HPower

Well, I came across a dealer demo CD5X that I pulled the trigger on and will be taking delivery tomorrow. I am very excited from all that I have read about this player and I am hoping that it will fit well with the JD 300B and Khorns. Naim isn't commonly associated with Klipsch, but a good player like this should be able to feed a great source to the system. At least, that is what I am hoping []

Hey Guys, I am looking at 2 players that are currently listed 2nd hand and am not sure which would be a better match in my system. The 2 players are a Naim CD5X and AA Prima that would be joining a Jolida 300B (9wpc SET integrated) and a pair of '75 Klipschorns. I have heard both players, never together and on completely different systems than each other and mine. I did get to compare a CD5i vs a Rega Apollo, and I preferred the Naim. I listen to a wide range of music... rock, blues, folk, country, recently getting into jazz, not much "pop radio", and no classical. I am hoping for a player with good musicality, dynamics, and detail that will lean slightly toward a warmer analog sound as opposed to a hyper detailed DIGITAL sound. Does the Naim "sound" work with Klipsch? Any and all thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Well, I picked up the JD-300B on Friday and did a bit of listening over the weekend. My 1st concern of the 9wpc is a non issue, with these 2 coke bottles suppling more than enough juice for the Khorns. The sound is very nice and easy to listen to. With the amp on but no music playing I can hear a faint hum from both speakers at about 2 feet away. I'm not sure if it could be some noisey tubes, or maybe the bias just needs to be tweeked. With the music playing you can not pick out the hum but I still would like to get it as quiet as I can. Maybe not quite as dynamic as my Cornwalls were when driven with the Quicksilver Mid Monos (50wpc EL34). But that was in a smaller room upstairs and had a Musical Fidelity CD-Pre24 as a source, as apposed to the cheapo Denon DVD player that I am using right now. I definately need a real CDP... but what to go with?

I just checked my tracking number and it says that my JD 300B is "out for delivery", I cant wait to get home from work today. [] As a matter of fact, I might just leave at lunch time today... Ya, that's it, not feeling well, I better go home early [6]

Hey Curmugeon, Have you ever tried the Apollo in place of the 100A, if so, what did you think of that combo? I agree, it is nice to have the option of doctoring the sound with simple swap of a couple of tubes. My budget will probably be in the $1000 range, give or take a bit depending what is available... new or used. This seems to be a very competitive price range right now and to get a much better player you would have to move up to the $3000 range for something like a Naim CD5x or a Ayre CX-7e. Of the reviews that I have read (not that you can believe everything that the mags write) the Ayre might be my 1st choice, if money was not a factor... smooth, detailed, and most important, dynamic.

Hey Jim, I think we would all prefer a CD player that is as close to "analog" and away from "digital" without loosing any resolution. From what I have read your 640C is said to be pretty nice player and then the 840C is suppose to be a good step up from there. One of the things that attracts me to the 840C is that it has 2 digital inputs so it has the added option of feeding a music server and/or a satelite receiver, transport, etc. I guess I will have to get comforatable with how the JD-300B sounds first before I decide on which way to go for a new player.

I just had an email from the gentleman that I purchased the JD-300B from, he only tried the 8 ohm tap with his Avantgarde Duos. He also thought it would be a good idea to experament with the 4 vs 8 ohm taps. For CD playback, he was using an Esoteric (Teac) Universal player, with good results with the Jolida and suggested the Oppo for a good budget, all in one player.

Hey Curmudgeon, Thanks very much for the speaker tap suggestion, I would have automatically assumed to use the 8 ohm tap. It's reasuring to get feedback from someone who is happy with the same combination. My next step will be to find a new CDP, I am currently using a low model Denon (558/1740) DVD player. I see you are also are using the Jolida 100A, how is it working with the rest of your system? The other players that have caught my eye are: 1) Cambridge... 740 or 840... I like the idea of the digital inputs on these guys. 2) Rega... Apollo or Saturn... it would have to be a great find on the used market to afford the Saturn. 3) Shanling... T80... it has a variable output so you could bypass a preamp if you wanted. I am half wondering if a tubed unit like the Jolida and Shanling would be too much "tube" and it would be better to go with a all solid state machine with the JD-300B?

Well, I pulled the trigger on the Jolida: http://buy.audiogon.com/cgia/cls.pl?intatube&1204047691 So by this time next week I will be hearing what all this SET talk is all about... and hopefully enjoying what I am hearing. Obviously the JD 300B is not the ultimate 300B machine, but for $1k I don't think I can go wrong. Now the hard part, waiting for it to arrive.

Coytee, Your story helps make me feel at ease going with Jolida, sounds like they are willing to really support their products. I don't usually do to much head banging anymore (I must be getting too old) so I guess I am more interested in quality over quantity but I still am hoping for a full, satisfying and dynamic sound. I guess the only way to know for sure is to give it a try.

Hey Jay, From the sounds of it, if I am where you where and I can get close to where you are, I will be happy. Thanks

Hey Marvel, I breifly tried a Fisher 500C and at 32 wpc it would blow you out of the room at anything over 3-4 on the volume dial. Just to get by, I am currently using my Denon AV receiver and at 90 wpc it sounds so BLAH and lifeless. I was/am not expecting too much from the Denon but it is an interesting comparison.

Hey Jay, Thanks for the feedback. I just did a search on your amp... very nice indeed. I am still having a hard time getting my head around idea of single digit watts, but real world input like yours is very reasuring. Thanks

I had been considering a Audio Space integrated for the Khorns and when googling 300B amps I came across a JD-300B for sale at a very attractive price. The 1st question, will nine 300B watts be enough to drive the Khorns in a large room... 15' x 24', open to another 11' x 22' room? 2nd, have the Jolida guys been happy with their gear for reliability, sonics, and value?

Hey guys, Just to add another log on the fire... I know Jolida is a little more popular than Audio Space. How would a Jolida JD-300B work with the KHorns? I think I might start a new thread on the JD-300B.

Hey OB, I just saw a new listing on AGon for a pair of Corns in NASHUA, NH for $750. http://buy.audiogon.com/cgia/cls.pl?spkrfull&1204836153

Hi Leo, I do agree that it is better to buy American or Canadian when possible, especially, politically speaking. Quality wise, I think there are cases of some real crap coming from China, but more and more there are some nice products being manufactured in China. There are a lot of well respected companies getting some of their stuff made in China. Denon, Quad, Cambridge, etc, and if what I just read in another thread is true, even Klipsch. http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/t/99238.aspx "Mr. Dee, i can even post a pic showing "made in china" written on the back of RF 82's!" If money was not an issue, I might go for something from: http://www.wyetechlabs.com/index.html Like an Opal Line Stage Preamplifier and a Topaz 211C stereo amplifier. I am hoping some of the guys have had a closer look at the Audio Space stuff and see if it jives with what my dealer was saying.

Hey OB, Yes, I sold them to help finance the KHorns that I bought from Claude: http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/t/97057.aspx I would have loved to have been able to keep them along with the corner-horns but I just couldn't swing it. They went to a loving home a few hours north of you, in the Kingston, ON area. Good luck with your search, hopefully you will find a pair that are as nice as Doug's pair. Tom

Hey DD, The link that Bill posted shows the list prices and with the current US/Canadian dollars, these are very close to the prices up here in the Toronto area. I think the price I got quoted for the 3i (EL34: 16W (triode), 32W (ultralinear), EL34, without remote) was $1200 plus tax.

Yes Bill, very well priced and they look very nice when I saw them in person. I did not listen to any of them, this dealer has nothing remotely close to a horn / Klipsch speaker. The website refreshed my memory on names, the models the dealer suggested were: 1) Gallaxy 300: 21wpc, 300B, with remote. 2) Gallaxy 34: 16W (triode), 32W (ultralinear), EL34, with remote. 3) 300B MKII: 10wpc, 300B SET, no remote. 4) 3i: 16W (triode), 32W (ultralinear), EL34, without remote.

I stopped by a local shop yesterday looking for a tube integrated to go with my "new to me" 1975 Klipschorns. For tubes they sell Mac, VTL, Shanling, and Audio Space. For price/performance the owner suggested Audio Space and pointed me to the either the EL34 model or the 300B model. Sorry, forgot the model names already. From what I understand Audio Space is one of the older Chinese HiFi companies and maybe a cut above some of the others? I would love to hear from anybody that has used or had a listen to these amps. Thanks

Hey Mark, "If you have to go SS, these amps are as good as it gets" Well, that means a ton, coming from a tube guy like yourself! A year or so ago when I bought the Mod preamp, it was basically a coin toss over which to buy... your Peach or Dan's 9.0. Ultimately it came down to the remote control, but I see you are now offering the Peach with a RC option. Can suggest which First Watt might be best suited to the Khorn as well as which would work best with the Peach. Thanks

Hey Tom, I am basically slowly starting from scratch after recently selling my previous system (84 Corns, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre24, Ouicksilver Mid Monos) and buying the 1975 Khorns. I just took delivery of a Fisher 500C that I bought on Ebay but it got sent back to the seller after finding a broken tuner wheel. My plan was to go with a vintage receiver but I am not sure if I want to deal with the thought of sourcing parts and service for such an animal. With that said, the Fisher did make the Khorns sing, nice and full sound, very easy to listen too. My next thought was to go with a more modern set up, a tube pre and SS amp. I have used this combination in the past, Modwright SWL 9.0 with tube rectifier and a Bryston 14B with great results on PMC OB1s. Initially I was also thinking, JM Peach or maybe another Modwright. Thanks for the links.

Hey guys, Has anybody tried or listened to any of the First Watt amps with a Heritage speaker? I know that the F1 and F2 are designed to work with single driver speakers with no xovers but I am wondering how the F3, F4, or Aleph J might work with my Khorns. I just read a review on the F3 and it compared very favourably to the reviewer's SET amp but with a better bottom end and obviously no tube maintenance.

Michael, You are killing me! I feel privileged to have owned 1 pair of mint Cornwalls, then sold them for a pretty nice pair of KHorns... When I see shots of some of your collection... now I feel inadequate. I want to meet you in person, and listen to every pair of speakers you own. It may take a little while, but I am willing to supply the Stella, Harp, Guinness, Moosehead (for me, eh), and maybe even some Sam Adams to have the good fortune to listen to your collection. I may even bring some good Canadian whiskey with me! Cheers, Tom