Vandersteen Treo CTs…. Which integrated?

[lattiboy]

Hey all, I fell bass-akwards into a pair of Vandersteen Treo CTs and now have to get an integrated amp that will realize their promise. Even on my Chi Fi 8W tube amp (admittedly upgraded with high end components and tubes) they sound extraordinary, but from what I’ve read they really open up with a beefier amp behind them.

Amps I own and could deploy:

Onkyo M-506RS with Onkyo 306 preamp

Denon POA2200 using Onkyo 306 preamp

Denon PMA 1060


Amps I’m currently evaluating that are more “hifi” whatever that means:

NuForce STA200

Willsenton or Jolida tube amp with 40-80wpc

I would be streaming mostly Tidal through an outboard DAC and very occasionally some vinyl.

Any recommendations appreciated

 

[homebrew]

Start with the amps you have. All have enough power to get your Vandys moving. See what you think before spending more for something you might not need.

 

[lattiboy]

Update:

So, the big boy amps were certainly an improvement at higher volumes, but quite honestly a little thin sounding. The M506RS was the better of the two, but the differences were quite subtle. The 306p preamp is a mess as it turns out and had channel balance issues. I’ll probably sell it for repair as deoxit did not improve the situation.

So I got out every amp I own and found a shocking surprise, the Onkyo A-8170 is the current leader. 80wpc, full tone controls, and built like a tank. It had been sitting behind the chair in my office for two years, and it turns out there’s a reason I hadn’t sold it!

The biggest win for the 8170 is actually the “CD Direct” feature that apparently bypasses every circuit and interconnect in the receiver (there’s a physical click when you select it). Let me tell you, it is truly night and day with the Vandersteens. You hear that “vintage” sound slip away and are presented with absolute clarity and openness to a degree I didn’t think this modest, almost 40 year old amp could produce. Vastly superior to the two 200wpc+ power amps and the dying preamp.

My current setup is a Chromecast Audio feeding a modified Chinese DAC with Burson V6 Opamps via optical which is feeding my amplification.

I’m thinking now I need to focus on a DAC and preamp combo with a remote, as I already have enough power to launch the Treo CTs into orbit and I’m pretty sure the two giant amps can be made to sound vastly better with a decent pre amp.

Options I’m lookin my at are:

Loxjie D30
Burson Audio Playmate 2
Some sort of Schiit stack with a DAC and preamp with remote

Any recommendations on that rather niche product category?

 

[ghamilton]

Love my vandersteens!