MarkF

Let me aplogize first for asking. I have a pair of Klipshorn built in 1999 with the black broadweave grill cloth. I need to replace the grill cloth for the tops. I recalled seeing that someone has some for sale but for the life of me I cannot seem to locate it. Can someone please direct me. Thanks much

Main system Khorns modified Second system LaScalla's modified Third system Heresy's stock

Does a multicell horn image poorer than a single cell horn? If one was going to have a set listening position and did not need wide dispersion, which horn images the best?

The Marnatz model 8B reissue is the same as the 8B I had in my first system as a 15 year old in 1960's. At that time I used a Dyna PAS 3X for the preamp and a pair of JBL speakers and a Rek-o-Kut turntable. I in error sold the system in 1972, while in the Air Force. After my haiatus from audio and the return to it and to tubes in 1998, I longed for an 8B. I bought the 8B reissue commissioned by Marantz and made by Valve Amplification Company. I hooked it up, as it was in pentode mode and listened. Not bad, but then I hooked in in triode and it really started to sing. I used the 8B (triode mode)with a pair of LaScalla's (modified with ALK xover, JBL sqawker driver and EV T-350 tweeters), pasive preamp, AH Tjoeb tube CD player, LogicTech Squeeze Box Touch coupled to a Grant tube DAC. With this combination it sounds very smooth with enough power in reserve. The VAC 8B amp is really a nice amp.

Tony, I have tried a number of driver and horn combination, tweeters, crossovers, wiring, amps, preamps both passive and active and not to say that every iteration has been great nor that my system is perfect. There is always room for improvement. My evaluation process is to always set up and listen, then when I think I have it sounding superb then I measure to see if my ears are deceiving or not. In some cases my ears deceive but I have found that when it measures good and sound good is when both come together and it is good. I think many of us, including myself make corrections in our music system to make up for deficencies elsewhere. One of those areas is the mid frequency sqawker. Many have a tendency to attenuate the sqawker to make up for bad components and reduce the shrill. The stock Khorn, IMO, sounded awful due to the sqawker driver/horn combo and the dividing network. The woofer was excellent and the tweeter was certainly passable, but the sqawker was lacking.

Al is correct the serial numbers of the universal ALK crossovers are 110 A and B and they use the 2.2uF Hovlands capacitors. They are in mint condition, totally stock with all paperwork and testing results from Al. If interested e-mail me at mflaten@msn.com. Price is $400. Thanks Mark

Best output tube the RCA 2A3 single plate in Class A, single ended application, second best RCA biplate 1933 with springs on top.

Klipschorns: I use ALK ES crossover 5800 with the JBL 2404H tweeters and it is well integrated to the sqawker at -4db at about 20 feet from the speaker. I use the Altec 288 16H and Altec 311-60 horns and the ES400T is set at 0, 3 taps and it is well integrated to both the woofer and the tweeter. My system was measured using the CLIO, a PC based audio measuring system. This system can measure impedance, component values of inductors and capacitors. Most important, the time-domain and frequency response, both amplitude and phase, of drivers and systems can be measured. It also measures room reverberation time, SPL sound levels, and sundry other stuff. Main system: The amps I use are Welborne DRD 45 and the Welborne 2A3 with a passive line control, turntable is the VPI HRX, CD the Njoe Tjoeb with 24-Bit/192kHz upsampling board. ( the difference is in the tubes), DH labs wiring, McIntosh MR67 tuner. Second system: LaScalla's with ALK crossover, DuKane 300 cycle horns with JBL 2420 drivers, EV T-350 tweeters, Cary 2A3 SE amp, Cary SLP98L or FT Audio Little Wonder Passsive and Tjoeb CD.

I am looking to sell a pair of Altec 511b horns in very nice condition. Make me a reasonalble offer and pay for shipping and they are yours. I also have a pair of 1005b horns, 805b.

I have an extra pair of ALK crossovers for sale. These are built by Al Klappenberger, totally original and in new condition with all paperwork and testing results. I putchased the extreme slope crossovers for my Klipschorns and use my other pair of ALK crossovers for my LaScalla's. I am asking $400 plus shipping charges. If interested contact me at mflaten@msn.com.

Bob, I had new diaphragms installed by Electro Voice in AR and one was apparently jostled in transit and the DCR is way high compared to the other, so one is likely misalligned. If I sent them to you could you align them? If so, what would the cost be? These T-350 are in excellent condition and I would love to use them in an extra pair of LaScalla's I have. After waiting for several months I installed the JBL 2404h tweeters in my Khorns. Mark

The T-350's I have have the two gaskets and teh diaphragm is sandwiched in between. I have been told by the EV service center they have some type of jig to align them. They say they have one person who is the expert at doing this.

I am in the process of getting a pair of Electro Voice t-350's tweeters re diaphragmed by Electro Voice service center in Arkansas. I had them re diaphragmed by an authorized service center in Minneapolis and both voice coils rubbed and severely limited the frequency response. Apparently it is very difficult to align the diaphragms in T-350's. Once they are properly installed, I am hopeful they will add a significant difference to the 6k - 15kcps range. I expect to have to use an L-pad. For the mids I am using Altec 288-16K drivers and 805b horns. I have also used 1005 horns but lost a little imaging in the process. For the network, I am using ALK's network. I would be curious if anyone else has incorporated the T-350's and what their opinion is.

I have both a pair of Moondogs with the ultimate upgrade and RCA Singleplate 2A3's and a pair of ss DRD 45's. IMO they are both very close in sound except the Moondogs have a better lower register but the 45's sound more delicate in the upper mids and treble. I am in the process of getting a pair of Electro Voice t-350's tweeters re diaphragmed by Electro Voice service center in Arkansas. I had them re diaphragmed by an authorized service center in Minneapolis and both voice coils rubbed and severely limited the frequency response. Apparently it is very difficult to align the diaphragms in T-350's. Once they are properly installed, I am hopeful they will add a significant difference to the 6k - 15kcps range. I expect to have to use an L-pad. For the mids I am using Altec 288-16K drivers and 805b horns. I have also used 1005 horns but lost a little imaging in the process. For the network, I am using ALK's network. I would be curious if anyone else has incorporated the T-350's and what their opinion is.

I am planning on using a T-350 tweeter which is more efficient than the stock tweeter. Has anyone put an autoformer on a tweeter? I am using ALK crossovers.

Daddy Dee, I found the Single plates from e-bay. They were in the original box and the boxes were in good condition. I had to pay $640 for the pair with shipping. You can see the tubes on e-bay at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2284799146&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT I can tell you they were worth every penny. Mark

Just an update. I recently retubed my Welborne Moondogs with Sylvania VT-231 in the first stage and Sylvania 6SN7W metal base in the driver stage with RCA Single plate 2A3's. The RCA are the 1933 vintage without the support rods. RCA made single plates from 1933 to 1936 and then change to double plate in 1937. The changes were sweeter mids and high frequncies and the bass remained clean and tight. It always amazes me as to how different tubes and combinations makes a "not so subtle" a difference in sound. Still love the modified Klipschorns. I also have to say that vinyl is better than CD's.

CWM Not to desicrate a bad speaker but to improve a very good speaker. My opinion: Paul Klipsch was a genius but I think he cut corners on the crossover and mid range. He uses cheap wiring, cheap caps with protection and a sqawker that rings with a small and marginal sounding driver. I grew up with Klipschorns and Altec A7's and several other variations. The original Klipschorn's after listening to for a period of time were so edgy that I had to leave the room and take a break. Now that is completely gone. I think Paul would be proud of the dedicated following and like Paul was never really satisfied. That's what kept him going well into his 90's. Mark

You asked why I modified the Klipschorns so soon after I received them. I grew up with Klipschorns and although they did some things very well but they are extremely sensitive to slight variations. I think Paul Klipsch was very brillant audio guy but I think he cut corners on the mid range and the crossover. The transient response of the Klipschorns are excellent. The only thing better are the LaScalla. The Khorn goes lower but the LaScallas are cleaner, due in my opinion to a shorter horn. In the first 30 days of owning the K horns, even after extensive break in I just did not like the mid range. They were harsh and edgy. I then experimented with different drivers and horn combinations. I first tried the Altec 511b horn with the JBL 2420 driver. Better but the horn rang. I then tried a 300 cps Dukane horn. Much better. Lastly I tried the Altec 805b horn with the Altec 288 16K driver along with the ALK crossover. I bought Al's 4th crossover he made. I liked it so well I bought a second set for my LaScalla's. Also, I have tried many tube amps with the Klipschorns and find the 2A3 Single ended triode with a good components and tubes really makes the Klipschorns sound sweet. I know everyone has there own taste in sound and to each tere own. I am very fussy and if it doesn't sound right to me it got to go. I play both vinyl and CD's. My turntable is the VPI HR-X and the CD player a AH! Tjoeb 4000 with the upsampler and all the goodies. I use a passive preamp and DH Lab wires. Other equipment I have is: Altec 604b's with custom crossver Klipsch desgned corner speakers with Altec 515b' and 511b horns Tangent RS6 speakers Marantz 8b Audio Research D76A Audio Research SP8 preamp Cary 2A3 SET mono blocks Cary SLP98 Welborne MoonDogs Welborne Reveille passive Lil Wonder passive Counterpoint basic Counterpoint preamp McIntosh MR67 Tuner LaScalla's and so on. Too much stuff.

The Welborn amps are better than the Cary SE2A3's, especially in the bass region. The mids and the highs are very similar but the bass is deeper and tighter. It interesting how Q-Man and others are learning of the Altec 288's and the 805b horn. I had a audiophile friend of mine measure my system and he could not believe how could they sounded. His only suggestion was he thinks I should bi-amp with solid state on the woofer. It's a tough sell for this SET guy.

Arfz28, I bought my Khorns new in Jan 2000. I found what works the best is to make a pair of tailboards instead of the gasket provided by Klipsch. The tailboards basically are designed to enclose the sides of the bass bin. I found the mid bass imprived noticably. Klipsch uses the gasket to attempt to create a seal in the corner but the sidewalls are never sealed. The tailboards eliminates this problem. If Klipsch provided tailboards these things would be even heavier. Ask Trey what he knows about tailboards. I think Paul himself designed tailboads for his speakers. If you haven't already read the PWK book, it's a fun read. Mark

Yes, I just updated my CD player with the AH! Njoe Tjoeb 4000 with the Tjo upsampler. My other CD player was the AH! Tjoeb 99. Although the old CD was very good the new one with the upsampler is superb. I use Siemens CCa 6922's. I will sell a pair of 805b's. The horns are Altec grey in very nice/excellent condition and include the throat for the 1.4" driver such as the 288 or 291's. I would entertain offers if anyone is so inclined. Since they are rather large and cumbersome I suspect the shipping and boxing is somewhat pricy. I would have them packed professionally to avoid any damage in shipment. My words can't explain how good and improved by Khorns are with the addition of the ALK crossover, the Altec 805b horns and the 288 drivers. The EV T-35's were a slight improvement.

I will email you on the 805B. No my father does not have a computer.

Edster, I have another pair of Altec 805b horns in very nice condition if you are ever in the market. I bought three pair over the years and my father is using a pair on his Khorns with 288 drivers too. My dad is 77 and has been an audiophile since 1948. He bought his Khorns in the 60's and has updated them with ALK crossover and updated the woofer serveral years ago. Mark

I did build the Welborne Labs 2A3 Moondogs and found them to be better than the Cary SE2A3's. The Moondogs were built with the "ultimate" upgrade and I am using Sylvania VT-231's, Sovtek 2A3's and Mullard rectifier. The bass and the mid range improved significantly with the Moondogs. As far as the Altec 805b horns and the 288k drivers, I found them to be very smooth especially with the ALK crossover. Good listening. Mark