tk49

Wardsweb, where can I find the B&W cd? Thanks for the suggestions, have some will give a listen the others. Tom

The Carver is on loan from my brother who is overseas, it has more of an edge to it. The highs are a bit sharp, harsh or maybe the word is too bright. Are you speaking in terms of all the Pass Lab amps when you talk about the crossover on the La Scalas or just the First Watt series. Tom

Anyone have a lead on an Aleph 30? I have read many good things about Pass Labs. I saw one on audiogon a month or so ago but wasn't ready. Current system: NAD C-542 player, BBX pre, Carver M500t amp, 90 LaScala's. Any opinions on the Aleph 3 First Watt F3 or First Watt Aleph J? Tom

"Sent the guy a PM and left contact info. Hopefully he will get back to me. Thanks for your advice Daddy Dee - much apprecaited." You won't regret it. Daddy dee, you are the one that convinced me to try the Merlin a year or so ago. Great advice. Tom

I second daddy dee on the Merlin. I've have one running with a SS HK Ciitation 12 and Forte's, for the $'s you can't beat it. Mark's equipment matchs well with the Heritage series. You will be hard pressed to find a phono and line stage that will match the Merlin sound at that price, strictly my personal choice. I run my lascala's with the Blueberry Extreme, which has the phono stage and love the sound. Bottom line is it's your money and ears, so enjoy the search. Tom

Robert, where are you and the lascala's at? I'ld love to be part of the demo, we can redo anything we tear apart. Except the lascala's. Tom

DizRotus, the Marvel exploded view did the trick. Sorry for butting in on this thread, I have found that the wealth on information from the forum members is invaluable. Everyone is so welling to share. Thanks Robert keep us up to date on the extraction. Tom

DizRotus, in studying your drawings I'm having difficulty seeing where the 9 1-/4 X 3 ramps are located, I'm a little thick, would they show the section A view? Tom

Outstanding work. I like that you left the bottom of the base bins black, it really sets off the cherry. I have a couple of questions. You said you liked the contact method over the heat lock, and that you used the contact on the insides of the bass bins. Seems it would have been difficult to lay the inside pieces with the contact method, did you use something between the veneer and the bin to position the pieces and then remove to set? Do you find the contact has better adhesion or are there another reasons? Tom

Like most projects, prep is 70% of the work. It also shows when the job is finish that you did it right. Looking forward to thhe progress, keep us up to date. Tom

Kudret, I have considered the kit idea, biggest consideration, is it a one size fits all? I need to do more research. Tom

mr-b, I'm the woodworker that did wallflower's mods. If you want, your woodworker can contact me, I'ld be happy to visit with him/her. Using a tablesaw is a must for a good fit, you can get your patterns and angles off the top hat. The tail piece was the only part that required some modifications. If you are willing to mod the horizontal base bin pieces then the tail piece attachement is relatively simple. I found that their attention to detail/fit on the tail piece was'nt as great as the nice cabinet work on the front. As far as fitting the tail piece to the false walls we found that a closed foam sealer that is used between pickup toppers and the truck bed worked excellent. It's about 1/4" thick and has addhesive on one side. Let me know if you have addition questions Tom

Bob, check your email. Tom

I ran into this problem when trying to match oiled cherry. I read some where to take ashes from wood stove, let soak in a bucket of water for 4-5 weeks, drain off water from the top, ash free, and apply to wood. I gave it a try and was amazed at the results. Wood achieves it's patina over many years and this excellerates the process. If you have any of the extra veneer left from the job it would be worth a try. Tom

Keep playing with placement, it all depends on the type of sound you want. The Forte sounded great in my livingroom where I have my Forte II's, when I moved them to the finished basement, which has similar demension the bass became boomy. I now have Lascala's down there and the sound is nothing short of stunning. As said in an earlier post, you have a clean set-up, I'm sure by now you are more than pleased with your choice. Tom

Forte II's were my first kilpsch, then kg 4's, then Forte's and now Lascala's and they are all still with me. See a pattern? They look great, thew oiled oak is timeless and I know sound even better, enjoy them. Tom

I can't speak for the combo. I have forte's and forte II's and now, thanks to a fellow forum member, lascala's. I've run the forte II's with ss and tubes, you will not be disappointed. Tom

Like Bruce said the solid woods are too unstable especially in larger cabinet sizes. The padauk is beautiful wood, having it's own natural oils. Can be toxic if proper mask with filter is not used in the machining process. Nice job on the speakers. True mahogany is one of the most stable, that's why it was a favorite of fine furniture makers. Tom

svsalako, where are you? I'm in Lincoln NE and have a very nice pair KG4's in oiled oak if you are interested. PM me. Tom

I've never tried anything other than what Thorens supplied with the turntable. I'm game to try your solution. t

Jeff, thanks for the credit, it was a pleasure. Where else am I going to get the chance to hear some fantastic speakers? I was astounded with the way they filled the room with live sound, the entire room was a sweet spot. The forum members are a great bunch, very supportive of each other and free with valuable information. The false wall mod is a major improvement when your floorplan isn't the best. Tom

I payed $500 for a Merlin without the upgrades and thought it sounded great. I used it with an old HK Citation 12, the two out performed my Cayin TA 30. IMO it's worth it. I move onto the BBX, because of old record collection. No regrets. t

$650 for Merlin with upgrades. This would make a great little pre amp for anyone wanting to try Mark's products. No affiliation. Tom

Just got my BBX from Mark, this is a big jump from my 1st generation Merlin. I'm currently using the amp section of my NAD 320 BEE to power my Forte II's. I have to say that the NAD does an amazing job, I compared it with a Harmon Kardon Citation 12 (veiled sound) an ADCOM GAF 555 (too sterile). I'm looking for a solid state with a tube sound, I heard a fellow members Conrad Johnson BBX combo feeding LaScala's, very nice, but the Forte's obviously have a different sound. I'm considering a CJ MF 2100 and a NAD 272. Before the Merlin and BBX I was running the Forte's with a Cayin TA 30, then a Cary SLI 80 SIG F1 and the BBX sound is far better, even running through the inexpensive NAD. This is some kind of sickness. Suggestions? t

Is no one concerned by the fact that there are two pictures of one speaker? I noticed that too, but figured it's worth looking at. Haven't heard back yet. Someone on the Lincoln Craig's List has been posting a "looking for Klipschorns", most likely gone. t