redwoodzz Posted January 26, 2022 Share Posted January 26, 2022 Hello all, I purchased my 1B's during my freshman year in college back in 1990 at a shop in Fresno, CA called Musical Images. It was my first speaker purchase after having a few sets of hand me down speakers from family members. At the time I would go to either Circuit City, Boots Camera or Good Guys to look at equipment and thought I would buy either Infinity, Polks or dare I say Bose speakers. Until I came across Musical Images and the owner Greg. I was a young kid with no real budget but he took the time to educate me about Hi-Fi and let me sit and listen to the systems he had in his shop. Greg carried Rotel, Proceed, Proton TV's , Mirage and Vandersteen. After many listening and education sessions with Greg I finally decided to buy the 1B's. At the time I had a JVC receiver and Greg informed me that I would not hear what the 1B's could really do but that I would be happy with them and they could grow with my system. I paid $695 for them which was outside my budget but I made it work. I couldn't afford the sound anchors but I did buy them a year later. Over the years I have expanded into home theater and added the matching center and rears after trying many other brands but never could get the results I wanted until I had all Vandersteen speakers. I have never felt the need to upgrade my speakers but heard the difference with each component upgrade I have made over the years. I did re-sock my 1B's in 2019 so they look brand new. My cats did love to use them as scratching posts. Below is my current set up. Marantz AV7005 Harmon Kardon Signature 2.1 1B's VCC-1 VSM-1 Velodyne VA-1012 (Pair) Pro-ject Debut Carbon EVO Apple TV 4 gen OPPO BDP-95 Panasonic TC-PZT60 Blue Jeans Cable Belden 1505F Audioquest Slate 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holmz Posted January 26, 2022 Share Posted January 26, 2022 It is kind of funny how your 1990s 1Bs and my ~’84 2Cs seem to last and be the basis for nice sounding systems. There are undoubtedly better speakers now including Vandersteens, but that system looks great and much better than just having a merry-go-round of sideways upgrade/swaps. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S. Posted January 26, 2022 Share Posted January 26, 2022 I used to have the av7005. Wish i never sold it. Nice clean preamp. I still have my oppo bdp-95. Shame they went out of business. I just wont part with that player. It still sounds great! Nice system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctsooner Posted January 26, 2022 Share Posted January 26, 2022 Welcome to the forum. Wonderful to hear about folks still using their older speakers. That's just very cool. Thanks for sharing and hopefully you will enjoy the forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomicTime Posted January 27, 2022 Share Posted January 27, 2022 (edited) Welcome ! Back in the day, i sold a LOT of 1B because they sound fantastic driven by a Kmart clock radio and amazing with most of the affordable receivers of the era. Even a $218 NAD 3020 could bring an instant smile 😉 The venerable 2, also still in production and continuous refinement just needs a bit more grunt. I recently heard a pair of 1Ci with a current production Marantz integrated and was absolutely floored by the massive soundstage…. Congrats on making a great choice way back and stay awhile here, lots a great folks who share your long running passion for both music and Vandersteen… Photo is a pair of 1ci in my vintage room. Jim Edited January 27, 2022 by TomicTime 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwoodzz Posted January 27, 2022 Author Share Posted January 27, 2022 Thanks for all your comments and pics. I have thought about upgrading but my room is small and I think 2's would be too large but would possibly move up to new 1C's. I would think after all these years it would be a big upgrade but not sure. It would be interesting to compare them directly with my current pair. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Vandersteen Posted January 27, 2022 Share Posted January 27, 2022 Not that difficult to put them in the car and go to your Vandersteen Dealer and compare them. We are having a hard time filling the pipeline so check and make sure your dealer has them on the floor. RV 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctsooner Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Those new 2's are just something very special. It's just a great initial design that keeps getting better with better components. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruskie Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 @redwoodzz Welcome to the forum. I also purchased my first Vandersteen 1b speakers from Musical Images in 1987 when Greg was still partners with Michael in the old shop. I moved out of Fresno the following year when Greg opened the new shop you were in. And like you, Greg was a real gentleman and took the time to educate me about taking a big step up from Pioneer turntables, Kenwood receivers and Advent speakers. 😂 After selling my 1b I went to Thiel for 20+ yrs. and just returned to Vandersteen last month with the purchase of a pair of Quatro CTs. I am in heaven with my new system. It is so nice to be back in the Vandersteen camp. Enjoy the forum, Bruce 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctsooner Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 That’s a neat journey. Thanks for sharing. I’d be interested in hearing how Theil and Vandys difference’s are for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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