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  1. #1
    Silence of the spam Site Moderator Geoffcin's Avatar
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    Von Schweikert VR-4jr.

    The upgrade bug biting again. I'm looking to work up another HT/DVD-A/SACD rig, and I thought I might start with the speakers. For those who don't already know, I have a full up Cambridge Soundworks 7.1 system now, and It's absolutely great for HT, but I want a little more out of my rig for multichannel music. I have considered a full up Magnepan system, but even with my semi-large 22' X 16' room that would be a bit much. I am looking at one speaker in particular, Von Schweikert VR-4jr. The problem is I've never actually heard it yet! Does anyone have experience with this speaker?
    Audio;
    Ming Da MC34-AB 75wpc
    PS Audio Classic 250. 500wpc into 4 ohms.
    PS Audio 4.5 preamp,
    Marantz 6170 TT Shure M97e cart.
    Arcam Alpha 9 CD.- 24 bit dCS Ring DAC.
    Magnepan 3.6r speakers Oak/black,

  2. #2
    Suspended topspeed's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Geoffcin
    The upgrade bug biting again. I'm looking to work up another HT/DVD-A/SACD rig, and I thought I might start with the speakers. For those who don't already know, I have a full up Cambridge Soundworks 7.1 system now, and It's absolutely great for HT, but I want a little more out of my rig for multichannel music. I have considered a full up Magnepan system, but even with my semi-large 22' X 16' room that would be a bit much. I am looking at one speaker in particular, Von Schweikert VR-4jr. The problem is I've never actually heard it yet! Does anyone have experience with this speaker?
    I did an extensive audition on a pair with about 50 hours on them at Von Schweikert's shop in San Diego about 3 months ago. The front end was a Spectron amp, Sony transport, Electrocompaniet DAC, PS Audio conditioner and VSA's own wires (which look like black Valhalla's). The speakers were well out in the room and stood in the shadow of the monster VR11's.

    Wow!

    Geoff, these are impressive speakers. The most startling thing is how dynamic they are for such a small speaker. I don't know how Albert is coaxing that much low freq. response out of such a tiny cabinet, but it was enough to make me ask Kevin if there was a sub on. The sound is supremely smooth and neutral. There aren't any weird mid bass humps or exagerrated highs that some audiophiles confuse with detail. The tweeter wasn't completely settled in, a fact that Kevin warned me about before we started the audition. However, considering that it has the same tweeter as the one in my VR-1's, I know from experience how good this tweeter sounds once it is burned in; extended, airy, and natural without a hint of sibilance or shimmer. In fact, the top module seems to be, for intesive purposes, a canted back VR-1. One thing the Jr's have in common with your Maggies is that seemless cohesiveness in sound. There are no gaps or dips from driver integration problems, just one huge wall of sound. The imaging is very impressive and off axis response is simply stunning. They have a better off-axis than any other speaker I've heard.

    All in all, if I ever decide to upgrade (which is doubtful), I'd be looking straight at the Jr's. It seems like street price is around $3k for a new pair and African Hazelwood and Maple are the two most popular finishes. Your wife will love how small and gorgeous they are in person. The construction is exceptional from the cabinet stiffness to the chamfered edges to the Cardas Rhodium binding posts. There's a lot of threads about these speakers on both avsforum and audioasylum if you'd like to do a bit more research.

    Bottom line, they are definitely worth a demo.

    Good luck brother and have fun!

    btw, they love to rock!

  3. #3
    Silence of the spam Site Moderator Geoffcin's Avatar
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    Thanks Topspeed!

    Quote Originally Posted by topspeed
    I did an extensive audition on a pair with about 50 hours on them at Von Schweikert's shop in San Diego about 3 months ago.

    All in all, if I ever decide to upgrade (which is doubtful), I'd be looking straight at the Jr's. It seems like street price is around $3k for a new pair and African Hazelwood and Maple are the two most popular finishes. Your wife will love how small and gorgeous they are in person. The construction is exceptional from the cabinet stiffness to the chamfered edges to the Cardas Rhodium binding posts. There's a lot of threads about these speakers on both avsforum and audioasylum if you'd like to do a bit more research.

    Bottom line, they are definitely worth a demo.

    Good luck brother and have fun!

    btw, they love to rock!
    \

    I am trying to find a pair to listen to, but so far no luck. There's a pair in the box on Ebay right now, and if they are not too high I might jump first, and worry if I like them later...
    Audio;
    Ming Da MC34-AB 75wpc
    PS Audio Classic 250. 500wpc into 4 ohms.
    PS Audio 4.5 preamp,
    Marantz 6170 TT Shure M97e cart.
    Arcam Alpha 9 CD.- 24 bit dCS Ring DAC.
    Magnepan 3.6r speakers Oak/black,

  4. #4
    Suspended topspeed's Avatar
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    Audiopimp, right? Yeah, I saw that too. See if you can get the serial numbers and call Albert or Kevin at VSA to get the skinny. You know the 'ol adage; If it sounds too good to be true...

    They sold a pair with no reserve a week or so ago although I didn't see the final price. Something's not adding up for me with that seller, although they seem to have good feedback. Ebay makes me nervous as all get-out anyway so maybe it's my own nervosa.

  5. #5
    Silence of the spam Site Moderator Geoffcin's Avatar
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    I wasn't going to consider it, except that I

    Quote Originally Posted by topspeed
    Audiopimp, right? Yeah, I saw that too. See if you can get the serial numbers and call Albert or Kevin at VSA to get the skinny. You know the 'ol adage; If it sounds too good to be true...

    They sold a pair with no reserve a week or so ago although I didn't see the final price. Something's not adding up for me with that seller, although they seem to have good feedback. Ebay makes me nervous as all get-out anyway so maybe it's my own nervosa.
    Planned to go up and pick it up in person. As it is the speakers didn't go for much less than they would have gone for on Audiogon. Got another speaker I'm going to go check out this week;

    http://www.roundsound.com/ref3_big_II.html
    Audio;
    Ming Da MC34-AB 75wpc
    PS Audio Classic 250. 500wpc into 4 ohms.
    PS Audio 4.5 preamp,
    Marantz 6170 TT Shure M97e cart.
    Arcam Alpha 9 CD.- 24 bit dCS Ring DAC.
    Magnepan 3.6r speakers Oak/black,

  6. #6
    Suspended topspeed's Avatar
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    Cool Great minds think alike!

    Quote Originally Posted by Geoffcin
    Planned to go up and pick it up in person. As it is the speakers didn't go for much less than they would have gone for on Audiogon. Got another speaker I'm going to go check out this week;

    http://www.roundsound.com/ref3_big_II.html
    That is exactly what I was going to recommend, too. I heard a pair while on vacation a few weeks ago and was mighty impressed. The imaging didn't seem as pinpoint as the TAS reviewer described but it is good nonetheless. It was driven by Theta so I doubt it was the front end. I was surprised how small these things are. Seriously, they're tiny! Big, big sound though, especially with the plate amp running. Let me know what you think.

    ts

  7. #7
    Silence of the spam Site Moderator Geoffcin's Avatar
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    Deja-Vu all over again....

    Quote Originally Posted by topspeed
    That is exactly what I was going to recommend, too. I heard a pair while on vacation a few weeks ago and was mighty impressed. The imaging didn't seem as pinpoint as the TAS reviewer described but it is good nonetheless. It was driven by Theta so I doubt it was the front end. I was surprised how small these things are. Seriously, they're tiny! Big, big sound though, especially with the plate amp running. Let me know what you think.

    ts
    The Gallos I'm going to hear are being driven by an HCA-2!
    Audio;
    Ming Da MC34-AB 75wpc
    PS Audio Classic 250. 500wpc into 4 ohms.
    PS Audio 4.5 preamp,
    Marantz 6170 TT Shure M97e cart.
    Arcam Alpha 9 CD.- 24 bit dCS Ring DAC.
    Magnepan 3.6r speakers Oak/black,

  8. #8
    Suspended topspeed's Avatar
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    You might find this thread interesting in your quest for sonic nirvana:

  9. #9
    Silence of the spam Site Moderator Geoffcin's Avatar
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    Thanks Topspeed

    Quote Originally Posted by topspeed
    You might find this thread interesting in your quest for sonic nirvana:
    Just when I thought I had enough to bolt on the supercharger I've had to go get bitten by these speakers! I'm off to audition them tomorrow, wish me luck.
    Audio;
    Ming Da MC34-AB 75wpc
    PS Audio Classic 250. 500wpc into 4 ohms.
    PS Audio 4.5 preamp,
    Marantz 6170 TT Shure M97e cart.
    Arcam Alpha 9 CD.- 24 bit dCS Ring DAC.
    Magnepan 3.6r speakers Oak/black,

  10. #10
    Suspended topspeed's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Geoffcin
    Just when I thought I had enough to bolt on the supercharger I've had to go get bitten by these speakers! I'm off to audition them tomorrow, wish me luck.
    Let us know what you think.

    Good luck and have fun!

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