anarchist

All one needs to do is to listen to Jewel's album This Way specifically three songs: (1) Break Me, (2) Serve the Ego, and (3) Grey Matter. Listen to that on whatever SS system you want. Then listen to it on a modest tube system - an Eico HF-81 and a pair of Heresies. The difference is - simply put - palpable; not only in that it is easily perceivable, but in that listening to it on that specific combo, you will believe that you could 'touch' her or 'feel' her presence. Anyone that I have ever demonstrated that particular combination to has walked away stunned and in disbelief.

'Expensive' is relative; so is 'sounds incredible.' I own a number of tube amps and a number of SS amps including a class D Pioneer Elite. They serve different purposes and different tastes. Period. One is not better than the other unless placed in the proper context.

Update: Replaced caps on the control boards and amp boards. Easy peasy. Dead silent. Only issue was after fixing the one speaker - that was still working - flipped in on and heard absolutely nothing. Reviewed my work a couple times. Everything was good but the speaker wasn't playing. Remembered a post by fini. Pulled the subwoofer itself out and found it had been disconnected when I pulled the amp out to put in caps. SOB. Anyway, KSP's in the house and both subs firing. Klipsch should make these speakers again.

Heresies and an Eico HF-81 is all anyone would ever need to truly enjoy music; that combination will never leave my home. Most normal people ask me after hearing that system, why I need all the other stuff I have. I, of course, do need all that other stuff for myriad reasons. Saying those other systems are better isn't necessarily accurate - they are just different. Certain music (anything by Jewel) I overwhemingly prefer the Heresies... if I am listening to Mr. Crowley, I prefer the KHorns/Dynaco combo. Are Heresies a compromise? No.

There are a number of glasses available, some of them very high end (whole new industry here), and you generally don't have issues using them with any TV/screen provided you get the appropriate models. Any chance I would buy the manufacturers offerings... not likely. You will need to do the research to pick your particular pair and satisfy your particular concerns. A variety of forums have lengthy threads/discussions on the various glasses available.

Thanks guys. Variety of opinions on this. I would like to keep them 'Klipsch' speakers as designed so decided I will try the "fix it Tony" approach first (used to own a FIAT Spyder.) I can replace 90% of the caps for $15.00 with the Nichicon KA's. Worse case scenario I am out $15 and an hour or two soldering and then move into modication mode if it doesn't bring it back to life. I would like to get these up and running cheap primarily because I would like to build a DIY sub using a couple 15's or 18's and will need an amp for that. Dropping money into fixing these speakers takes away from that project and my desire to acquire some other new equipment as well. I will let you guys know how it goes. I will place order with Mouser tomorrow.

Ok, trying to expand my mind here a bit. Looking at schematic, C26 is on the speaker level low input. I believe you refer to the resistor on that input labeled R53 which is a 680 ohm 1/2 watt metal film resistor, yes? I could order those pieces as well although I would like to skip a complete rebuild. Here is a stupid question... these things are on speaker level input... in my fantasy world, I could just use the line input and ignore the problem on the speaker level input and all would be good. This won't work because the speaker level input connects to the line level input at R7, is that correct?

Thanks for the replies. Let me give some background on these. When I bought these, they were dead silent. I was thrilled I didn't have the dreaded KSP hum. Initially, they were wired with just speaker wire and had a line-in to the LFE input. For a long time, they ran fine. Then a new pet decided to chew on the line-in cable. I removed the cable. In time one speaker developed a hum, and I unplugged it until I could determine where the hum was coming from; the other speaker provided good bass from the subwoofer and I never thought about it for a very, very long time. Bought some new stuff and decided to run new wires to everything and noticed the subwoofer wasn't plugged in. Plugged it in, had a hum, hear a pop, and had a puff of smoke in my face. Pulled out the control board and found the cap's cap sitting on the bottom along with a bunch of paper and foil. Others have reported this same cap being found in the bottom of their speakers. My concern is the other speaker has now developed this funky hum... its not continuous, it cycles on and off at times... and I question whether its going to do the same. From my reading, it appears lytics have a shelf-life and have issues with not being powered for a while and then suddenly being powered on and the result is what I experienced. Given that, I questioned whether just to replace all these lytics and of course their effect on sound. I did contemplate replacing them with non-lytics and was concerned about any effect these might have on sound, but given the board size and lack of space on it, I think I will just order all the cap values listed on that board and replace all the lytics with new ones while I have it out - several of them ARE supposed to affect hum. Screw it. Nichicon, panasonic... think it makes a difference? I just pulled up these on mouser. It interests me because the cap that exploded has the usual 100uf, 25v marking but also has "SOUND" marked on it and I am sure it was a Nichicon. These Nichicon on mouser are marked 'audio' and show less 'leakage current' than the KT series - not that I even know what that means. But.. to simplify things Nichicon KT vs KA for those in the know? My only point about the 'sound' marking is I think that would indicate these need to be audio grade capacitors and not just your run of the mill Radio Shack or Chinese junk capacitors; it may, of course, just be marketing nonsense which I why I defer to you guys. PS. These parts are on the 'control board' where all the inputs are coming in and not on the amplifier PCB; I don't plan to touch it.

Ok, I have a set of KSP's and after many years on this forum, I have gotten to see what the inside of a electrolytic capacitor looks like after going up in a poof of smoke. Given the age of these speakers, I suspect some of the other's may want to go as well after this one is replaced. The other speaker is functioning fine however it has now developed a bit of a hum in it that appears to be exactly the same as the hum that was in the other prior to its blowing this capacitor. So my question is two parts: 1) Should I replace just this one, or all of them on the board, or specific ones? 2) It would appear this is (was) a Nichicon. Does the cap quality make any difference on this board given its function? Is so, suggestions for replacements? Here is a reference to the schematic and cap values used. The one that blew was the 25V 100uf which is numbered C26. I appreciate any assistance. Its been a while since I have done any upgrades or repairs - although I did just rebuild a PS3.

Great... so I am not losing my ability to read. Now, back to crossovers; have you looked at what would be needed to do a crossover for the KSP400's? And/or an upgraded power supply board for it? I know most of your stuff is heritage but I would suspect the newer (older) stuff would benefit as well from your work... particularly when one of my speakers decided to blow a capacitor (I believe it is probably the power supply to the sub) suggesting to me these old boards need updating. Also have a few other speakers that might benefit... KG4's, Heresies.... they wouldn't necessarily need to be your normal works of art and these are meant to be hidden.

I missed that part of 'this' lesson and disagree.

Actually, they aren't new, they are my existing KSP-400's. However, I just purchased a new Pioneer SC-65 and changed how I hooked up the KSP's. They are now tri-amped... you read that right. With the SC-65, I was able to run separate channels for the uppers, mids, and line outs to the subs. I didn't expect much... I was surprised. Bigger sound, more clarity, more air, more shimmering, more bass... it was night and day. My wife, who just nods with disinterest when I attempt to demonstrate new equipment or speakers and the resulting sound, actually siezed control of the system and mentioned - for the first time ever - that I did good. I tried to explain the triamplification but she just turned the volume up. Its digital but it is damn impressive; the dedicated two channel systems using tubes are still where it is at and they will never leave the house, but I finally feel good about listening to music on the KSP system.

How are folks connecting their Pioneers to their BR devices and satellite boxes? I just purchased a SC-65 ($850 out the door). I initially configured it the typical way - BR/SAT directly to Pioneer and then the Pioneer to the Plasma (all HDMI) - and setup HDMI passthrough. That worked but the sound volume on the tv had to be turned way up. Normally 20 on the tv is good when you have conversation etc, but configured via passthrough, I had to turn volume up to 50 to hear the tv with no conversation. I then experimented by connecting the BR/SAT directly to the tv as before and ran a HDMI cable from one HDMI input on the tv back to the Pioneer and enabled ARC. So, now, TV operates exactly like it always did, and if I want to hear it through the HT, I turn on the Pioneer and mute the tv and there is no need to swap source on the Pioneer. Anyone else doing this? Any drawbacks one can think of other than no video conversion occurs within the Pioneer? Any suggestions on what could be done to use passthrough but not have the volume go in the tank?

I am so confused by this thread. We felt the need to bring a thread back from 2007 where Dave waxed poetically about something none of us understood the first time around? What is up with this Sheriff stuff? There is a constant referral to guns drawn and blazing and I have never seen Amy act in no such manner. Ok, she has beaten me on an occasion or two but that was with a belt... and Mdeneen immediately objected to corporal punishment of children.

A Consonance Opera is a good choice. http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/opera_m100plus.htm Good power and the Khorns sound fantastic. As it happens, I have one sitting here - possibly available.

Do you have any idea how much I have spent in tubes? Jeez. I spent months tracing down authentic vintage Mullards. Give me the details. Other folks say DIY Tercels were a problem. Mine kicks butt (is that egotistical.) If I can improve it, however, I would love to do so. The 1% improvement wouldn't be the best thing ever, but it would allow me to claim superiority over other pedestrian music lovers.

Ok, now you have pissed me off. I have a perfectly good 1st run Tercel sitting here. You changed it for subsequent kits because the print was wrong. I lived with that because I don't look at the face to see which tubes belong where. But... there was a Hot Rod Tercel? Prick. You know, I am getting ready to call Craig and GIVE him money. He won't talk to me, he damn sure wouldn't send anything to me, but he certainly would let me know that he had something better than I had. You don't even give me the respect that you build a HOT ROD Tercel and I only got the first generation attempt. Oh, you should take your spot next to Hitler; you surely aren't Jesus.

Excuse me.... he just posted a link to a Linda Ronstadt song. The thread should be locked and he should be banned permanently.

why do you need a winkie face? You need an angry face. Because as a woman, you think most equates to some... there was only one dummy who attempted to criticise you because you were a woman. the rest of us think he is... dang it, I am supposed to be nicer now.

Checked the mailbox. I am safe. At least until Monday.

I can assure you Robert, I am not drinking. I was trying to give you an out. Now most of these people know you think they are stupid. Oops, sorry, if you (the stupid people) are offended, please understand I thought you already knew. Dang... Amy is going to pistol whip me tomorrow.

PS. I just want to say, I have never hear a word from Craig in the week since I defended his craftsmanship, while Mark drove across the country, built a Blueberry v4 (it is incredible) and had it shipped to me via overnight and didn't charge me a thing. That, along with Dean who loves me like a brother and shipped me a pair of new, very esoteric cross-overs with the most expensive capacitors and resistors anyone has ever found (not available to any one else) for free no less, has taken my ability to listen to the Pet Shop Boys to levels I never imagined. Seniority does have its benefits.

Amy is drinking or decided everyone here is to stupid to attend to. Wonderful pic. I was single when I first met you but you blew me off. I understand; with that little man at your side why put up with a big kid who is a PITA. These posts, aside from Amy's, honestly, are stupid. Actually, aside from the pride in being here ten years (which I might think on occasion is an indication of retardedness), this thread has been less than insightful (aside from the beautiful pictures posted by Amy). I again ask, and do so earnestly, is anyone actually interested in audio and are you willing to listen to Mark and Craig debate in order to learn. Mark posts with big words and intellect. Craig posts with smaller words, poor spelling, and considerable practicality. It leads to volatility. If not, continue to post stupid animated pictures and proclaim your interest in agreement and harmony. Lest I say something invaluable, I sincerely want to know what the difference is between a Blueberry and a NBS. I want to know how Craig improved upon Mark's work or I want to know buying a NBS gets me the same thing - in a prettier package. Sorry, Mark, but I never was a fan of the weird colors. Craig adds value if he did nothing more than take a Blueberry and put it in a more aesthetic box. And I would be perfectly content if he said that was all he did. But I don't want to live through accusations and implausible denials; nor do I want to read a bunch of 'let me evade the question' responses, nor do I want to view a boatload of stupid cartoons that reflect an inability to think and type. Some may say this is a vendor issue; I say BS. I own a dozen Klipsch speakers. I want to know what will provide me the ability to best enjoy them. Mark, Craig, or anyone else can disappear along with their products. I will still own all my Klipsch speakers and will never forget hearing the first one in junior high. If I wanted to piss them off, I would point out one of my favorite amps is a Consonance; it has the best asthetics of anything discussed in 2c forever. Some would argue square transformer covers are better. Neither answer is absolute, but those who disagree with my opinion are blind.

Jesus, it is like Adolf has forced all the insane people out of hell and onto the forum. Is there anyone interested in audio? I would like to know if there are any interesting preamps to experiment with... the last interesting things were 10 years ago. The days of arguing over Eico's and Dynaco's and Welbournes.... was the Poseidon better than the board Mark created or the board offered by tubes4hifi... was the SDS board better than monster caps stuck into the power supply...now... we have nothing. The previous thread... while contentious was largely non-offensive. It was merely disagreeable. It wasn't until someone hurled personal insults and I took offense despite the insult not being hurled my way, and responded poorly, that the thread actually became ugly. For my part, I removed what I felt was objectionable. Mark and Craig...yes, they asserted various things and there were some jabs in there but nothing to fear. Frankly, the discussion was informative and was becoming more educational as it continued. The problem, I assert and expect no real challenge, is that society and the participants on this forum have become overly conditioned. Disagree but do so in such a polite manner no disagreement can be inferred. Respect diversity but assimilate. Speak your mind but don't offend. Any generalization is a personal affront. Respect labels and find offense at every opportunity. Seek authority to appease your position. Rights are but privileges. Freedom is limited. It is no wonder we can't build a better mousetrap. I have been here longer than 10 years... I feel my time is nearing its end. I am not challenged and I am not intellectually stimulated anymore. The Mark vs Kelly days... stimulating and learning experiences. The Mark tutoring Craig days... stimulating, educational, and resulting in great products... The Mark vs Craig days... your daily comedy show. The half-wits with their gif posts... not much point. Why am I still here? Certain relationships I have built over the years. I also enjoy watching how Amy and Steven change over the years.

I can't stand all this nonsense. Why isn't this thread locked already? Now I have to put up with it all weekend.