winchester21

I have walunt cornwalls- Black Rc 64- Black Rb81s-Cherry Rb61s- nothing matches- they all sound the same- no worries- Just listen and enjoy!!!!!

Sorry for repeating a worn out subject but I need a few current opinions based on today's market. I did a search but did not see exactly what I was wanting to ask.I just bought a pair of Cornwalls and a mac 2105 amp from another member. My CD player is a worn out Adcom 700 and I think it is ready for the trash can. In the 500-1000 dollar range what's the hot ticket? Many thanks in advance

OK- Now i've really gone and done it. picked up a killer set of Cornwalls and a Mac amp. I am running the combination as my fronts with Rc64 center- rb81 rears- rb61 surround- all with 200 watt amps- the mac running the cornwalls is a 2105 - everything using the Sony DA2400 ES as a processor/preamp. My plan was to complete the HT system with a set of RF83s(which i love) but now I don't know what to do. My plan was to have a separate 2 channel Heritage system for music which i may still do but some real surprises have come out of this mixture. The RC64s and the Cornwalls sound lovely together. I am really suprised by this. Really did not think the reference stuff would work with the cornwalls- Trust me - it does. I really thought the Sony Ht receiver would make a crummy preamp for thre Mac- Not the case.The Sony/mac combo is deep, clean and rich in the 2 channel music mode with no hint of the sharp edge that I anticipated. Very acceptable music 2 channel playback- not tube quality but near Mac amp/preamp sound for solid state. When money allows I will most likely go ahead and complete the Reference HT system and go to a tube setup for 2 channel music. But for an interim setup for music and HT- this ain't half bad. Its like having your cake and eating it too. I am pleasantly surprised. Somebody is gonna get a real nice set of vintage RF3s out of this deal.

Budget 500-800. Would like something all black- perfer flat surfaces rather than round. 2- 4 or 5 shelf racks to be placed side by side. Maybe something that could be added to later if necessary.I have some 40 lb plus components. So far VTI is all that I have found.

looking for something in a black/glass 4 shelf rack. Anything other than VTI and Studio tech? Thanks in advance

Not a bad Blu ray selection. As a shooter I was kind of rolling my eyes during the curving bullet scenes ( it could happen!!!!) but otherwise pretty entertaining. The sound track was killer through my new RC64 center. Enough T & A to keep it interesting. Well worth the 4 bucks. Can't see why any HT fan would not like it. +1 on the reccomendation

Anybody wanting to sell an RSW15 please PM me. I need one.

Just went through the same exercise a few months back. looked at Sony, HK , Marantz, Denon with the intention of using the receiver as a decoder/preamp only. It came down to a choice between the Marantz and the Sony. When the 4300 ES4300 Sony was upgraded to another model with an extra 25 WPC and the price was cut form 1400 to 650 the decision became easy. Sony does not get much play on this board but if you stick to the ES series. I don't believe you can go wrong at$ 650. I think that they are all gone but if you can find one on closeout, the ES4300 is worth a look. It is my understanding from asking many people that I trust that there is no difference in the preamp outs among this group of brands. Any of them are fine as I understand it. This way you can set aside having to worry about the power amplifier section and concentrate on the other features for your selection. I picked up some killer serarate amps from e- bay that were a few years old. 200% improvement particulary at medium to high volume levels. THe difference is night and day. Just make sure you do your homework and pick highly rated amps wth clean power. You will be very happy with the results.

Thanks- There is a lot of interest in the 7 and you should be able to sell it easily. There is always someone looking for one to match R7s. The RC64 is a great match for the RF83s. I have heard them together-nice. At a grand I was on the fence but with all of these deals flying around at 600 it's a no brainer. Everybody tends to like what they have but this one is really better than I expected.

You made the right decision. I have listened to the 62s at length- I bought a RC64- I use Rb61s as surrounds. I hooked them up as fronts for a day just to play with them- Awesome speaker- close to the Rb81. I really think the RC62 is too much if you are using 61s as fronts. The 52 should do just fine.good choice.

RS62- pretty hard to beat- I would be using them now but they wont work where I wanted to put them. Had to use Rb61s wall mounted pointed down. Nothing wrong with the 7s except the 62s are so freaking good. Buy the 62s

Just received and connected my new RC 64. Everything I expected and anticipated except better. My older KV2 was really lagging behind. Even with the GUI setup maxed out on My Sony receiver at the center It just did not cut it. If you are putting a high end reference system together for HT applications- this is it.Suprisingly, I have been able to balance it with my older RF3s which will be gone soon in favor of R 83s which will finish my HT system off(yeah right!!!). All joking aside, I listened to just about every center in the higher end of the Klipsch line and this one is worth the cash. This one blows the others away Klipsch and otherwise. The RC64 just has unbelievable presence( I hate that word) but the thing just presents every facet of the soundtrack as it was meant to be heard. It literally fills the room with sound. I was tempted by the RC62 at 300 dollars when Tweeted closed but now I am glad that I waited. Vanns has the cherry model on sale for 600.00 delivered and I got a dealer much closer to match the price on a cash no credit card deal for a black model. I am very happy with the deal. One downside- this is a big heavy sucker. I had to dismantle some stuff and shoehorn it into my TV rack which was kinda lika a monkey getting friendly with a football. Check your dims closely because the beast is just barely too big for many box store entertainment centers and TV stands- even the 50 inchers. The thing weighs 70 lbs . I am driving it with a 250 WPC Carver THX amp and thr RC64 LOVES the power. I would assume that a 100 watt receiver would be OK but personally I like to err on the + side when it comes to power with a reference system. This thing will overpower and absorb many smaller front speakers so be prepared for the upgrade bug for your fronts if you buy one.Without getting really stupid on the money side, I can't see wanting anything else in the way of a center. Pretty much upgrade proof BUY THIS SPEAKER!!!!!!!!!!! Sony DA4300ES-Sony 550 Bluray- Panasonic 50" plasma-RF3 fronts- Rb61side surrounds-RB81s rears-RC64-Definitive PF15 sub-Carver 3 ch A753 front/center amp- B&K EX4420 rear amp- HK 870 side.surround amp -Adcom GCD700 CD Wish list-RF 83s-(Next week)-A better sub- 2 channel system with k horns- mac 275- mac 220-or a mac 2275.

My son got it for Christmas- It Rocks!!!! Also loved Death Race- Guys flick if here ever was one. Can't wait to hook up the RC 64 when it arrives. Movie theaters now suck in my book. Rather wait for Blu ray and see/listen to it on my stuff.

Folks -if you haven't been to Memphis/Beale Street- you are missing the boat. Imagine going to a bar and seeing Stevie Ray Vaughn and then walking to the bar next door and seeing Johnie lang or Kenny Wayne Sheppard . This is obviously an exaggeration but the live music talent is amazing. If you have any appreciation for blues whatsoever then this is a must destination. 2nd to NONE!!!!!!!!!! If you have not been to Beale St. make your plane reservations today. There is a famous hotel with a 20.00 Sunday champagne brunch which is the best anywhere -bar none-period. I think the name is the Peabody. There are several world famous rib joints and there is a Ruth's Chris steak house that is also killer. freaking awesome city.

Ok - here's the deal. A friend was going through a nasty divorce back 12 years ago. He had a bunch of high end audio stuff among other things. His ex knew that he had some decent components but she did know specifics. So- she had scheduled an apprasier to come to his storage space containing his stuff and see what her half was worth. His stuff was much better than mine so we quickly swapped systems. She ended up getting my stuff in the settlement and I kept his. He said he would rather give it to me than to see her get it.I gave him some wine and a couple of guns to make up the difference. These components were quickly stashed in my attic during the ordeal as I had run out of room in my listening area/man cave. Just now getting back into audio and figured I should see what they were. There is also a B&O turntable up there if I can find it. Dont know which model. Prettty slack huh? lazy @ssed pack rat. Guilty as charged.

These guys will pop up doing google searches for certain Klipsch models. The idea of a klipsch dealer selling stuff to these guys cheap enough to undercut everybody makes no sense whatsoever. The dealer would have to be giving the stuff away in order for this to happen where they can cut prices by 60%. I would not touch this outfit with a 10 foot pole. So how in the heck did they end up with HERITAGE speakers that you can hardly ever find at a dealer ?? Something is wrong with this picture. I have on occasion printed these type of ads and used them to beat up on dealers while waving some cash around and meeting somewhere in the middle. I did recently buy a 550 Sony blue ray player from an outfit called techonweb.com for 300.00 which was way under the others. I registered the unit with Sony without issue but I suspect that they are shady. I took a chance on a 300.00 purchase but I would never do that on a 3k purchase for klipsch speakers. If you look at feedback on E-bay from other such outfits selling klipsch cheap you will see complaints about delays in shipping as if they have to go out and buy the speakers to fill the orders.I don't trust any of them particulary if I cannot speak with them directly on the phone.

I have a set of RB61s and Rb81s presently used as surrounds and rears. I hooked the 61s up as fronts just to test them by themselves when I first got them. They are very close to my Rb 81s. I am running 150WPC through them as surrounds in a HT setup and they sound great. You will be very happy with your choice. I could not get my 61s set up at ear height with stands considering the layout of my room. I solved this problem by purchasing a set of wall mounts that angle down. This worked extremely well. If you decide to go this route PM me and I will gt the name of the manufacturer. This set cost like 70 dollars delivered(pair) and is very well made specifically for klipsch bookshelf models.

Excelent post . I am considering the purchase of a pair of Forte IIs in ths local Craigslist. I would be buying the Fortes as rears or surrounds for later on in a heritage HT/Music setup with Corwnwalls or Khorns as fronts/2 channels. After owning both what do you think about this idea? I see you are from NC. I am in Charlotte. Do you know of anyone in NC-SC-VA who regulary deals in used heritage stuff ?I know that there must be somebody but I am having trouble finding any dealers or individuals within driving distance who buy or sell Heritage due to space. thanks in advance Congrats on your purchase.

My 2 cents worth- look for recently discontinued/upgraded models- buy the old one for half of a new one. All of the brands listed are good. I also like Sony as long as you stay with the ES series.Also look for authorized dealers going out of business. make sure that you get plenty of HDMI inputs and pre amp out jacks to upgrade to separates later on. For 1k you should be able to get a really kick @ss receiver in todays buyer's market. I would agree with the R F 3 comment. I am running an 2001 set of RF3s until I can find some RF 83s to complete my HT system at a deal. My other stuff is several notches above the Rf3s but they do a fine job of keeping up with the other stuff. The better cond rf 3s that I have seen are in the 400-450 range(pair) but they are better than many speakers that cost several times more. I have several people interested in mine when I get ready to sell them.The last set I saw on e-bay brought 450.00. You may want to take the speaker upgrade advice and wait on the receiver. To answer your question- Yes your system will definitely sound better with more power-clean power. The 130 watt Onkyo would be a nice upgrade. I know several people running then with absoultely no regrets or complaints.Personally, I think you need a min of 100 WPC to run any mid level Klipsch reference system.

My attic looks like a graveyard for old audio components and TVs. Not much good stuff- mostly old junk. Found this today. Any good?? What is it worth? 2- Technics turntables- SLQ D33- Both have Shure Cartridges(I think) Kenwood KA 7300 Kenwood KT 7300 All appear to be in decent shape. The kenwoods are heavy as heck and appear to have large power sources.

I saw the belles and thought about them. I am too far away so it would not have worked. Congrats- beautiful speakers. I am looking for a set of Cornwalls or Khorns with Belles as a possible solution depending on what I can find. I sought advice in another thread concerning Heritage speakers in this section and came away with the observation that my Carver A753-250 WPC was way too much for any heritage speaker.Further research and listening pretty much confirmed this. There was a post stating that you need to be in the 30% or higher volume setting for proper operation of any heritage speaker. I would agree with this after playing with a Mac 275. I listened to a set of Cornwalls with a mac 275 tube amp with a matching mac tube preamp- not sure which one. The sound was absolutely awesome and has convinced me to begin my search for a used example or an older and less pricey similar model. I also listened to the mac integrated amp side by side against the tube amp/preamp and the tube model blew away the integrated model. I could be satisfied with the integrated mac but most that I have seen for sale used still have way too much power for heritage speakers. I presenty own Carver, B&K, and HK power amps to run my reference HT system. I bought these off E-bay for dirt cheap-1200.00 for 3 amps- 7 channels. These are all GREAT pieces and they improved my present system by 200%. However they are not the correct tools to run heritage speakers. The sad truth is that you can buy a great pair of heritage speakers for a very reasonable price but you better get your big checkbook out to match suitable electronics if you expect to get the full potential from them. Personally, I hope to get something real nice for around 4K. The 275 with a preamp lists for 8 new which is not going to work for me. As for the mac sucks comment everybody is entitled to their opinion. Personally, I would listen to some Mac stuff in person or blow the comment off completely. I listened to several Mac 275 setups recently with Klipsch as well as B&W and some high end Definitive speakers. I was totaly blown away by the clean rich sound of the Mac products. I do not presently own any so it's not like I am bragging on what I own. The mac amps put my stuff to shame.To me this is a no brainer- just a question of how much other stuff I will have to sell to buy what I want.Best of luck with your search. We may be bidding against each other on E-bay.

Gimme anything from Switchback Ridge and a thick bloody rare steak. Bob Foley is the MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Vertical vintages of Pride,Switchback,and Foley in storage. Also lots of Dead Arm,E & E Black Pepper, Oracle,Paul Hobbs,Zapata, and too many Brunellos to list.Lots of old Dunhoff, Nigl,Muller Cator and Brindlemier rieslings-(white wine audiophile? gotta have something to drink with raw fish-helps kill the taste). Went completely crazy buying wine during the early 2000s Lots of stuff now ready to drink!!!! Cracked a bottle of Sportoletti Villa Fidelia 1999 last night. A 96 pointer from Parker when released back 8 or 9 years ago. As expected it was totally ridiculious.The big Syraz wines from Barossa vintages 1998 to 2002 are really starting to come around. I have several 6 packs of 2001 Dead Arm 98- Parker points- that I am dying to try. I have a special group of 1997 Napa cabs that are also on my short term endangered list. This Klipsch habit is cutting into my wine/cigar/car/gun money!!!!!!!!! Or is it the other way around?????

I am facing a very similar issue.I am running a reference setup with a group of powerful separate amps for each speaker. The HT is fantastic- the music is lacking. I have decided to keep my existing reference system for now and sell it off in pieces as I find Heritage items for sale on the used market.I plan to set up a seperate 2 channel system based on a set of khorns crammed into the same room for now and change everything out to heritage down the road . I listened to a set of Cornwalls hooked up to a new Mac 275 tube amp with the current entry level Mac tube preamp and was it sweet!!!!!!! I also listened to the same mac tube setup at a dealer side by side against a soild state integrated Mac through a set of B&Ws (91db)-less efficent) and the difference was night and day. In the course of my very unscientific research- listening to as many heritage speakers as possible- I have formed the opinion that low powered tube amps/preamps(100WPC max) are a must for Cornwalls or Khorns. Depending on your budget- I would give the tube stuff a serious look before eliminating them from consideration. A friend of mine is using a high end NAIM system with a set of Linn speakers.He has spent a small fortune on building and upgrading the system. Personally- I liked the mac 275/Cornwall setup much better for less money. My 2 cents worth.

I think that I can offer some advice as I have been doing the same thing in phases. My 444Es Sony reciever died so i started looking at new stuff. I had a patchwork home theater system of mismatched components of different brands which i thought sounded OK?? until I started replacing a few components with new stuff. Receiver- I found a DA4300 ES Sony-one notch below the flagship- on a Tweeter closeout for half price- 650.00. Very pleased with it. Try to find a higher end Sony-Marantz- Denon-Yamaha-whatever brand you like- that is being upgraded to a new model or from a going out of business sale-plenty of those going around now. Make sure that whatever you choose has plenty of HDMI inputs and a pre amp out option for all channels. 100 WPC would be a minimum rquirement IMO. Be patient and look for a deal- more bang for the buck. Speakers- I like the RF82 or the RF63 at your price point for fronts. I have been heavily shopping Rf 83s myself to replace my older RF3s. I have seen some Rf 63s discounted down to 1300.00 a pair which is very attractive. Either of the RC 62 or the RC64 would do very nicely for the center channel requirement. I have seen the 62 at 300-400 and the RC 64 for 600-750.The 62 is adequate but the 64 is sooo good and pretty much upgrade proof but somewaht of a budget buster for where you are heading. These are both 8" high centers so check out your space issues.For rears/surrounds there are deals floating around on RB 61s and RB 81s. I bought my 61s from Vanns for 300 delivered and my 81s for 500 out the door from Tweeter when they closed. There are also some deals on surrounds on surrounds if you want to go that route in place of bookshelfs. Do not mix brands with fronts/rears/centers/surrounds. Been there done that. Stick with all klipsch.. As for a sub you can look at other options. I am running a Definitive but I am still looking. The Klipsch subs are considered overpriced and under performing by some on this board. Listen to as many as possible and make your own decision. The Sony BDP-S550 is a killer Blu Ray/DVD player if you are buying one. I found one for 300.00 at techonweb.com I concur with the positive opinions expressed comcerning separate power amps for everything. I went on E-bay and bought a mixture of older Bob Carver, B&K, and H&K power amps in the 200-250 WPC range for 1200.00. Extensive research is necessary if you decide to try this. There is some really nice gently used stuff out there, but there is also a ton of raggged out junk.The difference in going from 100 WPC to 200-250 WPC is night and day. Best 1200.00 that I have spent to this point. This is something you can do later if so inclined. As for speaker wire there is an excellent recent thread that you should read in the technical questions forum. I opted for the 14 ga cheap stuff from lowes.Seems to be fine. Bottom line- I spent 2450.00 for a new receiver, a new blu rayDVD, an RC64 center,2-RB81s for rears, and 2 RB61s for sides. I spent 1200.00 for the separate amps(optional but not mandatory). I plan to spend around 1600-1800 on a set of RF83s when the right deal pops up. I already had the sub for which I paid 500.00. So after it is complete I will have 5800.00(not counting the TV)Trust me when I say that this system-even with the older RF3 fronts sounds way better that several 10k plus systems that my frineds had professionally installed in their houses. So - Eliminate the separate amps(until later)-drop down to the RC62-maybe cut a corner on the rears- and you are there at your 3k target figure. I really like your idea of buying your stuff in stages as you can look for deals and end up with a killer setup for not a lot of cash. The bad news is that this becomes an expensive disease. I am now also looking for some used Khorns and a MAC275 for a second 2 channel setup!!!!!! Good luck with your search. When you get some cash together check out Vanns and Crutchfield on a daily basis.They get some real deals on Klipsch but the sell out quickly.

Here's a scrap of info that may be helpful. I am on the fence about buying a set of RF 83s. I heard a set hooked up to a recently purchased 125 WPC Yamaha reveiver and then through my 250 WPC 7 yr old Carver A753 hooked up to a new Sony 100 WPc receiver used as a processor only with seperate power amp sources. The 250 watt setup was much better with both music and HT particulary at medium and higher volumes. If you can get more power to your Rf83s I think you will be pleased with the results. People can say what they want about the Rf83s as an efficent speaker but the set I listened to sure seemed to love the extra juice. my 2cents worth.