jwc

Here is for you Mcintosh fans

Well here is my setup.

Here is a picture of the driver cables mounted. The white wires from the drivers had Red lines to show "positive". Note that AL K had already connected an example of a sqwauker setting (midrange from the network side) with the red cables and the blue connectors. There are different options for the sqwauker, but I left them as is for the installation. You can change this later to change the sound of the midrange the way you like it. I have bi-wire capabilities, but I connected this network with simple positive and negative Radio shack 12 gauge cables used with the previous network. I wanted to be able to make a comparison using the same cables. If you bi-wire, AL K sends good pictures on how to do this. He also has good pictures for w/o bi-wire as well.

Here is the ALK in position. This is the position like the schematic sent by Al K. The driver cables are pushed out of the way. Notice the one screw that is not "screwed in". This is one of the screws used from the AL network. Right now, this is the only screw that I have used to fasten down the network. This network sits slightly higher than the factory AL due to the nice "pads" AL K has put on the bottom of the network. The network is secure with one screw, however, if I were to ship this speaker to some one, I would put in more screws. There are 4 screw holes in the wood base of the network. These were templated for the Khorn and the Belle. Therefore, for the scala, you will have to "screw" the screw into a new hole. Feel free to put up to 4 screws into new holes.

Here is the scala w/out the network and the driver cables unhooked

Phillips screwdriver to remove 4 screws from the wood base of the network. You need a "short and fat" screwdriver to do this. The picture shows you where the screws were. Look for 4 empty holes

Need a flat head to unscrew the 6 screws that hold down the 3 pairs of component wires (white). Don't put too much tension on the tweeter cable. If it becomes disconnected from the tweeter, it will be hard to re-attach.

These next posts are not meant to be boring. Most of the people on this forum may find it silly that I am posting simple steps to remove and intall a network. I myself was nervous about changing out this network. I had thought about it for months. This short series of pictures and post are for those who want to see what is involved with this. It turned out to be fairly easy. jc

Well, I'm not too good with the pics jc

here is another view...the top jc

Well, Al sent My ALK's and they arrived today. I will post a series of pictures to show you the installation. Let me say that I am pleased with the quality and I am pleased with AL. Great to work with. Here is a pic of the ALK on top of my 84' scalas and the AL factory network w/in. jc

Thanks Al. Man I'm excited. You have been such a great help on this forum with your knowledge and experience. I'm sure the ALK's will be awesome. jc

Well Al, I can't argue with that technical response. I'll take your word for it. Can't wait to get em. Heck, even my wife has been checkin' the front porch for packages. jc

I too was thinking the fuse was for the tweeter. Nice diagram. I may still experiment with bypassing it. I'm interested to see if there is a differnece in sound. I guess I won't "crank it" though. jc

Hey Sunny P I own the Mcintosh MC206. I am very pleased with it. However, You are wanting to improve your audio? Are you refering to 2 channel audio, multichannel audio, or multichannel audio for movies? I noticed you listen to music 10% of the time. If that is the case, I think the MC206 is a good choice. I am happy with it In my case, I am 90% 2 channel music. I therefore have the MC206 running two centers, two surrounds, and two subwoofers. My fronts are La Scalas and I feel they will pick-a-part a SS amp. My MC252 (SS) sounds much better through the scalas then the MC206. I don't have the experience with the tubes. It would be hard or maybe a waste to have a 5 channel tube setup. If I were you, I would go for the Multichannel amp like the MAC or Sunfire and keep your Denon. If you start to appreciate 2 channel music more, I would recommend a different route. jc

D-man, Great posts. I will definately try this Dyli, I think I'm too chicken to mess aroung with removing the woofer. In the future, I want to either build some scalas on my own or refinish an old pair. I also may try the mod in which the woofer is in a larger volume cabinet and is ported. Q-man I may try some of your networks or someone else's networks in the future. I guess I first want to see how awesome my scalas are with new networks. Ifr they are as good as everyone says, I may eventually have a room with five of them. jc

D, I don't have the network yet but I assume you are referring to the fuse for the tweeter? Do mean bypasing this all together with a 12 gauge wire say from radio shack. Would I just disconnect the fuse and reroute from the screw "all the way back". Would this improve the quality of sound or because you know I will be blowing the fuse. thanks ahead of time jc

Dyli, Well if the change out of the wire was easy, I would try several different types. I don't know how I would get my arm inside the dog house of a la scala to change the wire to the woofer. IOf is is too much of a hassle, i'll leave it alone. Al K. suggested leaving them alone if they are not "green". I would love to run a simple 12 gauge wire to the woofer. I have tons of radio shack 12 gauge laying around. I also have lots of Monster 14 gauge as well. I will biwire to the ALK network with Tributaries 12 gauge silver. jc

I too think a component speaker wire upgrade would be in order. Although, I'm not sure Al K. would agree. How do you run a new spkr cable into the dog house? Will I have to disassemble anything? jc

J.4knee, Q-man, D-man Let me just say, I have read your past comments in threads. I recognized you satisfaction with the Heritage line and SS McIntosh equipment. This is the reason I bought the McIntosh MC250. I already had a SS McIntosh preamp and I didn't want to start over and buy a tube amp and tube preamp. I will let you know my opinion once the ALK comes in. Q-Man, aren't you the one with the AL-3's? I should probably ask this in a new thread but....what do you think about using a tube CD/SACD player in combo with my SS amp/preamp combo? Do you think my scalas will like this set up. The McIntosh MVP851 is pretty nice right now. Have silver Tributaries XLR cables. I wonder if a Tube source (such as jolida, shanling, decware or consonance) would be more satisfying? jc

I give you guys credit. I to ordered the Alk from Al. However, I paid him to do it. I am an electronic geek but I wanted the pro to make these for resale purposes. I currently am disapointed in the harshness I get at times with my factory AL networks. Some would argue that I should be using tubes to rectify this. I hope this isn't the case. I have spent a ton on my Mcintosh equipment. My wife refused the look of the tubes. I will send you some pics of the new networks when they arrive. jc

Please show us pictures of your production. I have never completely understood how the doghouse is assembled. The technical drawings don't do it for me. jc

If I don't turn on my TV and change the menu setup, typically, the DVD-A will default to playing at 5.1. Personally, I have enjoyed the DVD-A format. However, I love the 2 channel better than multichannel. I don't like sounds coming from behind me. If it were a concert, I can understanding the "cheering" and "clapping". But Studio recording? 5.1 for movies, I understand. It is ok to have gorilla sounds coming from behind me "Congo" One other thing. I like to have the 2 channel mode because more of my quality of components are invested into the front end. The center and surrounds sound fine if I listen to surround in movies. However, if I'm jammin "Korn" (like right now), I'd rather hear it in front of me coming from my La Scalas and my McIntosh MC250. jc

Soundboy, i will chime in because I am in the same boat as you. The scala bass is very quick ans mucical but doesn't hit the low frequency. I have two scalas and two HSU 1220's running at 200 wpc at 4 ohms. They sound perfect but I have two gripes: 1. The "tube" subs don't have the sub/bass pointed at you. I don't care what anyone says, I like the base coming directed at me, not straight into the air. Some would argue that subs are not directional and can be put about any where or point anywhere. I disagree. 2. Also, there are weak points in my room. Where the subs are placed now, they sound fine. However, if i move two feet forward, I lose all base. This could be a room problem. Opinion here: Now, I think the plan to add a ported bottom to the scala is a great idea. I would love to see some results. The boxed subs to me will be less directional, the tube subs will be more of a lower frequency for less money. jc

I'm interested in your feedback once you hook em up. I at one time considered the 7s. In fact you can read my thread "la scala vs rf-7". there are some interesting points there. I too have Mac equip. I have a pair of scalas. My wife hates the look. However, she agreed to let me upgrade my crossovers. Al K is makin them now. I am waiting to see/hear the klipsch premiers. This are supposed to retail for 5 grand. They were originally due spring 05 but now I hear it is delayed til summer 05. I love the "stage" of my scalas. A little harsh at time but wide open sound. The low end is a little lacking. i hope the crosswover will refine this a little. Let us know what u think jc