JewishAMerPrince

Yes, my quest for an amp had as it's #2 priority that it perform well at low power. An awful lot of the integrateds out there don't. I'm using this setup in my study/library and a good majority of the time it will be playing background music, not blasting. One of the things that attracted me to the CIIs is the fact that they stay real clear and detailed at low volumes, as does the Cambridge at below 1 watt. So far I'm very happy with the Cambridge and CIIs, a great match. As the amp burns in it is gaining more warmth and 3 demensionality hour by hour. Very much remids me of an old 2 channel 30 watt tube integrated that I had driving some Heresys years ago. I've got a pair of KG 3.5s that I'm going to drag out of storage just to test with the Cambridge also. JR

Haven't opened the box yet, but based on it's size and weight (quite hefty) and description of the output devices used. I think that it's a conventional amp. Also one of the reveiews mentioned it being class A/B. I'm still from that old school that judges an amp's quality based in part on it's weight. JR

Looks even better stacked together with the CD. Been doing a lot of listening, really sounds incredibly like a tube amp. Even has a soft clipping feature. Does very well untill very high average spl where it starts to sound a bit compressed, but this is only at uncomfortably high levels. JR

In my quest for an amp for a 2 channel system for my study library to power a pair of recently acquired Chorus II, I happened upon a review of the Cambridge Audio Azure 640A. The review had many nice things to say about this amp including one phrase that intreguied me... "sounds a bit like a SET". I was originally intending to try a tube amp, but was turned off by the lack of features and performance of the lower priced possibilities, and honestly, I have no desire to tweak bias, roll tubes, etc.etc. So, solid state it was to be, and I must have read every review on every under 100wpc SS amp out there before deciding on the Azur. I ordered the 640A and it's companion 640C CD player (also highly rated) last week and they arrived today. As I speak there are some very sweet sounds eminating from the CIIs. The amp sounds slightly warm with a very robust bottom end which seems to suit the CIIs just fine. It is also very very quiet, which I recently have learned is critical with very high efficiency speakers. None of the midrange harshness that I experienced with two other amps/pre-pro setups I tried with the CIIs, is evident. Also, at 65wpc and 2db headroom the Azure has plenty of punch for great dynamics. Also the remote, which is metal faced,feels and looks like a million bucks. For $450 delivered it seems to be a steal! Jerry Rappaport

---------------- On 12/25/2004 10:33:59 AM greyroom wrote: With rb-7's I could tell exactly where the sound was comming from. With the rs-7's it is more of a diffused sound. It gives me more of a 360 deg. sound field with no gaps when the sound pans from speaker to speaker. ---------------- I believe that is why it is called "surround sound". I too prefer using the RS-7s. However, if your receiver (or pre-pro) doesn't do a really excellent job of surround steering, (and a lot don't, they blur the sound from the fronts to the surrounds to the rears), then direct radiating speakers may be adequite or even preferable. JR

West Palm Beach here. Jerry Rappaport

I seem to have the same problem...Let's see 2 Heresy 78 2 Chorus II 92 2 Kg 3.5 1 KV 1 2 RF7s 1 RC7 2 RS7 2 RS3 2 RB25 2 RSX5 1 RCX4 1 Promedia GMX 5.1 2 Quintets Maybe I should open a Klipsch salon? Merry Christmas to all! JR

---------------- On 12/23/2004 12:59:54 AM Scp53 wrote: hey is the rcx4 a good center? i need one for my rb25s. theres one on ebay for $155. i think thats a good deal. or maybe i should wait it out and get an rc center. scp53 ---------------- The rcx4 is a surprisingly good little speaker. I use them in my MBR with RB25 fronts, RSX 5 surrounds and a 100wpc 5.1 receiver with great success. Jerry Rappaport

---------------- On 12/23/2004 2:23:59 AM MrMcGoo wrote: Jerry, Try a Pioneer receiver with MCACC on a trial basis. It may be able to smooth out the mid bass. The Chorus may do better run as small with a subwoofer to add bass below 80 Hz. If the woofer does not have to go below 80 Hz, it may do a better job above 80 Hz. The Chorus is rated to 39 Hz while the RF-7 is rated down to 32 Hz. The Chorus needs a sub in any case. Bill ---------------- Bill The CorusIIs are for a 2 channel music system for my study, not a HT surround system with sub etc. I already have all that in my theater room. The CIIs have good bass below 80hz...their problem seems in the mid bass between 200hz and 1Khz. There is literally nothing there. Unfortunatly, that is where most musical bass information is. Music cds rarely have anything below 40hz. Also, at the risk of sounding like a snob, Pioneer is way too consumer electronics sounding for my taste. I was thinking more along the lines of Creek Audio, Musical Fidelity or Cambridge Audio. Yes, I have considered tubes, I even auditioned a Jolida 202A with Underwood stage 1 mods, but I find most reasonably priced modern tube integrated amps costing less than about $3K seem very bright. I'm trying to avoid brightness. They also lack controls that I may find worthwhile, like bass, treble,tape monitor, balance and remote control. I am also not into rebuilt older equipment, or tube rolling, etc. I really don't have time to tinker, I do enough of that at work. I just want to be able to turn it on, pop in a cd and enjoy.

The CIIs are not in the 12x12 room yet. They are in my theater room which is 20 x 29. They are sitting right next to my RF7s so I could a/b them against the RF7s with my main system. The midrange detail is very good in the CIIs, female vocals especially are very nice, however, in direct comparison, both the mid bass and the low end suck wind by comparison to the RF7s. In my opinion, with it's 3 way design the CII crosses over to the woofer from the midrange at a frequency that is too high for the CIIs 15" woofer to produce. This leaves a gaping hole in the mid-bass/lower mid. Overall, so far, the RF7 is a far superior sounding and more involving speaker that is much easier to listen to even though it's midrange detail is not as defined as the CIIs. I'm hopeing a warmer sounding integrated amp (the Rotel RSP1098/RB1080 combination I was using tonite is very neutral) and corner placement will help the situation when I move the CIIs into my study.

I had noticed this thread a week or so ago. Recently I picked up a pair of ChorusIIs off Ebay and had my first opportunity to listen to them tonight. My CIIs alos seem shy of bass, especially when A/B'd against my RF7s which are sitting right next to them. I have heard such rave reviews about the CIIs yet in the flesh (rather in the wood) they are somewhat of a letdown. Great detail in the midrange however, just missing lower midrange and upper bass. I'm hopeing a different amp and a different room improves the situation. Jerry Rappaport

I use a 1080 for my HT mains to drive my RF7s. It is an amazing amp, but a bit overkill for CIIs in a 12x12 study. I am seeking a 2 ch integrated amp of about 50-75 watts at best. Also I had the CIIs hooked up to my 1080 tonight and the bass I felt was somewhat thin.

I'm posting this here as well as in 2 channel because I respect the opinions of several of you that seem to frequent here more than there. I just bought my first Heritage speakers, a pair of mint Chorus IIs. I intend to use these in a 2 channel setup for my office/library. Now I need to find the perfect 2 channel amp to compliment them. I need help!!! Jerry Rappaport

I grabbed them....for $625. Just brought them home. Cabinets are in great shape. I auditioned them at the sellers home, unfortunatly with a puny 60 watt Onkyo receiver and they sounded good. I'm sure nowhere near as good as they will with the proper amp. Now the quest to find the proper amp! JR

Cjgeraci I'm about to purchase a Jolida JD-202A and have Underwood do level 1 mods on it. I noticed your gear list includes a Jolida 100 with Underwood, and was wondering what you thought of both the Jolida amps and Underwood's mods. I'll be teaming this up with a pair of Chorus IIs which I hope to buy tonight. Jerry Rappaport

I have the opportunity to pick up a pair of near mint Chorus IIs. My question is how much should I be paying for them? Jerry Rappaport

I do live nearby and I have emailed the seller for an audition. Are CIIs in near mint condition worth $650? Jerry R

---------------- On 12/16/2004 11:04:07 PM jt1stcav wrote: My brother had a pair of walnut KG 3.2s driven by his 12 watt per channel Dared VP-16 tube amp, and the sound was sweet and dynamic! A perfect 2-channel combination, sonically speaking. Had he not lost interest in stereo playback in favor or his latest 5.1 HT system (Yamaha power driving Triangle Zephyrs), he'd still have kept the Klipsch/Dared audio setup. ---------------- Thanks for that insite. I've got a pair of KG 3.5s collecting dust and I've been contemplating a 2 channel setup for my study. The Dared VP 16 is the amp I am considering, but have been hesitant since I previously had no human input on how they would sound with the KGs. Your post was a fortunate act of fate. Thanks again Jerry Rappaport

---------------- On 12/14/2004 11:45:56 PM s0nilamab wrote: any input on atlantic technologies, they are THX certified, and none of the klipsh are unless i spend like 10k thanks again ---------------- Don't worry about THX certification, that doesn't guarantee an excellent speaker, only that it meets THX specs for output and dispersion, etc. etc. On the other side of the coin, NOT being THX certified is not significant either. I for one have heard Klipsch THX setup and don't think it is any better than my Reference 7 series, in fact IMHO it is not as good when listening to only music. However, the Klipsch THX subs are fantastic, just as good as my SVS, but for a lot more money...LOL. As for Atlantic Technologies, I've only listened to one setup a few years ago, and it wasn't worthy enough to woo me away from Klipsch.

That system is very simialr to what I own. I might make a couple of suggestions. For a subwoofer, the PB12+2 will out perform the 2 16-46CS+ and not require an external amp ...for less money. I've been there, done that. Secondly, I don't believe that RB75s are necessary for the center backs. State of the art in programming in 6.1/7.1 even in PLIIx does not include a lot of full range information for the center backs. RB25s or 35s or RS 35s will actually do the job very nicely. Set them up as small, just like the side surrounds, which will then redirect the very bottom to the subwoofer. I use a pair of RS3s very successfully in the back, and the wide dispersion of a surround speaker helps make things more "enveloping" for lack of a better term. With that large a purchase you should do better than 10%. 20% is more realistic. I averaged nearly 27% from an authorized dealer on my Reference purchase, without a lot of haggeling (I was a repeat customer, however). For excellent but inexpensive interconnects go to www.knukonceptz.com. They have 12 ga biwire speaker cable for $1.41 per foot that is as good as anything out there, even much higher priced. Their excellent eKs silver interconnects are not "cheap" but won't break the bank. Much better value than most out there. Jerry Rappaport

---------------- On 12/13/2004 11:38:01 PM s0nilamab wrote: ok. the r00m s 17.5 x 17.5 10 feel high. www.getflics.com/images/hometheater.gif But I want the sound to be the WOW factor. ya know? Bottom line,I want my bows to be like :God Damn: So please help me make my dream a reality. I live for movies. ---------------- Your room is just about the same size as mine. By all means I recommend you go with the Reference 7 series if you can find the extra $$$. Lookup a local Reference dealer and go listen. You should have a number of them in your area, but they are not sold at BB. The difference from what you have listened to (F3) will be very obvious to you, even without the two side by side. If that purchase leaves you strapped for cash, then go with a cheaper (i.e. $1000) receiver right now with plans to upgrade later. If you at least don't go listen, then there will always be that "shoula, woulda, coulda" naggiing feeling every time you watch a movie. This leads to a very expensive disease with no known cure called "upgradeitus".

My Reference 7 series cost me $2900 for 2 RF7s, 1 RC7 and 2 RS7s. In a large room the difference between the best Synergies and the Reference 7 series is like comparing a Jetta to a 911...it's that huge. The Reference subs are expensive, but there are alternatives that a just as good, but cost less. For example, an SVS PC+ would do well in your room. As far as electronics goes, for a combined cost of $2700 list with a street price 10 to 20% less than that, a Rotel RSP1068 processor and RMB 1075 5 channel amp will run circles around MOST except for maybe highest end receivers. The amp is rated 5 x 120wpc continuous, but delivers current equal to 200wpc to my RF7s in home theater mixed requirements. You will never need more power than that with Klipsch although you may WANT more power than that. Also, to my ears the Rotel laid back (read that "British") sound balances off nicely with the forward, sometimes bright sound of the horns in Klipsch speakers. However, your tastes may vary from mine. Another benefit is that almost every used receiver out there looses a far greater share of it's original cost than Rotel seperates do. An example... I have a 3 yo Denon 3801, a predicessor to the current 3805 taking up room in a closet right now because I haven't found anyone who wants it for $350. It cost me $900 new. On the other side of the coin, I recently sold my 2 yo Rotel RSP 1066 processor (predicessor to the 1068) for $1000 on Audiogon. I paid $1300 for it originally. MY RMB 1075 amp cost me $825 new. Used they go for $700 on Audiogon or eBay. JR

---------------- On 12/12/2004 11:56:19 PM s0nilamab wrote: Hey all, Well, i'm building my first home theater setup. 106" Screen with projector and 9 home theater recliners built on raised platforms with recessed lighting. Thanks again. ---------------- There used to be a rule of thumb about how much to spend on various elements of a system. It seems to me that you are spending lots of $$ on the Video and seating, and therefore you should consider spending more on the audio end of things. Audio in today's world of 7.1 surround is crucial to the experience. While the new Synergies may be awesome (I've yet to audition them) for a few dollars more (relative to your total investment) the Reference series cannot be beaten. You say your room is 18x18, ( how high is the ceiling?). You may have a hard time filling that large a room with clean sound with even the largest Synergies. For power, you asked about receivers. Have you considered entry level separates? These can cost from just a little to a whole lot more than a higher end receiver, but even the cheapest components deliver much better power than the majority of high end receivers can. Just my thoughts. Jerry Rappaport

I'm about to embark on a voyage back to 2 channel. I currently have 2 KG 3.5s sitting in storage that I intend to resurrect for a 2 channel setup in the library I am building for myself in my home. If it works out I will probably upgrade to better Heritage. I intend to power this system with a yet unselected TUBE amplifier (leaning towards a Dared) and will feed that with a dedicated CD player. My biggest concern is the quality of the DACs in the player. I am hoping to stay under $500, but that has some flexibility. Used is a viable option. Suggestions please! Thanks Jerry Rappaport

A lot depends on your preference and the acoustics of your room. If you go to your local well equipped movie theater you will see a whole row of surround speakers down the sides of the room. This results in a wide dispersion sound stage. Therefore, surround channels are not mixed in the studio for "point source" but rather for a widely dispersed sound. Klipsch surrounds employ their own technology called Wide Dispersion Surround Technology to attempt to achieve movie theater like sound, and recreate what the recording engineers intended. It works very well in my opinion. Surround effects seem to envelop you completely while still giving good directionality. I have tried "point source" speakers as surrounds, in fact RB15s. The results were that the speakers called too much attention to themselves, rather than being part of the entire blended sound stage. YMMV. Jerry Rappaport