Ki Choi

Guy: Thanks for thinking of me. Last month or so, I have accumulated the 8b, ST70, and the Peach (along with other tube amps that I have already collected...)to keep me busy for a while before looking elsewhere for that ultimate tube sound. I'll get in touch with you when I get that itch again. Ki

Guy: Thanks for your clarification on New Mullards. BTW, are the Marantz 5 monoblocks on Audiogon yours? Tempting.... But I shouldn't. Ki

Let me throw out my 2 cents. I too have built my HT setup (it's still in Work-in-Process...) For the DLP projector and DVD player choice. To me the most important feature was DVI (or HDMI) interface capability. There are many characteristics in audio that people claim the "night-&-day" differences (such as power cables, etc...) but it ends up being a very subtle differences, if any. The DVI to Component display differences can be seen especially if you are planning on large front projector screen. I have a Heritage 5.1 setup with front Khorns, Belle Klipsch center, and Heresy rears with SVS sub. I have tried top end Yamaha 7.1 receiver and Denon AVP processor, etc. but pretty happy with Sony TA-E9000ES + TA-N9000ES (for summer) and 5 x Heathkit W5Ms (for winter). Although the AC3 (DD) and DTS format supposed to do best with 5 equal speakers, I just don't hear much information from the rears from most movies and music DVD's that warrants better speakers than what I use. In most cases, the rear is noticeable when the shots and explosions are going . I don't think one needs equal speakers to hear the better noise. Ki

I am using the heavy and slow Sony SCD-1 for SACD two channel play back. I got it when it was first introduced - paid way too much but I am seeing some used ones at less than 1/2 of its original list price offered on Internet. Although I have tried the more expensive DCS three box setup, I could not tell the difference in SACD performance between the two options. I sold the DCS gear and kept the SCD-1. Then, I got an inexpensive Samsung DVD-HD841 for my HT setup couple of months ago. It can play two channel and MCH SACD. Other than somewhat lack of bass, I do like the sound of Samsung and would like to recommend it to anyone who might want to try the format without investing too much. However, at the end of the day, I use the SCD-1 for RedBook CD 99% of the time and remainder for the SACDs... Ki

I was bragging about my Khorns last night to a person. In the conversation, I had heard about the best Khorn setup this person had heard. It consisted of a pair of Khorns in solid conerners and a pair of passive Klipsch subwoofers that had a 18" active driver facing to the room and a 15" passive radiator facing back wall placed near the Khorns in a single box each. He couldn't remember the model number. Does any of the Klipsch historians in this group know this mistery Klipsch sub? Ki

Maurice: Did you try the New production Mullard EL34s from TubeDepot and compare them to the high buck NOS Mullards? Thanks, Ki

I would post your question on: http://www.avsforum.com/ DLP section. There will be many experts with recommendations. If worst comes to worst, you can call Samsung Customer Support. They are very helpful unlike some other major electronics firms. Ki

Mark: In anticipation for the arrival of the new Peach, I visited your Website and learned about the your new amp project. I agree with your direct marketing strategy for your products. I have watched a similar audio start up take off in the early '90s - the Audio Alchemy. Their success was based on the "value" of their products when there were other DAC's that were better but at much higher price. Mark Shifter succeed in creating the customer perceptions, that the AA DAC's are affordable and great performer through early satisfied customers and implementation of "new" digital interface technology - I2S (it was invented by Sony but never used to link digital signals outside of the box). There were many reasons why the company is no more but one the major areas of challenge for AA - was in customer support, IMO. As soon as they had increased their sales after the glowing magazine articles but their outsourcing partners could not delivery the quality level for such a sofisticated electronics gear, they were spending as much of their resources on supporting $300-$700 product with such low margines as other audio companies with larger ticket items. I am sure you know more about your marketing strategy than me. Just my 2 cents. Good luck and keep us informed. This group should be your organic customer base for the rest of the highend audio world. Ki

Thanks to Mark and the rest of the forum members for your comments on my purchase. Although I have tried many SS and tube preamps that are very transparent and sonically nuetral, I wanted to pursue that warm and sweet tube sound I remember as a kid. The haunting sound kept me from going straight home from school - standing in front of the HiFi shop in Seoul for hours listening to the huge speakers blasting. Then one day I got invited inside the store. It was all over by that time - I was hooked. I had been very blessed and was able to try many audio gears during last 20+ years. With the advent of the Internet, I don't lose my shirt as much any more compared to when I used to trade at the local audio dealers. Especially, I haven't been led wrong so far from the advices I have received from this group. I will let you know if I have gotten any closer to my ultimate search with the Peach + 8B + Khorns. Mark, execuse me for being a newbie at the Juicy gear, but what is pCATS? Yes, I once gathered 9 Khorns in less than a year period - ran out of rooms to put them - and have only 5 currently (and two pairs of Belle Klipsches, 5 Heresys and one Academy to add). I know there are other memebers who has more but I think it took them a lot longer time to accumulate. If there was an award for being the fastest newbie, I should win. Ki

Yes, it was me. Hope I didn't spoil anyone here's day by getting the Peach away from him. Ki

I've got the itch to bid on the preamp. What would be the normal price to buy one? The list price $1895? Thanks, Ki

Hi, I haven't met Klipsch speakers I didn't like but would these be good to get? It's a local seller to me - a rare event... http://seattle.craigslist.org/ele/59417164.html Anyone have them and how do they sound? Ki

I don't own the RF7s but would like to add to the "Khorns and the room" thought. I have a pair of Khorns in a medium size HT room with perfect corners against a short wall with Belle Klipsch as a center. The room is also treated somewhat with velvet curtains all around with very little direct reflections. The sound is dynamic and as good or better than any other speakers I had in the room including a pair of Sound Lab A1s, Quad ESL63, JBL S3100s, and B&W N802s. Then I have another Khorns in a bigger room againt the long wall with perfect left corner and somewhat good but not perfect right corner (due to window moldings) but what a sound! I must say I did have better holographic imaging from the electrostatic panel speakers but they never gave me the goosebumps when I play some of my favorate piano recordings. I should know what the real piano should sound and feel like - having lived with two piano player wanta-be's for many years. I can not agree more, it's the room. Any properly designed speaker would sound good in a good room but even the Khorns would not shine in a so so room with no good corners. When you do have the right room with perfect corners, it's hard to beat the Khorns. I can not say that the Khorns are my last speakers but they have come closest - so far. Ki

Hi, The Japanese audio magazine, Stereo Sound, had listed JBL K2 S9800 as the best audio speakers beating out B&W Nautilus 800 (4th or 7th...) and Wilson Audio Watt/Puppy 7 (tied for 4th place). Second place was ATC model (?) and can't remember the third place one. The K2 S9800 is a two way with a super tweeter over 10Khz. I'll try to give them a listen during my next trip. I used to own a pair of S3100 that I liked its dynamic sound but prefered Khorns much better overall. Ki

Dodger: If your deal with Bill doesn't work out, please let me know. I own a pair of Mini Monitor III that are one of the best monitor speakers made, IMO, but would like to try more recent model. Ki

Thanks for the lead. I will compare it after rework with other tube amps driving the Khorns. Ki

I will use a variac to power it up. Any advice and comments would be much appreciated. Ki

It seems the 8B had been serviced before. Here's what I can tell from a quick overview: 1) All the irons look to be original 2) Tubes are mixed bag of brands. The previous owner must not have been a critical listener. One of the driver tubes is an odd number and B side of output tubes are Russian made. 3) Some of the resistors were replaced. The new resistors seem to be just common carbon type from 10 years ago. The soldering work looks excellent and no faults. The work must have been done long time ago since its finish had changed color as almost the same as the original ones.

Here it is. It was waiting for me when I got home. I will post the photos of its inners in next two posts. Ki

Al: The dealer who had 8B also had 10B tuner (got committed before I could get to it) but had 7T SS preamp and a mint MC2105. Not knowing too much about the Mc gear, I wonder if MC2105 would be equal to your MC250. I plan to obtain the Mc250 as well to compare. How about the 7T SS preamp? Any thoughts on it compared to the 7 Tubed one? Ki

Thanks to one of the fourm members, Tricerstops, I will be able to listen to an 8B with Khorns and form an opinion. I was alerted about a, relatively local, 8B at a dealer in Portland where I had earlier rescued one of the Khorns last year (Triceratops witnessed the setting of the Khorns free at the dealer - as I later found out) via email. I just called and got it. Unfortunately, I am in Asia for the next two weeks and the amp will wait for me when I get home. (Hoggy, thanks for your note and I will definitely drop by your place when I return). So the fun begins all over again... Ki

artto: What are you using to drive the center Belle Klipsch in your setup? Thanks, Ki

I appreciate the inputs from everyone including options on various amps offered in PMs. Just got rid of a pair of electrostatic speakers and could redirect the fund into my new tube amp education by just buying fully updated amp. OTOH, I enjoy holding soldering iron now and then and making attemps at doing the work myself. I have updated quite a few W5Ms. Let me know if anyone is interested in seeing some photos. It is interesting to read other's experience. I was told that the McIntosh's output transformers used on both SS and tube amps generate their sonic magic. Al's MC-250 must benefit from the use of the output TRs to play similar sound as the 8B even as SS amp. Ultimately, I am looking for sonic imperfection with classic tube sound mentioned above. I have very good 2-D imaging and soundstage from my Khorns and current gear but haven't been able to achieve the deep soundstage with my setups (2002s and '76 Khorns in two different rooms). I am hoping by trying these suggestions, in time I'll get there. Thanks. Ki

Rick: Bel Canto SET 40 is a modern 35W/Ch SET amp that gives me the best imaging from the Khorns. But I end up playing the Cit II the most. I have not tried any other low power amps though. I think being able to try various low power amps on Khorns is one of the things I like about the speakers. Let me know a good 2A3 amp. thebes: I posted my inquiry about the 8B before learning about your miracle encounter. Good for you. Guy: Where can I locate a pair of 5s? They must produce beatiful sound. Colin: I use a pair of Velodyne ULD 15II subs with Khorns for music and use a SVS for movies. I didn't use any subs with the Khorns but Hoggy had lots of good things to say about his SVS sub additions to his Khorns setup so I tried and like it. I also heard a Valve Audio (?), a German made EL34 tube mono blocks with very airy sound that approached signal processed sound that was very pleasing. I wonder one can get similar sound out of 8B with good NOS tubes. Ki

Gary: Where's the results of the shootout? Ki