need quick answers on VMPS sub

[BC Dave]

Hi,

I've spotted an ad for a VMPS smaller sub and would like some answers to a couple of questions quickly before I go look at it. It has a 12 inch woofer and a 15 inch passive radiator. What I need to know:

1. Would this be a big improvement over my existing Paradigm PS-1000 v4, which I like very much? Would the VMPS be musical as well as good for home theater?

2. I have an Adcom GFA-535II amp I could use to power it, but I am not sure how it would connect to my Denon AVR-1603 sub out. Would I need to use both the Adcom amp and its matching preamp (to control the sub volume) or would the sub level control in the Denon do this? Would the Denon's crossover network control this passive sub?

Many thanks for any quick responses.

 

[BC Dave]

wow, what a difference: Apologies to Sheep

Since I didn't get any responses to my post, I'll add my own. I picked up the VMPS smaller sub (circa 1991) last night. The seller helped me set it up in my home. We hooked the receiver's sub out line into a y splitter and then directly into the Adcom power amp. I use the sub level control on the Denon to control the volume.

As for the sound. Wow, Wow and Wow!As much as I like my Paradigm PS-1000 this VMPS is in an entirely different league. It fills the room so effortlessly it is just amazing. Listening to a nice music DVD like the Hell Freezes Over concert, playing Hotel California, was just a jaw dropper. It sounded like the bass player was right in the room. So much more dynamic than the Paradigm. Turning to a movie, Die Another Day, in the opening scene where Bond surfs monster waves, whereas the scene was impressive, but a little rumbly at high volumes on the Paradigm, this VMPS just shook the room with ultraclean bass. For $200 Canadian, it's the best bargain I have ever picked up. I have defended the Paradigm in the past, saying the version 4 is a musical sub. It is musical, but I guess I didn't know what I was missing. My apologies to Sheep, who said the Paradigm's numbers in the AV Talk test don't lie. My eyes have been opened.

 

[Sheep]

LOL, you don't have to apologies, just let me come over for a listen!

Sounds good! Post some pics in the member system forum.

SheepStar

 

[BC Dave]

Thanks Sheep

The picture thing isn't easy for me. While we have a digital camera, we have the computer from hell. Thanks for your comments Sheep. I am in the South Okanagan (quite a ways from Nanaimo). If you get out this way you would be welcome to hear it. While I have always loved powered subs, they always sounded just a little discombobulated from the satellite speakers they were paired with. Even though there was more bass than you would get from the average tower, for example, when you closed your eyes it didn't seem like you were listening to big speakers. Not so with the VMPS. I am using small Paradigms (Titans and CC-170 V4) with mismatched rears (Image Concept 100s (discontinued API product) and watching a concert the speakers just sound huge with this sub. The only downside is that the VMPS is the size of a 35 inch TV placed on its side! My wife isn't totally amused. Since the system works the way I have set it up (without the matching Adcom preamp and using the sub volume control on my Denon AVR-1603 to set the level) I assume this is the way it should be set up??? THX.

 

[Sheep]

Coquitlam is a little far from the Okanagan.. couple hours drive one way...

Put it this way, I'm about 15minutes from downtown Vancouver.

I would love to have a TV sized subwoofer, that means its actually designed properly.

The sub is powered correct?

SheepStar

 

[BC Dave]

not powered

It's a passive sub, Sheep. VMPS does not believe in powered subs, for two reasons:
1. The bass generated by the sub shakes the hell out of internal amplifier components.
2. Plate sub amplifiers, in their opinion, are inferior to separate power amps.

So that is why I am using my Adcom GFA-353 II to power the VMPS. Line out of the receiver goes directly into the Adcom amp, via Y-connector RCA plugs. The VMPS's volume is being controlled by the sub volume control in the receiver. Seems to work just fine. There are no gain controls on the Adcom. I have the matching Adcom preamp but couldn't figure a way to hook it up and use its volume control. But it appears there is no need to do so. Sub volume on receiver is set at plus 3 out of 12 and there is ample bass.

 

[Sheep]

It's a passive sub, Sheep. VMPS does not believe in powered subs, for two reasons:
1. The bass generated by the sub shakes the hell out of internal amplifier components.
2. Plate sub amplifiers, in their opinion, are inferior to separate power amps.

So that is why I am using my Adcom GFA-353 II to power the VMPS. Line out of the receiver goes directly into the Adcom amp, via Y-connector RCA plugs. The VMPS's volume is being controlled by the sub volume control in the receiver. Seems to work just fine. There are no gain controls on the Adcom. I have the matching Adcom preamp but couldn't figure a way to hook it up and use its volume control. But it appears there is no need to do so. Sub volume on receiver is set at plus 3 out of 12 and there is ample bass.

Sounds good to me!

SheepStar