richieb

First factory fresh LS I bought were in the late '70's, walnut stain, they were georgous but life happens and they left. Since then and starting in the early 2000's I have owned Hereseys (twice) Forte 1, Forte 2, CW 1 and Belles. All gone again but now being a reinessance man I am back to my horn roots with a vengence. Started with Quartets as they are of managable size and now the Real horns; LS arrived last Thursday and the speaker that has always alluded me for room/size consideration, the mighty KHorn's will arrive tomorrow. Both will reside in a semi-finished downstairs, half carpet, open beam ceilings, right at 20 feet back wall, set in perfect corners. Towed out a few degrees from triangulated center. By far the best for this space. The LS are nothing short of phenominal in this spot. I certainly can't remeber the sound from 35 years ago and in nothing more than a large bedroom but I know they didn't sound like this. Sitting dead center about 12 feet back the soundstage in incredible. LS don't image?, BS as our famous PWK would have said. I am talking about an actual sound stage, it blows my mind. LS have no bass?, well I say BS to that. It may not have the bass I will hear from the new KHorns but they indeed produce bass. Tight, reasonably deep, accurate bass. (Can the modified KH sound better than this?) A simple system of CD, integrated and speakers. Simple, solid core copper interconnects and copper speaker wire. I have run 3 different amps - Eastern Electric 6B8M 8 watts, a well built amp that sounded good on other speakers but way too thin for the LS. Next - Dennis Had (founder/designer of Cary Audio) Inspire KT66 single ended about 6-8 watts. Much nicer, actually very good. Much more meat on the bone and I could live with this set up BUT the best sound and IMO by a fair margin is the Audio Sector gain clone built by Peter Daniels. About 45 watts. This is a sound that for This room and These ears is one to behold. Rich, deep tight bass, a mid almost creamy in texture, very pleasant upper end, smoother than either tube amp yet still with all the detail you want. An enveloping sound stage. The kind of presentation where you don't want the music to stop. For those wondering about "digital" and the many offshoots from that, if it is the Right amp it is truly spectacular. If the Khorns perform as well on this amp I will have Peter build me a no-holds bar integrated and be done with the front end. And did I mention Quiet? Huh, I can't hear you. I am talking not even a faint hiss from the tweets, Nothing. Am I an expert, no but I have owned tens of thousands of $$ woth of amps/pre's over the years and this I know - I am done messing with seperates. I have proven that for me the hassle is not worth it. I have owned VRD's, VTL's, Cayin, Audio Mirror with the giant furnace hot 6H33 Russian power tube (best tube amps I have owned but scarry hot) and more I can't recall the names. For SS - Threshold, Clayton (one of the best Class A amps you can buy), Forte by Threshold, Mac and others. Needless to say this combo I speak of is incredible musical, live, accurate and just a joy to hear. Now to see if the K Horn is indeed Kind of the Hill. Thanks

Not quite. And another reason I felt this a good opportunity for my first Khorns as they are being brought to my home, Monday morning. I really couldn't ask for more. And how's this for getting back in the Heritage horn game - LaScalla's delivered last Thursday and Khorns Monday.

Respected - Yes. Competent - Yes. And see above from GotHover. Dave Harris did the resto and horn mods. My mid is at ease with the work my concern was that I was buying a "real" Khorn. But maybe better?

Appreciate the input. The good things relative to ROI for the modes is that I am not paying in excess of what bone stock Khorns are selling for, probably a bit less. In reality I am paying a fair price for the speakers with $$$ of mods included. But agreed, at this point they are no longer "stock" Klipsch speakers.

I guess this question is directed more to Heritage owners and Khorn in particular and I value any and all opinions. A friend of mine has a near mint, restored pr. of '81 Khorn's. Included will be the Dave Harris Fastlane top hat horn mods, squaker and tweet, and the ALK slope networks. Nothing original is included so I cannot return to the OE top hat configuration. Is this a plus or minus not only for listening pleasure but should I ever, resale. Do these mods scrae you off? And yes they were professionally installed. These are not a hack job. As of now I WILL purchase them this weekend unless too many red flags are waived from those of you with more knowledge than me. And these will be my first Khorns and only Heritage I have not owned. Later this evening I will give a short double thumbs up to my "new" '78 LaScalla's. In short - just like I remeber when I bought my first factory pair in the late '70's, maybe better with todays superior electronics. Thanks all -

Yeah been a Klipsch lover for many a year and hung around the Forum starting in the early 2000's I'd guess. For a long time my password would not let me in and to no avail even with Amy's help. I could never switch my password as the softtware was recognizing a specific word for my IP address. Finall had to give up and just lurk on occasion. Anyway everythings good now and with LS soon arriving I can contribute on occasion. Thanks for the welcome back Dave - Rich

Can you explain - are the Deans a copy of ALK's design using Deans higher grade caps etc. or his own variation of an ALK design? I do not want to start anything here as I know there have "differences" regarding networks I just want clarification for an educated decision. Looking at Deans web site I see three LS designs with the Type A w/Jensen/Jupiter caps for the OEM "smooth, rich, enveloping soundstage" which I most likely favor plus Super X and charged coupled. I have two thoughts on this one being spending as much for the networks as I did for the speakers but knowing that at my age I will not be letting these speakers go so I may as well go for the best sound possible without straying far from the original design/sound parameters. Meaning new drivers, horns, etc. and then at some point it is no longer a Klipsch speaker. Thanks

Hi All: After some time away from the forum for various reasons I am back to where I started some 40 years ago finding a a fairly nice pair of '78 LS/BB La Scallas in my locale. My first LS were ordered new from the factory around '77 or '78 with a nice walnut stain, they were beautiful, for get this, around $1800/pr. I believe. Should have the new here in the next few days. Too big for upstairs so down they will go inot a semi-finished basement. (Have yet to accept the trendy "man cave" title for what is a finished basement). Most likely will switch between a Dennis Had KT66 SE, Eastern Electric with a quad of 6BM8 and Audio Sector gain clone Patek integrated. A nice belt drive CEC cd will round out the simple system. Getting anxoius to hear a full horn system once again this time driven with tubes. Same seller had pr. of Corns for sale but really wanted the quintessential PWK horn sound. And since I have owned LS, Belles, CW, Heresey, Forte and now even Quartets for upstairs listening I think I knew what my heart felt. Most likely new networks very soon, leaning toward Deans but need to wrap my mind around networks that equal the value of the speakers, we'll see. Oh, can anyone tell me if there are still openings for the April Pilgrammage in Hope? Early spring sounds like a great time there and might make a very enjoyable bike ride. Thanks all

I have a nice 430 for sale to all you HK lovers - $85 shipped. Face is nearly perfect, kind of a discoloration mark on the top. Sometimes the lighted dial scale will go off then back on when it reaches a certain point in the dial. Packing will be first rate. If interested make sure you give me your email address or phone number as my luck in getting on this site is probably less than 10%. If interested I also have a monster, perfect condition with a scratchy volume pot, Sony STR-V5, $175 shipped. Make a deal on both if you like or to ebay they go. By the way, the Sony sounds WAY better than the heralded HK. Both must be sold AS IS. Won't try to post pictures on this most frustrating posting site. Thanks Rich richieb@everestkc.net

Because I can have them easliy made I use brass cones fitted into brass footers under my CD player and amplifier. They do look nice but I wonder how much effect they actually have. For the hell of of it I am thinking of using hardwood as isolators or a full piece of hardwood like a butcher block. Are isolators audiophile snake oil or do they have merit? I consider "little pebbles" or "tiny little clock" or the "special" material duplex cover as not only snake oil but a step up to Mobil 1, as "oily" as it gets!

Have not had the chance to hear the Sun's but purchased the Melody Valve i2a3, a parallel 2a3 in push pull for 18 wpc. In conjunction with 6sn7 driver and phase splitters this thing has completely brought my rig to another level. Never have I heard the Belles or Cornwalls perform to this level. The Belles in particular have become a much more rich, much fuller sounding speaker, bass is spot on and much more fullfilling. From top to bottom, depth of sound stage, full, meaty sound, sticks on cymbals is completely right and right in the room. Having owned or listened to EL34, 84, KT88 I can say to this point the 2a3 with some power is a glorious sound. Rich

I too thought I would evaluate a so-called 'chip amp" or "gain clone". In this case the Audio Zone Amp 1, what I would call an audiophile chip amp. Dual mono, dual volume pots and 45wpc. Runs very, very close with my Melody Valve 2a3. Not quite as meaty or full, doesn't image as well but very close, this piece is in another world as compared to the Teac but at its price, should be. In my opinion, completely killed my Mac 2505/C26 combo, I mean KILLED them. Very smooth, zero grain and an absolute pleasure to listen. Gain clones done correctly will give ANY SS amp a run for its money along with many tubes. Think of the Amp 1 as an inch thick dry aged KC Strip complete with scallop potatoes and asperagus; the Melody, substitute a filet and add a bottle of Cabernet.

Are we looking for the "right" amount of power or a presentation that's appreciated. One can be had without the other. You are correct Mark, I am down 2 to the "twenty watt club" but Parrot, how much difference in db is 2 watts. Better get yer slide rule out. Sounds like some buy amps by power rating over quality of build and sound. I don't play to "concert levels" and really don't care to drive Belles to all of my 18 watts, not in my listening area. And since playing at levels at well less than 18 watts sounds so damn good, I'm content. This ain't no race.

I am currently evaluating the Melody Valve i2a3 integrated pumping out 18, 2a3 watts in DHT push pull. I am on my third week of listening on both Belles and Cornwalls and this thing is nothing short of spectacular. A tone monster it is. As deep and quick of bass as my Mc 2505 or Unison Research with a soundstage and clarity that blows them in the weeds. Makes my VTL el84 triodes sound thin and shallow. Highs that are crystal and float. Dead quite, no hum, no buzz. Play it so loud that you can't hear others speak but it is not LOUD, instead it saturates you in every tonal nuance. The music absolutely envelops you so it seems you could take a bite of it. I think the 2a3 in push pull with zero negative feedback has some merit, a 2a3 with BALLS. A great bridge between the 45 and 300B and in push pull allows the best of both worlds. And all this in the most beautiful piano black chassis with top end internals. I think I likey. Rich

Not one to brag but if I ever offer anything for sale to these forum members you can rest assured the item WILL be received undamaged. I pack my gear well enough to at least withstand a N. Korean nuclear bomb test. Just shipped in two boxes, 135lbs. of Mc seperates that the buyer said was packed better than he has ever seen. Of course I am lucky that my company is quite used to handling heavy weight articles and has the packaging materials to do so. That is the difference. To the general public without easy access to double wall boxes that alone can cost $7-10 each, packing popcorn, 1/4 plywood for box liner, syrofoam, industrial bubble wrap, etc. it is not so easy. A couple fellows in our warehouse who work evenings at FedEx tell some real horror stories, the smaller the package the farther it is thrown, the heavier packages actually stand a little better chance of surviving as not many people can throw 70-80 lbs. very far. But then again, when they throw open the door of an incoming semi, they back off and let the stack fall where it may. And lets not forget that at FedEx the unloaders are expected to empty a truck at the rate of 1300 - 1400 packages per hour, the minimum before they toss your *** out the door is 1150. THAT is why our precious parecls are destroyed.

Any others out there that after much deliberation, study and review finally pull the trigger on a choice piece and then within minutes followed by hours, wonder what the hell you've done. Please add me to the list. I got in on the tail end of Mr. Deneen's fantastic P-Cat offer knowing full well I will own some of the finest sounding and constructed amps around and soon thereafter thinking, "what the hell have I just done". My significant other had the same thought but worded a bit differently. Don't worry Mark, it's all good. (I think) Please excuse me, I must change my Depends - again!

Although we have never met but acting as a Klipsch friend/marriage advisor, please send the Jubilees to me - directly! Any hesitation may lead to continued marital strife. Please PM for shipping address and remember, I am doing this for your own good!

Hate to repeat myself but is anyone familier or has heard tube amplification using horizontal sweep tubes like those used in older televsion designs, types 6GB5 or EL504/27GB5. I have seen some examples of these amps and their design seems quite thorough and well thought out. The tubes seem inexpensive and plentiful which would be a plus. I guess there would be no reason to stray from the typical EL84, 34; KT88, 90; 6550 etc. tube types so long as performance is retained.

I forget to add that I am using a passive preamp, or source/volume control. I have been wondering if a nice tube pre would inject a bit of "flavor" to the sound. Though it is very clean with great detail with the passive.

I really enjoy my EL-84 based VTL Tiny Triodes, 25 WPC in triode, 40 in tetrode. Very easy to listen to, excellent upper- mid and top-end but I seem to be missing a good deal of lower-mid and bass slam in general. Much more appearent with Belles than Cornwalls but this would be the case with any amplification. Would an EL-34 or KT-88 driven amp get the lower end back or is what I am hearing just a lack of power. I would think 25 or 40 watts on either the Belles or Corns would be enough for moderate levels. It's such a differant presentation when switching from the VTL to Mc 2505/C-26 combo at 50WPC. Will the mid and top end presentation be as smooth and image as well with '34's? Giving serious consideration to a re-built Dynaco ST-70. Does tube rectification have a direct effect on the fullness or depth of sound. Oh the decisions. Rich

I think I overpaid for mine, $175 but it is nearly perfect. It's worth buying is in the eye of the beholder. I just think they look cool. Balls? - 85WPC driving Belles is more than enough balls for me. Like I said, it's cool looking gear for background music. I can tell you this, equivalent Pioneers and Sansui's are much more in demand, and much more expensive. I was not going to pay $400-$700 for how I intended to use the unit. I would suspect build quality on the Sony is on par with the others. The Sony kind of flies in under the rader.

Big "silver" receivers from the 1970's seem in vogue, particularly those from Pioneer, Kenwood and Sansui. I switched it up a little and brought in of one of Sony's "mega" receivers, an STR -V5. Damn, this thng is huge, and BIG. I mean it completely fills my cabinet side to side - 22" wide, weighs nearly 50 lbs. Good looking too, big tuning scale and three meter cluster all in soft green. This monster makes my HK 430 look like a table radio. Bought it mainly for FM background music on the weekends so not to fire the tubes for the marginal stations and sound from todays FM. The big Sony don't sound too bad either; better than the HK and she sure is purty, all silver and wood and softly lit. But she is a long, long way from my VTL EL-84's monos - although just as big as both of them together!! Rich

It has been said that the best preamp is no preamp at all and having recently inserted a pure passive preamp (volume) control for my VTL EL84 mono blocks, that may be true. The custom made passive is about as simple as it gets, teflon coated solid copper wire direct to all connections, a 31-step Noble volume control and input switch. I have heard talk that after a system change or upgrade one can hear things from a recording that were "never heard before". I am now a believer. I have never heard my rig have such a clean, clear, un-muddled sound. Pure is a good word. The most subtle, underlying backgrounds are there, not heard before. Will a tube preamp give an added dimension and more texture or just add more sound deadening (blocking) curcuits. I am real tempted to find what a Merlin would do. Since tubes are powering the sound and only being restrcited with a volume control why and what good can an additional tube circuit add.

Not quite the 300's but within the last month I acquired a pair of VTL Tiny Triode monoblocks, 25 WPC in triode and 45 in tetrode. A quad of EL84 and pair of 12AT7 in each. They are very, very sweet. Some reviews have said these are the finest amps VTL ever made. Mine are part of the limited edition, #76 out of 500. They are beauties.

Sorry I wasn't more informative. The 2505 is also equipped with autoformers which some say is the best sounding Mc circuit. Have just been listening to them with Cornwalls, they really sound pretty darn good. Very neutral, solid sounding, great bass foundation with the Corns, am I having a case of sellers remorse? I know I have had my share of buyers remorse!