amps are being run with. Benchmark LA4 Preamplifier but next years project will be to find an Ayre KX-5. I love the sound of the Ayre gear with Richard’s speakers. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Vandersteen Posted July 30, 2023 Share Posted July 30, 2023 Our L5-AAC Preamp designed to be a matching partner to the M5-HPA Amplifier is coming soon. RV 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctsooner Posted July 31, 2023 Share Posted July 31, 2023 20 hours ago, Richard Vandersteen said: Our L5-AAC Preamp designed to be a matching partner to the M5-HPA Amplifier is coming soon. RV Happy that it’s getting closer. Can’t wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stebaht Posted July 31, 2023 Share Posted July 31, 2023 21 hours ago, Richard Vandersteen said: Our L5-AAC Preamp designed to be a matching partner to the M5-HPA Amplifier is coming soon. RV Oh we will be taking that into consideration as well! excited to hear more about that unit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GdnrBob Posted July 31, 2023 Share Posted July 31, 2023 On 7/30/2023 at 2:16 PM, Richard Vandersteen said: Our L5-AAC Preamp designed to be a matching partner to the M5-HPA Amplifier is coming soon. RV Does the model name have any meaning? Why 'L' and 'AAC'? I can understand M5 to correspond to Monoblock5, and HPA might mean either 'High Performance' or 'High Pass' Amp. -Just askin' 😏 B 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Vandersteen Posted July 31, 2023 Share Posted July 31, 2023 35 minutes ago, GdnrBob said: Does the model name have any meaning? Why 'L' and 'AAC'? I can understand M5 to correspond to Monoblock5, and HPA might mean either 'High Performance' or 'High Pass' Amp. -Just askin' 😏 B Just for you GdnrBob, L for "Line stage", 5 for "5 Series" and ACC for "Audio Control Center", LOL. The ACC part is spelled out in small letters on the front panel when you see and hear one which will be this fall at Audio Connection. RV 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctsooner Posted August 1, 2023 Share Posted August 1, 2023 Thanks the update Richard. Can’t wait as you know. Lol. Another exciting launch coming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GdnrBob Posted August 1, 2023 Share Posted August 1, 2023 Thanks Mr. V.! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomicTime Posted August 4, 2023 Share Posted August 4, 2023 L5 - ACC is in my plan ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctsooner Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 On 8/4/2023 at 4:49 PM, TomicTime said: L5 - ACC is in my plan ! Same here as everyone already knows lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GdnrBob Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 @ctsooner, you really need a preamp, despite the fact that streaming allows you to eliminate it. Even Paul McGowan (dare I mention his name?)felt a preamp helped a system. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctsooner Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 Bob, I've been waiting on Richards preamp for awhile now. I didn't want to buy a pre and them take the hit to sell it. 🙂. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holmz Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 11 hours ago, ctsooner said: Bob, I've been waiting on Richards preamp for awhile now. I didn't want to buy a pre and them take the hit to sell it. 🙂. Maybe someone has one you can borrow for a while? I have an Audible Illusions Modulus if you want to try it for a bit? Eventually it will probably go to SoCal, but it is sitting in the dessert at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctsooner Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 LOL... I REALLY appreciate that. Hoping that the pre will be out in the next couple of months. I have some travel coming up at the end of August and shold be ok. It's not bad at all running it directly. I know what I'm missing, but it's much better than I expected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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