mjcmt

I'm looking for a recommendation of a Klipsch center channel to compliment my Forte I powered by a Yamaha RX-V681 AVR. The audio rack has only 8" height available, otherwise I'd consider a Heresy for a center. I'm considering the R-52c center channel speaker because it's not ported to minimize boominess, but personal reviews I've read say it's bright and doesn't cover the full vocal range properly. All-in-all, I'm looking for a good sonic match to my all original Forte I L/R speakers that will fit on the audio rack. Thank you. https://www.klipsch.com/center-speaker

Thanks for confirmations. You answered my questions. My Forte I are in amazing condition and don't plan on changing anything. Just wish I hadn't sold my '88-90 Mcintosh Mac-4280 receiver one year earlier, for cheap on top of it. The paring would have been a match made in audio heaven.

I have a pair of Klipsch Forte I (For WO RV on back label) that I purchased from the original owner a while back. They have low hours and alway indoor kept in climate controlled environment. They are in excellent condition cosmetically except for light water marks on top from plants. Most importantly, they sound fantastic, lively and clear, deep tight bass. I didn't have any intention of upgrading them as they sound sublime w/ modern tubes and British SS as well as vintage NAD. I decided to remove x-over to see the condition and it looks new as it left the factory. So new looking I thought I'd check to see if the x-overs are original. Back label says 'For WO RV' I'm assuming it stands for Forte Walnut and not sure what RV is...Revised? Please tell me what I have and if x-over is factory original.

If you've got the funds this is my choice...Cary Audio SLI-80HS (heritage series). Cary teamed up with Klipsch to come up w/ the Heritage series w/ walnut, cherry, or black ash side plates to match the Klipsch speakers. Pricey and beautiful making beautiful sound. I desire the walnut version for my Klipsch Forte but have to be satisfied w/ my less costly Mystere IA-11 tube integrated amp. Cary tube amps have a legendary sound. You can step up the Cary's separate pre and power amps. https://www.caryaudio.com/2019/05/17/introducing-the-sli-80hs-integrated-amplifier/ https://www.caryaudio.com/products/sli-80hs/ https://carydirect.com/shop-now/integrated-amplifiers.html

I have '80s Klipsch Forte I in original condition. They show no signs of deterioration and giving up the ghost. You can upgrade them if you want, but I'm satisfied with mine as is. They sound lively and open w/ a tight bass. Experiment w/ closer to the wall for reinforced bass. I had them in a 10'x13'x9'H room and the room was too small for them to develop. They sound much more complete in our 18'x22'x9'H LR/dining room. They sound good w/ our modern Rega integrated amp in the large room but really sang beautifully w/ paired with my modern Mystere' tube integrated amp upstairs. If I could make the tube amp work in the LR/dining I'd be set, but a remote controlled SS amp works best for TV so sadly I can't complete the pairing of Klipsch/tubes. I wish I still had my '88 Mac receiver as the Mac/Klipsch would be a vintage system form audio heaven.

I'm the second owner and the remote was misplaced by the original owner. One is available from McIntosh but I never got around to purchasing it because my chair is next to the stereo.

Looks nice. Does it have phono input? I'm really thinking of downsizing to an integrated amp w/ phono, but I'm open.

Very nice photo of your stereo. That is what I was intending of doing. That is the same table I have preamp and turntable on. I'm from Chicago so that 1920? 'occasional table' may be from the same supplier.

Nothing personal taken at all. You kind-of hi-jacked my posting trying to sell my preamp for an integrated. You may not have heard Mac amps or if you have, you have not made a direct comparison with your little $350 amp to a McIntosh multi-thousand dollar amp to say it competes. When I did have disposable income I've had Pass Lab amps and AES (Cary) tube amps. Mac just sounds musical to my ears, that I know.

The quality of Macs autoformers are an important aspect of the sound, not to be sourced anywhere else. Plus Mac products hold their value like no other manufacture and you can still by parts and front glass for products made in the '60s. There is a nothing that compares. I've compared my preamp to even other brands tube preamps and the C37 is better. To go your route still requires an additional $400 for the amps plus speakers, so selling the C37 and using the proceeds for an integrated amp is my only option.

I'm located in Charlotte, NC.

If you look at my system I only use headphones. At the minimum a Mac MC7100 would be a good choice, with a MC7150 a great choice. I've decided to sell the preamp and use the proceeds to purchase a modern high quality integrated amp, instead of pairing an amp that will take away from the famous Mac sound.

I've really enjoyed the 2 Yamaha avr's I've owned. Very clear and musical. I have been intrigued w/ Marantz as well. I have read some say they are a bit soft, but I can't confirm that with personal experience.

What is a matter with your amp? I had that same amp and matching tuner. One of the best combo I've owned.

I have a mint Mac C37 preamp for sale for $850. It has an audiophile sound, with a particularly high quality phono stage, and a crystal clear headphone amp. It is in pristine condition inside and out, is in perfect condition and 100% working. Included on this preamp are balanced outputs, 9 inputs, 4 outputs, 5 band EQ, variable loudness, external processor loop, and many other features. The power supply is shielded with metal to protect it from the preamp circuitry, plus all the switching is on a separate circuit board too. Very clean and isolated design. The chassis and cover are of heavy gauge metal too. For it I also have available their famous L12 slant leg walnut cabinet with panloc hardware for $100 extra. I'm selling it, not because I don't love it, but because I haven't been able to afford a power amp of the same caliber to suit it because of our family finances. I think the best thing to do is sell it and buy something like a Marantz 8004 integrated amp with the proceeds. It won't be in the same league as Mac, but this way I can use it with speakers and not only use a turntable with headphones, which I've been doing for a year. Here is a link to my system. I have plenty of other photos I can send you. http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vstrt&1356553737

Bill, The speakers I'm driving are 4 ohm DIY 'SEAS Froy mk3' speakers in a 18'w x 22'd x 9'h room.

So true! So true! On another note, I'm once again looking for a power amp and wish I had my favorite one I sold years ago, a Pass Labs Aleph 30, and now I need an amp and can't afford one.

What you say? I'm looking for a budget power amp and see these Denon power amps sell for not much money. Are they any good and how do they sound? A lesser option is look for a Denon PMA-2000ivr integrated amp and sell my preamp. Which sounds better?

Thanks for posting. That is a stunning review for sure, as well as the high marks that "WhatHiFi" gave to the new rxa3010. Having purchased my first Yamaha avr, a bit older Yamaha rxv, and I'm quite impress with the sound. It is better than the Denon stereo receiver and Pioneer Elite integrated amp I had before. I never realized Yamaha was as good as it is untill owning one. Coming from an audiophile back ground, Yamaha is the closest to what separates have given me, so I'm ready for the new Adventage Series when I can afford to make the purchase.

You are asking about the best tube amp in my home. I've only used 2, a Jolida 302b integrated amp and an AES Super Amp MkII made by Cary Audio. The AES wins hands down in all areas, fulness, refinement, 3D, naturalness, air, detail, etc. If money is no object as you state, then go straight to the Cary branded products as they use better design and parts.

Elitedemo, Thanks for the heads up on the KG's sounding thin, with the KLF sounding better.

The KG-5.5's that I've seen for sale cost more than I can afford. What about the 4.2 or 4.5 instead of the 3.5? The only difference I see are a 10" woofer instead of a 8", and the specs look the same.

That will work as long as you don't move your head an inch to the left of right, or slouch when listening, or invite someone to sit next to you...

I was thinking of something like...KG3.5 fronts, KV3 center, KG1.5 rears. Is this pretty good w/o spending too much?

Does the vintage KG series speakers make a good 5.1 speaker system? Or should I consider something from the current RF/RB series instead?