cscmc1

SHAZAM!

I know this is an OLD thread, but eBay can and will cancel auctions for even the most innocent "keywordspamming" if they receive a complaint from another eBay member. I know this from experience. I was selling a very early set of Frazier May loudspeakers a few years ago, and mentioned in the description that they were designed in part by Edmond May, one of JBL's most influential and famous employees. This is a matter of fact, but eBay saw it as keyword spamming and cancelled my listing with no warning. I send reams of evidence in the form of citations like this one: http://www.audioheritage.org/html/people/may.htm But it was to no avail. They didn't want to hear a word of it. I was, quite simply, not allowed to print "JBL" in my auction, which I found quite absurd. Not suprisingly, the auction did not fare well at all without mention that one of JBL's most famous engineers had a hand in the speakers' design.

I kinda like a supertweeter with mine. I had a pair of Fostex tweets, and sold them. Also used some Audax tweets to good effect. They're not totally necessary, but I like them. Shameless plug: in order to appease the wife, I am actuallu selling my BK-16 cabinets and FF165 drivers. They're listed on audiogon now, and they'll be sorely missed. I bought my Speakerlab K's, though, and am already testing her patience with speaker variety and size in the house, so the Fostex need to go for now. []

I'm a big fan of the Fostex fullrange speakers. I have a set in the BK-16 cabinets that Madisound sells, and they sing!

I agree entirely, Dave. I made a (crude) CD of them some time ago after I met a black folk singer who expressed an immense interest in them. I need to find a proper 78 EQ to really transfer them (and many of my other 78s) properly and archive them. I am sure they would be of interest to any number of museums, and I suspect they'll end up in one someday... maybe the National Civil Rights Museum? For now, they are safely stored among my collection.

The last really interesting find I came across was at the local Catholic Charities. In the middle of their pile of 78's (which I almost always ignore), I found two KKK (yesm Klan) records. Disclaimer: In NO WAY do I endorse or support the views of the KKK or any other racist organization! That said, I had to buy them (for a buck apiece) to see what exactly the Klan might have been pressing. One track was crooner-ish (with a chorus of "That's why I'm a Klansman, a Klansman through and through") and the others sounded like typical gospel of the period. Crazy, and a bit twisted, but interesting.

I almost bought a pair of Frazier "Dixielanders" a few years ago. I hear the Frazier stuff is nice for LF but the horns and drivers that usually came with them are not so hot... but I can't say that I have ever heard a pair, so I can't confirm or deny this. I would think an Altec horn would mate well with these. If you're remotely interested in fiddling with crossover frequncies and have a spare amp to bi-amp, I have a pair of Yamaha electronic crossovers I am selling. PM me if interested, and enjoy those horns!

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=101674 Not mine, no affiliation. Just saw it and thought someone might be interested. Cut & paste: " Unit does not work correctly. I suspect that it was either built wrong or monkeyed with. Transformers are perfect however and I was able to get signal through 1 channel OK, the other channel was very low, noisy & hums. It has a non-original but well fitting bottom cover with feet. (3) of the Fisher-marked 7868's test GOOD, & one is borderline and should be replaced. The (2) Sylvania 12AX7's shown are NEW but the other (4) are absent and will need to be procured. The power supply caps may be OK as the hum is only on one channel. Again, the power & output transformers are perfect. I bought it for my own use and found the best example I could. I bought repro knob caps (installed) and the faceplate is near perfect. Chassis has the typical Fisher spots. It presents very nicely however overall. If installed in a Fisher wooden case it would look near MINT. I have priced it well below typical eBay insanity and it is not listed there either. I would like to see an enthusiast or first-timer get it. I am told that the phono section in the Fisher's is quite good as well. I just no longer have the time to troubleshoot this amp. $175.00 + shipping from Boston, MA ($175 is what I have into it.) Use 15 lbs. packed weight for USPS shipping cost estimate. Amp ships via insured parcel post. Payment via USPS MO sent via US Mail in USA."

That seller scares me -- I wouldn't lose sleep over missing out on them. Their feedback is abysmal by most standards, and the "Caveat Emptor"/As-Is disclaimer isn't terribly reassuring. One pic isn't very revealing of condition, either, and can you imagine trying to deal with these guys if you did find they needed to be returned? These sorts of operations are set up to sell mass quantities of display and return items from retailers with minimal staff. Read: ZERO customer service. Not me -- no thanks!

Just saw this ad -- no affiliation with seller, just passing it along: http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/ele/319006285.html

No kidding. $250 for THAT? I suspect someone is going to be very, very disappointed when they receive that thing after payment.

Michael -- if you have any interest, I will be selling my Velez 300B amp and Bottlehead Foreplay pre in due time. I'm about 2 hours west of Indy, and you're welcome for a listen someday, if you'd like. Hate to sell them, but I need to downsize...

Hi Michael -- they're yours! I'll PM ya back.

Hey folks -- In cleaning out my bookshelf, I found a couple books that might interest someone here. They're yours for the cost of shipping. First is "HiFi Stereo Handbook" by Wm. Boyce, 1972. There's some cool rudimentary info on horns, and a pic of a K-horn, among other things. This is an ex-library copy, thus hardbound. Second is a paperback copy of "The Technique of the Sound Studio" by Alec Nisbett. Probably not super relevant today, as it's a 1974 copy, but hey... it's free. Reply here or shoot me a note if interested! First come, first served (unless you bribe me with, say, a pair of K-horns). I can ship via Media Mail for a few bucks... maybe $5 tops? Chris

Hi Fritz -- sure, I can send pics. One (the '58) was (poorly) veneered with some NASTY Formica, which I promptly removed. Some of the glue remained, so it's pretty nasty looking. The other is painted black (save the top piece, which is natural plywood as I had to fabricate it myself). Chris

Fostex drivers are FE126E'S; I tried a number of drivers in these (though I couldn't afford the Dynaudios that everyone raves about), and these were my favorite by far. The Audax tweeters are PR120I1's, and I have a spare diaphragm that go with these. I can take pics for anyone interested, but I cannot host them to post here.

You're right Bill -- I thought I had my location listed in my profile, but apparently didn't. I do now! Charleston, IL is where I call home (about an hour from you, in fact). As stated, the woofers are K-33's (square magnets), and match. I'll post the info on the HF drivers this evening after work. Thanks for your input!

I am *considering* downsizing my system, as it appears I'm going to have to give up my listening room. On the block will be a pair of K-horn bottoms, unfinished -- one a 1958 and the other late 60's -- with matching K-33's. The HF is handled by a pair of rectangular Edgarhorns with Fostex fullrange drivers, and Audax bullet tweeters. The speakers aren't pretty, but sound fantastic with the Yamaha electronic crossovers I will offer with them. They really would do well to be veneered; they're solid, just ugly. I'd like to see $1000 for them as-is. If I can sell the speakers, I'll put my Velez 300B amp and Bottlehead Foreplay on the block, too. I'd offer them at $700 and $250 respectively; the latter is the older version but has all the sonic upgrades. Your thoughts on speaker pricing are welcome; thanks!

Be still my beating heart!

Nah, just TRI-amp!!!

Wow -- good call, gents. A Brociner it is! Check the tag out on the crossover in this auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/1-BROCINER-HORN-LOADED-SPEAKER-SYSTEM-4-tube-amp-preamp_W0QQitemZ130070736219QQihZ003QQcategoryZ50597QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Pete (and anyone else, for that matter) -- you wouldn't happen to have a pair of LE 5 drivers, would you? I am itching to try a pair in Edgarhorn mid horns. BTW -- gorgeous speakers! I have been kicking myself ever since selling my 075s bullet tweeters. By far and away the finest vintage HF driver I have ever heard. Sigh...

Is there a thread to detail the mods you made to your Belles? Or did they just grow on you? I'd be curious... always looking for new things to try! Thanks!!!

In my case, I would listen to it because on certain styles it sounds fantastic, and on others... not so much. See my examples above. My setup now is perfect for folk, jazz, classical, and the like, but throw rock (or trumpet-heavy overtures, etc...) in the mix and the horns can make me cringe if cranked up. That's always been my quest -- the system that sounds great no matter what's playing. Of course, bad recordings are bad recordings, but the Pretenders' "Pirate Radio" box set sounds great on headphones and even on the Polks in the TV room. On the horns, yowza, RINGY when it's cranked up! I have tried just about every kind of speaker out there (within reason): horns of all types and vintages, planars, transmission lines, full range, monitors, etc... Each has strong points and each weaknesses, so the best I can hope to do is find the best compromise. Trouble is, when I listen to Dead Can Dance on the current setup, I can't help but wish for the same spine-tingling sensation I got with my Magnepans. But if I had Magnepans I'd wish for the same "upright-bass-in-the-gut" punch the Klipsch have when I tossed a jazz LP on. What a quandry!

Yup, 808 8a's. I recall my 802's being much less harsh. Maybe the 808's are just older or brittle (???). Beats me, but they're listenable to a point, just ringy on most rock after a certain volume. I found a pair of the older Edgar trachorns (pre-salad bowls) to try out. What drivers did you use? I would like to find D-54's, but they are spendy. If I can budget them, that's my first choice. Thanks for the input, by the way!