sunnysal

shock, if you are really sure that the preamp is the problem, that the CD player plugged in directly sounded wonderful then I have two possiblities for you (both very cheap)...#1 buy a creek passive preamp, it only switches betwwen two source components and only has a remote volume control but is the most transparent preamp I have ever heard (randy bey uses one as well and I am sure he agrees), I don't know your set up so I am not sure this stripped down unit will work but it is less than $250...#2 in my constant search for better sound from my k-horns I have left some units behind that really were not bad, just did not fit will in my system synergistically...one of these was the creek preamp which I gave to randy and one of these is a SS preamp from sound valves...it is the sv100 Jfet preamplifier...pretty darn transparent...it gathering dust in my closet right now...if you are interested I could ship it to you DHL or UPS collect, if you like it send me back a gift (we can talk about what after you try it out, the gift is optional because "strangers" often feel wierd about accepting gifts...randy forced me to take a gift when I sent him my Creek preamp...) if it doesn't thirll you you can send it back to me the same way (I will pay the reutrn postage) sell it and send me the money, give it to a good friend or family member...whatever...as I siad this thing sits in my closet waiting for my wife to force me to give it away...I hate to see you suffering so (and I know how you fell, the stereo hobby can be a black hole for money)...so if you want, send my your address so I can get a shipping quote...if not I would suggest you buy the Creek unit (online from audioadvisor, used from audiogon/ebay, or somewhere in europe)...warm regards, Tony ------------------ *1993 K-Horns w/ ALK x-overs*Marantz 7T preamp*Dynaco MkIV monoblocks (modded to triode)*Sony CDP-CX350 and CX-230 CD changers*MSB link DACIII (96k upsampling)*MSB silver digital director (for switching and jitter reduction)*Technics M-85 professional Cassette Deck*SAE MK VIII tuner*Luxman PD-272 turntable, Grado Red cartridge*Cardas Crosslink speaker cable*Monster M550i for all interconnects*Monster HTS3500 Reference Powercenter Conditioner This message has been edited by sunnysal on 09-22-2001 at 09:28 AM

I STILL want Theear to post a picture of his system...good god! Tony ------------------ *1993 K-Horns w/ ALK x-overs*Marantz 7T preamp*Dynaco MkIV monoblocks (modded to triode)*Sony CDP-CX350 and CX-230 CD changers*MSB link DACIII (96k upsampling)*MSB silver digital director (for switching and jitter reduction)*Technics M-85 professional Cassette Deck*SAE MK VIII tuner*Luxman PD-272 turntable, Grado Red cartridge*Cardas Crosslink speaker cable*Monster M550i for all interconnects*Monster HTS3500 Reference Powercenter Conditioner

wwoof, start with the possible room interaction and then move on to the amp...dump the silver interconnects as well, obvioulsy a bad match there...I have RB-5s powered by a McIntosh integrated and have experienced none of the glare mentioned...so go at it room wise! good luck, tony ------------------ *1993 K-Horns w/ ALK x-overs*Marantz 7T preamp*Dynaco MkIV monoblocks (modded to triode)*Sony CDP-CX350 and CX-230 CD changers*MSB link DACIII (96k upsampling)*MSB silver digital director (for switching and jitter reduction)*Technics M-85 professional Cassette Deck*SAE MK VIII tuner*Luxman PD-272 turntable, Grado Red cartridge*Cardas Crosslink speaker cable*Monster M550i for all interconnects*Monster HTS3500 Reference Powercenter Conditioner

I wish "TheEar"would publish a picture of that rig! with all the electronic equipment you would think he has a digital camera....hey Ear! we want to see that stuff!!! tony ------------------ *1993 K-Horns w/ ALK x-overs*Marantz 7T preamp*Dynaco MkIV monoblocks (modded to triode)*Sony CDP-CX350 and CX-230 CD changers*MSB link DACIII (96k upsampling)*MSB silver digital director (for switching and jitter reduction)*Technics M-85 professional Cassette Deck*SAE MK VIII tuner*Luxman PD-272 turntable, Grado Red cartridge*Cardas Crosslink speaker cable*Monster M550i for all interconnects*Monster HTS3500 Reference Powercenter Conditioner

MY GOD YOU'RE RIGHT!!! I just plugged my old infinity two-ways into my daughter's stereo reciever (sony I think) via those thin wires that came with the reciever and YOU'RE RIGHT, they sound just like my main rig! I'M FREE!, I AM FREE, PRAISE THE LORD I AM FREE!... ------------------ *1993 K-Horns w/ ALK x-overs*Marantz 7T preamp*Dynaco MkIV monoblocks (modded to triode)*Sony CDP-CX350 and CX-230 CD changers*MSB link DACIII (96k upsampling)*MSB silver digital director (for switching and jitter reduction)*Technics M-85 professional Cassette Deck*SAE MK VIII tuner*Luxman PD-272 turntable, Grado Red cartridge*Cardas Crosslink speaker cable*Monster M550i for all interconnects*Monster HTS3500 Reference Powercenter Conditioner

thanks guys for the help, this weekend I will wade into this issue with both feet, I will drag my McIntosh amp down from upstairs as well to really work out all the combos...I will troubleshoot more exactly the problems with the patio speakers as well...audio hell in salvador! ------------------ *1993 K-Horns w/ ALK x-overs*Marantz 7T preamp*Dynaco MkIV monoblocks (modded to triode)*Sony CDP-CX350 and CX-230 CD changers*MSB link DACIII (96k upsampling)*MSB silver digital director (for switching and jitter reduction)*Technics M-85 professional Cassette Deck*SAE MK VIII tuner*Luxman PD-272 turntable, Grado Red cartridge*Cardas Crosslink speaker cable*Monster M550i for all interconnects*Monster HTS3500 Reference Powercenter Conditioner

here it goes... main system MSB link dac III = $500 Digital director = $199 two sony cd changers = $650 1961 dynaco amps after upgrade = $750 1961 marantz 7T after upgrade = $750 1993 k-horns w/alk= $1,750 (eat your hearts out!) monster power conditioner = $350 technics pro casette deck = $0 gift from dad SAE tuner = $0 gift from dad Luxman turntable = $350 cables = $500 TOTAL = $5,799 bedroom system McIntosh MA-6400 = $2,995 RB-5s = $550 CDR = $350 casette deck = $300 cables = $400 TOTAL = $4,595 GRAND TOTAL = $10,394 too much? Spread over time it did no seem so much...looking at it now it seems somewhat self-indulgent... ------------------ *1993 K-Horns w/ ALK x-overs*Marantz 7T preamp*Dynaco MkIV monoblocks (modded to triode)*Sony CDP-CX350 and CX-230 CD changers*MSB link DACIII (96k upsampling)*MSB silver digital director (for switching and jitter reduction)*Technics M-85 professional Cassette Deck*SAE MK VIII tuner*Luxman PD-272 turntable, Grado Red cartridge*Cardas Crosslink speaker cable*Monster M550i for all interconnects*Monster HTS3500 Reference Powercenter Conditioner This message has been edited by sunnysal on 09-13-2001 at 11:43 AM

thanks trey, I am "out of position right now", on a business trip but I will try the amp swapping idea this coming weekend and check the air chamber...will let you guys know the outcome...BTW I installed Al K´s x-over less than a year ago so the Caps should be brand spankin´ new...regards, Tony ------------------ *1993 K-Horns w/ ALK x-overs*Marantz 7T preamp*Dynaco MkIV monoblocks (modded to triode)*Sony CDP-CX350 and CX-230 CD changers*MSB link DACIII (96k upsampling)*MSB silver digital director (for switching and jitter reduction)*Technics M-85 professional Cassette Deck*SAE MK VIII tuner*Luxman PD-272 turntable, Grado Red cartridge*Cardas Crosslink speaker cable*Monster M550i for all interconnects*Monster HTS3500 Reference Powercenter Conditioner

I will begin that process now...thanks, tony ------------------ *1993 K-Horns w/ ALK x-overs*Marantz 7T preamp*Dynaco MkIV monoblocks (modded to triode)*Sony CDP-CX350 and CX-230 CD changers*MSB link DACIII (96k upsampling)*MSB silver digital director (for switching and jitter reduction)*Technics M-85 professional Cassette Deck*SAE MK VIII tuner*Luxman PD-272 turntable, Grado Red cartridge*Cardas Crosslink speaker cable*Monster M550i for all interconnects*Monster HTS3500 Reference Powercenter Conditioner

thanks Ray, I will try the amp thing...are you suggesting that it is the electronics because I could not "blow" the k-horns? that is my fear...would they sound great at mid volume (loud for normal humans)listening levels (they truly do) and do the "blat" at top volume if I had blown the mid driver? or would it sound bad at most volumes? p.s. get ready for post number two about my klipsch patio speakers...life in salvador aint so sunny today... ------------------ *1993 K-Horns w/ ALK x-overs*Marantz 7T preamp*Dynaco MkIV monoblocks (modded to triode)*Sony CDP-CX350 and CX-230 CD changers*MSB link DACIII (96k upsampling)*MSB silver digital director (for switching and jitter reduction)*Technics M-85 professional Cassette Deck*SAE MK VIII tuner*Luxman PD-272 turntable, Grado Red cartridge*Cardas Crosslink speaker cable*Monster M550i for all interconnects*Monster HTS3500 Reference Powercenter Conditioner

While setting up and breaking in my new Creek passive volume control I noticed that mid mid-horn on my right speaker is making a "blatting" sound...only on loud passages at relatively high volumes when a really strong impulse hits the mid frequency but it will "burp" loudly!...sounds just like a blown speaker does! however I suppose it could be some other component in the chain...I have the CD player feeding my Marantz 7T SS preamp (recently rebuilt, but showed no sign of making this sound for the last couple of weeks) which then runs through the passive preamp and on to the dynaco MkIV monoblocks, the amps are connected to the K-horns through a short length of Cardas speaker cable...could the amp be making the noise? I have been using them for about six months since they were completely upgraded, at times at very high volumes, and never heard this horrible "brbbbrrraaapppp" from the mid-horn...they are set up to run in triode...could that be clipping?...if it is the horn driver how do I confirm it? what then do I do? and of course, how do I avoid doing it again? the damn amps only put out about 35 watts! HELP! Tony ------------------ *1993 K-Horns w/ ALK x-overs*Marantz 7T preamp*Dynaco MkIV monoblocks (modded to triode)*Sony CDP-CX350 and CX-230 CD changers*MSB link DACIII (96k upsampling)*MSB silver digital director (for switching and jitter reduction)*Technics M-85 professional Cassette Deck*SAE MK VIII tuner*Luxman PD-272 turntable, Grado Red cartridge*Cardas Crosslink speaker cable*Monster M550i for all interconnects*Monster HTS3500 Reference Powercenter Conditioner This message has been edited by sunnysal on 09-01-2001 at 11:39 AM

randy, I want to be one with my equipment BUT I will save up for 8TC me´thinks....the rebar lifts certainly look cool! I think you´ve managed a pretty darn good response curve there...the bass has filled in quite well since "the incident" has it not?...I still am totall ylost below 50hz and strangely I seem to roll off less abruptly at 16, 18 20khz, could that be room stuff still? Those amps sure look yummy... ------------------ *1993 K-Horns w/ ALK x-overs*Marantz 7T preamp*Dynaco MkIV monoblocks (modded to triode)*Sony CDP-CX350 and CX-230 CD changers*MSB link DACIII (96k upsampling)*MSB silver digital director (for switching and jitter reduction)*Technics M-85 professional Cassette Deck*SAE MK VIII tuner*Luxman PD-272 turntable, Grado Red cartridge*Cardas Crosslink speaker cable*Monster M550i for all interconnects*Monster HTS3500 Reference Powercenter Conditioner

Randy, Congrats! looks cozy...the sound must be great!...what are the room dimensions? the cat5 cables are held off the ground by rebar spacers? what benefits are expected/realized by this? The k-horns were refinished right? they look great!...if you get bored and want to knit another pair of CAT5's let me know, tony ------------------ *1993 K-Horns w/ ALK x-overs*Marantz 7T preamp*Dynaco MkIV monoblocks (modded to triode)*Sony CDP-CX350 and CX-230 CD changers*MSB link DACIII (96k upsampling)*MSB silver digital director (for switching and jitter reduction)*Technics M-85 professional Cassette Deck*SAE MK VIII tuner*Luxman PD-272 turntable, Grado Red cartridge*Cardas Crosslink speaker cable*Monster M550i for all interconnects*Monster HTS3500 Reference Powercenter Conditioner

While E-bay often runs up the price quickly to top market value...however just as often, due to the great volume of transactions and items on E-bay, bargains can be had becuase they remain overlooked...always worse a try at E-bay! IMHO...tony ------------------ *1993 K-Horns w/ ALK x-overs*Marantz 7T preamp*Dynaco MkIV monoblocks (modded to triode)*Sony CDP-CX350 and CX-230 CD changers*MSB link DACIII (96k upsampling)*MSB silver digital director (for switching and jitter reduction)*Technics M-85 professional Cassette Deck*SAE MK VIII tuner*Luxman PD-272 turntable, Grado Red cartridge*Cardas Crosslink speaker cable*Monster M550i for all interconnects*Monster HTS3500 Reference Powercenter Conditioner

WELCOME!!! Do not give up on the K-horns...keep your eyes open for a used pair and in the meantime enjoy the KLFs!!! regards, tony ------------------ *1993 K-Horns w/ ALK x-overs *Marantz 7T preamp *Dynaco MkIV monoblocks (modded to triode) *Sony CDP-CX350 and CX-230 CD changers *MSB link DACIII (96k upsampling) *MSB silver digital director (switching and jitter reduction) *Technics M-85 professional Cassette Deck *SAE MK VIII tuner *Luxman PD-272 turntable, Grado Red cartridge *Cardas Crosslink speaker cable *Monster M550i for all interconnects *Monster HTS3500 Reference Powercenter Conditioner

stein, are the gaskets you are using attached to the side of the back board? or the the cabinet sides? can you explain? thanks, tony ------------------ *1993 K-Horns w/ ALK x-overs *Marantz 7T preamp *Dynaco MkIV monoblocks (modded to triode) *Sony CDP-CX350 and CX-230 CD changers *MSB link DACIII (96k upsampling) *MSB silver digital director (switching and jitter reduction) *Technics M-85 professional Cassette Deck *SAE MK VIII tuner *Luxman PD-272 turntable, Grado Red cartridge *Cardas Crosslink speaker cable *Monster M550i for all interconnects *Monster HTS3500 Reference Powercenter Conditioner

If you aare a "cabley" kind of guy then you will reject any cable with the two mis-matched materials for the positive and negative conductors...that is unless the manufacturer has written a "white paper" describing why the negatively charged electrons utilize the tinned conductor to maximize sonic benefits and the positively charged one uses the twisted copper bundle for quantum physics reasons...otherwise ignore this issue entirely...regards, tony ------------------ *1993 K-Horns w/ ALK x-overs *Marantz 7T preamp *Dynaco MkIV monoblocks (modded to triode) *Sony CDP-CX350 and CX-230 CD changers *MSB link DACIII (96k upsampling) *MSB silver digital director (switching and jitter reduction) *Technics M-85 professional Cassette Deck *SAE MK VIII tuner *Luxman PD-272 turntable, Grado Red cartridge *Cardas Crosslink speaker cable *Monster M550i for all interconnects *Monster HTS3500 Reference Powercenter Conditioner

I did however enjoy the interview with mr. rollins...his comments on the record industry struck me as revolutionary but incredibly true...worth reading that part at least...as a former screenwriter (a not very successful one) I can really appreciate his comments regarding "the industry" movie or record, very similar...regards, tony ------------------ *1993 K-Horns w/ ALK x-overs *Marantz 7T preamp *Dynaco MkIV monoblocks (modded to triode) *Sony CDP-CX350 and CX-230 CD changers *MSB link DACIII (96k upsampling) *MSB silver digital director (switching and jitter reduction) *Technics M-85 professional Cassette Deck *SAE MK VIII tuner *Luxman PD-272 turntable, Grado Red cartridge *Cardas Crosslink speaker cable *Monster M550i for all interconnects *Monster HTS3500 Reference Powercenter Conditioner

Fried, You pretty much laid it out...run either interconnects from your preamp out to a remote two channel amplifier or speaker wire from output B to a pair of speakers...100 feet is a looooonnnnnngggggg run, you will suffer some attenuation of the highs via speaker wire, I have run 50 feet without any degradation but I am not sure if 100 feet is "past the limit"...and I think it is an impossibility to do this with interconnects (perhaps someone more technically adept will ring in on this point)...so, If you have a reciever and another CD player I would go that route...even a walkwan hooked up to the adcom reciever and those paradigms would do a nice job! so let's see if someone rings in on the speaker wire run...if you can hide it well, it is an option...but with two systems the wife and kids can lsiten to what they want while you listen to you want...christina aguilera versus miles davis? regards, tony ------------------ *1993 K-Horns w/ ALK x-overs *Marantz 7T preamp *Dynaco MkIV monoblocks (modded to triode) *Sony CDP-CX350 and CX-230 CD changers *MSB link DACIII (96k upsampling) *MSB silver digital director (switching and jitter reduction) *Technics M-85 professional Cassette Deck *SAE MK VIII tuner *Luxman PD-272 turntable, Grado Red cartridge *Cardas Crosslink speaker cable *Monster M550i for all interconnects *Monster HTS3500 Reference Powercenter Conditioner

Well...I want it all! I want my K-horns, hooked up to Tube monoblocks and a tube preamp in the listening room...AND I want a set of 5 klipsch reference series speaks + subwoofer all hooked up to some killer theater electronics, a progressive scan DVD player and a projector with line doubler...GIVE ME IT ALL... ------------------ *1993 K-Horns w/ ALK x-overs *Marantz 7T preamp *Dynaco MkIV monoblocks (modded to triode) *Sony CDP-CX350 and CX-230 CD changers *MSB link DACIII (96k upsampling) *MSB silver digital director (switching and jitter reduction) *Technics M-85 professional Cassette Deck *SAE MK VIII tuner *Luxman PD-272 turntable, Grado Red cartridge *Cardas Crosslink speaker cable *Monster M550i for all interconnects *Monster HTS3500 Reference Powercenter Conditioner

Fried, the RB-5s really are great speakers! I don't think there is any way you'll be dissapointed with them in your second system...Regarding the Sony changers...reliability-wise both have performed flawlessly since day one...I did go with an outboard DAC but honestly neither was a "dog" sonically before the MSB unit was installed...price-wise those non-ES units are available for $250 (CX-335 from crutchfield) or even $200 (CX-235 same place)...the ES units have better DACs but start at $600...buy the low end and save up for a MSB unit at $400..a $600-650 combo that sounds absolutely fabulous! (I have friends bring over big buck players that do not sound anybetter than that combo! making me think the DAC is far more important that the transport...though Randy Bey swears the transport makes a sound difference, and I trust his opinion) so...again best of luck and let us know how it goes...tony ------------------ *1993 K-Horns w/ ALK x-overs *Marantz 7T preamp *Dynaco MkIV monoblocks (modded to triode) *Sony CDP-CX350 and CX-230 CD changers *MSB link DACIII (96k upsampling) *MSB silver digital director (switching and jitter reduction) *Technics M-85 professional Cassette Deck *SAE MK VIII tuner *Luxman PD-272 turntable, Grado Red cartridge *Cardas Crosslink speaker cable *Monster M550i for all interconnects *Monster HTS3500 Reference Powercenter Conditioner

Fried, A pair of demo or used (or new at a discount) RB-5s would be great but surely will eat up the $400 in one gulp...since you need a CD player AND speaks I would recommend you stick with the Paradigm for a while spend the $300-400 on a player and cables and continue to save until you can get a pair of RB-5s...if you like changers a sony ES changer will give you great performance (and reliability in my experience) for less than $300-400...if you want to use the computer as CD player until you save up more than my RB-5s are great! highly recommended! regards and good luck, Tony ------------------ *1993 K-Horns w/ ALK x-overs *Marantz 7T preamp (upgraded) *Dynaco MkIV monoblocks (upgraded and modded to triode) *Sony CDP-CX350 and CX-230 CD changers *MSB link DACIII (96k upsampling) *MSB silver digital director *Technics M-85 professional Cassette Deck *SAE MK VIII tuner *Luxman PD-272 turntable, Grado Red cartridge *Cardas Crosslink speaker cable *Monster M550i for all interconnects *Monster HTS3500 Reference Powercenter Conditioner

I still may add a Creek remote volume control (Couch Potatoes, out of the closet and unite!!!) especially since my experience with the creek passive preamp was so darn good, nothing is more transparent in my experience!, thanks for the feedback, tony

thanks John, Djk...John, might be a little tough to retrofit those supports into my k-horns...angle tough to find, etc...but it looks like a good idea...wonder why they stop doing it? thanks, Tony

Thanks DJK for the info...though I have a hard time deciphering that photo in the link...is there some text that describes what was done there? thanks, Tony