TubeGuy

The Beymas are $300. p/pr U.S. Being in the UK, you may be able to get better pricing. I would think shipping and duties would make it less expensive since the Beymas are made in Spain. This is not an endorsement. I happen to like the k77, ct125 and the beyma. I haven't heard the 2404h.

Rocketman, A new top hat would greatly simplify the retro, but with AK2's you still have to contend with rewiring the crossover in the bass bin. I reverted to the AK2 after about a year with AL's Universal - I won't bother doing that again. It wasn't the work - it's just that the Universal is so much better. It was a great reality check. I do think it's important to "go back" to original some time after a mod is done. Given enough time for a mod's wow factor to die down, going back can be very telling. Sometimes you find that the mod was just a sideways move and that the original and mod both have their advantages and disadvantages. The key though is to become as used to the mod as you were with the original. Luckily drivers are easily changed out, as are most crossovers (AK2 exception) and the ALK Trachorn is about as no brainer as it gets.

I understand your angst. That's why I saved all of the original parts (even the AK2's). BTW, after some time living with a mod I convert back to original just to make sure that I moved forward. It's a good reality check. I would have a problem cutting my Khorns. I shudder to think. Would I do it? Yes, if I was thoroughly convinced it was a vast improvement. I would definitely have to hear a mod before I made a move that was not reversible. I had Cornwalls for a number of years. It was a sad day when I sold them. The caveat was I got Khorns but man, I loved those Corns! Now that is the ultimate mod!

So are these still Khorns?: ALK Universals, Trachorn w/ k55m's, CT 125's, Kimber 4tc wiring. I say yes and no. Are my Khorns fast and dynamic with that famous Khorn bass? You bet. Are they more articulate with better imaging than original? Yes. Do they have better bass with a clean transition from bass to squawker? Absolutely. Are they smoother with better Highs and all round cleaner sounding? You guessed it - yes. And finally: Do they still sound like Khorns? Yes, only better. Everything that attracted me to Klipsch some thirty years ago is still there. Unfortunately, my 89's came with AK-2 networks. I believe this was a sub standard network compared to some of the older ones, so why not upgrade. Heck, Klipsch has upgraded the x overs a number of times. They've changed the mid horn and even the tweeter. They've even changed the wiring from lamp chord to Monster! It's called evolution, and certainly in the AK2 case, it was not a move forward! When Klipsch makes changes it's called Progression and keeping the product fresh. If I do it it's called modification - And that's WRONG? No way. I don't have to limit myself to a product price point, or any of the other constraints manufacturers have to contend with. Hey, every mod has revealed some new nuance in the music performances that keeps my favorite bands fresh sounding. I not only consider myself a Klipsch owner, but also an ALK and BEC owner all rolled into one product. I consider all three to be worthy companies and individuals that have shown great dedication to the Klipsch platform and to the improvement of audio reproduction. I'm proud to have all three represented in my listening pleasure. (We just need to get Al to come up with a catchy logo) Aside: I've modified Dyna, Hafler, ARC, and Cary products in the past and no one questions whether they are still true to their original designer. And if you've ever rolled a tube or a capacitor, is that amp still worthy of the name on the face plate? Long live Klipsch Heritage and Thank You PWK for designing a platform that makes it so easy tweak.

Why document? When I die they'll bury me with my Khorns. I mean it when I say Heritage = lifetime enjoyment. I need to add "and into the after life". In all seriousness, all of the tweeks done to my Khorns are reversible and are packaged to protect the orignal parts. If they're ever sold,, they can a) be brought back to original, or sold with all of the bonus 'vintage" stuff. The only disadvantage to this is you can't sell off the old parts to help pay for the new upgrades. I hate that!

I was at a friends house last night and he played the Creame Reunion at the Royal ALbert Hall - Hold on to your seat!!!!!! The sound was phenominal and these guys sounded at the top of their game. They did all of the old stuff and didn't miss a beat. Ginger Bakers drums are stunning, not to mention Jack and Eric. The DVD is a compilation of four gigs at the Royal ALbert Hall in May 2005. This is way better than the original records - I can't wait to buy a copy today!

HarleyMo, Due to Polk Audio's excessive advertising back in the 80's, I developed a theory about audio advertising that, for the most part, holds true: "The amount of advertising is inversely proportional to the sound quality". I loved the lab coats in their ads - what a laugh. Hope I didn't offend anyone, but I still believe in my theory. Edit: And congrats on your decision so long ago.

Purchased new: Heresys- '75, Cornwall - 83, Khorns - January '90. I love my Khorns, but I sure miss those Cornwalls - wish I had one of those for a center channel right now! I first heard, and saw, Khorns in Germany at the base movie theater circa 1963. My dad was into audio but we never had room for Khorns, being a military family. My first serious speakers were AR 2Ax's - Pretty good sound for the day but definitley not Klipsch.

My experience is that you need much more money to get CD's to sound as good as LP's... But, to do LP's correctly takes knowlege in matching the technical aspects of table/arm/cartridge, Mechanical skill and patience in proper setup and care of the LP (record cleaning machine etc). When done successfully, you are rewarded with an engaging and , sometimes, an emotional experience. One that I have never experienced with CD's. To me the question for someone getting started is, Do you have enough LP's to merit spending the money and the learning curve for proper LP playback? As for analog playback, the user has the ability to roll their own to find that combination that's more dynamic with much more inner detail and better imaging and with just the right tone/balance for your system and preferences. CD's pretty much lock you in. I like both formats for their individual strengths and weaknesses. In the end - give me analog. I guess I'm just showing my age. The [O] ticking! (I hate that)

And so early in the morning to get this one started again! Long live analog, tubes and horns... 'nough said.

Chuck, Congrats and can feel your joy! BTW, That grin will not go away. Actually it turns into a full feldged smile!! (I've had my smile on for over 16 years) It's a great testiment to PWK that his speakers do that to poeple. How many brands and types of speaks have come and gone? Heritage = lifetime enjoyment.

Might want to check out the local dump. My dad had a 1963 Grundig console with four seperate mono tube amps and a tube reciever. In 1985 I rewired and recaped the entire unit. Man, those amps sounded sweeeeet! After my Dad passed away my brother acquired the Grundig because he liked the cabinet (it is gorgeous). In 1995 one of the tubes became noisy so he pulled everything out, hacked the internal cabinetry and put in a bunch of cheap crap. What did he do with the original tube gear? You guessed it! He put it in the garbage!!!!! Needless to say, I made a trip to see the family and was admiring the old Grundig and was telling my brother that it was about time that I tuned everything up. He informed me that he just threw it all away the week before! Has anyone else experienced having people you know do crazy things like this when they know you have special expertise in those areas? Don't answer - my intent is not to hijack the thread, but it does BLOW THE MIND!

JJ, Your arms are not long enough to reach with the top plate on. It's very easy to remove, just six screws (we are only talking about taking the TOP plate off - not the whole top section!) See the pix below. Photo credit is Al Klappenberger. He sent this to me for the Trachorn upgrade. NOTE: The photo shows the two horizontal screws that hold the grill in place. You DO NOT need to take these out to remove the top plate. Only the two verticle (up arrows) screws (on each side) that screw the top down. You will also need to take out the two screws on the two verticle supports in the rear. It's then very easy to reach the tweeter horn form the front. A five minute job.

FIrst started with AR 2Ax's with a Sansui reciever and AR turntable. Pretty nice sound. UPgraded to a McIntosh 6100 - Really nice sound. Switched to Heresys and some Van ALstine pre's and amps. Upgraded to Cornwalls and a VPI/SME 309 table and went on a tube equipment binge. Went to Khorns in '90 and still loving tubes!. (side note: My favorite amp is Nori Komuro's 845 single ended - oh what that can do pushing a set of Khorns!!!!)

Bob, Sorry for getting this vein started. It was inevitable though and someone was bound to do it! In all seriousness, the clear horns are WAY COOL. P.S. And you're WAY COOL for obliging this insanity. A class act!!!

It's amazing when we have people over and they see the audio system their first words are," Are those tubes. I didn't know they still make those - and, can you still buy them?" Their next question is "Horns!?" with a questionable look. Third question is, "Turntable?, can you still buy records?" When I tel them yes, they respond with, "I gave all my records away!" ... And I just smile inside because I'm one of the guys that picked up those records for 10 cents on the dollar! What transpires after that holds true to form - every time! I'll start off playing the CD's of their choice. They can't believe what they're hearing from all of that "vintage" stuff. Anyway, after playing CD's, I'll throw on an LP. Since they can't see the front end equipment from the listening position, they don't know what format is being queued up. Consistently I get startled comments about what just happened to the sound. When I tell them they're listening to an LP, they just can't believe the difference. We end up listening to LPs for the rest of the evening! Don't get me wrong, I love CDs too. The convenience is intoxicating. The knowledge, technical ability, and just plain work to do LPs correctly is just that - A LOT OF WORK. For casual listening, or listening with groups, CDs are the only way to go. When I really want to get into a performance, LP's always seem to do the trick. To my ears, convenience comes at a price and there's no free ride. I say long live both! I like each format for their individual strengths. Now if I was given a choice - Give up records or your Khorns - Well... you guess what's going to go! Oh, and make mine an Anchor Steam! Anything served with a lime HAS to be questioned![]

Bob, The clear horns are really unique! Are they the same composition as the blacks (minus the color)? If so, I can see them becoming a cult classic that's sure to bring twice the price of the "common" black ones! They have to sound more transparent! yuk, yuk. [] Next thing you know, you'll be starting a designer series. (I'll take mine in electric blue - they'll match my kimber cable) Wait a minute - here's an idea - mount them in a separate box on top of the speaker. You can then put any color light you want inside the box. Would create a nice glow! Better yet, get one of those rotating xmas tree lights mounted inside..... The possibilities boggle the mind!!!

I agree with the home dealer network idea. Over the years, more than a dozen people have bought Klipsch speakers after hearing them in my home (many were stereotypical audiophiles). It has always amazed me the misconceptions that abound with Klipsch Heritage speakers (we all know what they are!). Hearing them in a home with good setup and PROPER front end equipment, simply blows most people away! Additionally, they get to see them, especially the Khorn, in a true home environment. This seems to enhance the WAF when they see the relative small footprint Khorns make in a real room. For so many years most Klipsch dealers sold midfi equipment that could not withstand the brutal nature of Klipsch on signal quality. This was a big disservice to the Klipsch line. Luckily the resurgence of SET's and the need for efficient speakers has helped to turn the tide on these misconceptions. Again, proper home demonstrations can show the Klipsch at their best (with some guidelines in place). I'll never forget the first pair of Khorns I saw. They were in a movie theater behind the screen with false corners (birch painted black). This was 1966 and I couldn't believe these two speakers could fill the theater. That experience stuck with me until I became a productive member of society and in 1975 I bought my first Klipsch speakers, Heresy's, In 1980, I bought Cornwalls, and in 1990 I bought Khorns. This love affair just never seems to die. I say put demos in the home! Heck, haven't most of us, in effect, been doing that already.

Gary, I've had my 16.5 platter off (three screws under the mat) and the spindle is just a press fit, so maybe some good rubber cement will do the trick. Are you using the sponge type mat or have you gone to a harder material like cork? The sponge type has good sticking power for the record without cuasing too much pulling pressure on the spindle. To the original post: Back in the eighties I tried many different cleaning machines and solutions. My first choice were the VPI's followed by the Nitty Gritties. Another good one was the Record Doctor out of Walnut Grove Ca. All did a fine job, but I found the VPI made the biggest sonic improvement, was the easiest to use and seemed the most gentle on records. What was most telling was the cleaning solution used. These had vast differences in sound. The Record Doctor solution was my first choice and I've been using it ever since. Unfortunatley I'm almost out and I can't find it anymore. If someone here knows where to find it, or knows the formula, I'd appreciate the info. BTW, distilled water with a 5% solution of hospital grade isopropal alcohol and a drop of surficant makes a very good solution and won't harm your precious records. I would not trust ANY solution not made specifically for cleaning records. The chemicals could leach out the plasticisors from the vinyl. There was a lot of discussion about this back then. For anyone who has not used a real cleaning machine (VPI, Nitty etc.), you should demo one. You will not believe the difference in sound quality they make, even on brand new records. Not to mention the extended life they give your records. I clean my records approximately every three to four playings.