J M O N

Yeah, I think I understood what you were getting at. I was merely explaining that with very high efficiency speakers, 3.5 watts can still work, and in what I experienced it can still work well. I'm not currently using this level of power and likely won't when all is said and done, but It's possible that I don't listen as loud as others and hence don't need as much headroom. I also sent the lowest frequencies to the LFE channel which of course is where the higher power levels are needed. PWK himself would state that "what this country needs is a really good five-watt amplifier." I completely agree that ideally you don't want to have two preamps in the chain. However, in the system I configured in this manner the performance was still exceptional to me (huge grins on my face). My two-channel preamp does have a HT bypass however, so that probably does help. My objective was that I wanted to build a two-channel system with no compromises for music-only listening. If the HT/multi-channel suffered as a result, I was willing to live with that but didn't feel there was much if any compromise. I only use multi-channel for watching movies. So I selected the preferred preamp and power amp for music, and in my case that meant I wanted tubes in the chain as that is the sound that is most musical to me. I'm not sure there is a multi-channel tube pre-amp out there but if there is, it's probably a lot more expensive than what I have. Cost is also an objective to me. I didn't find how you have configured your system. Did I miss it in this thread? Do you have that posted somewhere else? I'd be interested in seeing how you configured your system.

This is how I did it. My main goal was one room, one system, no disconnections / re-connections needed to switch back and forth and any resulting compromises would be to the HT portion and not the 2-channel system. I accomplished my goal and the HT systems also sounded as if there were no compromises there either. Edit: diagram updated to correct typo.

I haven't heard every single amp out there but of those that I have, if money was no object and you wanted to go solid-state with Klipsch Heritage, I would probably look at Jeff Rowland. They are expensive, large, and heavy. If money was an object, but there was still a lot available, Classé Audio would probably be the next choice for me with Heritage speakers. I have not heard the newer Nelson Pass amps so those should also be considered. I have owned older Threshold amps in the past (Designed by Nelson Pass) but with Klipsch Heritage I preferred both Rowland and Classé. If tubes are in play, I would very seriously look at the Juicy Music pCAT (pCAT stands for Pure Class A Triode) mono amps that Davis419b has for sale. They may very well be the best sounding amps I have heard and at about 20 wpc (or was it 25) will have plenty of power for Khorns. There were few made and I think most if not all were sold to forum members but they don't come up for sale often. As for a pre/pro, again, I like Classé Audio and they do make them but if money was no object I would also take a look at Theta Digital. I'm sure there are many others that are very good here as well and there are lost of options. Anthem would be another one I would look into. I do believe Bryston also makes them so that would be another brand to consider.

If you are going for home theater only, I would agree that you probably don't want to go that low in power. However, I have in the past run 3.5 Watt SET amps (Wright Sound) on my front speakers (Khorns) with an AVR powering the other channels and the results were fantastic -- better than any movie theater I've been to. With that amp, when turned up about as loud as it could reasonably go, I could go outside to the street and still hear music (2-channel only) even with all the doors and windows closed. If high volume is your goal then there are probably better amplifiers for the job, but a 3.5 Watt amp can still perform better than most would think when running very efficient speakers such as the Khorn.

I don't know about Emotiva as I've never heard (or seen one) in person. I do feel that Classé Audio is among the very best solid-state gear that is available from what I have heard. The CAV-75 is the exact same one I currently have and what I was running in my comment above. I have it for HT duty, but was listening to music on it in 2-channel mode with a tube preamp on Khorns and it's performance was impressive. Yes, Mark Levinson is a home audio company that started making car audio for one or more of the auto manufacturers but home audio is what they are famous for. I haven't heard Mark Levinson with Klipsch but I"m sure they would do fine. Just be prepared to spend a bit as Mark Levinson is one of the most expensive brands out there.

I think there is some truth to this comment. I have experienced a very wide-range of performance with Kiipschorns just by using different upstream components. I've also experienced different levels of performance with the same equipment being in different rooms (but I have to admit that is based on memory over longer periods of time as different rooms meant different houses). I think you are getting good advice here. If the La Scalas are sounding better than the Klipschorns, then there is something wrong somewhere else. Your Klipschorns look like they might be relatively new -- if so, then it probably isn't them. Your electronics are they same, so that shouldn't be the issue either (not to say you can't get improvements with better matched electronics). Chris seems to be offering some good ideas regarding your room. Based on your video, the ceiling appears to be very low (less than 8 feet?).

I prefer tube amplification but there are some very good solid state amps that can get you close. Classé Audio is one of my favorite solid state brands and are very smooth. The great thing about Classé is that they are relatively inexpensive for being high-end stereo equipment (think Mark Levinson, Threshold, Krell, etc.) and their lower-powered amps are very affordable on the used market. With Klipsch heritage, you don't need the high power amps. 70 Watts or so will be plenty. I have in my possession a Classé amp and was listening to it with a tube preamp recently and the sound was wonderful. Jeff Rowland is another great solid state amp that rivals tube amps in smoothness, but they tend to be on the more expensive side, even used. For value, it is tough to beat Classé in my experience. If you need multi-channel for HT, here is a great option: https://www.audiogon.com/listings/multi-ch-classe-cav-75-multichannel-amp-6x75w-channels-bridgeable-to-3x150w-2017-01-02-amplifiers-94110-san-francisco-ca Here is a very nice stereo amp that I have owned in the past. This one is scratched up so you might be able to get it for $350 or so. http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649300514-classe-70-amplifier/images/1327603/

I can't say if these particular Belles were finished in black from the factory, but yes, black was an available factory finish on Belles.

The Fi X, a 2A3 SET amp:

This is a great story! Don't be surprise to see your photos and maybe even your story posted on Klipsch's website. Condolences regarding your father.

You can't tell how an amp sounds based on it's measurements. You seem to be missing my point. Yes, there are instruments more sensitive than the human ear just like there are optical instruments more sensitive than the human eye. The point is that the intended use of a sound system is not for electronic instruments to sense or measure, the purpose is for the human ear to enjoy. You also seem to not be acknowledging that solid-state amplifiers also color the sound. Every single component in the system colors the sound from the source, amplifier(s), speakers, room, and finally the human hears. No, I'm absolutely no changing the definition. As I stated, tube amplifiers (overall) sound more like live music to me than solid state. This is with my ears. This is indisputable. I don't know why you think you know what I am hearing better than I do. So you are saying that there are no accurate systems? Because no system is 100% accurate, they all have some colorations. Yes, my tube amp has colorations. Your solid-state amp does too. I do have one question for you, have you ever heard a tube amplifier?

Simple -- I prefer the colorations of tubes over the colorations of solid-state. I agree that the goal of sonic perfection would be the "faithful and accurate replication of a signal from a source; music with nothing added or taken away." So how do you know that you are actually getting that? By taking measurements? Sure, that's the way that it is done but the devices being used to measure for accuracy are electronic instruments and those electronic instruments do not behave the same way that the human ear behaves along with he corresponding interaction between the human ear and the human brain. There are no instruments available to this point that can accurately simulate those organic devices. Then don't forge that all human ears hear differently, including the two on your own head. I won't even get into the differences in brains... Overall, tubes are more accurate to me. They sound more like music to me. Yes, with solid-state I can hear the music and all the instruments, but I always can tell it is a musical reproduction. I get closer to the sound of live music with tubes. That is the type of accuracy I'm interested in.

The older ones did not come with a rubber seal from the factory. Don't reject a set for this reason alone. You can use pipe insulation if needed, but I ran my '78 Khorns without anything for years and still got great sound.

In my case, I can definitely hear a difference between tubes and solid-state and it is not imagined nor some other situation where I'm trying to justify an expense. I'm not one that buys expensive power cords, interconnects, and lifts the speaker-wire off the floor because I fell for someone's marketing gimmicks. Believe me, if I could find a solid-state amp that sounded as good as my tube amp, I would switch in a second (assuming I could afford it). Tube amps are finicky, generate more heat, and generally aren't as reliable as solid-state. More expensive -- well, not so much for me compared to the solid-state amps I used to own. Going with tubes requires an extra level of commitment and it definitely is not for everyone. I did not want to prefer tube amplifiers for many of the reasons I mentioned above, but by golly when I first heard one I was hooked! The difference was immediately noticeable to my ears. Now, I can envision there are cases where the benefit of tube amps won't be realized and could even be detrimental. I suspect there are some speakers that will work just as good if not better with solid-state and I think there are also music types that would follow suit. For example, I don't listen to "electronic music" or rap but those are music types that I could imagine possibly not benefiting from tubes. Where tubes really do excel over solid state is with vocals. I do realize as I get older and my hearing degrades, there may become a time when I am unable to differentiate the benefits of the tube sound. The #1 quality I look for in my system is musicality. Characteristics such as frequency response, imaging, sound stage, and even accuracy come in afterwards. I prefer the sound of live music (not talking about high volume) as that is the most musical in my experience and tubes get me closer to a live performance. When I switched to tubes, I switched from listening to the system to listening to the music. I've gotten much more enjoyment out of my system since making that switch! By the way, my wife also noticed the improvement with tubes and she could care less about the tube vs. solid-state debate. To the O.P., let your ears tell you what they prefer and for sure don't be fooled by those that are trying to sell you something. Do yourself and your wallet a favor and see if you can audition the various types of amps before you buy.

Hot glue gun will do the trick and allow you to reposition for a few seconds.

Here are some amps that will meet every one of your desires other than the "rounded highs" you're willing to live with:

I've owned La Scalas and Cornwalls (among others). For overall sound, I actually prefer the Cornwalls but just slightly (which surprised me as Cornwalls were my first Klipsch speakers and I longed for La Scalas for a very long time). Both are great, and both sound amazing with tube amps. I currently have Cornwall IIs and have run them with 2-1/2 watt SET amps. I've had no issues with volume but you might if you like it really loud and have a large room. 2-1/2 watts goes a long way with high efficiency speakers. It is true, tube amps are in fact audio jewelry. They are, however, also ear candy.

They appear to me to be Rosewood Lacquer Klipschorns. Nice find! Edit: I just noticed the ad states "Cherry Lacquer."

+1

I can vouch for that!

It is possible to fit two complete "B-model" Khorns in a 4Runner, but just barely.

I should clarify -- it was underwhelming for 2-channel listening. For HT it was probably fine but I did use my two-channel system anyway to power the Klipschorns -- this included vacuum tube amplifiers. It sounded great for two-channel and HT!

The biggest concern I would have here is the possibility of a water leak and the destruction of your Klipschorns. Aside from that, Klipschorns would still work and you would still have three out of four good walls to use, so it would still be usable. The easiest solution would be to just build a false wall. Do a search on this forum for instructions.

I've used Klipschorn mains with a Belle center and the transition from left all the way to right was completely seamless in a HT environment. Klipschorns and La Scalas / Belles have very similar sonic signatures.

The same thing happened to me -- it wasn't the Klipschorns, it was the AVR. You can solve this problem with an AVR that has a pre-out for the two front mains. Send those signals out to you 2-channel amp and bypass the amp in the AVR. A HT using Klipschorns sounds wonderful when powered by quality amps.