Tarheel TJ

RJP, I never tried running a straight signal through the MiniDSP like you did. In my case, I replaced the stock AL-3 crossover and went straight to a multi-amp setup. The improvement in fidelity was huge. Whatever loss in fidelity the MiniDSP introduces, and I am sure there is a little, it was more than offset by removing the passive crossover entirely. I am loving what I am hearing right now!

RJP, I am loving the MiniDSP and ST-70 combo. Like you, I am still dialing in my settings. However, compared to my stock LaScalas, it is a monumental improvement! I am hearing the best hi fi I have ever experienced, including unobtainium setups at high end audio dealerships. I too worried about losing fidelity to the AD/DA conversions. However, what I am hearing is so good I have forgotten all about that. Maybe you could best this with a really high end all-analog setup, but I would hate to see the price tag.

That is true. It is really a Triode/UL switch.

That sounds like a good plan. I would love to have a second THT to even out room response a bit. But even in my large, WAF-free basement, I can't figure out where I could fit a second one. I could maybe build a low profile version with a 12" driver and jam it in a corner somewhere, but even that would be a challenge. I have never personally tried it, but it is my understanding that multiple subs are absolutely the best option for smooth bass response. I think if you cross them pretty low, a pair of tapped horns will probably sound excellent.

If it helps, here are all three measurements taken from the listening position.

ChrisA. If I remember correctly, you have offered to help people set up their digital crossovers in the past. If you are still willing to help, I would love to take you up on that offer. I am using a MiniDSP4x10HD. I have a THT sub, La Scala bass bins (with K-43s), and a B&C DE750TN 2" driver on 11x17 ZXPC horn. I am no longer using a tweeter above this. Using REW, here are the measurements I have taken of each driver (with 1/6 smoothing). These were taken 3 ft from the speaker mouth, except the sub curve, which was measured at the listening position. I think this is the data that would be needed to set up a digital crossover, but I am new to this. I got an initial setup going that sounds pretty good (amazing actually), but I would love to get your input, as you are much more experienced in these matters.

I ran a Musical Paradise MP-301 (~6 watt SEP) through the pre-outs on my HT receiver, powering my La Scala mains for a few years. I think it sounded fine and had plenty of power. Granted, I am using a THT sub, so bass response was well taken care of. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Having 104dB speakers does make a difference!

I built a THT to use with my La Scalas. I think it is about 30" wide ( I made it 1/2" narrower than the door to the room). Sounds fantastic. It blends seamlessly with my La Scala bins. It just sounds like I have a huge pair of La Scalas that dig down to ~20hz or so. I was using a cheap 12" vented sub before that sounded like crap. I could never get it to blend well with the horn bass of the mains. Going to a horn sub was night and day. Now I can shake the floors and rattle the windows all day with clean, deep bass. It is a huge beast though! Dwarfs the La Scalas in size, and they are not small speakers. If you have the room for one, I cannot recommend it enough. I am fortunate enough to have a basement music room/home theater where WAF is not a consideration.

I have done some listening this weekend now that my ST-70 is in the main system (driving a 2” driver in a biamped configuration). Since it now only plays from 500hz up, I have found the triode/pentode switch doesn’t make nearly as much difference. In fact, I can barely tell the difference between the two. Granted, I don’t have 100 hours on the amp yet, so nothing is fully broken in yet.

I have used an AMC CVT2030 (30wpc push pull el34 with a mosfet input stage). Sounded great but had reliability issues over the long term. Then I tried a Musical Paradise MP-301. It is an SEP that can take a variety of tubes. It sounded good and it was fun trying different tube types (I used el34, 6l6 and kt-88s). However it was noisy at idle. Too noisy for La Scalas IMO. Would probably be fine with less efficient speakers. Recently, I have biamped using a MiniDSP. Running SS on the bass bins and a VTA ST-70 on the top end. I am using a 2” driver in a 2-way configuration, so it really isn’t a LaScala anymore. This is by far the best setup I have ever had. I think the biggest issue with using tubes and LaScalas has been getting a setup with low enough noise. Tube amps are inherently noisier than solid state at idle. A 104 dB speaker makes this obvious. Totally worth it though, as once you hear that tube goodness, you just can’t live without it! Next I really want to give a Transcendent Sound OTL a try. I think that power will not be an issue since I am biamped.

Glad to see I'm in good company. Anyone else have thoughts on triode vs. pentode operation? I will be using mine with a MiniDSP in the main system, so I should be able to EQ it flat regardless. Just wanted to hear everyone's impressions of the sonic differences between the two modes.

Just got mine finished up last night. Fired right up on the first try! Played it for a couple hours on the Heresys to confirm function. It was interesting playing with the pentode/triode switch. To my ears, it sounded much better in pentode mode. Much better bass and more balanced sound. Triode mode was way too "midrange forward" for my taste, at least while playing rock and roll. It will be interesting to hear the difference once I incorporate it into my main system as it will only be driving 500hz and up on my bi-amped mains (2" B&C drivers over La Scala bass bins).

It probably just needs a rebuild. These units are 40+ years old now. I have a 2230 with similar issues (crackly volume pot, channels in and out, etc.). Check here for parts: https://irebuildmarantz.com/catalog/index.php

That looks like a fantastic setup. It is very similar to what I envision as my end-game: Radian Beryllium CDs driven by OTL amplifiers. I think in my case, I am going to shoot for Transcendent Sound though. They are a bit more affordable than the Atma-spheres.

I am in the process of building the exact same amp as we speak! Should be done tonight or tomorrow. Lots of fun to build, and I can't wait to hear what it sounds like. I will test it out on my Crites-modded Heresys before it gets hooked up to my main speakers.

I have the Benq HT 2050 that RoboKlipsch mentioned. Bought it for $599 last year on black Friday. I just couldn't pass up that deal! I am currently running it in a dark basement with a 120" screen. The color and contrast is probably not quite as good as the 50" Panasonic plasma it replaced, but the size more than makes up for it. I could never go back to a small screen for my main home theater. The huge screen size just makes everything so immersive. There is just no comparison to a smaller screen. My plan is to eventually upgrade to a better unit once UHD projectors become more affordable. In a dark room, the picture quality and brightness are excellent. If you turn the lights on, it all goes away. Projectors are not suitable as a TV replacement in a regular room. You must have a light controlled environment to even consider using one. However, if you can make it work, they are the only way to go. Kind of like going from small bookshelf speakers to K-horns or La Scalas. Everything is just so much bigger and more real!

Yes. I am using the stock AL-3 crossover that came with my La Scalas. I am running the stock bass bin (with K43 woofers), K-55 with the zxpc and adaptors and Crites tweeters. I have no idea how it measures, but it sounds great to me. Much better than the k-400 to these ears.

I am still using this horn with k-55s at the moment. Will be upgrading to a bi-amp/tri-amp setup soon using the B&C De750TN as a midrange. This will probably happen in the next month or two. As a standalone upgrade, I think it sounds considerably better than a k-400, even while using adapters which are less than ideal. Keep in mind, I have done no measurements; I'm basing this purely on listening. To me, it sounds much better, and I don't hear any obvious frequency response problems. I always found the k-400 to be very harsh sounding. I'll have more information on this when I get a minidsp and measurement mic. I should be able to get some decent measurements of my current setup before I start making changes.

If you haven't yet found what you are looking for, I have a pair I will sell. PM me if you are interested.

Are you asking $200 for the pair of B&C drivers, or $200 each? If it is $200 for the pair, I may be interested.

Has anyone made a direct comparison to Crites' old tweeter upgrade, the CT125? Wondering if its worth spending the money to upgrade my 125s.

One more trip to the top. Any offers?

I am looking at something similar. Trying to run a tube amp for stereo and a HT receiver for multi-channel. I found this on Amazon. It was the simplest such device I could find. I was thinking I might actually open up the device and remove the wiring for the A+B setting to reduce the likelihood of accidental amplifier damage. https://www.amazon.com/Stereo-Speaker-Selector-Switcher-Combiner/dp/B00CZNXKRA Thoughts?

I have a simple question. I recently got a replacement laser logo for one of my Heresys that has been without one for some 15 years. Thanks to forum member BamaMike for hooking me up! What is the preferred glue for attaching it to the speaker cloth? Seems like an easy question, but I figured I'd ask rather than guessing wrong.

To the top. Surely somebody needs some K400s.