Ed Cook

Would appreciate recommendations for amplifiers to use with K-horn mains, LaScala II center and Heresy rears. Drove 1972 K-horns with McIntosh MC-250 for many years. Tried Denon amp (don't recall which model) when I expanded to a 5.1 system consisting of K-horns and some lesser Klipsch "bookshelf" rears and center. So-so imression. Seemed to me to be a significant improvement when I replaced the Denon with an Outlaw 7100 with that setup. Now still using the Outlaw but have changed to a LaScala II center, Heresy rears and Outlaw LFM sub. Recently updated all the K-horn components using the current Klipsch kits for crossovers, midrange drivers and tweeters plus a supertweeter. (An intermediate period with Crites' crossovers and tweeter left me not fully satisfied - so I updated with all-Klipsch components to try to get the K-horns and the LaScala sharing as many modern components as possible and, hopefully, sounding as alike as possible.) I'm not necessarliy dissatisfied now, but the many audio forums such as these are all driven by folks who are never fully satisfied and who are driven in turn to wonder what else they might want to know and how they might improve their setup. Thus, I'm now wondering if I should be considering improvements to the amps. I have read all kinds of articles and reviews but cannot tell even which types of amp designs are most appropriate for these speakers - since these speakers have very different characteristics from the speakers with which most reviewers test their amps. Thanks, Ed Cook

Finally back to respond. K-horns from 1972. (Original "open top" raw plywood since painted black.) LaScala (and Heresy pair) from 2006. Thanks for the info. I will call.

A couple of years ago, using research that began with feedback from an inquiry to these forums, I replaced the original crossovers in my 1970 K-horns with some from Bob Crites. As expected, the resulting sound seemed o.k. but did not match the sound of the new LaScala I got at about that time to use as a center channel between the K-horns. (Added Heresy's in rear at the same time.) My antique ears certainly cannot distinguish all the things that many of you can hear, but I'd like to think that I have components matched as closely as is reasonable - and I can still differentiate some things that alert me to differences, such as that the white noise of the K-horns is different from the LaScalas. Klipsch specs seem to indicate that the crossover and mid- and hi-speaker components in the LaScala are the same as in a current-day K-horn. As much as I'd wish that everything matched properly, I'm really not anxious to spend $8k on a new pair of K-horns so I'm wondering if it is possible - and realistic - to consider saving money by buying and installing current upgrades for the K-horns that should allow the sounds of all three speakers to be as close to the same as possible (realizing of course that the base cabinetry creates its own differences)? If the answer is yes on the technical side, does it make sense financially, i.e. would there really be much saving? Klipsch and Wal-Mart may both live in Arkansas but they are still not very close together geographically - or in terms of pricing. If yes, which components would need to be replaced? If yes, are the modern components available from Klipsch? Whom to contact? Thanks, Ed

This may seem to come from left field, but you might consider the Outlaw LFM. I think I read that it was designed by Hsu. I use one with K-horn mains, La Scala center and Heresy rears. To my ear it is as claimed by Outlaw - very clean and fast. It may not give as much loose rumbling roar that some people like for some movie effects, because it gives cleaner and more disciplined sound which may be more generally appreciated with music. Outlaw is an internet-only company that gives terrific bang for the buck with all of its components. I am also very pleased with my Outlaw Pre/Pro and Amp. Stereophile and other reviewers sound almost embarrassed when they give such good reviews to equipment that costs so much less than what it compares with.

Bob Crites name shows up all over these forums (it's probably supposed to be fora or something - I never took Latin) and all the regulars seem to "know" him but I have not been able to figure out how to contact him directly. Any help?

Carl, Many thanks for those threads. Those are the sorts of experiences I was hoping to learn from. Ed

As a newby to the forums, I complicated my previous post and confused folks about my question. I'll try again. I've heard and read generally good things about the ALK X-overs. Does anyone have experience with Al's Trachorns? How appropriate would they be to update a pair of 1970 K-horns? 1970 K-horns, 2006 La Scala, 2006 Heresy rears, Outlaw and Denon electronics

Just getting the combination set up. Have not even been able to balance the outputs yet due to some unexpected problems with the electronics that I had not experienced during past set-ups. Have only gotten far enough to discover that the K-horns and La Scala don't sound as much alike as I expected during test tones. I understand that this could simply be because they are not yet balanced, but it all just makes me wonder. Basically, now that I've grown so ancient as to retire and to have some real time to enjoy music, I hope to be able to get as much quality as is reasonably possible. I understand that "reasonably" is relative, but I'd at least like to get more information to evaluate the available options. Although not totally ignorant in these matters, I'm certainly no technical expert which is why I'm asking for feedback from folks more knowledgeable than I. Sorry to be dense, but I'm not clear about what you are recommending that I reconsider. I certainly don't want to downgrade anything. Quite the opposite. I don't know if my assumption is correct, but I assume that even the stock La Scala would have some technological improvements over the old K-horns. I really don't want to feel the need to do anything to the La Scala but I wonder if updates to the K-horns: a) will result in bringing it up to the current La Scala or would just be making changes that will make the two sound even less similar. You can see that I'm starting from a pretty low level relative to most of you in the forums.

After 37 years with 1970 K-horns, now adding new La Scala II center and Heresy III rears. Ready to modernize the old K-horns. I hear and read generally good things about ALK X-overs but have not seen many comments about the Trachorn which he recommends. Any comments on the Trachorn? If I were to update the networks, and perhaps the mid-range horn in the K-horns, would I be wishing that I had done something to the new La Scala center to make it sound similar? Should I consider changing tweeters as part of this overall update? Thanks, Ed Cook

Thanks for previous help. Considering upgrading center ch to LaScala (between '70 K-Horns) and 2 rears to Cornwalls. Will there be problems with magnetic shielding for a current conventional TV or future HDTV atop the LaScala? If this causes problems, does anyone have recommended solutions?

Are there any problems with setting Cornwalls horizontally?