My New Vandersteen Treo CT's

[Audionoobie]

Hello Forum,

I just purchased a pair of Treo CT's from AudioConnection in Verona, NJ. 

Associated equipment:

Belles Aria Integrated (using the preamp section only)
Belles Aria mono's (112 wpc)
Bluesound Node2
Mytek Liberty DAC
Technics SL1200GR TT
Audio Tecnica VM760SLC cart
Herron VPTH1 phon pre
AudioQuest Type 9 speaker cable and Yukon IC's

I know my digital front end is the weakest link in the chain. Would appreciate any feedback on how to get the most out of my system. All comments welcomed and appreciated. 

Thanks!
Joe

[Steve Edwards]

Hello Joe, welcome to the forum! 

Sounds like a sweet system, but, the pictures aren't displaying (at least for me).  I use the Brave browser, maybe it doesn't like that file type.  Eager to see your set-up.

Play on

[Audionoobie]

Steve,

I was able to upload them now. Do you see these?

Thanks,
Joe

[bkeske]

Looks great Joe. Welcome to the forum!

[Steve Edwards]

3 hours ago, Audionoobie said:

Steve,

I was able to upload them now. Do you see these?

Boy, do I ever!  What a great looking room and set up!  

It's hard to tell from the photos, but most of the time, Vandys sound best when arranged in an equilateral triangle.  Is the distance between the middle of each Treo equal to the distance from the center of the top to your forehead?  Toe-in is another adjustment that can be made.  Sometimes it improves the imaging and / or reaction of the bass to the side walls.  

Your acoustical treatments look effective as well as aesthetically pleasing!

Play on

[Audionoobie]

Hi Steve,

Thank you for the kind words. I have the speakers setup in an equilateral triangle. They are 8'-2" apart and the same distance to my ears.  

I've got about 10 hours of playing time on them so I know they have a ways to go before being fully broken in. They are replacing a pair of 1ci's. The 1's seem to have a little more meat in the midrange, which I'm hoping will get sweeter with time. 

With respect to the room treatments. I've since removed the broadband aborbers in the corners behind the speakers and find the sound to be a little more "open" and "natural" sounding. 

-Joe

[GdnrBob]

Great system and great set up. I wish my Treo's could be upgraded to CT's., but considering my hearing is bordering on dodgy, I make the best of it.

FWIW, I would upgrade your speaker cables first. My audition of the AQ William Tell's set me on an all AQ system.

The WT's gave the little VLR's so much added bass, when I listened to them at Audioconnection with Peter (ctsooner). I would think they would do the same with the Treo's.

B

 

[Audionoobie]

Hi Bob,

Thanks! I too heard the William Tell cables at Audioconnection with Joey and Tom. It took them a little while to swap them out, so there was a gap in time in the A/B comparison, but from what I remember there was a noticeable and palpable difference. Maybe at some point down the line I'll ask Johnny if a demo pair is avaialble. 

Thanks,
Joe

[Richard Vandersteen]

1 hour ago, Audionoobie said:

Hi Steve,

Thank you for the kind words. I have the speakers setup in an equilateral triangle. They are 8'-2" apart and the same distance to my ears.  

I've got about 10 hours of playing time on them so I know they have a ways to go before being fully broken in. They are replacing a pair of 1ci's. The 1's seem to have a little more meat in the midrange, which I'm hoping will get sweeter with time. 

With respect to the room treatments. I've since removed the broadband aborbers in the corners behind the speakers and find the sound to be a little more "open" and "natural" sounding. 

-Joe

Joe, it is very common for people to overdue room treatments.  Few people realize they cause holes in the clues that help us define the acoustic space we are in (very important for a natural effect).  I start with none and slowly solve problems as they show up and use the least amount of treatment needed.  I notice most rooms end up with about half the treatments normally recommended.

RV

[TomicTime]

Lovely…let them settle in….The grill is an integral / critical part of tge design as is tge bottom port, don't be to afraid to get them closer to the backwall. Love the groove of the room. ;-)

Best to you

Jim

[GdnrBob]

2 hours ago, Richard Vandersteen said:

I notice most rooms end up with about half the treatments normally recommended.

Funny you should post this I was listening to some German Physics speakers at the home of a dealer in CT. 

I noticed there were some blank spaces along the wall and ceiling that seemed to have anchors imbedded. When I noticed, said dealer said that there were more room diffusers, but that he had gone overboard.

(The German Physic's speakers were at best disappoint. Nice, maybe good.

And there was a very weird issue of the sound not being centered- though that might have been due to other components).

B

[ctsooner]

 On, please send email about that dealer. Thanks. Great pics and what a nice set up. Listen to Richard on room treatments. I use very few. First reflection and the back wall. We are all different.  
 

Great gear. That TT set up is a fun one. Dynamic and tuneful. I enjoy the Technic tables. Fun stuff. 
 

Not sure if you Sami get about upgrading digital or not.  Analog is by far the best way in your price range to get top sound. If you want ideas on digital, then Johnny Weil have he answers I promise. Dude puts together great systems. 

[Audionoobie]

Thanks for the love everyone. Much appreciated.

I recognize almost everyone's screen names for Agon and always enjoy your posts. 

-Joe

[TomicTime]

i think you are winning the award for zen listening one person spa, love it !,,,

what brand is the wood ? diffuser in the center ?

i am Tomic601 on Agon, if you couldn’t tell…..

Jim

[Audionoobie]

Hi Jim,

It's an absorber panel with a 1-D scatter plate from GIK Acoustics. I've since taken it down too!

Best,
Joe

[Huang]

I have Treo CTs also and there is a burn in period so hang on the good gets amazing. I love your room! Look around in the forum there is a thread on dialing in the tilt, if you have not found it yet... it made a big difference for me.  Every time I sit and listen I am stunned by the realism these speakers provide so grab your favorite LP, your favorite beverage and sit back and enjoy!

[Audionoobie]

Thanks Huang! My ears are about 33" - 34" off the ground and I sit 8' away. Am I reading the manual correctly in that it says 13 washers are needed?

[Richard Vandersteen]

I would use 12 washers on the speaker setting on the most level part of the floor (right or left).  Use a laser pointer on top of this speaker and put some tape on the wall behind the listener and mark the tape at the laser spot.  Put the laser pointer on the second speaker and use however many washers needed to point to the exact mark on the tape.  Enjoy!

 

RV

[ctsooner]

I do love this set up and I'm glad you are over here.  You have a great system that has synergy.  As for digital, I'd start there over cables and cords. Those should always come last as you already know.  There are so GREAT DAC/streamers in various price ranges.  Johnny carries Auralic, which for the price, are some of my favorite digital components.  I was looking at the newest Vega.  They also have an all in one player that is outstanding, if it's in your range.  Go listen to the Auralic gear and enjoy the heck out of your vinyl.  Welcome again.

[Audionoobie]

11 hours ago, Richard Vandersteen said:

I would use 12 washers on the speaker setting on the most level part of the floor (right or left).  Use a laser pointer on top of this speaker and put some tape on the wall behind the listener and mark the tape at the laser spot.  Put the laser pointer on the second speaker and use however many washers needed to point to the exact mark on the tape.  Enjoy!

 

RV

Thank you Richard! I will go to the hardware store today and get some additional washers.

[Audionoobie]

1 hour ago, ctsooner said:

I do love this set up and I'm glad you are over here.  You have a great system that has synergy.  As for digital, I'd start there over cables and cords. Those should always come last as you already know.  There are so GREAT DAC/streamers in various price ranges.  Johnny carries Auralic, which for the price, are some of my favorite digital components.  I was looking at the newest Vega.  They also have an all in one player that is outstanding, if it's in your range.  Go listen to the Auralic gear and enjoy the heck out of your vinyl.  Welcome again.

Thank you CT! I'm researching all of the products in the $3 - $5k price range from Auralic, Aurender, and Lumin. I'm leaning toward the Lumin T2 though. 

[Richard Vandersteen]

1 hour ago, Audionoobie said:

Thank you Richard! I will go to the hardware store today and get some additional washers.

Audionoobie, you should have enough washers in the kit that came with the speakers.  You can use 2 of the thin washers as they are exactly half as thick as the thick ones.

 

RV

[ctsooner]

1 hour ago, Audionoobie said:

Thank you CT! I'm researching all of the products in the $3 - $5k price range from Auralic, Aurender, and Lumin. I'm leaning toward the Lumin T2 though. 

That's a good range.  If you are able to borrow the Lumin, take it to Rutan's and put it up against the all in one Auralic and Aurender.  They all have a different flavor, but based on what I've heard for my tastes:

Auralic

Aurender

Lumin

The T2 for my ears is way too 'clinical'.  It sounds detailed, but it really isn't if you listen closely.  It's tipped up on the hearing scales (again, to MY ears).  the Auralic will have the accuracy of the Lumin (maybe even more, but I haven't done a side by side just notes), but also a bloom in the mids and much more kick or dynamics or pace (whatever your choice).  Their volume control is also outstanding.  Not as good as a separate pre, but man they nailed so many things in their price points.  Again, JMHO....try and get the Lumin to Rutan's.  It's a really good product and worthy of being in consideration.  You may just like that type of sound best.  In the end, it's all fun.

[Audionoobie]

43 minutes ago, Richard Vandersteen said:

Audionoobie, you should have enough washers in the kit that came with the speakers.  You can use 2 of the thin washers as they are exactly half as thick as the thick ones.

 

RV

You're right. There were enough washers. I used 12 on one speaker and 10 on the other to get the laser level in the same spot. Curious outcome, it seemed to bring out more of the modrange - which is a good thing! Is that something you would've expected?

Thanks!
Joe

[Audionoobie]

36 minutes ago, ctsooner said:

That's a good range.  If you are able to borrow the Lumin, take it to Rutan's and put it up against the all in one Auralic and Aurender.  They all have a different flavor, but based on what I've heard for my tastes:

Auralic

Aurender

Lumin

The T2 for my ears is way too 'clinical'.  It sounds detailed, but it really isn't if you listen closely.  It's tipped up on the hearing scales (again, to MY ears).  the Auralic will have the accuracy of the Lumin (maybe even more, but I haven't done a side by side just notes), but also a bloom in the mids and much more kick or dynamics or pace (whatever your choice).  Their volume control is also outstanding.  Not as good as a separate pre, but man they nailed so many things in their price points.  Again, JMHO....try and get the Lumin to Rutan's.  It's a really good product and worthy of being in consideration.  You may just like that type of sound best.  In the end, it's all fun.

Thanks CT. That's an interesting comparison of the products. John did let me borrow the Auralic Altair G1 - pre Treos - when I was running the 1ci's. It was a definite step up from the Node 2.