Took me 37 years, and the 2 extra years of patience rewarded me with 3's! ;-)

[Dan Caldwell]

Hello, Vandersteen owners--

I have a story reminiscent of SBlackman's (although with the lovely record collection omitted!)

I heard 2C's in 1987, and I never forgot them.  I spent 35 years caring about music and sound, and I was truly happy with my affordable mid-fi set-up (psb Image T55s and NAD 7240  prior to my Vandersteen-based system).  Then, working with a very low budget, I thought I ought to add a subwoofer to take my system from hunky-dory to really satisfying.  But, the used sub I purchased came to my house dead on arrival.  With more time to think and dream, I started considering spending well over 500 dollars -- upgrading my speakers to 1C's and pairing them with a sub that emitted sound.  I had a long talk with Jonathan at Ultra Fidelis in Milwaukee, and he was enthusiastic about my plan, but he helped me understand that subs involve far more details than I had pictured.  However, NAD makes the right integrated if you need a highpass filter inserted between pre and power amp, so I still thought I had my plan intact.  However, finding both used 1Cs and a used sub was harder than I thought -- so I had more time to think,  and it dawned on me that Vandersteen 2's -- my decades-long dream speaker -- provide so much bass that I could take the tricky sub out of the equation.  Two days before I was going to leave for downstate Illinois to pick up 2C's, I saw 3A Signatures posted on Audiogon for less than the asking price on the 2C's!  The 3A sigs arrived intact through UPS (I have read horror stories here on the forum, and now count myself lucky!)

My simple system:

3A Signatures

NAD C372 integrated

Bluesound Node

14 gauge speaker wire with spades and bananas put on -- biwired, as per Richard's unequivocal recommendation.  NAD proudly features two pairs of binding posts for bi-wiring, so I have A and B speakers selected.

I never even hoped for a system this awesome -- 3A Signatures. with their deep, accurate bass that goes even beyond the 2's, are just a gift from the universe.

I am so happy!  I have had the system for months, and it is still so new to me that I can't keep up.   I just keep putting on music and more music -- old favorites and new things -- lots of music that I never even liked! -- new, beautiful sounds from them all.  

[stratocaster]

Welcome to the club @Dan Caldwell.. Nothing like scoring a deal and building a great setup for audio pleasure. 

Enjoy….

Edited November 17 by stratocaster

[SBlackman]

5 hours ago, Dan Caldwell said:

Hello, Vandersteen owners--

I have a story reminiscent of SBlackman's (although with the lovely record collection omitted!)

I heard 2C's in 1987, and I never forgot them.  I spent 35 years caring about music and sound, and I was truly happy with my affordable mid-fi set-up (psb Image T55s and NAD 7240  prior to my Vandersteen-based system).  Then, working with a very low budget, I thought I ought to add a subwoofer to take my system from hunky-dory to really satisfying.  But, the used sub I purchased came to my house dead on arrival.  With more time to think and dream, I started considering spending well over 500 dollars -- upgrading my speakers to 1C's and pairing them with a sub that emitted sound.  I had a long talk with Jonathan at Ultra Fidelis in Milwaukee, and he was enthusiastic about my plan, but he helped me understand that subs involve far more details than I had pictured.  However, NAD makes the right integrated if you need a highpass filter inserted between pre and power amp, so I still thought I had my plan intact.  However, finding both used 1Cs and a used sub was harder than I thought -- so I had more time to think,  and it dawned on me that Vandersteen 2's -- my decades-long dream speaker -- provide so much bass that I could take the tricky sub out of the equation.  Two days before I was going to leave for downstate Illinois to pick up 2C's, I saw 3A Signatures posted on Audiogon for less than the asking price on the 2C's!  The 3A sigs arrived intact through UPS (I have read horror stories here on the forum, and now count myself lucky!)

My simple system:

3A Signatures

NAD C372 integrated

Bluesound Node

14 gauge speaker wire with spades and bananas put on -- biwired, as per Richard's unequivocal recommendation.  NAD proudly features two pairs of binding posts for bi-wiring, so I have A and B speakers selected.

I never even hoped for a system this awesome -- 3A Signatures. with their deep, accurate bass that goes even beyond the 2's, are just a gift from the universe.

I am so happy!  I have had the system for months, and it is still so new to me that I can't keep up.   I just keep putting on music and more music -- old favorites and new things -- lots of music that I never even liked! -- new, beautiful sounds from them all.  

I know how you’re feeling.  I can 100% relate to that elated feeling of having such a wonderful speaker added to your system that you never expected to ever get! Having my 2C’s has really encouraged a major rebirth in my listening enjoyment. 
 

Congrats @Dan Caldwell and enjoy the new addition to your system. 

[Dan Caldwell]

Hey there, comrade — @SBlackman  

You know, I delight in reading about people’s high-end systems, and there’s a dealer nearby, Quintessence, that has systems from beyond the stratosphere.   I enjoy talking to the people there and  listening to music from their systems that cost much more than my house.  But when I read your account of getting 2C’s after 35 years, I thought, yeah, now that sounds like me, and I’m so glad to hear about it. Another person who does love music and cares about sound, but who can be patient.  And then, who can be thrilled with “entry level” hi-fi.   Life was good before my Vandersteens.  But, man, they really add something !

Edited November 18 by Dan Caldwell

[SBlackman]

💯 

[bkeske]

Congrats @Dan Caldwell !!