chuckears

boa, That is tempting, and it would work; I would be a little hesitant to plunk down $250 for the ICBM just to use it for the l & r mains... but thanks for bringing that possibility to my attention...

O.K. Mike, here goes: The McCormack TLC1 preamp is all I have for the moment; I am using one of the tape-outs from the TLC1 to feed my NHT subwoofer amp, which in turn goes to my Hsu 1220 subwoofer. (Sorry about the confusion with the mention of the Outlaw 1050; you will notice that it is mentioned as part of "future upgrades"). My main outs on the preamp go directly to my McCormack DNA1. I have, until recently, been interested in 2.1 channel audio only, and hesitate to alter the sound profile I have constructed with the aforementioned components. The only change I have made in my two channel setup is installing a switch between my preamp and LFE-out from my DVD Player into my subwoofer amp, so I can switch between two-channel and HT-generated low-frequency signals. (My center channel is currently being fed through my ancient Akai receiver, which receives the signal from my analogue 5.1 outs on my DVD... this is temporary, until I can come up with the HT receiver, or processor + 3-channel amp). I have no intention of replacing the McCormack pre\amp combo... I will only be using three of the amplified speaker-outs on a home receiver; I already have the amplification for the sub and left and right mains covered. I will use the left and right pre-outs from the (future) A\V receiver, and send the signal into the McCormack preamp. I hope you can make sense of this confusion; my basic question\problem remains: assuming a one-unit solution to bass management, are there any HT receivers that will allow the control of the sub crossover frequency for each separate channel? Most that I have looked at only allow for setting the speaker(s) to large or small, and if a setting of the crossover point is allowed, it is usually one value for all channels... ------------------ Klipsch Fortes, Oiled Oak Klipsch KLF-C7 Center Channel McCormack DNA-1 Power Amp McCormack TLC Pre-Amp Sony 5-disc changer NHT SA3 Subwoofer Amp Hsu TN1220 Subwoofer Old Akai cassette Deck Akai AAR22 used as tuner Nordost Solar Wind interconnects Kimber 4TC Speaker Cable (Future upgrades to include): Klipsch RS-3 Surrounds Outlaw 1050 AV Receiver

Mike, My McCormack amp is only two channel; my intention is to purchase an A\V Receiver, use the pre-outs for the left and right main through an input on my preamp, and use the speaker-outs on the receiver to drive my center and (future) surrounds. The reasoning behind this setup is that I do not want to alter my two-channel system... the only change I will be making with regular music listening will be a switch for my subwoofer, since my sub amplifier has only one set of inputs. This does not seem to have as much effect as altering the core two-channel chain. I feel that purchasing more than one more component would be asking too much of my up-to-now more than patient significant other...

trvale, I would love to pick up the Outlaw 950; unfortunately, I would then be required to purchase a 3 channel amp for the center and surrounds (since the 950 is a processor, and has no on-board amplifiers), and the final cost would be more than my spouse would tolerate at this point... I would like to stick to the $500 - $850 range...

I have been leaning toward the Outlaw 1050, but the more I investigate, the more I realize that my system is going to need better bass management than the Outlaw provides. Specifically, I want the option of setting the crossover for each separate channel; the Outlaw allows one setting the crossover for all channels together (a range of 6 options, from 60 to 200 Hz). The reason I want control for each channel is that my mains (Fortes) have a relatively low end, and I would hate to cheat them of the sub-80 Hz signals. On the other hand, I would still like to supplement them with sub-40 Hz signals, since they drop off signigicantly after 35 Hz. I would subsequently set appropriate crossovers for my center and mains, since they drop off at 70 Hz and 50 Hz, respectively. I am aware of Outlaw's ICBM, but I don't think I want 3 more pairs of wires dangling around... I would prefer a single-unit solution. Oh, and I don't want to pay more than $800 . Anyone? ------------------ Klipsch Fortes, Oiled Oak Klipsch KLF-C7 Center Channel McCormack DNA-1 Power Amp McCormack TLC Pre-Amp Sony 5-disc changer NHT SA3 Subwoofer Amp Hsu TN1220 Subwoofer Old Akai cassette Deck Akai AAR22 used as tuner Nordost Solar Wind interconnects Kimber 4TC Speaker Cable (Future upgrades to include): Klipsch RS-3 Surrounds Outlaw 1050 AV Receiver

Yes, premium speaker cable will make a difference in sound quality; the questions are: 1. Will you hear the differences yourself, and 2. Will it be worth the money spent. I for one refused to put Radio Sh#@ cable between my $2400 amp and $1200 speakers, and have not regretted the cost of my decision. ------------------ Klipsch Fortes, Oiled Oak Klipsch KLF-C7 Center Channel McCormack DNA-1 Power Amp McCormack TLC Pre-Amp Sony 5-disc changer NHT SA3 Subwoofer Amp Hsu TN1220 Subwoofer Old Akai cassette Deck Akai AAR22 used as tuner Nordost Solar Wind interconnects Kimber 4TC Speaker Cable (Future upgrades to include): Klipsch RS-3 Surrounds Outlaw 1050 AV Receiver This message has been edited by chuckears on 02-27-2002 at 12:41 PM

JohnL, My KLF-C7 is listed as "Medium Oak" on the box... the finish is slightly lighter than my oiled oak Fortes, but it is a pretty close match. BTW, I recently took a lot of forum members' advice, and began using Watco Rejuvenating Oil on my Fortes; the results are great. They look like they did out of the box 13 years ago, perhaps better. I can heartily endorse the product, but good luck finding it. I ordered it on-line, after a couple of searches netted a way-too-high shipping cost ($10 shipping for 1 quart? I don't think so...) ------------------ Klipsch Fortes, Oiled Oak Klipsch KLF-C7 Center Channel McCormack DNA-1 Power Amp McCormack TLC Pre-Amp Sony 5-disc changer NHT SA3 Subwoofer Amp Hsu TN1220 Subwoofer Old Akai cassette Deck Akai AAR22 used as tuner Nordost Solar Wind interconnects Kimber 4TC Speaker Cable (Future upgrades to include): Klipsch RS-3 Surrounds Outlaw 1050 AV Receiver

A spanking new KLF-C7, medium oak, sits over the tube; I am familiar with how to care for my oiled oak Fortes, but I have not read any instructions on how the finish on the Legend speakers should be cared for... it appears to have a polyurethane finish, so wood oil seems to be out of the question. Any advice? ------------------ Klipsch Fortes, Oiled Oak Klipsch KLF-C7 Center Channel McCormack DNA-1 Power Amp McCormack TLC Pre-Amp Sony 5-disc changer NHT SA3 Subwoofer Amp Hsu TN1220 Subwoofer Old Akai cassette Deck Akai AAR22 used as tuner Nordost Solar Wind interconnects Kimber 4TC Speaker Cable (Future upgrades to include): Klipsch RS-3 Surrounds Outlaw 1050 AV Receiver

Clueless, Here's what I'd do: Move the kg4's to surrounds, find some used Chorus or Fortes for mains, KLF-C7 or Academy for center, subwoofer (many here are fond of SVS, I have enjoyed my Hsu 1220 for several months now), tie it all into the AV Receiver of your choice (Denon and Outlaw seem to come highly recommended here), using some quality interconnects and cable (don't even try to feel out the Forum on THAT one...), and roughly 3k later, you're all set (for a year or two ) ------------------ Klipsch Fortes, Oiled Oak Klipsch KLF-C7 Center Channel McCormack DNA-1 Power Amp McCormack TLC Pre-Amp Sony 5-disc changer NHT SA3 Subwoofer Amp Hsu TN1220 Subwoofer Old Akai cassette Deck Akai AAR22 used as tuner Nordost Solar Wind interconnects Kimber 4TC Speaker Cable (Future upgrades to include): Klipsch RS-3 Surrounds Outlaw 1050 AV Receiver

You know who you are...(because I am, too). So, what's the deal... have you not been to bed yet? Get up in the middle of the night for some significant-other snuggling? Or, like me, do you go into work at a godawful time of the morning? (I am in the car at 5:00 AM at the latest, at work no later than 5:30...this requires a wake-up time between 3:30 and 4:00, just so I can consume enough caffeine to feel safe about getting in the car). So what's YOUR excuse? ------------------ Klipsch Fortes, Oiled Oak Klipsch KLF-C7 Center Channel McCormack DNA-1 Power Amp McCormack TLC Pre-Amp Sony 5-disc changer NHT SA3 Subwoofer Amp Hsu TN1220 Subwoofer Old Akai cassette Deck Akai AAR22 used as tuner Nordost Solar Wind interconnects Kimber 4TC Speaker Cable (Future upgrades to include): Klipsch RS-3 Surrounds Outlaw 1050 AV Receiver

Well I'm out... I hooked up my KLF-C7 last night and think it's a keeper. I had read comments about how big these things were, but I was still unprepared when I plunked it on top of the old entertainment center. Outlaw 1050 is next, though I think I will go for a new or B-stock for the warranty... ------------------ Klipsch Fortes, Oiled Oak Klipsch KLF-C7 Center Channel McCormack DNA-1 Power Amp McCormack TLC Pre-Amp Sony 5-disc changer NHT SA3 Subwoofer Amp Hsu TN1220 Subwoofer Old Akai cassette Deck Akai AAR22 used as tuner Nordost Solar Wind interconnects Kimber 4TC Speaker Cable (Future upgrades to include): Klipsch RS-3 Surrounds Outlaw 1050 AV Receiver

Thanks, Montigue ------------------ Klipsch Fortes, Oiled Oak McCormack DNA-1 Power Amp McCormack TLC Pre-Amp Sony 5-disc changer NHT SA3 Subwoofer Amp Hsu TN1220 Subwoofer Old Akai cassette Deck Akai AAR22 used as tuner Nordost Solar Wind interconnects Kimber 4TC Speaker Cable (Future upgrades to include): Klipsch Academy or KLF-C7 Center Channel Klipsch RS-3 Surrounds Outlaw 1050 AV Receiver

Yeah, I know... "chuckgamgee" just received an outbid notice

dougdrake2: I have the article you mentioned by Julian Hirsch; it was in the July 1986 Stereo Review: What Mr. Hirsch said was, "We followed this recommendation with very satisfactory results, although it did not appear to be a critical requirement." This was the article that led me to the Fortes way back when... the ironic thing is that, when I compare some of Hirsch's comments in his editorials and other articles with what I have learned since then, I realize he may have been the deafest audio reviewer in hi-fi history (his praise of the Forte notwithstanding). He wrote on several occasions that all amplifiers sounded alike; he later said the same of cd players. His review of the Forte, and of most other pieces he tested, seemed to accent the measured responses of equipment, and not rely on terms like "fatiguing" or "forward". I appreciate the science behind some of his approaches, but have learned that some audio experiences cannot be quantified numerically. I do have to agree with his assessment of the Forte: "In absolute terms, and especially at its price, the Forte would be hard to match, let alone surpass."

...A lot of the people to whom it really would have mattered are here on this forum, anyway, and would have discovered it sooner or later..

Gosh, where I come from, they call it a "preamp" -short for preamplifier...

I just talked to them on the phone... no, they do not pull items early for interested parties; they do not put up a Buy-It-Now at a buyer specified price; and they definitely had never heard of the Academy... I gave them the basic scoop on the model (years produced, original retail price), and mentioned they were "kind of a hot item a while back"... then wished them luck... would possibly pursue it, if a KLF-C7 wasn't coming via UPS tomorrow. Hmmm, KLF-C7 as rear center channel, Academy as front center... AAAAUUUUGGGHHHH!!! Stop me before I spend again!

Soundog, I appreciate the encouragement, but I am faced with two difficulties: 1. I live about 16 hours away from the seller, and 2. Mrs. chuckears would have a thing or two to say about the purchase

Hey, Chris... how do you like that New Tube cd player? I have seriously considered one to head my McCormack - Forte chain... I recently tried an Adcom with the Burr-Brown 24-bit DAC, and found it very clear, but very fatiguing with my current setup; my 7 year old Sony changer actually sounds more realistic...

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1333472668 Almost makes me consider moving my Fortes to surrounds... ------------------ Klipsch Fortes, Oiled Oak McCormack DNA-1 Power Amp McCormack TLC Pre-Amp Sony 5-disc changer NHT SA3 Subwoofer Amp Hsu TN1220 Subwoofer Old Akai cassette Deck Akai AAR22 used as tuner Nordost Solar Wind interconnects Kimber 4TC Speaker Cable (Future upgrades to include): Klipsch Academy or KLF-C7 Center Channel Klipsch RS-3 Surrounds Outlaw 1050 AV Receiver

For the record, (ahem), the playing-a-woman-on-tv comment was a take-off of a series of commercials several years ago for some sort of over-the-counter medication ("I'm not a doctor, but I play one on tv..."). I do not now, nor have I ever, cross-dressed for television cameras. For my wife, now that's another matter...

I'm not a woman, but I play one on TV...

If Beethoven impresses you, you must seek out some works by a certain W. A. Mozart, arguably the greatest composer of all time... A few I enjoy on my system: 1. Piano Concertos 22 & 23 - Barenboim\English Chamber Orchestra, EMI #CDM7691222... these two gems are over 30 years old, and make most modern performances sound like monkeys typing. 2. Divertimento, K563 - Kremer, Kashkashian, Yo-Yo Ma, CBS Masterworks 3. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields' Chamber Ensemble, Philips 412269-2... one of Mozart's most recognizable, this performance is not the most emotional I've heard, but it is very clean and accurate... horns love violins, too. While you're at it, The Lord of the Rings soundtrack has been played almost daily at my house... even if you didn't think the movie was great (which it was), the music covers a wide range of classical styles. ------------------ Klipsch Fortes, Oiled Oak McCormack DNA-1 Power Amp McCormack TLC Pre-Amp Sony 5-disc changer NHT SA3 Subwoofer Amp Hsu TN1220 Subwoofer Old Akai cassette Deck Akai AAR22 used as tuner Nordost Solar Wind interconnects Kimber 4TC Speaker Cable (Future upgrades to include): Klipsch Academy or KLF-C7 Center Channel Klipsch RS-3 Surrounds Outlaw 1050 AV Receiver This message has been edited by chuckears on 02-14-2002 at 08:53 PM

Damn... I forgot about one-call... I just picked up an un-opened Oak KLF-C7 from a guy on ebay, but I was wanting Black... really tired of waiting, and the check from the sale of my RC-3 arrived yesterday. Anyone here deal with One-Call? Some of these clearing houses get low ratings from consumers... ------------------ Klipsch Fortes, Oiled Oak McCormack DNA-1 Power Amp McCormack TLC Pre-Amp Sony 5-disc changer NHT SA3 Subwoofer Amp Hsu TN1220 Subwoofer Old Akai cassette Deck Akai AAR22 used as tuner Nordost Solar Wind interconnects Kimber 4TC Speaker Cable (Future upgrades to include): Klipsch Academy or KLF-C7 Center Channel Klipsch RS-3 Surrounds Outlaw 1050 AV Receiver

It sounds like (no pun intended) you discovered the same thing I did... I just shipped off my owned-for-six-weeks RC-3, and have a KLF-C7 on its way... the RC-3 did not come close to matching my Fortes... I was also tired of Academy-chasing; much too nerve-wracking for me. (Someone stop HornEd before he opens up a can of whoop-*** on me for not suggesting, nay, proclaiming that the center should be the same as the mains ). ------------------ Klipsch Fortes, Oiled Oak McCormack DNA-1 Power Amp McCormack TLC Pre-Amp Sony 5-disc changer NHT SA3 Subwoofer Amp Hsu TN1220 Subwoofer Old Akai cassette Deck Akai AAR22 used as tuner Nordost Solar Wind interconnects Kimber 4TC Speaker Cable (Future upgrades to include): Klipsch Academy or KLF-C7 Center Channel Klipsch RS-3 Surrounds Outlaw 1050 AV Receiver