salbake

If you are spending that kind of money might be worth it to you to drive from CO to Nebraska and stop by DTX at 56th and O Streets in Lincoln and demo them. They have all the Heritage stuff (currently Heresy IV and Cornwall IV, but La Scala and Khorn on the way). They currently have the Cornwalls hooked up to a McIntosh MA352.

okay...but it’s kind of weird that it displays as “salbake said”...and I said absolutely none of that. And all of “what I said” is at the discretion of another poster? 🤷‍♂️

Lol did you just quote me and then completely change my quote, and then agree with “me” (yourself)?? That’s weird, man. Doesn’t have to be McIntosh. And some people might disagree w my advice...”best” is pretty subjective. But to my ears, if your heart is set on an integrated paired w heritage, high S/N and low distortion sounds great. The IVs don’t get “dry” “analytical” or “bright” or whatever other adjective people worry about.

The title of this thread describes my stereo, and it is a great combo. Just set a budget and go for highest signal to noise ratio and lowest harmonic distortion you can afford and enjoy. The Heritage stuff is so sensitive, do not sleep on a power conditioner, or a weight/clamp on your turntable. Happy hunting/listening!

haha that’s funny. Not sure if that was an autocorrect, or me being drunk. Either possible...

That’s fair. I had the Cornwall 1s where the IVs are now for about a year and they did sound better than the basement setup haha. Definitely not lugging them back upstairs though. To my ears the ones definitely benefit from being in corners (yes I know, Cornwall, Corner or Wall. I have the Manuel that came with the ones and it says they’re better in corners too).

*Should say MY new gear vs vintage gear. Out of curiosity played an album on my current stereo and same album on previous stereo from 1980. I’m relieved that I didn’t waste money. Was surprised at how much better the new stuff sounded. Night and day difference. Just had the Yamaha CR-1020 professionally cleaned/Re-capped/ brought into spec too.

This too is good advice. Played Flight of the cosmic hippo loud like 10 times.

I listened to them once loud on the first day. Said, “nope.” Left FM radio on at a pretty annoying level for 3 days straight, drove the wife nuts. Fantastic now 🤙. Love them.

Your faith will be rewarded! I would say don’t judge them critically for a few days. I think I’m on day 6. Leaving radio on for a few days really helped. Not sure if it was speakers or cables or both but they have gotten better. Yesterday was the first time I really “listened” to them. Source was McIntosh MB50 streamer in critical listening mode and Qobuz and MAC7200 solid state receiver. Both are rated at an awesome .005% for harmonic distortion. I like testing stuff with the Moana soundtrack (don’t knock it until you try it, Disney’s production level for sound in a theater is epic!). Was playing 24 Bit, 96,000 Hz files and grinning ear to ear. It was like I could reach out and touch the layers of sound. You’re going to love the IVs.

Original. I am second owner got them 3 years ago. Probably keeping them. They are the Mint-iest 40 year old pair of speakers. Original brochures, manuels, etc - he even never mailed in the warranty card but kept it. I love them so much 😆🤷‍♂️. I paid $2500 for the Cornwalls, a Yamaha CR-1020 receiver, a Bang and Olufsen Beogram turntable, a new B&O cartridge, and about 80 decent records. So minus about $600 for the receiver, $100 for the turntable, $200 for the cartridge (which was a pleasant surprise), $160 for the records...I paid $1440 for the Cornwalls 🤷‍♂️. My guess is most would say I overpaid and wouldn’t offer me enough for me to want to sell. But dang you have to see and hear these things 🤙

I would say after a day with em the IVs have more 3D depth, a bit better base, and the biggest difference is that the IVs seem to make the whole room a sweet spot. The 1s I feel like I kind of had to be sitting in the right place. I would say the IVs are a bit “better” but the 1s are still fantastic.

Just have FM radio going on low for next few days. I know at least half of people think cables are snake oil, but they’re new today too and have 100 hour burn in. Initial impressions were good though. I think it’s like comparing a 1980 Corvette to a 2020 Corvette. My old Cornwalls weren’t “slow.” It’s not some night and day thing. And neither set of Cornwalls are Lamborghinis. But happy! Sound great

“Death Dream” by Frightened Rabbit. First track of the album Painting Of A Panic Attack on 180g vinyl. Favorite band

Cornwall IVs are here. 😃

I appreciate it haha, waiting is the hardest part! Ordered new cables that are set to arrive at my local dealer Tuesday. Shipment tracker on the speakers shows them one state over. Hopefully jamming by Wednesday!

In the end I would go for sound over looks every time.

@Iteachstem that’s funny that you mention it, bc only other speaker I considered were the Focal 1038’s (the walnut ones at upscale sold while I was dragging my feet!) and B&W 804 D3’s

Walnut to match the Walnut Cornwalls 😃! And thanks, wish I could take credit but I did not build. I just sent a talented guy a crappy sketch and he brought it to life. Tomfoolery Wood out of Seattle area. Ships nationwide, all sorts of cool vinyl storage pieces.

Thank you! My journey into this hobby started w a pair of 40 year old walnut Cornwalls and now the last piece of my stereo I’m buying (unless something breaks) is walnut Cornwall IVs. Pics are of the same “stereo” same place, same room over the years. They were moved once when we got new carpet. Liked the Cornwalls so much I knew I was getting new ones one day and designed the credenza and vinyl storage to perfectly fit having Cornwalls in the corner. I could never let the vintage gear go as I upgraded so I’m excited to have two very similar Cornwall stereos with components separated by 40 years. It will be interesting to compare eras. Not sure an old Bang & Olufsen direct drive will be a fair fight against the MoFi UltraDeck + MasterTracker cartridge that’s also got the Furman power conditioner And heavyweight - I just think it will be a much quieter noise floor. But who knows. The Yamaha CR-1020 is awesome. Had it cleaned this year and new white LED’s installed bc some bulbs had burned. I’m rambling now...I’m just excited. Thanks again!

My Cornwall IV’s should arrive this week, I’m really excited!

I'm guilty of bumping the thread and bringing it back to life. I ended up here after going down a google rabbit hole after recently acquiring my Cornwalls and saw that you may have built mine so I quoted you. Didn't know it was going to start a wood vs MDF fight 😆🤷‍♂️. And I'm just going to assume you built mine since it seems most likely and it can't be proven otherwise, due to Frances' excellent sanding haha.

Looks like ol’ Frances puttied and sanded over you 😕

Dang they say “F” was he/she any good?! And am I correct on the year? First set of Cornwalls for me so definitely ignorant. The copyrights on the brochures/speakers say 1980 but the instructions and foldout say “Cornwall II”...? I’m the second owner, they’re nearly mint. I’m thrilled with them. The depth and height of the sound stage...I definitely catch myself smiling while listening! (Also looks like someone wrote a “1” on back of speaker to say “Cornwall I” 🤷‍♂️

1980! Think they’ll honor the 5 year warranty if I fill out the card and send it in? 😎