richieb

I always swore by passives as they are cheap and for the most part very functional. I agree with all the above but after acquiring a couple decent tube preamps my system has more drive and body or as the English say PRAT. I find them very clean sounding but like Maynad I'm sure they inject some color of their own. And with Klipsch speakers (some) a bit of reduced top end sparkle can be a good thing. I used my B1 with Threshold Class A monos and it was a bit too much too clean, too exact, not a lot of "character" you might say. Like wdecho I too have a FW B1. Technically it is a buffered passive with a buffer circuit either before or after he volume pot(s) and is plugged into the wall to power the buffer circuit. My other passives required no external power source. I think both have their place and work wonderfully with the right choice of power amp.

Ain't worked for two years, no reason to start today! Flyin' back from a week in FL tomorrow. Back to the old grind --- OF NOT WORKIN' !!

When I owned Corns and Belles at the same time and would substitute one for the other I thought the CW's were dark, dead sounding in comparison to Belles. So much so I thought something was astray with the newer Crites crossovers that I sent them to Bob to be checked, all was fine. From that point I lost my ears for CW's. Depending on the listeners frame of reference speakers can take on a different impression than to those who listen exclusivly to one speaker only. I doubt there is a thing wrong with the new CW, give it time to adjust. You may find they are not your cup of tea at the end of the day.

Where did I go wrong? Is the Belle mid horn of its own design?

Unless you are stuck on a German machine I'd shy from both for reliability and maintenance costs. Although the V-dub is made in Mexico I believe. For a commuter it's hard to beat one the Japanese brands. Although many of those are built right here in the USA. While I owned an Audi S4 and had no issues I got rid of it before I did. The engine was one of the sweetest V-8's you can imagine but also one of the most complicated built. German engineering and complexity at its finest.

Agreed - 5 minute drive, absolutely nothing to lose, Belles to gain. Take 15 C-Notes and if you like them throw out 12 or 13 and end at $1500. OR wait for some nice LaScalla's as they will whip the Belles for its much larger mid horn. I believe the Belle mid horn is that of the Cornwall? LS mid is that of the KHorn. As my grandson might say "its more better".

There is no comparison really, Belles will walk all over Fortes'. A much bigger speaker that projects a much bigger sound. On the technical side because of its horn loaded bass Fortes will most likely spec out lower than Belles. But Belles bass is much more precise, accurate, quick - right. In comparison with the LaScalla the Belle will fall short with a much smaller mid horn but comparatively similar bass. The Belle will quickly spoil you over your Forte. They did me, I've owned both.

A tree fact I recently read - the Giant Sequias can drink up to 500 gallons of water per day. That gets sucked up quickly in a drought.

Kinda like the inspections done here in KS if you buy a used car/bike with out of state title. Inspection? Not really. Hiway Patrol looks at the title, matches it to the VIN in the car and done, thanks, your inspected. $15 please ----. That's it for vehicle inspection in the Sunflower State.

Mike - I agree. My Wright 2a3 monos provide an amazing amount of bass, not only for their low power but diminutive size. I'm also not sure I agree with the notion of roll off top end with SE DHT amps as I find the Wrights to have quite a nice sparkle. They also fill quite a large finished basement with power to spare. These observations are with Fastlane/ALK KHorns, I don't they do as well with the KP450/EAW/B&C (Frankensteins). My Dennis Had KT88 integrated at 8 watts or so probably provides more bottom end than the Wrights but not the high end sparkle or 2a3 clarity. Opening yet another can of worms I've had the push pull EL34 Quicksilver Horn Monos for a couple months now and have spent no time with the Wrights since they arrived. I've had more amps than I care to mention but the Quickies are right there as the most natural, neutral sounding amps I've owned. I find them more "live" sounding, not as "hifi" as the Wrights. And with the Frankensteins even at the very moderate volumes I listen, you are there. The Franks are more live sounding than even the KHorns. As great as they are, and they are, they sound hifi, albeit some of the best hifi you might find.

"IMHO, tubes are audio jewelry". As a very famous speaker designer/engineer once said "Bulllshit".

Yep - owned em both. LS hands down --–

^^^^^ Helll wish I lived nearby, I'd be your lawn man! I imagine the fringes might be terrific - concert grade speakers, best of liquor's, gadgets galore and stellar conversation I'm sure! And with all your traveling I could keep an eye on the place. Kinda' like your version on O J's live-in Kato. I'll forward my résumé ---

Sorry to hear. Although never a good time the Holidays are never the best timing for this news. Even worse when it is a straight blindside. Was there no scuttlebutt this was on the horizon? Best luck ---

Belles or any horn driven Klipsch speaker has the ability to cut you in half with the wrong front end. And for me a Realistic or Sony solid state amp would fit that bill. Those Belles ain't gonna be laid back with either of those amps running the show. That for me is the root of your Belles not being "laid back". Far more than your choice of crossovers. My opinion of course and take it for what it's worth. One hundred or one thousand break in hours on the crossovers hours ain't gonna "lay" back the Realistic or Sony.

And don't forget his sidekick Illiya Kuryakin? Another favorite show from that that era, yeah I'm old too, Combat? Loved me some Combat.

NY Times and CNN confirms. I always likened his talents and and in general, musicality, with JJ Cale. Both great song writers and musicians. For many years we used to boat at Grand Lake in NE Oklahoma, Leon's old stomping ground. Actually came face to face with him in Grove, OK at small restaurant. He was leaving, we were heading in. It's like you're kinda stunned but you can't mistake him. Nodded heads, both said hey and that was that. Still kinda cool ---

^^^^^ Possibly threaten yet a second move to Canada?

^^^^^ ---- and you're alive to tell about it??

Yep, good stuff. Recordings are well done. Saw him live last year at a nice college venue. Great sound, terrific band around him. Pretty funny guy between tunes. Told some good stories and seems to really enjoy himself onstage.

Never heard Chorus, ones or twos. Owned Fortes, both one and twos, Hereseys, CWalls, Belles, LS, now KHorns. No exile, just stone him!! But not until I hear me some Chorus ll -- but what about KLF 30? Never heard those either. But at least lets pebble him for dissin' the KHorn!! Just sayin' ---

I realize this strays from thread topic but now that UL/triode, SET and push pull have come up for comment I thought I'd offer opinion. Speakers are KHorns, RB75's and KP450's Pro line with B&C driver atop EAW horn (Frankensteins). i have long favored low power SET, EL84 and EL34 strapped to run single ended. Until recently my favorites are my George Wrights 2a3 DHT SET monoblocks. I really thought they might be my last stop Until I bought another pair of Quicksilver Horn Mono's, EL34 push pull. I have to say these are the most natural, neutral sounding amps I have heard in a long time. From top to bottom everything just sounds - right. Nothing emphasized, nothing omitted the kind of sound where there is nothing negative to point to. Pure neutral. I've had may amps where one particular sonic feature stands out and another is missing. These Horn Mono's are doin' it for me. No triode to UL switch, no SET emphasis on particular passages just good'ol push pull. Don't quote me but I believe Quicksilver use Magnequest trannies? I could be wrong --?

Only watch GYC for Mark's jazzy dancing! Guy knows his Mopar ---

^^^^^ Sorry I read too quickly - I thought it read "my old porn photo". I had to re-read it several times for full effect.

^^^^^ From a money/value/vintage point of view I would agree with MKP. If this is of little intert to you then yeah, go for it. Folks have been stuffing GM crate motors in resto's for forever. I have the SRT 392, 6.4L, in my Challenger and yes it is a beast. A bit of tuning expertise has her just a shade under 500 streetable HP. The old 68' might need some shoring up to handle todays horsepower.