fwphoto
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Posts posted by fwphoto
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Inherited a pair of these today. I remember these with a Fisher tube receiver (with Garrard TT, too, maybe?) from the same time period, say, late 50s, earley 60s. The serial numbers end with an "A" so I suspect these might actually be XP-1As.
Did a quick search & found some info about them, but, anyone here familiar with them?
Thanks,
Frank
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Yup. That's what I was thinking. I have a spare sub looking for use too.
Perfect!
Frank W.
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I mostly used my kg 3.5s with a semi-retired yamaha rx-845. Sounded good but using a low-powered sub would really make them shine.
Good luck!
Frank W.
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Because of it's rear passive driver, the KG 4 has larger bottom end than the KG 3.5 but the bass is much flabbier. The KG 3.5 is one of the best bangs for the bucks in music, but can be a bit bright and doesn't bring as much bass to the table. Paired with an old school Pioneer it should sound quite good. I've owned both and would go for the KG 3.5. in the $150 to $200 range.
Got to agree with thebes here. I've got kg 3.5s and they are great speakers. I always felt they neeed some extra bottom, though, but never got around to adding a sub. Instead, I went with fotre IIs for my 2-chanel rig and no longer feel the need to add a sub.
I'm looking for another pair of 3.5s (or 4.5s) to add to my originals plus a klipsch center & sub for my ht system.
Never heard them, but I bet kg 5.5s are great without sub, especially if you're a rocker!
Frank W.
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I'm close. Wish I had the $. They look pretty nice.
Frank W.
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Whoever gets this TT (Thorens TD 160) will be happy.
That's the table I use & its super! I know there are better tables out there - but for $200? No brainer. :-) I'm just sayin'.
OT - I use a Goldring ELECTRA cart & like the combo!
Frank W.
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Most listening will be done from a laptop, either headphone out or USB sound card such as turtle beach . . .
Value is a consideration. Don't want to hurt much more than $100, . . .
Comfort is a plus. I like to listen on headphones as to not bother the wife doing her work on her laptop. Want to wear them comfortably for a couple of hours at a time.
I use Sennheiser HD-280 Pro headphones with the computer to edit video & listen to music. For higher SQ with good amplification, I have a set of HD-600s that I like a lot but are out of your self-imposed budget.
The HD-280 Pros are closed-back so they won't bother your wife. Their low impedence makes them a pretty good match for laptops, iPods, etc., without really wanting/needing a headphone amp. Finally, I've had mine since they were fairly new on the market & I'll likely be replacing pads & such, a nice "pro" extra, before I wear them out. They are very comfortable to me although not as comfortable as the HD-600s which are amazing.
Good luck,
Frank W.
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I have a TD160 with a Goldring ELECTRA cart that sounds wonderful to me. I don't mind being totally manual but I think a lift at the end of play ala TD165 would be nice, too.
Good luck,
Frank W.
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Frank W -- there will be nothing to 'work out'.
I've located the Crites midrange boxes. I insist on giving them to you, as well as paying for shipping.This is late in coming but:
Thank you Greg!
What a stand-up guy! I haven't had a chance to replace the OEM diaphrams yet, but I'm really looking forward to doing so.
I love this forum! So many folks willing to share their knowlege. On top of that, there are also great folks like yourself that go even further!
Thanks for sharing your love of fortes!!!!!
Take care,
Frank W.
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Thanks! We can work it out the details next week. I understand super busy! ;-)
Frank W.
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. . . I'm just so 'blown away' by this midrange clarity and detail, that I will unreservedly give my 'new' Crites phenolic midrange drivers to anyone who wants them.
Ummmm, just let me know. :-) I'd love 'em!
Frank W.
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What's the going rate on a decent condition amp such as an ST-70?
Not sure about the amp alone, but I paid $500 for a nice, working set of Dynaco separates including the ST-70, PAS-3 & FM-3 a few years ago or so, to someone from this forum. I ended up spending about $700 more for a professional "refurbish" job + new (JJ) & NOS (Mullard) tubes to replace some generic Chinese tubes in the ST-70 & PAS-3. (I don't have the FM-3 in the mix.)
So basically, I think somewhere around $500 should get you a nice running ST-70. Of course there are probably better deals out there if you get lucky, & I've also seen units priced higher. YMMV. I'd be interested in what others have in their ST-70s, though, too.
Frank W.
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- I've run my forte IIs off both SS (Marantz 1152DC) & tubes (stock Dynaco ST-70 & PAS-3). While the Marantz sounded great, the ST-70 brought tears to my eyes! Really! Sometimes people talk about synergy between certain components. I've got to believe the forte II/Dynaco ST-70 combo has to rank right up there. :-)
- Over time I've used 2 different DACs, first a KECES DA-151 USB unit, then a Beringer FCA202 Firewire DAC. I can't say which sounds better but, while the FCA202 is probably the more detailed & accurate unit, the KECES seems more "musical" if you know what I mean.
- I replaced the tweeter diaphrams with Crites titanium & was very happy with the smoother high-end. I've yet to do anything with the XOvers but am leaning to replacing the originals with Crites units. Seems pretty cost effective and they get rave reviews around here.
- I really see no need to bi-amp unless you're a "gearhead" that just has too! ;-)
- The 35W from my ST-70 will "rock the house" & them some!
That's my story,
Frank W.
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Anyway if y'all have found a CD player that sounds warm and doesn't have that top shrill sound I would be curious to know the model. Thanks.
I use a Rega Planet, the original one. Not sure of the specs but it sure is "musical." ;-)
Frank W.
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I have KG 3.5s & forte IIs (with Crites titanium tweets). Without the sub you probably won't dig the 3.5s.
I have them with separate amps & systems.
I have a stock ST-70 & I love the synergy ;-) with the fortes.
Enough said . . .
Frank W.
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Never heard pCats, but if I had the dough . . .
:-)
Frank W.
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It might be snake oil but I have read somewhere that it is not good for to amps to be on without a signal going through them.
Thats interesting. I've not heard that before.
Once I get the ST-70 back online I think I'll change my habits regarding power up & down. I suppose I can just listen more, too. :-)
Frank W.
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Thanks Southern,
Still haven't found the time/place to test my tubes yet. I'll make sure to take them all, not just power tubes.
Its been fun listening to my old Marantz in the meantime, though. Very different, of course, but better than I remembered. ;-)
Take care,
Frank W.
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Most of the antique radio repairers/restorers that I know also do the same for tube amps. After all, a radio is simply a "tuner" coupled to an audio amplifier. They are a terrific source for amplifier work on a local level, and their work is often above and beyond what is needed (some of the guys even open up the old paper caps, install modern replacements inside, and reseal them to preserve the original underchassis appearance!)
I'll definitely see if this guy works on vintage audio gear. Those kind of folks are getting pretty hard to find these days.
Frank W.
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Thanks! I'll try Firelands Radio this week. I'm not too far from Sandusky.
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I've got a thread going in the Tech Forum about my ST-70 blowing fuses & it appears I need to get my tubes tested to see if that's part of the problem.
Can anyone suggest a shop that has a tube tester in northern Ohio? I live in a small, rural community but commute to the Cleveland/Akron area daily. I'll also be in the Cincinnati are in a couple of weekends if anyone has "local knowledge" there.
TIA,
Frank W.
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Thanks for all the replies! Lots to think about over the weekend while I move the Marantz into play as, at least, a replacement amp for the ST-70. Haven't done that in awhile so it should make for some interesting listening!
Unless I happen to find a short or something else directly repairable, I'll start my search for somewhere to test the tubes. I live out in the country so I might be lookin' for a little while.
Anyone have a suggestion in northcental/northeast Ohio? I'll be in Cincinnati in a couple weeks, too, so, anything around there?
Thanks again!
Frank W.
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Well, it looks like I'm now starting my real journey into tubes! ;-)
My ST-70 is about as stock as you can get. Many of the controls were bypassed when I bought the amp but the mods were all done really well. That made it easy for me to have my tech put it back to "original." New tubes (where needed) & caps (at least that's what I was billed for) & a general refurbishing was done with the ST-70 & a PAS-3. I've been extremely happy thus far.
I'm glad I kept my ss amp so, at least, I'm still able to play my music.
Thanks for all the info speakerfritz!
Frank W.
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speakerfritz,
That's interesting. I recall some debate about leaving tube equipment on, with some pretty much leaving it on all the time. I have no doubt there would be a "cost", but is there also a cost when powering a tube up & down? I guess I figured over the course of a weekend I might use my stereo maybe 4 - 6 time.
I'm no expert so I'll take your word for it. Do you think a year or so of occassional, but regular, use like this would cause new tubes to short out?
The caps were replaced a year or so ago, too. Do you think they could be bad yet?
Thanks for the troubleshooting advise! I'm on it!
Frank W.
I've located the Crites midrange boxes. I insist on giving them to you, as well as paying for shipping.
Fisher XP-1
in 2-Channel Home Audio
Posted
OK, no big deal. Just thought maybe some of the older folks around here might remember them. At some point I might try to pair them with a lowish-power tube amp just to hear them again. Was hoping someone was familiar enough with them to give me some tips to bring them back to life. (Not that they're dead :-) They have sealed cabs & was wondering about the best way to access the insides to check out the drivers & x-overs.
Frank