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Hi, I just bought a pair of 1983 Belles in Walnut in mint condition off ebay. (see link). What is typically done for the care of the wood? Am I to oil it, or just keep it clean? Thank you, Pete http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280293347395

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I feel I've received some great advice. I'm not in a big hurry, as I have an old Carver m1.5 that I can run them on in the mean time. The guy I bought the speakers from recommended a McIntosh 2105. These aren't too expensive. What is the general consensus of this amplifier? Good match for Belles? Thank you, Pete ps - here is the link to the speakers I bought on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280293347395

Thanks Josh. Where does one get the crossover upgrade/update? How much does this cost? Pete

here is the link to the ebay page with pictures of my new Belles http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280293347395 Pete

Thank you for the offer. I'm a doctor, not from Maryland. I live in Indiana now. I just moved here from NYC last year. I did my internship and residency there for 4 years. I had a girlfriend who lived in Wash DC, so I used to take Amtrak from NYC to DC all the time, and I remember stopping at BWI. Anyway, thank you for the offer. Pete

Yeah, that is the set. Yes, they are in walnut, not cherry. I realized my mistake after typing that initially. You are right, they ARE in mint condition. I couldn't find any flaw with them. So you think that was a fair price? I was bidding on the 2003 Belles from South Carolina in unfinished oak that sold just before mine did for around $2600, but I got outbid at the last minute. They were 2003 models I think. I then saw these and wanted to be sure to get them, as mint Belles don't come up for sale very often, so I put in a max bid of $3100, and ended up getting them for $2617.89. The seller then took 2% off for paying with a cashiers check (he would have taken 4% off for cash if I could have brought it to him within 2-3 days from the end of auction, but I couldn't get up there then). I think mine are are prettier than the 2003 unfinished oak ones, but they are 20 years older....from what I read here, some of the older ones are better than the newer ones??? Oh, and some people were asking where I'm from. I live in Bloomington, IN Pete

I'm in Bloomington, Indiana. I bought the speakers in Milwaukee. Thanks for everyone's help. there are some strong opinions here, huh? Haha. Pete

I just bought a beautiful set of 1983 Belles on Ebay in flawless Walnut. You probably saw them on there for sell a week or two ago. I probably paid too much, but they are beautiful, and I love them. I had a pair of beat-up La Scalas while in college, but they were stolen from me 7 years ago. I've been in school and internship ever since and unable to afford another pair of Heritage Klipsch's, and I refused to buy anything else. I used a Carver M-500 to drive my La Scalas, and thought the combination was wonderful. I'm not an "audiophile". But, I always heard everyone talking about tube amps and McIntosh. I didn't understand at the time...and still don't. I would love to hear a comparison, but I don't know anyone who owns a tube amp. Is there that much of a difference? Aren't tube amps pretty expensive? My budget for a new amp to run my Belles is about $1500, what would you buy if you were me? Someone recommended a used solid state McIntosh...I think it was the 2400. What do you all think? Do tubes require maintenance? Would you get a receiver or separates? Thank you all for your help. Pete