[Overview of "new" '78 La Scalla's]

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

[Buying modified KHorn's - good or bad idea]

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. 

[Buying modified KHorn's - good or bad idea]

For me it would depend on what the mods were and who installed them. In your case, these sound like good ones (respected). Was the installer competent? Best of luck.

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?

[Buying modified KHorn's - good or bad idea]

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.

[Buying modified KHorn's - good or bad idea]

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 - 

[Back into the Fold - ed Horn again]

Hey...you go back to the old days! 

 

 

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

[Back into the Fold - ed Horn again]

welcome back richie,  Deans ALK's for my 69 k-horns

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

[Back into the Fold - ed Horn again]

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

[For Sale - HK 430 - posted here for HK fans]

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

[Vibration isolators - brass, wood, etc. - - snake oil or worth while tweeks?]

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!

[sun audio mono amps?]

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

[Amp shootout - Teac chimp amp vs. McIntosh MC 250]

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.

[Cornwall and 45 SET]

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.

[Cornwall and 45 SET]

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

[sad ebay delivery]

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.

[Buyers remorse - am I the only one?]

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!

[Phooey to the wife (and her disdain to the Jubilees!!)]

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!

[Anyone familier with horizontal sweep tube amplifiers]

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.

[Effect of differant tube types on sound]

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.

[Effect of differant tube types on sound]

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

["Mega" '70's receivers]

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.

["Mega" '70's receivers]

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

[Pure Passive vs. Tube Preamp w/Tube Power]

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.

[VTL 300b]

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.

[McIntosh 2505/C-26 - any interest?]

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!