ChrisK

jbek, I have nearly identical speakers. The picture attached here is before I had a professional "touch them up". They look awesome. Nothing on the wood except Linseed oil. They are very, very smooth and the luster is incredible! If there were not for a few very small imperfections in the veneer (which is nearly impossible to see), they would be mint. I guess I'm recommending no stain at all. Please take a picture when yours are finished and share it with us. BTW, inside I cleaned all the contacts, replaced the tweeter diaphragms (Sorry fini, I couldn't locate the instructions to send to you.), and replaced the binding post with Cardas 5 way. These speakers are with me to stay! It's neat to see the reactions of people who see my rig. They don't know what to make of it (tube amp, old horns, 1969 Sony tuner). But after hearing it, more than a few have asked, "Can you help me set up something like that?". Even one friend who has a $25,000+ setup was blown away. Looking into vinyl next... Chris PS Kelly, I picked up about 100 LP's from thrift shops in my area (avg. price <$.50). What's the best way to clean them up? ------------------ 2 channel Klipsch Cornwalls (1978) Cary CAD 300SEI amp (WE 300B's, various NOS 6SN7's) Arcam Alpha MCD cd player Sony 5000F Tuner (1968) HT Klipsch KG2.5 (front & rear) Klipsch KV2 (center) Klipsch SW12 (sub) Marantz SR700 receiver Toshiba DTS DVD JVC SVHS VCR Sony Hi8 VCR

glee, Kelly brings up a good point (as usual). What tubes are you using in your 300SEI? Things really changed when I started tube rolling. I have tried: Sovtec 300B - decent, but bass was too boomy - not too mention Kirk (at Cary) told me they may be responsible for some breakdown issues people have had with various 300B amps, especially the CAD 300SEI. Chinese 300B (no brand) - a little thin with some microphonics Western Electric 300B - WOW!, what a difference. If there's a better 300B please let me know. Hard to spend the dough but really, really worth it! Email me for info on a good source (factory authorized). 6SN7's - My favorites are the NOS Sylvania GTA's, but NOS RCA's and have worked well for me too. Chris PS Kelly - done. ------------------ 2 channel Klipsch Cornwalls (1978) Cary CAD 300SEI amp (WE 300B's, various NOS 6SN7's) Arcam Alpha MCD cd player Sony 5000F Tuner (1968) HT Klipsch KG2.5 (front & rear) Klipsch KV2 (center) Klipsch SW12 (sub) Marantz SR700 receiver Toshiba DTS DVD JVC SVHS VCR Sony Hi8 VCR

I'm driving a pair of 1978 Cornwalls. They are stock, except I replaced the binding posts with Cardas 5 way. I did clean all the interior contacts and am using DIY John Risch designed "Twisted Cross-Connect" speaker cable. They sound wonderful. The volume knob never goes more than 25% in my room (12'x21'x8') without blowing you out of the room. People on this board use SET amps with all kinds of Klipsch speakers, The ones with the "Heritage" speakers (K-Horns, Cornwalls, La Scala's, and Belle's) seem to be very happy. Good Luck and let us know what you do and how it works. Chris ------------------ HT Klipsch KG2.5 (front & rear) Klipsch KV2 (center) Klipsch SW12 (sub) Marantz SR700 receiver Toshiba DTS DVD JVC SVHS VCR Sony Hi8 VCR 2 channel Klipsch Cornwalls (1978) Cary CAD 300SEI amp Arcam Alpha MCD cd player

Kelly, I didn't bid high enough on the Rotel. And I only paid $12 for the Sony. So far, some people say the Sony 5000F is about as good as it gets... I let you know what happens. Chris ------------------ HT Klipsch KG2.5 (front & rear) Klipsch KV2 (center) Klipsch SW12 (sub) Marantz SR700 receiver Toshiba DTS DVD JVC SVHS VCR Sony Hi8 VCR 2 channel Klipsch Cornwalls (1978) Cary CAD 300SEI amp Arcam Alpha MCD cd player

This vintage thing is really catching on. See my posts about a recent vintage tuner find ("warm and fuzzy update" and "Attn. Tuner People"). The only problem now will be all the eBay'ers trying to make a living driving up prices on this stuff...bummer ------------------ HT Klipsch KG2.5 (front & rear) Klipsch KV2 (center) Klipsch SW12 (sub) Marantz SR700 receiver Toshiba DTS DVD JVC SVHS VCR Sony Hi8 VCR 2 channel Klipsch Cornwalls (1978) Cary CAD 300SEI amp Arcam Alpha MCD cd player

I found a Sony 5000F at a swap meet this weekend. It's in pretty good condition, especially considering it's probably 34 years old. I'd rate 7 out of 10 cosmetically and without knowing how good it can be, 8.5 on sound and reception. Is it worth "cherrying out"? I still have my heart set on a 70's Sansui or Kenwood. Not to mention the Sony 5000F doesn't have AM. Also, which moderate priced indoor antenna works the best? ------------------ HT Klipsch KG2.5 (front & rear) Klipsch KV2 (center) Klipsch SW12 (sub) Marantz SR700 receiver Toshiba DTS DVD JVC SVHS VCR Sony Hi8 VCR 2 channel Klipsch Cornwalls (1978) Cary CAD 300SEI amp Arcam Alpha MCD cd player

...fast forward to Saturday morning. I'm strolling through my first electronics swap meet. I'm looking for a tuner. While I have well over a hundred cd's, the selection seems to be wearing a bit thin. Add the fact that the local jazz, classical and NPR radio stations in Los Angeles are excellent and a tuner seems the next step. Web research seems to say that vintage 70's & 80's Japanese tuners are the way to go. Boy did I get lucky. I found a Sony 5000F (1968) in pretty good shape for $12.00. After hooking it up to my system using a $10.00 Radio Shack FM antenna, all I can say is wow! A whole new world again. This is really getting fun. Attention tuner guys! What do you think of this piece? Is it worth "cherrying out"? I still have my heart set on a 70's vintage Sansui or Kenwood. And the Sony 5000F doesn't have AM. Any advice? Thanks, Chris PS Kelly, I'm sure you're right about vinyl. Maybe that's next. Vintage turntables? Would one fit in with my system? ------------------ HT Klipsch KG2.5 (front & rear) Klipsch KV2 (center) Klipsch SW12 (sub) Marantz SR700 receiver Toshiba DTS DVD JVC SVHS VCR Sony Hi8 VCR 2 channel Klipsch Cornwalls (1978) Cary CAD 300SEI amp Arcam Alpha MCD cd player

After dinner last night I went to my "listening room" (converted separate dining room) to listen to some music as my wife and 7yo son went to the den to watch TV. About 5 minutes later my son strolls in and asks "can we listen to that 'I've got a man who's always late song'"? After figuring out he ment Diana Krall's "Is you is or is you ain't my baby" I said sure and put it on. A couple more strange 7yo requests later ("VooDoo"/Sonny Rollins Memorial Quartet, Garth Brooks, David Benoit too name a few) my wife strolls in and makes a request also. Suddenly it hits me...It's 8:00pm on a Friday night...Nobody's watching TV? (Even though the Lakers were on.) What's going on here? We listened for about an hour or so and it was a blast. I put together my...er, ah, excuse me...our stereo system piece by piece over the last few months. And what started as "Dad's weird obsession" has turned into a source of enjoyment for everyone in the house. Even my 17yo daughter has asked to put on a couple of her cd's. Funny thing, the standard 17yo music these days sounds so crappy compared to other better recorded faire, even she has started listening to "new" music. Am I being too warm and fuzzy here? Has something like this happened to anyone else? Or am I just losing it and trying to justify the time and money spent? ------------------ HT Klipsch KG2.5 (front & rear) Klipsch KV2 (center) Klipsch SW12 (sub) Marantz SR700 receiver Toshiba DTS DVD JVC SVHS VCR Sony Hi8 VCR 2 channel Klipsch Cornwalls (1978) Cary CAD 300SEI amp Arcam Alpha MCD cd player This message has been edited by cjk1026 on 01-26-2002 at 08:27 AM

Anyone interested in attending can check out the High Efficiency Speaker Forum over at www.AudioAsylum.com No firm plans for this month yet, but it usually takes place on the last Saturday of the month in conjunction with the TRW Swap Meet in Redondo Beach. Dr. Bruce Edgar is the "Godfather" of the group and a GREAT guy. Thanks, Chris ------------------ HT Klipsch KG2.5 (front & rear) Klipsch KV2 (center) Klipsch SW12 (sub) Marantz SR700 receiver Toshiba DTS DVD JVC SVHS VCR Sony Hi8 VCR 2 channel Klipsch Cornwalls (1978) Cary CAD 300SEI amp Arcam Alpha MCD cd player

Looking for advice on Tuner/Antenna combos. I live in Southern California very near the ocean. My favorite radio station (KLON) does not have great signal strength in my area. With this in mind, I have a couple of questions... 1. Just how good is the sound from FM radio? How does it compare to CD? Am I pissing up a rope here? 2. My initial research shows a HUGE price variance on tuners. Is it strictly "You get what you pay for", or are there reasonable options to megabuck equipment? The popular audio forums have demonstrated to me how easy it is to get fantastic bang for your buck when it comes to hifi gear. I hope the same rings true for tuners. Thanks in advance, Chris ------------------ HT Klipsch KG2.5 (front & rear) Klipsch KV2 (center) Klipsch SW12 (sub) Marantz SR700 receiver Toshiba DTS DVD JVC SVHS VCR Sony Hi8 VCR 2 channel Klipsch Cornwalls (1978) Decware Zen SE84C amp Arcam Alpha MCD cd player

I have an Arcam MCD cd player/changer. I gather from reading many posts here that most prefer single disc players. However, with the wife and kids also using my system and my preference for putting in 6 cd's and pushing "shuffle", I'd prefer staying with a multidisc player. That being said, how much sound improvement can I expect by adding an outboard DAC? What are some moderately priced options? Or am I just pissing up the proverbial rope by trying to improve a multidisc player? BTW, I'm a horns and tubes lover ('78Cornwalls,Decware Zen). Thanks, Chris ------------------ HT Klipsch KG2.5 (front & rear) Klipsch KV2 (center) Klipsch SW12 (sub) Marantz SR700 receiver Toshiba DTS DVD JVC SVHS VCR Sony Hi8 VCR 2 channel Klipsch Cornwalls (1976) Decware Zen SE84C amp Arcam Alpha MCD cd player

After doing some restoration, cleaning, and updating I finally lugged (phew!) the heavy SOB's upstairs for a listen. Mind you, this is my first experience outside my HT setup in many years. WOW, the sound was fantastic! While I'm sure it is far from the "Audio Nirvana" so many people seem to be seeking, it was wonderful for me. Crystal clear, smooth, full, and very easy on the ears. However, on the downside, it really showed me how terrible some recordings are. Some CD's were almost painful to listen to (My 7 yo son's Backstreet Boys and my 17 yo daughter's hiphop CD's come to mind.). And I have to admit my little amp does not go to extremely loud levels (Maybe an upgrade coming?). Later, an audiophile friend brought over a few jazz CD's (The track "VooDoo" was especially interesting.) and after listening was very impressed. He's a Martin-Logan, high dollar cable, AR, Theta transport, etc., etc., guy. He was especially surprised by the Decware amp. I guess you can have real "HiFi" sound for reasonable dollars. About the Cornwalls - -1977 "Designer Series" refinished as "Raw Birch" -Replaced the stock binding posts with Cardas 5-way. -Replaced both the tweeter diaphragms. -Dampened the squawkers with "Dynamat" type substance. -Cleaned all contacts with Caig. Possible future mods - -ALK crossovers ? How much will they really improve the sound? -Dampen the cabinets structurally. A friend said he could test the cabinets using vibrating sand to find the weak spots. Anyone familiar with this process? Happy Listening, Chris PS Even my wife was impressed. Initially she was NOT happy about these beasts being in our house. ------------------ HT Klipsch KG2.5 (front & rear) Klipsch KV2 (center) Klipsch SW12 (sub) Marantz SR700 receiver Toshiba DTS DVD JVC SVHS VCR Sony Hi8 VCR 2 channel Klipsch Cornwalls (1976) Decware Zen SE84C amp Arcam Alpha MCD cd player

They are raw birch plywood treated with linseed oil and paste wax. The overall finish is not quite as good as the picture looks, but still very nice. I'd give them an 9.0-9.5 out of 10 overall. The tops have some water stains on them. I'm looking for a method to fix or mitigate that. If anyone has any suggestions, please don't hesitate, or it's off to the professional woodworkers I go.... OBTW, the woofer centers were redone some years ago, but I think the metallic centers look great. Chris ------------------ HT Klipsch KG2.5 (front & rear) Klipsch KV2 (center) Klipsch SW12 (sub) Marantz SR700 receiver Toshiba DTS DVD JVC SVHS VCR Sony Hi8 VCR 2 channel Klipsch Cornwalls (1976) Decware Zen SE84C amp Arcam Alpha MCD cd player

I am using a Decware SE84C to drive my (wall mounted for HT) Klipsch KG2.5's while I finish restoring a pair of 70's vintage Cornwalls. The signal is going through my Marantz SR7000 receiver set on "CD Direct". The sound is amazingly better than was the receiver's alone. I only tried the Cornwalls with the amp for a few minutes before taking them apart . They sounded great. I'll probably get another SE84C sometime later to "pump it up a bit". There is one for sale on ebay now. the link is: http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1304171141 Sometimes you can get a used/demo one from Decware for $350-400 that someone has traded in for an upgrade. Good Luck, Chris ------------------ HT Klipsch KG2.5 (front & rear) Klipsch KV2 (center) Klipsch SW12 (sub) Marantz SR700 receiver Toshiba DTS DVD JVC SVHS VCR Sony Hi8 VCR 2 channel Klipsch Cornwalls (1976) Decware Zen SE84C amp Arcam Alpha MCD cd player

Funny you should ask this question....I just repalced my K-77 diaphragms last night (I have 1978 Cornwalls.). I observed the first one being done by a professional and then repeated the process at home. Not tough at all. If you order the replacements from Klipsch, instructions are included. Free Advice (worth what you are paying for it): - replace both of them at the same time - be very careful with the voice coils they are quite fragile - follow the instructions carefully..they are very informative. Mike, Feel free to email for further details. Pictures of my Cornwalls are on this board under the topic heading "Cornwalls Arrived". Regards, Chris cjk1026@ix.netcom.com ------------------ HT Klipsch KG2.5 (front & rear) Klipsch KV2 (center) Klipsch SW12 (sub) Marantz SR700 receiver Toshiba DTS DVD JVC SVHS VCR Sony Hi8 VCR 2 channel Klipsch Cornwalls (1976) Decware Zen SE84C amp Arcam Alpha MCD cd player

My Cornwalls arrived Friday. This weekend I started working on them. I'm looking for advice in a few areas. First, here is info the speakers: - No serial numbers visible on the tags on the back of the speakers (faded). But the numbers on the cabinets are 13 RO 38 and 13 RO 39. They were purchased new sometime between 1974-1976. - Woofers - K33E, reconed about 10 years ago by original owner. His dog chewed the orginals. - Squawkers - K55V - Tweeters - K77 The finish is not as good as it appears in the photos. Questions - Does anyone have experience with this type of finish? They have been treated with Linseed Oil and waxed. Will they sand down ok? What type of binding posts will fit best and easiest? The stock ones look kind of cheap. Should I clean up the contacts on the crossovers? What solution works best? Are the crossovers still good? The sound was great during a test before I took them apart. Is the ALK upgrade worth the dough? What about the wires inside. Should they be replaced? Seems odd to spend good money on cables and interconnects and the wire inside looks pretty ordinary. What about caulking the horns? Worth the hassle? Are there instructions available anywhere? Also the Squawkers were stuck pretty good to the cabinet before I removed them. Is this on purpose or will they seal ok when I put them back? Anything I missed? Anyway, thanks in advance for any help. Chris King Hermosa Beach, California BTW - How about reccomendations on reasonable priced speaker cable. I will be driving them with a pair of Decware Zen SE84C's and a Arcam Alpha MCD.

About 20 years (2 kids, 1 wife, and a move south) ago my roommate had a pair of Cornwalls in his stereo system. We have kept in touch over the years and during a conversation recently I mentioned to him how I was putting together a 2-channel system to go along side my HT. I mentioned how much I remembered enjoying his CW's years before. He informed me that he still had them stored in his garage (wife problem), and would love to send them to me. Needless to say, they're on their way! Anyway, is there anyone within earshot of this board that lives in the Los Angeles area that may consider taking a look at them for me when they arrive? Beer and pizza included of course! I'm also seeking reasonable, minimalist amp and preamp recommendations. Thanks