W27

Like I said... There's definitely some compatibility issues with Onkyo processors when using the XPA-5. But if you had a hum before the XPA-5 you may have a ground loop problem. Call Emotiva and they'll walk you through all the steps to find it or rule it out. This may help as well http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=ampfaqs&thread=22709

My advice.. is return it and try another brand. You can buy a return shipping label from Emotiva that's much cheaper with their discount. Adjusting the gain will NOT fix your hum. The high gain will give you more of a hiss out of the efficient horns. That hum is a totally different animal. I went through the same thing you're going through. I do not have a ground loop problem. The guys you talk to at Emotiva are not usually real techs at first. They have some screwy salesman that will waste your whole day trying ridiculous things. They basically weed out the simple things like having a balanced unbalanced switch in the wrong position. You wouldn't believe the things they wanted me to try! If you ask for Joe, he is a real tech who knows the units inside and out. First they tried to convince me that the hum was normal. Then they tried to convince me that I had a ground loop. I had an XPA-2 hooked up to the same processor with the same wires for the front channels with no hum. I've also had numerous amps in my system before and after the XPA-5 and never had another hum. They wanted to exchange my XPA-5, but if the hum was still there I would have been over my 30 days and would have had to keep it! I asked if I could speak to someone more knowledgeable, because I didn't want to get stuck with an amp that hummed. That's when I spoke to Joe. He informed me that the XPA-5 uses a different topology than the XPA-2 and that they just weren't compatible with certain components. He told me that the only way to get rid of the hum would be changing my processor. Which was a nice new Integra. Well... That was my experience. I'm currently using a B&K 200.5 in its place and couldn't be happier. There's no hum, much less hiss, and a nice warm sound that sounds great with Klipsch. They can be found used for close to the same price as a XPA-5. Maybe even a little cheaper. I think the Emotiva stuff looks awesome, it feels nice in quality, but I just couldn't live with that hum. The high gain did give me more hiss than other amps as well. Good luck

Just like any speaker it all depends on your personal preferences. I have Infinity Kappas in my truck now and I don't care for them. They're too bright for my taste. I ordered them online, and once I installed them they weren't coming out. It sounds like your on a budget. I strongly recommend goin to a Best Buy or some stereo shop. You can listen to them there. Just get whatever sounds best to you that's in your price range. Like I said though... once you install them you're kind of stuck.

Isn't the RF-82 kind of the replacement of the RF-5? The RF-5 didn't have the big 1.75" tweeter of the RF-7. The RF-5 and RF-82 both had a similar 1" tweeter with two 8" woofers. I think the RF-82II really is an updated RF-5

Hey guys, there's a big audio show this weekend at the Walddorf Astoria in Manhattan. Should be a lot of cool gear to demo. They're setting up tons of systems in individual suites in the Waldorf. I'll be there Sunday. Any of you Tri-state area guys going? You can still get discounted tickets online.

What's your budget? What are your main speakers?

I recently tested quite a few different CD players, and I don't think I could tell the difference in any of them. But I know when I replaced my PS3 with another bluray player I heard a big improvement. I know in theory it's digital and should sound the same... but in my experience the PS3 doesn't have very good audio playback.

Surprised no one mentioned War Of The Worlds. I agree with the other listings above as well. Inception had some great effects too

Hey Jess28!! I just saw your post. I currently own RF-7II's along with B&W's and more speakers than I can name. I'm thinking about making the move to Mcintosh as well. I see you're in Jersey, I'm pretty close by in Staten Island. I'd love to possibly meet you at the store and here the RF-7II's next to the 802D's. If you don't mind PM me the details. I wouldn't mind having you over to check out my systems too if you're interested. Always nice to meet more people into the hobby.

Not a bad idea! The shitter is the only room in my house that I don't have big speakers. I found the deal you were talking about. I added it to my cart, but when I tried to check out, the screen wouldn't load. I just wanted to see if they really had them and what shipping would be. I you could buy just one it would be a great center channel for your new RF-7II's

I own both and personally prefer the RF-7II's. Others on here may prefer the 83's, it really comes down to personal preference. But 450 each is a great deal on new 83's. However, to my knowledge the 83's have been discontinued for a while now. I'm not aware of any place that has them in stock (not saying it's not possible) That seems more like a current price for 82's which to me aren't in the same league. If they are in fact 83's I'd jump on that deal, unless you can get the RF-7II's for close to that.

I use a 5400. I remember reading about the hum before I ever got it. You're talking about a very faint hum coming from the unit itself right? Mine has that, but it's inaudible unless my head is right next to it. I had some issues with it over correcting the voltage too. The voltage shown isn't that accurate either.

One thing you all should check is the ports on the back of your RF-7II's. When I unboxed mine I heard a rattle inside. I peaked in the port holes and both tubes on both speakers had came off and were laying in the bottom of the enclosure. The glue had just let go, I suppose from sitting in a hot warehouse or something. They looked fine from the outside, and all I did was reglue them and slide them back in place. I fixed it before I ever hooked them up, but I'm sure it would make a difference. Especially at high volume. Also some of the foam had sagged and was blocking the ports which I repositioned as well. Maybe this has already been mentioned, it's a pretty big thread. I just figured if it happened to all four of mine, I'm probably not the only one...

Hey Blargman, saw your post about a XPA-2. I've got one I use to power my RF-7II's. It certainly brings out the bass. I'm getting ready to put it for sale. I'd always prefer to pass things on to a fellow Klipsch man. PM me for details if interested.

Wow! Just looked closer... They don't charge any commission for pieces sold and a 31 day sale add is only $1. That's what I'm talking about! Hope this catches on

I just checked out stereolist. Very easy to navigate through, nice pictures without clicking. It looks like its got potential. Thanks for the tip. Can you tell me the name of the other site?

Even though I haven't been watching Audiogon like I used to, I am in need of a new piece of gear. I found something I want to buy, but it won't let me log in! I tried to reset my password and I keep getting an error message! It won't even let me buy anything! Plus I have many years of positive feedback, is that all gone? what a joke

I'll tell you that the Emotiva amps are extremely susceptible to ground loop and hum. I recently tried out some of their gear and had nothing but problems. I went through hell trying to track down a hum on a XPA-5. There were a lot of other members on that forum with the same hum. After 3 weeks I finally just returned it. The XPA-2 didn't hum, neither do any of my other amps or the ones I've had prior. As soon as I swapped the out the XPA-5... silence. I may have a ground loop issue, but whatever it is doesn't effect any of my other equipment. If you've narrowed it down to you're directv receiver than it should be a pretty easy fix. Good luck

I agree with Cornfed. Tube amps can be great, but not ideal for home theater. Also it seems that you're on a tight budget, which means you should really look into the price of good tubes. One tube may cost you more than you're talking about for a receiver. A good tube amp should be paired with a good tube preamp. Solid state amps work very well with tube preamps as well. It's kind of the best of both worlds. A solid state pre doesn't usually mix as well tube amps. I suggest you do a little more research on tube amps before you make you're purchase. I'll tell you I always notice much more difference in sound when switching my preamps than amplifiers. Just my .02

It's a nightmare! I've noticed a big increase in audio post on ebay lately. I believe a lot of people are looking elsewhere. Am I the only one having problems with the "previous page" button? When I click on a post then try to go back it freezes up on me, then I just go to ebay (which isn't much better)

Could you describe the difference you heard in the original 7's vs the modded? I'm curious if it's similar to what I'm hearing in the 7's compared to the 7 II's.

The drivers are similar, but definitely different. As far as CF-3 vs RF-7's... I haven't heard the CF's but my money would be on the 7's. They're really an awesome speaker, and very detailed. That's why they have almost a cult like following and Klipsch keeps bringing them back. But.. That's just me. It all boils down to personal preference.

Maybe I'm just mean, but I don't think I'd want to open up my new speakers to let someone borrow my crossover lol. Either way you decide to go, I wouldn't expect to hear a major difference. They will sound a little different, but they're still virtually the same speaker. Everyone has different taste. I know if my 7's came back sounding more like 83's I would not be happy. But... some would. That's why I would advise trying to have a listen for yourself if possible. Then again.. If you take apart your 7's and send Dean your crossover. Your system will be down for a couple weeks I would guess. You'll be so happy just to get it up and running again that you'll love em! Me personally, I bet after two weeks I wouldn't be able to tell you if it made a difference or not. Without an instant A/B my mind plays tricks on me.

The one's on Agon? I saw those when they first came up, but they were too far away for me. I wouldn't want to ship, and I'm far from desperate for more speakers. That posting was a little fishy for me... something just didn't seem right. BTW... what's up with the new Audiogon?? Maybe I just have to get used to it... but I hate the way it's laid out now.

What great timing for a thread revival! I have a few pair of stock RF-7's. I also have 83's, 82's, 62's and others. This weekend I picked up a pair of RF-7II's. So far I am very happy with the new addition. I was afraid that the new 7II's would sound more like the 83's, which I can assure you they do not. I don't want to comment too much on my first impressions as my listening room is currently ripped apart, and I don't feel I'm able to give an accurate review yet. I recently started a thread asking if anyone near NYC with modded RF-7's would like to invite me over for a listen... but I got no replies[] I would still love to hear them. I was able to do a direct A/B comparison with the 7 and 7II's. The new 7II's still have the detail and livliness (I don't think that's a word, but you get it) and what some have described as harsh, seems to be a little smoother. When I get to move them around I'll be able to tell you a little more. I can tell you that there is not a big difference in sound between the new and old. I can tell you that there is a big difference in appearance. I didn't like the partial grills in pictures, but in my home they look nice. They are much better than the original RF-7 grills. I also love that all of the plastic is gone from the front of the speakers. The modern cones look nice too. The cheap plastic feet are gone. To me they look a lot more high end now. There are some great deals to be had on the new RF-7II's if you hunt for them. Local is always the key on these big Klipsch. In fact I got such a good deal, they were probably only a few hundred more than the old 7's are going for. Which once you upgrade the crossovers, they would be pretty close. That's just my 2 cents. Eveyone likes something different though. If anyone is in the area and would like to have a listen just let me know.. It'll only cost you a six pack of beer