Alpha220

Reduced from $100 to $89 delivered in U.S.

Moved my Cornwalls recently and just noticed an “E” stamp on each speaker. Builder? Sander? Any info out there? They have late 1984 serial numbers. See attached pics.

SOLD: Nice Klipsch RB-10 speakers that I just haven’t used much or in a while. They look new. With original box and all packing material and inserts. Note that these are more the recent version that appear exactly like Klipsch RB-41 speakers. Reduced to $89 shipped in the U.S.

Mint condition, briefly used, Monoprice Compact Stereo Hybrid 15W Tube Integrated Amp with Bluetooth. Works perfectly and looks brand-new. Complete with box, inserts, power cord, etc. Can be used with a wired input and any Bluetooth source (selectable via switch). Very cool looking with two surface- mounted tubes on front of device. Especially nice with high-efficiency speakers. Link to manual. SOLD $90 delivered in the U.S.

SOLD: A cult classic. Realistic Minimus 7W speakers. Walnut finish. Preferred version, made in Japan. Excellent cosmetic and operational condition. Small, but smooth. Tough to find in this condition. $80 shipped in the U.S.

Selling one set of several Nikko separates that I’ve owned for years. This setup is amazing with Klipsch and many other speakers. Everything works perfectly with the one exception of minor static when adjusting the volume attenuator. No static at any volume, just when moving between volume detents. Cosmetically, the amp looks awesome, only minor wear for a 40+ year old amp. The preamp and tuner have several minor nicks and scratches. Again, only cosmetic. Local metro-D.C. sale/pick-up only (amp alone weighs about 30 lbs.) Items included and links to specs/info: Nikko Alpha 220 Nikko Beta 20 Nikko Gamma 20 $500 for the stack (pick-up only).

Still using a Zerostat and Discwasher myself.

Can’t praise my 1981 Nikko Alpha 220, 1981 Nikko Beta 40, and 1984 Klipsch Cornwall setup enough. Heavenly. All unmodded and never repaired in 40 years.

Same here. It appears that the RB-10's morphed into RB-41's, as mine appear identical to RB-41's (which I think look better) while the speaker labels and box read RB-10. We either have RB-41's relabeled as RB-10's or just good looking RB-10's. Actual cut sheets for both plus picture are attached. Klipsch RB-10_cut_sheet_635277288069648000.pdf Klipsch RB-41 II_cutsheet_635042118926080000.pdf

(Yes, three years later…) Wow. Might just be the last pair to roll off the assembly line before the Cornwall II’s debuted. Did they ever sell? I hope so. Gorgeous.

Just a note for the next version of this reference guide - my 1984 Cornwall (1.5's) definitely have rear-mounted plastic midrange horns (stamped K-57-K on back of driver - presumably the K-601 plastic horn and K-52-K driver). I've seen other people post about their plastic horns in late model (1984 to 1985) Cornwalls. It seems that as some point, just prior to the Cornwall II release, a transition from aluminum to composite plastic occurred. Pix attached.

As a cheap DAC alternative... Just ordered an Audioquest Dragonfly Black (under $100). It will arrive today. Reviews are excellent- see the Stereophile review. A more expensive, higher output (targeted toward finicky headphones), but similar sounding Dragonfly Red, is also available. Also, see the Henry DAC review below that compares both - the Dragonfly is preferred. (Earlier versions pop up on eBay for $50, upon occasion.) http://www.audioquest.com/dragonfly-series/ https://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-DragonFly-Black-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B01DP5JHHI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1500723073 https://www.stereophile.com/content/audioquest-dragonfly-red-black-usb-da-headphone-amplifiers https://www.whathifi.com/henry-audio/usb-dac-128-mkii/review Of course, any DAC is better than no DAC!

Now that's a solid deal. I'm only 30 minutes from these speakers, but I'm kind of in love with my Cornwalls. It'd be great to see more info on the upgrade and more pix. These should make someone happy!

Congrats on the sale. Maybe this thread can be unpinned now?

Too funny! You better believe that I've driving those Cornwalls with an original Nikko stack. I picked up the Alpha 220 as a teenager and it's still running like new 35 years later. A Nikko stack plus Cornwalls is a match made in heaven. I still have the Beta 20 and Gamma 20 that I purchased at that time, but have since acquired the Beta 40 and Gamma 40 which are noticeably better components. I'm fearful of what an Alpha 440 would sound like (220 wpc vs 120 wpc). I can only turn up the Alpha 220 to about 9:00 with the Cornwalls as they are incredibly efficient. From what I've read and heard, it would cost a thousand dollars plus to improve upon the Nikko sound. Maybe I'll send the B-3's out for a Crites recap. Maybe Mr. Crites would agree to a pre-, in addition to post-, testing of the networks, just to document how far off a 33 year old network can be. Demoing my system from the 80's for friends, family and acquaintances never gets old. (Still running a Philips AF-887 turntable, too.)

I'm in the same boat with a pair of 1984 Cornwalls with B-3 networks. While I'd love to have a beautiful set of Crites or other crossovers, I'm not just sure I need them, as my Cornwalls sound amazing. Furthermore, I paid $1,000 for the speakers in 2011. $250 for new crossovers is a 25% bump and I'm afraid that the best case scenario for 'improved' sound won't justify that hit. P.S. Your crossovers look simple and gorgeous (which I know has little bearing on how they sound).

You know, this looked funny to me, too. Upon further consideration, labels from 1984 forward were typically stamped with a serial number, not hand-written, but I suppose anything is/was possible. Perhaps it was a custom order, who knows? What is clear is that the drivers do look to be 1985 vintage. The woofer dust cap and finish appears identical to any of that vintage, and the composite mid horn is correct. Even the ports, Velcro discs and badges are correct. Klipsch HQ should be able to settle any doubt -- along with a peek inside to confirm a K77 tweeter and a B-3 network. Plus date stamps on each driver should be mid to late 1984, I'd suspect.

FYI, I posted these last week (in the wrong sub-forum) when I noticed them on eBay. IMHO, $900 is an excellent price for a set of Cornwall 1.5's in this condition. Basically, the last Cornwall 1 iteration available. The black lacquer finish looks really good and isn't all that common. For another $50, Crites offers the Cornwall risers that can easily be painted or stained to match. If I were local and in need, I'd pick them up. And since it's Craigslist, knocking off another $50 or $100 wouldn't be a stretch.

Or you could pony up another $100 or so and have a larger selection of Klipsches to mull over. As stated across many threads, used Klipsches are generally great deals. Especially when comparing to similar new models. Great deals do pop up often. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Then there's the $49.99 tube amp from Monoprice --> https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=109&cp_id=10919&cs_id=1091903&p_id=16152&seq=1&format=2 I mean, would it be wrong to just try it?!

Just following up on how true this is. I was hesitant to add one to my HDTV/movie watching setup, but once I did, the experience changed dramatically. The only thing close to this type of improvement is adding a subwoofer. Wow. It's another huge leap of enjoyment and cool factor, but not as important as the center channel speaker. Realistically, home theatre setups should not be operated without center channel speakers or subs. You're just cheating yourself. My modest, but great sounding/viewing home theatre setup: Snell Type J IV main speakers Snell Type CC1 center channel speaker Snell Type M rear speakers Polk PSW111 subwoofer Vizio M70-C3 HDTV 70" display Onkyo TX-NR535 5.2-channel network A/V receiver

I'm currently running 5.1 sound. If I were to reduce from six speakers to only one, this is the order that I'd do it. From least important to most important. -rear speakers -subwoofer -main speakers -center channel (I might be over-emphasizing the importance slightly, but...) If you actually want to hear what's being said in a movie, I'd suggest a center channel speaker.

Someone has to stand up for the horsepower-challenged forum members. 105 hp and I use every one each time I drive. 5 speed manual that touches the redline with some regularity. I probably get to 60 mph in 9 seconds -- but it feels more like 8 seconds! Future classic, 2004 Scion xB Release Series 1. P.S. Nice cars guys! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, I have purchased many items over the years, mostly computer-related. Sometimes their prices seem too low, but they do deliver as advertised.

Good looking, fair priced ($950), local pick-up (near Tampa, FL), late build (January 1985) Cornwalls via eBay. I have no relation, just noticed them. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Klipsch-Cornwall-I-Speaker-Speakers-Pair-/172720833647 Grab 'em if you need 'em!