[Be Honest - Who Has the Oldest Klipsch?]

It's all good, Travisc.

Happy holidays to you, my friend.

Just so happens, that i've been struggling with this new cell phone i'm using.

I went from one of those "candy bar" phones to this newer "flip" model.

It's really cool......'cept that it could have come with a stylus, toothpick, or something.

Ha Ha.

Well, I just got the last of the kids presents wrapped and so i'll take this time to relax and try again to write this post.

Here we go...webtv don't fail me now.

I bought my '57 Khorns from the grandson of the man who purchased them originally...one at a time.

As the story goes,

The origial owner had bought himself a decent mono hi-fi for his new house, back in mid '57.

Not liking the speaker he bought, the search was on for something better.

A classic tale, for sure.

Having heard alot about Klipsch, he travelled from northern Indiana to Hope for one of Pauls Khorns.

He was very impressed.

Just a few months later, of course, he went and bought a new "stereo" hi-fi.

And as we all know, this meant he

would need another speaker.

What to do?

Obviously.... back to Hope he went to purchase yet another "mono" Khorn.

And......he lived hapily ever after.

Seriously.

Upon his passing, they were gifted to his grandson.

He enjoyed them for many years until, changes in his living arraigment forced his hand and he had to part with them.

That's where I come in.

After making an excellent deal with me over the phone and meeting me halfway between our homes, this really decent gentleman proceed to unfold that wonderful story for me.

I was touched.

I'm not kidding.

Good stuff, my friends.

His first words were this,

"I hope you will give them a good home","they've been in my family a long time."

He told of the many holidays in which he and the family would hang out in Grampa's room and listen to music from his old horns.

They would play Grampas favorites songs and everyone would sing along.

It was tradition.

From birthdays to weddings, and even lazy Sundays, the Khorns had filled a part in their lives.

I found it amazing.

Generations of a family growing up with the sweet sounds of Grampas old horns filling the air.

What can you say?

Now they were going to be mine.

There aren't to many old speakers, like this, that have the ability to outlive their owner and touch the souls of 3 generations the way these do.

I felt honored to accept these priceless heirlooms.

As of now, a year or so later, they have become an irreplaceable part of my life.

The kids and I, friends and family have had many a good times already, with the Khorns bringing good sound into our life.

Here's to many more.

Happy holidays, everyone.

Cheers.

Regards,

John.

[OT: Knife laws and etiquette?]

Cold Steel, S.O.G, Boker, and Spec. Ops make a few decent blades that are worth checking out.

A few manufactures make smaller blades that you can wear around your neck.

They come with different variations of a quick release mechanism.

Worth checking out. IMO.

One thing for sure......

I would definately like to have that Tanto pictured in the above photo.

Regards,

John

[Be Honest - Who Has the Oldest Klipsch?]

Ha Ha....

almost too funny.

But not really.

[Be Honest - Who Has the Oldest Klipsch?]

I have a pair of '57 Khorns.

I listen to them every single day.

They were bought 4 months apart.

I like to think of them as dual mono speakers.

Sure would like to tell much more, but.....I just spent about 30 mins typing a really detailed letter of my purchase and their history, then I pushed the wrong button and POOF, it was gone.

Grrrrr.

Little keys.....

Big fingers...

Pain in the ***.

Regards,

John

[Paradigm VS Klipsch]

Two quick points concerning Paradigm loudspeakers.

1. They build everything "in house".

(last time I checked, anyway)

That includes drivers and crossovers.

....which can be as big of a hinderance as it can be a benefit. IMO

2. They are engineered to have a very flat response across their usable freq. spectrum.

This is ultimately the polar opposite of what Klipsch offers.

.....and again, in my opinion, is quite boring unless your doing some very critical monitoring in a relatively inert environment.

Regards,

John.

[Sometimes you just get lucky . . . AGAIN!]

Congrats, Allan.

Another great find.

[Speaker break fact or fiction]

.

[Speaker break fact or fiction]

BTW, there are certain acoustic/psychoacoustic factors that come into play here.

Regards,

John.

[Speaker break fact or fiction]

Hey there, gang.

I'm a bit ticked off, here.

I refuse to give in to any "standard" set mode of thinking.

It's ridiculous.

No advancements in technology were ever granted to those whose didn't keep an open mind.

Is that so hard to understand?

I'm not saying that one should spend grande' buckolas to achvieve audio bliss via expensive unfounded mods or accessories.

But, why would anyone ever think that anything concerning electron theory is ultimate fact.

It's self defeating and you're just cheating yourself out of the fuller extent of the limitless possiblities.

Hello.....it's still just unfounded theory, after all.

Is it not?

Correct me if i'm wrong.

And is this "theory" not relatively new in the greater scheme of things?

I mean, come on....

This hobby of ours is young by comparision and should not be looked upon as old news and undeniable fact.

Hell, we're still not even sure how electricity works, for crying out loud.

End rant....

I believe in driver/crossover/wire "break in" to a certain degree.

No need to elaborate, but I do want to say that it is very unhealthy to subscribe to the notion that it is not possible at all.

I mean...really.

Do you really think there is equipment out there that is sensitive enough to detect any exceptionally minute difference before and after a "break in" period?

No.

Why does this matter?

Because when your dealing with very low power transients, you get into the grey area of audio where measurements fail and the audible end results prevail.

There is far more to music reproduction than what is readily available for measurement.IMHO.

And furthermore, what exactly is it that we are examining when it come to driver break in?

Driver specs and response?

Hmmmm.

Is that all there is?

I don't think so.

And at what frequencies/ amplitude are we looking at, here.

Middle C on a piano, all by itself, incorporates various harmonics unto itself based upon various physical properties of the medium by which it is being reproduced.

And that is just one note.

Add into the mix the other tone/notes/harmonics and youv'e got a very complex issue to deal with.

Grrrrr.

I apologize.

This ongoing issue of the hardcore naysayers and numbercrunchers defeating any possiblities of the unknown is becoming ridiculous.

100 short years, and we think we've got it licked.

Guess again.

My money is on the possiblity.

This mode of thinking does not require me to purchase anything.

It only helps enlighten me to the plausable.

Until electron theory becomes electron fact, i'm keeping an open mind.

Regards,

John.

Bi-wire, sheild your cables and by all means look to the future for answers.

Above all, enjoy the music and appreciate the hobby.

[Cryo-genic TUBEs ???]

Hey all,

Interesting topic.

Naysayers be warned.

Here's my opinion...

Cryogenics, in this case, really has more to do with bringing the speed of the particles of the material in question to a near halt then raising the temp to specific levels over a pre-determined amount of time.

The change occurs as the particles re-accelerate.

At a molecular level, the material in question would presumably have a more linear particle alignment.

If you prescribe to the mindset of testing the boundries of modern day physics, then you can plainly see some of the benefits as it regards cryo-tubes.

Personally.....I never tried 'em.

I can't see spending the extra dough on them.

I'm half dutch..what can I say?

Ha Ha

But, I still like to keep an open mind about these things.

YOU NEVER KNOW.

Do you?

Heck, i'd like try a set of 12ax7s, if they can be had on the cheap.

Unfortunately, the market isn't exactly flooded with them, yet.

Food for thought.

Regards,

John.

[Alan Parsons Project]

There is a double disk remastered cd out there, I can't quite recall the name, off hand, but I do believe it's called "Works".

It is excellent.

Intresting sidenote on the DSOTM album....

Alan was extremely unpleased with the outcome of his mix.

The quad version in particular.

He was on a very limited timeframe and stated that if had he the opportunity, he could have done a much better job...unlike his counterpart, Guthrie, (Arlos' brother) who mixed the more recent multichannel version.

Regards,

John.

P.S. All of APPs' albums are worth collecting. IMO.

I have most of them and enjoy them to a great degree.

[OT - Value Village KEF find]

Good story about the thrift store.

Isn't that just the way it is?

Timing is everything.

I've been one of the vultures cursing fellows like yourself who beat me to the punch.

Heh...

He who eats the fastest, gets the mostest.

It's things like this that make this hobby so much fun. IMO.

Good find!

Congrats.

Regards,

John

[Can these speakers possibly sound good?]

I heard a similiar design during a Chicago horn club meeting at Alfredos', a few years ago.

I too, was skeptical at first, but believe it or not, they sounded pretty good.

Not alot of usable output at the Freq. extremes.IMO

I guess that is to be expected.

Though, i must say, they were still nice to listen to.

The midrange was liquid and the imaging was exceptional.

Regards,

John

[discussion about the K-5-J.]

Sorry for the delayed response.

Gil, I really appreciate the way you look at these things.

Very interesting thoughts, my friend.

I still often wonder if increasingly higher production costs of the K-5 in conjuction with the implementation of stereo somehow facilitated it's demise.

Raise the crossover freq, and the need for such a large exit area isn't needed.

Granted, i'm certainly no engineer of any discipline.

I'm meerly speculating here.

Just seems like it was an expensive horn to produce and it wasn't really needed, anymore.

I hear what your saying, though.

I've read many articles on the K-5 and you can plainly see where PWK was having "issues" with it.

Not saying that it wasn't the math that ultimately did it in, just that maybe there were other forces at work.

It is my understanding just like his Bose counterpart, PWK had a singular vision.

To make the most, out of the least.

Hense, the EV T-35.

huh....

been so long since i posted to this thread, i forgot what i originally wrote.

ha.

Oh Well.

So, just like Khorn58, i'm loving my K-5s.

They sound soooooo good.

Words cannot describe.

Regards,

John.

[H/K Citation 11 amp?]

Alright......

I'm an idiot.

The correct model number is 19.

My apologies.

For whatever reason, I wrote down 11.

Makes a little more sense, now.

ha ha.

jokes on me.

So anyway....

What can you all tell me about this monster model 19.

Is it a keeper, or a weeper?

Inquiring minds would like to know.

The sale is local and I would be trading the equivalent of about $300-$400 worth of gear.

Regards,

John.

[The Fisher "Statesman" console.]

Yeah, it's not a bad looking console.

Grill cloth is a little tweaked from people trying to peek at the drivers, plus there are a few deep gouges on the top.

Otherwise, it's extra clean.

Fingerprints, aside.

I'm assuming all the damage was done during the estate sale.

Whattaya do?

No pics, fellas.

But, I can tell you that it is big, walnut, and weighs a ton.

It was a good find. IMO

I do get lucky, sometimes.

Though, you always have to weed through the mire when it comes to collecting anything.

I've networked myself, in and around my area, for about 5 yrs now.

Got a few good connections here and there.

Although, having an friend on the inside never comes free.

I still have to "pay the pinsetter"

Haven't fired it up, yet.

Been really busy, lately.

My son is going into high school this year.

(Yeah!)

Took this morning off from work and went with him to sign up for H.S. football.

I've been on a paper chase, all day.

Ha.

Maybe, one of these days before the weekend, i'll give her a spin and see if it sounds any good.

Apparently, it was up and running during the sale.

Proof is in the pudding.

Regards,

John.

[The Fisher "Statesman" console.]

Hey all,

Check this out.

A friend of mine, who handles large estate sales, called me up this evening.

He asked if I was interested in another console stereo.

Ha ha ha.

As if 20 of them isn't enough...

I asked, "Whatcha got, David?"

He says, "Well, i've got this heavy old console unit that is full of tubes, with your name on it."

"Thought you might be interested."

"Right up your alley."

Oh?

Hmmmmmmm.

I said, "Sure, i'm into it, if it doesn't break the bank."

"What is it?"

He says, "It's a Fisher stereo with a Gerrard turntable in a beautiful cabinet."

".....and it's heavy as H E double toothpicks."

"Huh", I said, "What's the story on it?"

He proceeds to tell me that it comes from a million dollar mansion in a nearby town and for the price of gas and an 18 pack Miller Lite bottles, it's mine.

Well......

What am I suppose to do?

Say no.....

I don't think so.

Long story short,

When I talked to him this evening, I had just gotten out of work and was getting ready to take my teenage son to his high school orientation, so I told him it would have to be after that.

He said."No problem."

Needless to say, I didn't get back until around 8 and by the time we got to this monster mansion, it was around 10pm.

(the place was beautiful)

All I can really say Wow.

What a cool piece of audio history.

A keeper for sure.

I haven't had much time to investigate this piece, but my first impression is that i've struck gold.

Anyone have thoughts to share about this unit?

It's a pristine 1961 Fisher Statesman with the pre-amp tuner in the front and the amp located in the rear. (EL-84 output)

A pullout drawer reveals a minty Gerrard auto turntable, type A.

I have no idea what the driver compliment is.

One thing I can say for certain, is thst it's heavier than most of my consoles including my Telefunken.

Can't wait to fire her up.

I'm excited and had to share with you all.

Regards,

John.

P.S. I love this hobby....mostly.

[H/K Citation 11 amp?]

Hello all.

Does anyone know anything about this amp?

I'm having a tough time aquiring any info related to this piece of equipment.

The H/K website only seems to list the matching pre-amp (or I would assume it is, anyway.), but no amp by that number.

It does look like a Citation 23/24? or something of that nature.

The front face has a curious looking vertically oriented LED power display, like later models from the citation line.

If anyone could enlighten me about this, I would be greatly appreciative.

I have an opportunity to trade some gear for it, but i'm really hesitant given the fact that I know nothing of this particlar piece.

Thanks.

Regards,

John

[discussion about the K-5-J.]

I believe it is, Gil.

It has proven to be a fine driver for this application.

Though....there are, of course, some nay-sayers out there.

Be that as it may. they mate really well, IMO, with these K-5-Js.

I would be interested to try different drivers on these horns if given the opportunity.

Anybody want to loan me some drivers to try out?

Regards,

John

[discussion about the K-5-J.]

Hello friends,

I would like to hear from other people who have used or are using the K-5-J mid range lens in their Khorns.

-What do you think about them?

-What kind of driver do you use?

-What crossover?

I have a pair of '57 Khorns that came stock with these big fellas and I really enjoy them.

I'm currently running EV 1823M drivers on them and have an audiocontrol 520 EQ trimming the midband by 6 DB, centered around 1Khz.

I was going to mod the crossover, but for authenticity purposes have decided to use an outboard EQ instead.

Works really well, for me.

When I finally got them dialed in the way I wanted, they were "hands down" the best sounding mid range I have ever heard.

I do have the original university drivers that came with them, but IMHO, they aren't so hot.

Just couldn't seem to get the sound out of them that I was looking for.

I have been really wondering if the real reason the K-5-Js were discontinued had more to do with the end result of a cost benefit analysis, and how it relates to building a stereo paired speaker.

(less need for augmentation)= hence the slot width difference between a mono and stereo cabinet.

Plus, take into account the simple fact that PWKs true goal was to make mountains out of molehills.

I believe that the material cost for the K-5-J became to high.... and with the advent of stereo amplification the need for such large mid horns was diminished.

Now, I do have the "Dope from Hope" papers that concern the K-5-J (Thanks GFM) and have a good understanding why PWK said he discontinued their use, but I still think that they better any other mid lens used by the company..

What do you think?

Regards,

John.

(the true audioreality)

[Such a friend I don't need]

LMNO.

Ouch.

Now that's what I call "a seriously major bummer".

Imagine what locksmith must have been thinking when he got that call....

[New Proud owner of the RF-7, I'm a RF-7er now.]

Wow........

Great picture, Kevin.

Very cool.

RF7s are awesome.

They can really put it to ya.

No doubt about it.

And....When you get them dialed in just right....

Bliss.

Regards,

John.

[bi-wiring speakers?]

In the immortal words of Kelly H........

Lordy.

[bi-wiring speakers?]

I say, try it!

Why not?

Since the internal networks are already separated, might as well keep them separate from the amp output to the speaker input.

WHat the heck?

Can't hurt, can it?

Besides, IMO, Any small reduction in overall distortion will improve the speakers' transient response.

Clarity is still king.

Regards,

John

[Coffee and Cigarettes]

Captivating title, heh?

I recently saw this movie and I had to let everyone know about it.

Eleven intersecting scenes and brilliant dialog offer up an entertaining view of what one might call "Life".

It totally encapsulated my attention within the first 20 seconds.

I won't say much else, other than it is worth checking out.

The cast includes;

Roberto Benigni.

Steven Wright.

Steve Buscemi.

Iggy Pop.

Tom Waits.

Cate Blanchett.

Bill Murray.

And several others i'm sure many of you will know.

Very witty and well directed.

It is definately in a class by itself.

This movie leaves you wanting more.........coffee and cigarettes.

Regards,

John