Allan Songer

In the late 70's I was in a couple of bands that had REALLY terrible names: The Long Hot Ones The Vulvarines I still cringe . . .

You might want to wander through here for a while! http://www.hhscott.com/integrated_amps_stereo.htm

You really can't go wrong at $225--I'm sure you could flip it for no loss on ebay if you don't end up liking it (but I'm sure you will!).

The 222 only has 2 line level and one phono input--the 299 has 2 phono and 3 line. But that's probably enough, right? Will you really run more than a phono, CD and FM (or tape)? Also, you can run a powered subwoofer from the "center channel" jack. I have a friend who does this and it really works GREAT.

The 222 came with a cheap-o sheet metal box with fake woodgrain. Some were tossed I'm sure when these were new so as to fit into "console" systems. The box is ugly and just makes the amp run hot--you'd probably romove it even if it came with one. You can buy or build a nice wooden box with good venting if you really need one, but why not just look at those pretty tubes glow?

Like all the "good old" stuff, these are PACKED with features--2 or 3 line level inputs-a couple of phono inputs, tone controls, a mono switch ,etc. The are FULLY LOADED by modern standards! And don't underestimate the need for that mono switch! It really irks me that most modern preamps don't include one! THe noise level when listening to a mono record with out one is horrible! Do modern preamp designers not care that we have HUNDREDS of mono records? (at least some of us do!). And yes, this little amp will kick *** with CDs and FM as well!

By the way, all "black face" Scott units were originally sold as KITS. I would stay away from any of these and stick with the factory assebled stuff--there doesn't seem to be much price difference.

The Scott integrated amps--ESPECIALLY the ones with the 7189 output tubes (299a/b and 222 models) have EXCEPTIONAL phono sections. If you are primarily going to use this amp to listen to records, then I can't reccomend it enough. You will not find a better sounding amp in this price range--PERIOD! $225 is a fair price--up about 100% in the last 3 or 4 years, but still VERY fair. Go for it.

I have used "Gun Stock Oil" on my walnut Cornwalls and have been VERY happy with the results. Herman Miller uses the same finish on their high-end modern furniture (Eames, George Nelson, etc.) and that's where I got the idea. I rub some on every couple of years and finish up with some "Gun Stock Wax" a few days after the application of the oil. This stuff is dirt cheap and you can get it at most sporting goods or "outdoorsman" stores.

My father, who is in his 70's and who introduced me to Horns the day he brought me home from the hospital nearly 46 years ago (the system I grew up with was a Fisher mono tube amp, a Garrard table and ONE Klipshorn) was over to my house for dinner last night and we pulled out some of HIS old records: "Mulligan meets Monk" and the Mel Torme "Porgy and Bess." I happen to have the Mulligan/Monk on CD as well so we did a comparison. I have a $4500 BAT CD player and my analog rig set me back about $400 (but is probably worth 3 times that now!) and my Dad was blown away that his 40+ years old record sounded so much better than the CD! His comment was that the CD had too much "sizzle." Sadly, my dad gave away the mono stuff in the late 60's and replaced it with solid state stuff and AR speakers. Today he has a B&O tabletop system and no turntable at all (that's shy I have his records). I'd love to build a mono system some day like the one I grew up with . . .

I also consider a wet-vac essential to the enjoyment of LPs. I have a Nitty Gritty I bought new MANY years ago and use in in combonation with Disc Doctor pads and fluid and lots of distilled water for rinsing. And you don't have to spend mega-bucks for a decent vinyl front end--easily done for 5 or 6 hundred bucks.

Thank God I'm not alone! I own approx 2500 LPs--90% jazz recorded between 1950 and 1980. Here's what when on the table last night: Gigi Gryce and the Jazzlab Quartet (Riverside) Coleman Hawkins- Today and Now (Impulse) Sonny Stitt- Tune Up (Cobbelstone) Hampton Hawes- All Night Session Vol. 1 (Contemporary) I think Cornwalls are the perfect speaker for this music. System: McIntosh MC-30 Monoblocks (w. KT-66 output tubes) McIntosh C-22 preamp Thorens TD-124/SME 3012/Ortofon SPU-GT/E McIntosh MR-71 tuner McIntosh MI-3 scope Klipsh Corwalls (1964, vertical horn) and a BAT VK-D5 CD player (the only one I've ever owned that didn't make my ears hurt).

I listen to LP records about 85% of the time. Anyone else out there in Klipsch-land?

There once was a girl from Nantucket . . .

What are these "CD" things you guys keep writing about?

What is really sad is that this article is TRUE for most people. Hi Fi is dead.

I worked on that piano for the better part of a year. I think I put about 6 or 7 HUNDRED hours into it. A real (STUPID!) labor of love.

My experience with high-gloss mirror like finishes is as follows: If your veneer is an open grain such as oak, then you have to spray several coats of a grain-filling sealer and sand with 400 or 600 grit between each coat--somewhere between 6 and 8 coats should do it. Then comes the black laquer--you'll have to spray about 10-15 coats and wet-sand with 400, then 600 between each coat. After the final coat, continue to wet sand (sparing amount of water) with 1000, 1500 and then 2000 grit paper. Finally you'll finish this off with 2 or three grades of rubbing compound and then machine buff with a glazing compound. A pair of Belles or La Scalas will take about 80 hours of labor over a 10 day to 3-week period to achieve a true "piano black" finish. It really helps to have a spray booth-- I happen to have access to one and it makes all the difference--NO DUST! After about 2-3 months, lay down a really good coat of Carnuba wax and then buff. It can be done (I've done it--a 1930's Deco baby grand!), but it is a REAL MOTHER! Good luck

Well, I just won an acution for a Linn Sizmik on ebay for just over a thousand bucks. I figure if I hate it I can sell for close to what I'm paying. I'll keep you all informed as to what I think.

Do not use lemon oil! It really doesn't do much more than sit on the surface and shine. I reccomend gun stock oil--you can get it at most big sporting goods/outdoors type stores. This stuff penetrates and really protects. Then finish it off with some gun stock wax. Your Cornwalls will thank you--and will look as pretty as new.

First-- I was VERY careful about setting up the subwoofers I auditioned. HOURS playing with location and settings and volume and listening to JUST the subwoofer, etc. Second-- I use Wireworld Oasis speaker cable and Silver Audio Hyacinth interconnects. I used laugh at high priced wire until I started to fool around with the "good" stuff. Now I am a true believer. I am happy with the bass from the Cornwalls, but am very open to improvements. I can't think of any way to improve anyting else with this speaker (I have the original ALK networks for the Cornwall and was one of the original "auditioners" for these; I've rope-caulker the squaker and tweeter and have rewired the cabinet with DH Labs stuff).

I have tried a few subs in my system including Klipsch, Velodyne, Sunfire and all of them totally messed up the timing and overall timbre of the music, even though they definately added a more firm bottom end. I read with interest the lastet "Listner" (here's a BUNNY!) subwoofer survey and Art Dudley really made me want to try the new Linn Sizmik. Has anyone out there successfully integrated a sub with a pair of Cornwalls? My System (just the basics): Pair of McIntosh MC-30 monoblocks (w. GEC KT-66) McIntosh C-22 Thorens TD124/SME 3012/Ortofon SPU BAT VK-D5 CD player The only thing I really want to improve is the tightness and autority of the lowest registers--THIS IS NOT A HOME THEATRE APPLICATION! I listen to 1950's and 1960's jazz 90% of the time (90% vinyl/10% CD).

Anyone in or near L.A. that wants to hear s nice pair of early veritcal horn Cornwalls is more than welcome.

Power conditioning is one thing--I too have serious reseverations about "filters"--I have found that they have DETRIMENTAL effects in my system--especially when a power amp is pugged into one these buggers. HOWEVER--the benefit brought into my system by the PS Audio Power Plant P300 has been incredible. I use it to power my CD player, preamp and turntable. IT's REALLY great with the T/T, as with an AC sych motor I get a PERFECT 115 volt 60Hz feeding it and the speed is DEAD ON. Also, in my old house and old neighborhood I have had the voltage drop to as low as 103-104 at times and when this happens my CD player starts to HUMMMM like a banshee. With the Power Plant this is a thing of the past. Very expensive, but totally worth it in my opinion.

I'd be happy to have a look at your "new" Cornwalls--I live in Long Beach and work in Hollywood. Just email me.