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bracurrie

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Posts posted by bracurrie

    Pure Vinyll/Music on a Mac, need audio interface ideas

    in Technical/Restorations

    Posted

    Thanks for your thoughts. There are some records that I will always want to play on a pure analog setup, but I have been enjoying them using a miniDSP for active crossover. So that's what got me to thinking about pure music and eliminating the miniDSP. Firewire is not out of the question, however my mac mini has that crazy firewire port that requires an Apple plug.[:@] so I am trying to use USB to set up a prototype system as proof of concept that this is doable.

    Forte IIs and headphones for similar sound

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    You cant go wrong with Grado.. I have the 60s and they are an excellent value. The upper models are probably fantastic.

    My son and I visited the Grado offices and plant in Brooklyn several years ago and they were very nice. John Grado has high standards and a humble operation. Its a family business that started in the mid fifties making phono cartridges.

    Why do I like the sound of Chorus Is better than my Forte IIs?

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    Thanks Larry for taking the time to share your thoughts.

    So, it's interesting that you seem to think that acoustic instruments you've surely heard in real life in the past, don't sound to you like they should whereas other sounds seem to meet a possibly different expectation.

    To be sure its an individual thing born of experience. Living in a city where I don't go more than several weeks without hearing either acoustic or amplified live music, I am always looking to capture that repro system magic that moves me. Nobody can know exactly where that might come from for me, but I am always looking for ideas that I can enjoy trying. My 17 yr old son has played the violin since three and has a great ear. And even though he may be playing me like a fiddle, even he made the same observation about the acoustic sound from the Forte IIs.

    In any case, my single attempt to upgrade my AK-4 Klipschorns with a non-Klipsch product was not satisfactory from MY standpoint.

    I was very concerned that the same thing would happen to me after my upgrades.

    I could hear WHERE the new tweeters were coming from, almost by looking at them, whereas the old ones blended into the wall of sound from the front of the K-horns.

    Interesting you should say this. I distinctly remember running the Forte IIs with one amp and I thought the same thing. I said it was hot sounding. My audio tech repair and guru guy suggested trying a different amp. That cooled it down and the sound was more coherent or balanced.

    I have always wondered if I did something wrong with the installation or phasing when I installed the new tweets.

    Heck I rewired mine out of phase when I installed my upgrades and my heart sank on first listen. When I corrected the phase problem between all the drivers they sounded great.

    Thanks again for the exchange of thoughts. This a terrific community of talents and experiences that never ceases to amaze me with their generosity as they participate in these forums.

    Why do I like the sound of Chorus Is better than my Forte IIs?

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    What upgrades did you do and please describe best you can the improvement?

    Thanks Craig. Fair question. I haven't touched the squawker but did install the Bob Crites crossover upgrade and his tweeter diaphragm upgrade. The speaker seemingly opened up. Better highs and mids to go with the strong bass. Miles Davis sounds like he could be in the room. Robin Trower - Bridge of Sighs is so detailed you can almost detect the long miced room he used for his guitar sound. I agree with the comments about the measurements on the low end being a little off from published Klipsh specs. I have worked a lot on placement and feel like I have them in the right place in the room, but hey I could be wrong here.

    For rock and pop these are the best I have ever owned. For acoustic jazz and bluegrass I can't really put my finger just what is wrong. It could be the difference between a well tuned 2-way versus a 3-way. Now you may know, I have a jube clone/ Eliptrac-Faital two way system so my ear is tuned to how well that performs. When I have my jube setup out for loan and listen to my Forte IIs its different to be sure and enjoyable. I just wonder if its a pipe dream to improve them further. Or should I begin the quest for a two-way to take the place of my jube setup when it goes away for good. Single driver systems also intrigue me.

    I look forward to your thoughts.

    Pure Vinyll/Music on a Mac, need audio interface ideas

    in Technical/Restorations

    Posted

    I am thinking about using Channel D's Pure Vinyl with Pure Music as a digital audio engine on a Mac to become my front end. Seems intriguing as a front end to a bi-amped two way system. The software has the ability to handle the active crossover duties using 64 bit algorithms for better DSP performance. It has the ability to handle more than enough PEQ settings. Its flexible implementation of RIAA curve correction is said to me more accurate than a lot of analog pre amps. So with a USB audio interface that handles multiple inputs, one with a mic preamp for my TT one for my RTR and one for my tuner and two pairs of outputs for my two way speakers, this configuration could take over the pre-amp duties of my sound system entirely. Since my existing setup uses a miniDSP I am already using a digital element in the path. Why not go all the way. Use tube amps as the last stage to warm it up.

    Now I remember, the reason I love Klipsch is rooted in my belief that an all analog path is better. [:)] Oh well, maybe I will have to find a way to have it both ways so I can scratch that analog itch when Jack White comes over. Just kidding, but he does live here now and he is making a real push with old school stuff. He is even cutting direct to vinyl at his studio.f pr

    What I really need is thoughts, suggestions and ideas on the multi-channel USB audio interface. Seems there a lot of them out there at prices that range from $80 to $8,000. 24 bit 48 kHz is the minimum, but I wouldn't mind climbing the value curve towards 192 kHz. Any higher would be silly for a repro system.

    Mid fifties Klipshorn hunt

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    you did not say where you were located

    I am in Nashville Tennessee.

    The khorns lower section is cut out to fit over molding.

    I saw that in some photos, but assumed it was a personal customization. Which then begs the question how tight to the wall do the Khorns have to be to perform as intended?

    obtaining older gear is only 1/10th of the battle. next comes the restoration of the vintage gear to bring it up to spec's.

    Indeed, and just to be clear I want to restore them to original specs not today's specs.

    we today are not as hearing virgin as most were during the golden age of high fi

    I hear ya. I have even had an eardrum re-coned so the high end is down more than I will admit. However, since I listen to a fair amount of live music (benefit of living in Music City) its all relative.

    For my own satisfaction I did an interesting test to see if out of hearing range high frequency sounds have a meaningful impact on music in the hearing range. I rolled off my high horns at my top end hearing range and played a song recorded by a combo that included a singing bass player with drummer and sax. I then reloaded my miniDSP without the high end rolled off and IMO it sounded better. I am not a trained audio person so I am just throwing out a layman observation that may be wrong in many ways.

    Thanks for the reply.

    Mid fifties Klipshorn hunt

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    We need a bit more information what your trying to accomplish.

    I am thinking of doing this for nostalgia reasons, but also to prove a point. Using mid fifties source material, amp and a Klipschorn yielded pretty damn good results. I had a conversation with a self proclaimed audiophile and he believes that hi-fidelity repro didn't start until the early sixties. I know stereo is superior as I have a Jubilee clone setup for accurate repro.

    Thanks for the thoughts.

    Looking for a Klipshorn

    in Garage Sale

    Posted

    I am looking for a single Khorn from the middle fifties. I would like it to be in as near original configuration as possible.

    From my post in 2 channel audio:

    The idea of putting together an audio system from the mid fifties is intriguing to me. The more I read about PWK, hearing him interviewed in 1954 and listening to the tapes he made from then, the more I want to hear a system from that era. Of course the Khorn would be the speaker of choice.

    I am thinking mono as I have only one good corner. The other has an HVAC return and windows that start 3 feet off the floor and moldings are tight to the corner.

    But as I contemplate this search and buy I wonder how snug against the two walls of the corner the speakers have to be. Should I remove the wood moldings at the bottom of the wall? If you create false walls how high and long from the corner would they have to be?

    Do these speakers even pop up for sale in near original configurations from the mid-fifties? Also, what amps from that era can still be gotten that operate in near original configurations?

    Mid fifties Klipshorn hunt

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    The idea of putting together an audio system from the mid fifties is intriguing to me. The more I read about PWK, hearing him interviewed in 1954 and listening to the tapes he made from then, the more I want to hear a system from that era. Of course the Khorn would be the speaker of choice.

    I am thinking mono as I have only one good corner. The other has an HVAC return and windows that start 3 feet off the floor and moldings are tight to the corner.

    But as I contemplate this search and buy I wonder how snug against the two walls of the corner the speakers have to be. Should I remove the wood moldings at the bottom of the wall? If you create false walls how high and long from the corner would they have to be?

    Do these speakers even pop up for sale in near original configurations from the mid-fifties? Also, what amps from that era can still be gotten that operate in near original configurations?

    NOSValves NBS Preamp

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    Would you please elaborate on your design for the phono stage? Or provide a link to where have already.

    If I ever do make a dedicated line stage version it will still not have a traditional tape loop

    Just to be clear, does the current design have the capability to be used with a tape recorder? I still have one and do like to record vinyl. I assume a tape loop means a tape monitor like switch.

    Also, after sharing a photo of your design the question was asked about the rectifier tube aspect of your design. I am not qualified to ask this question really but I am curious just the same to understand your design choice and tube choice.

    Thanks.

    Noisy amps with high sensitivity speaker systems

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    If I understand this right you have a preamp feeding an active crossover, then that feeds an amp for LF and an INTEGRATED amp for HF...........which means you are feeding the signal into a second preamp. Is that what you are doing? Why not just use an amp?

    Ok, well yes I guess. I am not 100% on the vernacular here but I believe the amp is a line level input amp so it only has an attenuator volume control that can be used with any line level input. In other words, I do not think I am using another pre-amp in the path. Thanks though.

    EQ settings for Jubilee bass bins

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    try out the settings that I posted in the First Watt trial thread as a starting point

    Thanks Chris. I used those as a starting point and some others I found mentioned elsewhere to work on 375Hz and down. The 32Hz bump was very effective at giving the system some low end punch and your low end settings flattened and tightened it up. I auditioned those last night and my son, the stand up bass player with 17 yr old ears, said it never sounded so realistic. Also for the first time the system sounds very pleasing at low volumes.

    I need to also say the Van Alstine solid state amp is what motivated me to attack the EQ issues in the first place. Maybe I am justifying a purchase but the bass sounded more full and powerful after using the amp on the bass bins and now the EQ has cleared it up to the point where room treatments should be the next step.

    Noisy amps with high sensitivity speaker systems

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    Are you sure you hooked up the taps correctly? Did you play music to verify that the attenuation was actually working?

    Thanks Mike for your suggestions. I pulled the Crites documentation and followed the chart to try the different levels. I tried one speaker with and one without using mono source material and while I needed to adjust levels at the DSP to compensate for the attenuation I noticed no real change in noise level between the two.

    Speaker wires have also been eliminated as a source of the problem. I think I have a noisy amp either by design or by its build quality.

    I also heard from someone else that this is the reason they use passive crossovers. Not sure I want to give up on actives.

    EQ settings for Jubilee bass bins

    in 2-Channel Home Audio

    Posted

    While I have clone Jubs that may not behave exactly like the Klipshorn Jubilee, I have followed other threads on EQ settings with great interest. However, I would like to try Roy D.'s settings. I have searched these forums and found numerous references to them but not a list that I could work from.

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