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Peter: That's a loaded question. Almost like solid state vs. tubes or SET vs. push-pull or Cornwalls v. Lascalas. It does come down to personal preference, viewing-wise, as you alluded to. I'm a plasma person. I bought one of the first plasmas about seven years ago (still going strong), and recently bought a 50 inch Panny plasma. To my eyes, the good plasmas do blacks better than LCDs (darker), and there is less denegration in picture when you move to the side. I also like the contrast better with plasmas although I think that some LCDs do brillant colours better. Also, doing my research last year, there were more "claimed" horror stories on the various sites about color problems with some high end LCDs vs. plasmas - but who knows how many people are accurate in that respect........ Many plasmas now have anti-glare screens to combat a clear advantage that LCDs have in sunlit rooms. (Not a concern for me). Both are great - comes down to your eyes. Carl.

I've seen Yes twice. I am usually fine with veteran bands playing with different front men. I saw Journey recently with the new singer, and they did not miss a beat. But, this is Jon Anderson we are talking about - the golden voice of rock. I do not think that Howe, Squire and White playing with a singer from a Yes cover band is really "Yes." Do let us know what you think though. Carl.

I'll reserve any opinion, pro or con, on the Jubilee and the K402 or K510 on top until I listen to a pair properly set up. Maybe, in the near future, I'll be able to clear some time to hear Coytee's pair since he is probably the closest owner to me, proximity-wise. Now, back to Trachorns............... No, no measurements yet. Its been on my list after I get my "honey doos" done. I have a Behringer Ultra Curve Pro that I need to dig out of the closet. My intellectual curiosity begs me to square some time away from Cub Scouts, family, religion, work, and other commitments to actually sit down and measure these suckers. They sound great, but I am curious to see how they actually measure. Time to research old threads in there to reacquaint me with the Behringer, how it works, what to place the settings on, and where to place the mic. BTW, I do agree with Blvdre's comments about crossing over the 902s on the low end. They can take 500 hz, first order, but they don't like it much. There is more distortion at higher spl levels as opposed to a steeper slope at that cutoff or moving the bottom end up to a higher low end cutoff. If crossing them over at 500 hz on the bottom, I would use a minimum of a 24 db slope or depending on what you are using for the bottom end, higher than that. I currently cross mine over either at 620 hz or 800 hz on the bottom, with a 18 db slope. They are a bit cleaner at 800 hz, but not much. Carl.

Confused? Betcha we can clear that right up. [] Yes, I've been using the Trachorn/902 in two-way mode for over a year now. As a result, my Beyma CP25s, JBL 2404s, K77s, and Eminence tweeters that I have played around with up front over the years - all went on the shelf. Although I still run some tweeters in the rest of my 7.1, the 902s with my Khorns run as two-ways. 1) high end boost (perhaps as part of the crossover circuit)? Nope. Based on my prior experiences with other Altec drivers and other Altec horns (811s, 511s), as well as what some others have found through testing in different forums (Zilch, some of the LH guys, etc.) I honestly thought that I was going to need either a Model 19 compensation-type network or to seriously fool around with a Behringer Ultra Curve Pro, etc. However, much to my surprise, the high end was there in spades without a boost so I have not revisited the issue. Others at my place have also come to this conclusion (Maron, Sheltie Dave, Joe Sharp, etc.). 2) "special diaphragms" for the 902 driver? Nope. I ordered new 902s with the aluminum diaphragms from Great Plains. Bill and I discussed the lightweight diaphragms for the 902s as well as the pascalites, and I had a number of options in that respect. However, Bill told me to try the the stock aluminum diaphragms he is putting in his 902s without compensation first and see how I liked them. He even offered to swap other diaphragms for me at no additional cost if I was not satisfied with the sound. I have been satisfied. As a general proposition, I agree that two-way systems are hard to get right. Maybe I was lucky (for once) on the first draw. Carl.

Michael Klementovich, co-author of the Paul W. Klipsch biography, correct? https://www.alibris.com/search/books/qwork/5022861/used/Paul%20Wilbur%20Klipsch%20the%20Life...%20the%20Legend I need to meet him and pick his brain for awhile. Would be tons of fun....................Ahem, Maron..................

Exactly, that is why everyone should hear the 902/Trachorn combination before commenting on it. I cannot wait to hear a pair of Jubs with the K402 tops. They should be a significant improvement over the AK-3 Klipschorns given that we are talking about AK-3s............. Excuse me while I go back to droolin' over the pic of the Martinelli with the two inch throat sitting on top of that gorgeous Jub bass bin. Carl.

Well, you have an open invitation anytime that you are near the St. Louis area to hear my unique setup and see if Maron's comments are justified. I would be curious about your impression especially since you've also heard the Jubs. Of course, everyone else also has that standing invitation. Its all about the sound. Carl.

Yeah I got the trends 10.1. I tried the upgrade which resulted in me killing it. I had McIntosh mc30s just before and after I picked up the onix sp3. So that was my comparison not really fair but not my thang. Completely understand. Bear in mind that while I love the great gang/buck, in a full-range application, I would not recommend them beyond what I use them for - my patio system driving my JBLs. But..........for anyone who ever thought or is active bi-amping or tri-amping - certain digital amps are the bomb (with the upgraded power supply) for running the top end, whether a squawker, all the way up (500-20000) or a tweeter. I do think with the right power, they make the perfect upper horn amp. Carl.

Seti, was your Tripath one of those $100 Teacs from a while back? Just curious because if so, I agree with you. I was not that fond of the Teacs as well - the highs were too rolled off and the bass less than stellar. In comparison, however, the upgraded model of the Sonic Impact amp (Super T) and the Trends 10.1 sound pretty different (much better IMHO) from the Teac even though based on a similar design. Carl.

Heh, heh, heh....... Wow - that horn is sure worthy to be on top of that bass bin. Martinelli? Carl.

I will defend them!! The lowly amp that Maron was referring to earlier in this thread is a 10 watt Sonic Impact Super T BUT HERE'S THE KICKER....I tried it with the upgraded stand alone power supply (PSU) from the Kingrex. Amazing what a different, stout, stand-alone PSU can do for a digital amp. I had similar improvements as David Kan did with the Kingrex. Look here: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/kingrex/t20.html Next, I have a Trends that I'm going to try with the PSU. Should be fun. Carl.

Without "NERDS" none of what we are talking about would even exist! Just because you don't understand something doesn't mean you need to trash it. That's why I haven't said a word until now. I'm studying MARKETING! Ahhh.....but Maron does understand it.. His vast knowledge base, experience (and humor) have kept us on our toes for many, many years. Is "trash it" a marketing phrase? Carl. The question is does carl understand satire? Yes - Maron's. No - Buy something else's. Eh?

Without "NERDS" none of what we are talking about would even exist! Just because you don't understand something doesn't mean you need to trash it. That's why I haven't said a word until now. I'm studying MARKETING! Ahhh.....but Maron does understand it.. His vast knowledge base, experience (and humor) have kept us on our toes for many, many years. Is "trash it" a marketing phrase? Carl.

About a year ago, I came to a crossroads. Try Al's Trachorn with other drivers or go to a two inch throat such as with the 402s. I chose the former. Some doubt whether Al's Trachorn could be used in a two-way application. Actually, answer is "yes." I've used a pair of Al's Trachorns in a two-way configuration for about a year now - with Altec 902s. No tweeters needed. The Trachorns do not beam at upper frequencies, despite what some might think. The horns sound quite a bit better than my other two-way horns in the house, 511s. Since Jub bass bins naturally do 500 hz easily, Al's Trachorns with 902s would be an easy top end for you - without much additional expenditure. Whether or not one would prefer Trachorn/902s over various K402/driver combos (or vice versa), I will leave others to decide with their own ears. Good luck in your quest. Carl.

Yup I miss my 300B. 8WPC Awwww, thanks, Maron. I've been waiting for you to come down, and it was an honor to have you and Joe over to my place to see what you guys thought. Guess I am done now, huh? [:$] Truly thanks for the compliment. BTW, just to clarify Maron's comments, my eight watts only run a pair of Altec 902 drivers - with the amp directly coupled to the drivers without a passive crossover. In comparison, there is some other "stuff" on the mid-bass, bass, and remainder of the drivers in the system. Carl.

Because........... 1) You can brag that you are only running 2 or 4 or (insert other appropriate low amount) watts through your super-duper ultra high efficiency speakers as your friends stare on in amazement (slightly drooling as they do so); and/or 2) The midrange dammit. The wonderous effects of those amps on the magical midrange - where angels sing and no mortal amps dare to trend. Carl. P.S. Fender, you should really try a Bryston with a tube front end. Was great for my ears when I had a Bryston in my system........ P.S.2: The above comments do not necessarily apply if you have gone active. Different ballgame. Eight to ten watts per channel is more than enough to drive one small horn transducer a limited frequency range - and to ridiculous volumes.

Dave, thanks for hosting this fine event. Those of you within' driving distance who were unable to attend missed out [:$] A truly good time was had by all. [H] The highlight for me was hearing the A7 VOTTs outside, and listening to the '62 Khorns inside (almost brought a tear to me eye). Also, thanks to Colleen and you for all of the wonderful food - that went well beyond the usual hotdog/hamburger fare (yum!!) Carl.

Master Yoda, Dave is the innocent party - it is I who subject him to the volume madness....[*-)] You know you keep talking about flaming coils, but I haven't fried one yet!!!![] Carl. P.S. I've ordered the PS and NOW I'm done......should be here middle of next week

Mullard CV4004s. Best I've heard, and mine have been in for almost four years. Carl.

Having previously owned RF-7s, I agree that a beefy amp (SS or tube) is recommended for RF-7s. Its up to you if you want to heed the hints. You can guess as to whether I would think that a 16 watt SET amp would do ....... In part, I guess it also depends on what type of music you will be playing and whether you really like to lean into it..... Carl.

Mark, I'll take you at your word when you say that to your ears, Latino's amp sounds similar to VRDs. Latino could probably benefit from further differentiating the VTA-120 from his other modded ST-70s on his website (other than more power). Because I've owned several incarnations of modded ST-70s, Mark IIIs and VRDs, and while Mark IIIs and VRDs are somewhat in the same ballpark sound-wise, both of those amps sound quite a bit different from modded ST-70s (especially in the bass dept.) - and on the website, the VTA-120 could give one the impression to simply be a further hot-rodded ST-70. Again, cannot comment on the VTA-120 because I have not heard it, but Latino would probably benefit from further distinguishing it from the ST-70 design. I would personally opt for VRDs, but that's just one person's opinion. Carl.

I tried a Rane and was not impressed with the sound quality. For me, it was a step backwards, and I took it out after two days. Your ears may be different, however....... Given the two, I would opt for the Marchand. Carl.

Yes, went to tube preamp and SS amps in front. But, still have tube preamp and killar' tube amp in rear. Carl. P.S. SS amps can be more forgiving with different drivers (sometimes). Would not give up my tube pre though...........

Surely, you are not suggesting that he consider Khorns for the best "classical rock speakers," are you? Because as much as I love Khorns, they do not belong on that list..........At least without extreme modifications anyway.....[][:$] Carl.

Heh, heh, heh.......Romy [the Cat] and his posts have been controversial for years.........those comments are just scratching the surface. Just wait until he finds out about this thread and interjects himself into it......... Carl.