Sandy West

14 years is not old for a quality loudspeaker, as long as it hasn't been abused. The La Scala is more efficient and will probably play louder than the RF-82, particularly with low to medium power amplifiers. La Scala's suffer from the same time coherence problems as any folded horn. However, they are highly detailed with great presence--more so than the RF 82's. La Scala's don't actually reach the lowest frequencies; though smaller in size, the RF 82's will probably play deeper fundamental frequencies. The comment that you must listen to both and decide for yourself is right on.

4 meters is only about 13 feet and 18, 16 or 12 AWG zip cord (lamp cord) will be as good as any expensive speaker cables you can buy. I use 12 gauge zip cord, which is what most professional sound installers use. You might want to read this article about speaker wire: http://www.chuckhawks.com/speaker_wire.htm

If you are looking to build a good retro system, it should be 2-channel stereo and based on separate power and pre-amps. classicaudio.com and Audio Classics are good online dealers to start with. You might enjoy this article "Classic Vintage Components": http://www.chuckhawks.com/vintage_used_components.htm

If you can possibly stretch your budget to cover it, get the Marantz Reference series PM-15S2 integrated amplifier. Otherwise, I'd recommend a used Marantz, McIntosh or Luxman integrated amp in excellent (B1) condition.

If I had to use a receiver, I'd get a vintage Marantz unit. However, for $1000 or less you could get a good power amp (say a Marantz 240) and matching pre-amp and have a much higher end system. Crown, Marantz, McIntosh, Luxman, Harmon-Kardon, Dynaco, Hafler can all be mixed and matched. I used a Marantz 250M and McIntosh C26 to power my RF-7 II's and it is a great combination. Cost less than $1000, too!

I can promise you that you will not get the same quality of sound from either bookshelf speaker and such a comparison is completely irrelevant to the performance of the floor standing towers. The RF-7 II, for example has greatly extended bass response--one of its strong points--and the horn is not just bigger, it crosses over at 1200 Hz, which definitely improves the clarity and impact of the midrange/treble. The size of any speaker enclosure is very important to the design and sound and larger is better. To use an analogy, what you propose would be like comparing a Ford Fiesta and a Chevy Vega when you are really interested in a Camaro SS and a Mustang Cobra, but can't test drive them in your location. It is pointless.

In my experience, whatever power cords were supplied with your components are just fine, as long as they are in good physical condition (not frayed, etc.). Save you money.

The jumpers are for use with a single stereo power amp, as you are apparently now using. Leave them in place unless you bi-wire, which is a waste of effort. This subject is covered, along with proper connection, in your speaker owner's manual. If you don't have the owner's manual, there is a pdf of it on the Klipsch web site for RF-7speakers.

To bi-amp your need an outboard crossover between the pre-amp and the two stereo power amps. The crossovers on the inside of the speaker boxes are not used. See this article: http://www.chuckhawks.com/bi-wire_bi-amp.htm Frankly, 120w/chan. should be more than sufficient. If it is not, you may need a better amp, rather than a more powerful one. My Marantz 250 (125/125 watts RMS) will drive my RF-7 II's to very high SPL levels

It would be interesting to compare a Marantz Model 19. I'm not a receiver guy, but my impression is that the Model 19 was the best ever receiver. It certainly was the most handsome!

Maamic, Yes, the new Marantz Reference components are spendy. How about a used pre-amp? I got my SC-11S1 for half price in like new condition. Look for any Marantz or McIntosh with a remote and buy the best you can afford. Make sure it is guaranteed to work correctly. It will sound better than a new pre-amp of lower quality and last longer.

I recently purchased a Marantz SC-11S1 to replace my old McIntosh C-26 and I am extremely pleased with the performance of the new unit. It is the best pre-amp I have ever owned, both mechanically and audibly. Frankly, I don't see how a pre-amp could be any better and none I have auditioned--at any price--are.

That McIntosh/Advent system was, and still would be, a very good one! My definition of a good loudspeaker is one that can accurately reproduce the musical information it is fed. If it is fed a low fidelity, compressed recording, it should emit a low quality, compressed sound. If fed a high fidelity signal with wide dynamic range and frequency response, that is the sound that should come out of the speaker. In other words, a speaker cannot sound "musical" or like a "live concert" per-se (unless, of course, it is fed a REALLY good recording of a live concert).

I believe that the 2230 is a 30watt/chan. receiver. I remenber it as being clean and musical for its price and output, but I think it might be somewhat underpowered for most modern loudspeakers. The 36watt/chan. (clas A) A1 integrated amp probably has more punch, which is probably why it sounds better. Also, a good integrated amplifier should out perform a good receiver, just as a good separate power amp / pre-amp combo should out perform a good integrated amp.

My rather crowded, bookshelf lined, wall-to-wall carpeted, double wall/double windows listening room is about 14'x14'. My listening position is 10' from the speakers, which are 6' 2.5" apart and angled directly at my listening position. My reference listening level is 80 db SPL, C-weighted, per my SPL meter at my listening position. My loudest listening is normally done at 90 db SPL at my listening position. These SPL readings are for "mean loud passages," not transient peaks, which are naturally higher. Marantz power amps Model 240, 250, 250M and 500M are all very well thought of, among others, and should work well with period to present day Marantz pre-amps. My personal favorites are the 250M and 500M. Any McIntosh pre-amp from the C26 forward will also work fine with these power amps and also with the McIntosh 2100, 2105 and newer stereo power amps. (This is all 2-channel stereo gear.) Good online sources for these components and information about them include: http://www.audioclassics.com/ http://www.classicaudio.com/ http://www.mcintoshaudio.com/ http://www.roger-russell.com/aboutmc.htm If I were starting from scratch today, I'd buy Marantz Reference series components, specifically the SC-11S1 pre-amp (which I do own) and SM-11S1 power amp (110w/chan.). These should do very well with all Klipsch Classic and Reference series loudspeakers, as well as classic floorstanding Altec-Landing, JBL and Electro-Voice loudspeakers.

There is no magical number of watts required. That depends on the efficiency of your speakers, the size of your room and how loud you listen, among other factors. Many fine loudspeakers would be damaged if you fed them 200 watts RMS. If your system plays as loud as you need without clipping (distortion), it is fine as is. There is a good article "How much amplifier power do I need?" from the Crown website here: http://www.crownaudio.com/amp_htm/amp_info/how_much_power.htm And an amplifier power calculator here: http://www.crownaudio.com/apps_htm/designtools/elect-pwr-req.htm

SkyDover: Excellent review! I've been living with and playing my new RF-7 II's for a while now and my impression is much the same as yours. They replaced my old Altec-Lansing A-7/500's (Voice of the Theater) in my two channel stereo system, which I have downsized to better fit my small listening room. I purchased the RF-7 II's over Cornwall's, also excellent speakers, primarily for their smaller footprint. (I only use floor standing speakers!) For both sonic and techincal reasons, I admit that I am biased in favor of two-way systems with horns. Even compared to the larger (15" woofer, 500-20,000 Hz horn) A-7/500's, I am very pleased with the RF-7 II sound. Nice stereo soundstage, excellent and well controlled bass, smooth midrange and treble. Not as efficient or quite as detailed as the fully horn loaded Altecs, but still very good in both areas. These RF-7 II loudspeakers are very easy to listen to for extended times at all volume levels. They are the best sounding tower type loudspeakers I have auditioned, regardless of price (some were 50% to 100% more expensive than the RF-7 II's), with considerably more punch than most when you want it. FYI, my rather crowded, bookshelf lined, wall-to-wall carpeted, double wall/double windows listening room is about 14'x14'. My listening position is 10' from the speakers, which are 6' 2.5" apart and angled directly at my listening position. My reference listening level is 80 db SPL, C-weighted, per my SPL meter at my listening position. My loudest listening is normally done at 90 db SPL at my listening position. These SPL readings are for "mean loud passages," not transient peaks, which are naturally higher.

TIME WARP - Erich Kunzel & Cincinnati Pops - Telarc CD-80106 (the first two tracks should do it!) TCHAIKOVSKY 1812 - Erich Kunzel & Cincinnati Symphony - Telarc CD-80041 (the 1812 Overture reaches its zenith near the end, when the church bells and cannons come it. This was Tchaikovsky's ultimate "battle of the bands" composition.)

Instead of an older receiver, consider an pre/power amp combo of similar vintage. You will get higher performance and better sound for your money and it won't cost a lot more.

Some of the older top of the line CD players (McIntosh, Sony ES) were and are excellent, but these things do contain transports and other parts that wear, so, personally, I'd either buy new or look for a current model on the used market. When my Sony ES player finally dies, I plan to replace it with a Marantz Reference series CD player. These seem to be very well made (extremely important down the road if you plan to keep it for many years, as I do) and about the best available at anything resembling a reasonable price. Even so, the entry level Reference CD player (the SA-15S2) lists at about twice your budget. On the other hand, a good used example might be about $1000 and well worth it! The benefit to buying top quality is that you can still be using and enjoying it 10, 15 or 20 years down the road, long after sonically similar, but less well built, units have been replaced two, three or more times. In the long run, quality products are cheaper than inexpensive products and you get to enjoy the best the whole time.

While Marantz receivers are among the best, IMO the best of Marantz--and the reason the Marantz name became legendary--is because of their separate pre-amps, tuners and power amps, particularly the made in USA products. For example, I have never heard ANY receiver that can compare to a Marantz 250M power amp mated with a good pre-amp (mine is a new Marattz Reference series, but for many years I used an older McIntosh pre-amp).

If accuracy (high fidelity) and acoustic output (power) are the criteria, the long discontinued Altec-Lansing Barcelonas. Using the same criteria, the best modern "tower" style speakers I have heard: RF-7 II's. Best bookshelf or pedestal speakers: B&W.

The most impressive loudspeakers I have ever heard in a rather long audiophile life were Altec-Lansing Barcelonas. (15" air-suspension woofer and 500-20,000 expontential horn) Very high quality drivers. I'd rate them 100. For purposes of reference, let's call large bookshelf/pedastal speakers with 8" woofers and a dome tweeter 50 (mean average). The best speakers I have ever owned were Altec-Lansing A7-500 Voice of the Theater speakers (combination horn and bass reflex loaded 15" woofer and 500-20,000 hz expontential horn). These are more or less comparable to the Klipsch La Scala, with maybe a little more low bass extension. Very high quality drivers. I'd rate them about 90. I recently downsized my two channel stereo to include Klipsch RF-7 II's. They are excellent, lots of low bass extension with a smooth midrange and crisp highs. Sonically neutral. An excellent overall sound, perhaps more "laid back" than the A7-500's, but not quite as detailed. I'd rate them about 85.

The horn is self contained and does not to be inside of an enclosure.

I agree that D&M would be a much better match for Klipsch, if they have to be acquired. Brands like Klipsch, McIntosh and Marantz have been associated in home stereo systems for as long as I can remember. It would be a natural corporate association, as well. Poor Altec Lansing, I hate to see Klipsch go the same way. Of course, now I'll be able to replace my plastic "Altec" computer speakers with equally low quality "Klipsch" computer speakers. Speakers for the messes . . . uh, masses!