svberger
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Posts posted by svberger
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Congrats on the La Scala's from another NoCal La Scala owner. The only change I made to mine was to put a pair of @Deang Universal crossovers in mine. I've driven them with various McIntosh tube and solid state amps. They like them all. Getting great sound from a tiny Ayima A07 Chinese chip amp currently selling on Amazon for $60!
I have many other pairs of speakers that I love and use, but the La Scala's are truly special, and since I live in a small house that won't accommodate Khorns, they will always be here.
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Time to let go of my La Scala's. They are in very good original shape, cabs are showing typical amount of older age use but still good. All original drivers work perfectly. This will also include two of Dean Westcott's crossovers: Type A with Jupiter Flat Caps, and Universal's. The original Type AA's are also included.
I love these speakers, but I have too many large speakers, and these are getting less play lately, so better that somebody else who will use them regularly gets them.
Not interested in this time in selling anything separately. Everything is going together.
I'm interested in mostly vintage speakers, turntables and amps. The speakers and turntables can be completely original or restored, but amps would need to be fully restored.While I would prefer trading for other gear, cash and trade, or all cash, might be possible.
I live in Oakland, CA on the San Leandro border.
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My Cornwall's can sound good on either SS or tube. Presently have them with a McIntosh MC225, but have also used a McIntosh MC2105 and 2120 and those sounded just fine also. My pre is McIntosh C11.
My La Scala's though are much more pleasing to my ear with all tubes.
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Owner of '77 LS's and '77 Cornwalls. I like the LS's better. More honest, sound better with tubes, don't mind it not going as deep as Cornwalls. The LS's have Type A crossovers built by Dean with Jupiter Flat Stack caps.
But I like my Cornwall's just fine, and with 5 amps in use, I can rotate each pair, plus 3 other pairs, within a minute. The Cornwall's are a little richer, and I prefer them with the original Type B crossovers more then the Crites that I also have. Will probably have Dean build something for them as well at some point.
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On 2/5/2022 at 8:54 AM, svberger said:
The only "mods" I did to my highly enjoyable '77's was to disable the tweeter protection diodes which helps eliminate distortion and provided a pretty dramatic positive change, and, removed the magnetic screw that's part of the 245 uH air core inductor in the left back of the crossover that is part of the tweeter circuit. Per Bob Crites "for some reason, at the factory, they sometimes used a regular steel screw in these inductors. Should be a non-magnetic screw or the inductance will not be the specified 245 uH but instead will be around 350 uH. You can check the screw with a magnet. If it is attracted to a magnet, it is wrong and should be replaced." Thanks to @KT88 for alerting me to both of these useful tips. Other then that, had no need to do anything else. I've owned/listened to a lot of speakers over the last 50+ years and the LS's are right up there with the best of them. Driving mine with a McIntosh MC240 and I can listen all day long.
An update to this post. Over the last year, I bought two of Dean's X/O's: Type A's with Jupiter Flat Stack caps, and his Universal. After swapping them around for a few months, I've decided I prefer the Type A's. The La Scala's are against my front wall, and I feel no need for any additional bass that Universal might provide. And the sound with those wonderful caps is much more natural and closer to the sound of the AA's described above that I really liked. And that will end any attempt of further mods for the LS's. They're perfect for me, and contrast nicely with my other speakers which presently are all acoustic suspension's.
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I use a C11(and MX110z) with several vintage Mc tube(including a 225) and SS amps, and my La Scala's and it's a wonderful combination. If you're confident that the restoration was done properly and the price is affordable to you, go for it. You'll never lose money on a vintage Mc piece(unless the price your paying is way over current market) so if you don't like it you can easily unload.
A 225/C11 with Khorns is as good as it gets.
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That is a pretty good deal. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to have anyway to connect to my speaker outputs on my amp, which is the only way I want to connect a sub to the system. It's one of the reasons I was considering REL.
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19 hours ago, 82 Cornwalls said:
Another recommendation for the REL T series; I think in your system 2 will be required to get the REaL benefit.
Thanks.
Two T7's now is really not in the cards. It would exceed the amount that I have budgeted for now, plus in my room there is barely enough room for one.
Which REL are you using, and are you using with CW's or some other Heritage model?
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Currently MC225 with ‘77 CW’s and MC240 with ‘77 LS’s. Have also used MC30’s, MC2105 and MC2120. They all sound great with both speakers. Just need to be certain the older stuff has been fully and properly restored by a reputable tech within the last few years.
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2 minutes ago, roninklipsch said:
I have tried the T7 all the way up to 812. If you want a sub that does damage like on movies the F113 will do great music and a great job on AV.
I have CWs and the best fit was a REL T9x. Sounded good enough I eventually got two. I really am sold on the high level hook up....
This would only be for 2 channel music.
I was considering the REL T9 but I don't want to spend that much. But interesting that you found that a 10" was a good fit for the CW's. I doubt I'd use any sub with my CW's, but good to know.
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1 hour ago, KT88 said:
I can't really answer why I have never tried a sub with the LaScalas. When I listen to them, which is very often, I don't really miss anything. What they perform they do in a magical way. I would really have to try listening to them with a sub. While my experience tells me it's perhaps not a good match, I have to admit that I may be underestimating modern new subs. When I listen to another speaker from my small collection I get nice deep bass. E.g. the Tannoy Canterbury. But it doesn't have that combination of lightness and spontaneous energy in the bass that the LaScala has. Even though it plays a whole octave lower. My Underground Jubilees have that freshness like the LaScala with more deep bass. But although the UJ work well in medium living rooms as my I would like to combine them with a much larger room that I do not have, something the size of a classroom of a school, then it would probably marry more with the room. Maybe that's one secret of the relatively compact LaScala...you sacrifice some low bass but it enters into a relationship with a medium sized room as a whole experience. As I said, no listening so far with a sub plus LaScalas.
45 minutes ago, Bubo said:The front firing Klipsch 12 subs sound pretty good
I believe they have been on sale for $300-400
so buy a pair
I have one just slightly off center in front of the TV
Sounds pretty good when it's on
A lot of people make their own subs using the kits from parts express
if you like DIY.
There was a company around chicago where they guy was shipping hundreds of subs per month at great prices.
If I think of the name I will post it
Here's a reading assignment for you. Klipsch scores pretty well.
https://www.avforums.com/threads/subwoofer-manufacturers-list.1233372/
https://www.avsforum.com/threads/guide-to-mid-market-subwoofer-manufacturers-700-3000.3238523/
https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/best-subwoofers/
https://ddaudio.com/made-in-usa-subwoofers/
https://americanmadeaudio.com/the-list/
2 minutes ago, wuzzzer said:It may be just me but I’m not a fan of using a subwoofer with a smaller woofer than my mains have. That said, Crutchfield.com has the SPL-120 on sale for $499 each.
Or you could look for an SPL-150 that should be discounted to around $1,000 since it’s now discontinued.
Thanks guys for the really helpful comments.
My main concern is that I've had the opportunity to use a couple of older subs in the past, borrowed from friends, and they never did anything from me. Could definitely just be a problem of the wrong sub, or my failure to integrate it properly. Which is why I was thinking that if I'm going to commit, commit with a high quality(or whatever quality a $1000 will get me) sub once and for all, figuring if I don't like it, I can sell it. One reason I was considering the REL was it's sold through Amazon, and I can return it if it's not for me after a few days.
As for the Klipsch suggestion, my hesitancy is getting a product that generally isn't highly regarded, is much less expensive then the option usually recommended, and that the major complaint is that they tend to be somewhat boomy. Like I said, I kinda want this to be an end of discussion purchase where I can definitively say I gave it a good shot and it wasn't for me, if that ends up being the result.
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1 hour ago, KT88 said:
svberger, i am very curious about your impressions when the time comes, no matter which sub you will choose. As you know, I also have 1977 LaScalas. I love them as they are but I am open to such attempts.
I'll let you know. I'm getting closer, mostly out wanting to try a quality sub out and once and for all determine if it fills in some hole that I don't know that I have.
Have you ever tried a sub out with your LS's? And if not, why? Obviously I'm not in disagreement with you that I think they sound just fine as is, but what with the overwhelming opinion here and elsewhere that one is somehow missing a great deal by not adding one I'd be interested in your dissent. As I value your comments/opinion, Maybe you can help talk me down once and for all😉
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53 minutes ago, Shakeydeal said:
I would recommend this one. Start with one with the intention of adding a second one down the road.
Ah great! Thanks!
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Thanks. Do you have a recommendation within my budget that you think would work better? This is only for music.
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Anybody have experience with this combo and can pass along thoughts? I have a $1000 budget and considering stepping into the the sub arena. As some know, I've been skeptical about subs with my LS"s, but after speaking to a few "trusted advisors" I'm strongly considering this sub. I know that stereo subs are preferred by many, and if anybody thinks I could do better within budget with two of something else would be happy to hear from them. I also know that folded horn subs are also preferred for horns by others but I'm not going down that road at this time. I've head very good things about how fast the REL's are and the ease of implementing them into a system and those qualities, plus how they look, is why I'm leaning in that direction.
Thanks.
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I'm lucky enough to own some really nice vintage McIntosh amps, both tube and SS. I've used them all on both my '77 La Scala's and Cornwall's, but I'm not sure any has brought me more enjoyment, or seemed so right, as this little guy, a Pioneer SX-440. I recently picked it up restored, and had it connected to both the CW's and LS's, and it's the latter combo that has knocked my sox off. Only 12 watts, but obviously that's plenty for the LS's. There's a wonderful clarity with this receiver that I'm not sure any of my Mac's have displayed as well. And of course it's got plenty of muscle that belies it's size. Originally issued by Pioneer in '69, perhaps the other reason I'm so enamored of it is that it was the first real piece of audio gear that I owned, bought with money saved from various odd jobs and some parental help when I was 13. I was already a pretty avid fan of r'n'r as a regular listener to Boston's WBCN, and WRKO. But I'd been using the parents POS cabinet "stereo", so getting this, then a few months later acquiring a pair of EPI M50 speakers(have a pair currently but I like the 440 better with the LS's) and then a Dual 1019 turntable turned me into a pretty serious record hound, much to the chagrin of mom. Anyway, I suppose it goes to show you that you don't really have to spend a bundle to power the LS's to make them sound good. And, they certainly made good stuff back then.
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The Music Box was great. I grew up in Newton and visited at least a few times, ogling the gear but of course never able to afford anything. One of the local Boston area stores that seeded my current adoration of vintage audio, which includes my '77 La Scala's and Cornwall's.
Bill Bell's son is Mark(Mach) Bell, who fronted the famous in the area 70's band Thundertrain, and also was lead singer of the Joe Perry Project in the early 80's. He also worked at the Box for a time in the tech area. He has a memoir out which is quite good and refers to the Music Box and some of the gear they sold.
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4 hours ago, billybob said:
Yes, welcome! The LaScala are awesome speakers... would try them with out subwoofer.
Thank you.
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I live in Oakland but I don't have the skills to change out caps.
I will say my experience of using various updated crossovers/caps has led me(and more then a few others)to understand that nobody can tell you if the result you get from changing the caps will be "better" or not. It very well will be different from what you're hearing now. The crossovers I have in my '77 La Scala's are not the originals, and I won't go into detail here(feel free to PM if you would like more info) as to what they are, but suffice to say that they too are different then the originals, and I I like them enough to continue to use them. For now. I still have the originals, plus 2 other pairs. Boredom alone is enough to take a couple of minutes to switch out if I want to hear something different.
My advice to you would be to get in touch with Dean and invest in a pair of his crossovers. Then you can hear for yourself and make a determination on what you prefer.
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I think one reason why SS sounds better to me on the Corns then I thought is that they are a softer sounding speaker then other various Heritage options. Not that those might not sound ok with SS also, but an amp like the 2105, or my Mc Mc2120(the meter less version of the the 2125) seems to provide just enough edge to offset the warmth of the Cornwall. The updated crossovers also helped there. And FWIW, those Mac amps are Mac's early entries in the solid state game, so they tend to be a little warmer then more modern options.
And the other plus is that it frees up the tube amps for my other 7 pairs of speakers😄
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I usually try to use only one of my McIntosh tube amps with my Klipsch speakers, but today I decided to experiment and connected my '77 Cornwall's to my McIntosh MC2105. For those that might not know, it's a early Mac solid state, and has a presentation that has given it a reputation of being somewhat tube like. I dislike using that term, as it doesn't sound anything like the 3 Mac tube amps that I own, but I digress. Anyway, whoa! I dare say the Cornies sounded better then I have ever heard them. For some reason, my ears liked them better with this amp hooked up to them then any of the tube amps I have. I kinda knew that the combination would work to some degree, but had no idea how much. Incredibly rich, alive and dynamic.
My La Scala's still sound better with tubes, BTW.
That is all.
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On 10/26/2022 at 10:57 AM, KT88 said:
As my mother used to say when I was in love as a teenager but the lady didn't want to: There is not a handful but a whole country full of girls. BTW I was excited about the Texas offer I posted here for 3.5K and additional bass drivers and obviously the K55V with dual phase plug. That might be worth shipping. But I just wanted to say it.
Heinz as always thanks for your wise words. Not being able to get a pair of speakers does not, I'm happy to say, lead to the kind of despair and broken heart syndrome that my various interactions with members of the opposite sex in younger days resulted in. Thankfully.
I'm going to just sit back and enjoy the abundance of speaker riches that I currently possess. This transaction simply wasn't meant to be, and there's no reason in my world to force fit myself into any gear that may not be the right fit, (in this case, literally) for my enjoyment. I'm guessing that if the opportunity to try out Khorns in my space ever does present itself, it will be through one of the close, local, folks that I have a personal relationship with that will allow me to try them out and see and hear how they would play out in my space. In this last transaction, this was not possible, and I just can't afford to take a risk. These are not speakers which one can just turn around and sell overnight. There are currently a few pairs available locally that have been available locally for some time. I don't want that hassle. And given my current situation, there's absolutely no reason to take it on.
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Topping PA5 is incredible.
in Solid State
Posted
Haven't tried the PA5, but have used both the Ayima A07($60 at Amazon!) and Fosi V3 3255 amps with my La Scala's, and they are a couple of the best bargains in audio presently, IMO. I prefer both of them to my McIntosh tube amps(30, 225, 240), which is something I never thought I would admit.