Mike82

Mike L: I first heard the 45 on some Beauhorns last November. I wasn't too impressed, but probably because the Beauhorn wasn;t my cup of tea. However, the 45/Belle combo is really wonderful. Even better than the Art Audio PX-25 in that application. I'm picking up some Khorns this weekend and am psyched to hear how that combo will sound. I expect it to exceed what I'm geting with the Belles. I'm already inquiring about a getting a pair of Korneff monoblock 45s. ------------------ Transport: CEC TL-2X DAC: Audiomat Maestro Pre-amp: Wyetech Jade Amps: Wyetech Onyx monoblock, Jeff Korneff 45 Interconects: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Speaker cable: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Power cords: CPCC Top Gun and Model 11 Line conditioner: CPCC Super Power Block Equip Stand: Grand Prix Audio Monaco Belle Klipsch, K-horns to arrive 7/28

HWatkins: Over the past several years,I've found myself listening to classical music more frequently and now it comprises about 95% of my listening. You're right about classical music recordings. Most are poorly recorded. In trying to build a collection,I ended up subscribing to Gramophone magazine (Brit classical music mag). They have informative articles and over 100 reviews per issue. The writers have some decent credentials and are not afraid to trash a poor recording/performance. Classical music is demanding on a playback system. The wide frequency and dynamic range plus the complexity of the timbral qualities of the various instruments demand a good rig for playback. Heck, someone who wouldn't listen to a recorded version of Bartok's String Quartets can easily stand and listen to a live performance. Another challenge facing the average Joe when trying to "get" classical music is an acquired short attention-span. More on that some other time. Good listening, ------------------ Transport: CEC TL-2X DAC: Audiomat Maestro Pre-amp: Wyetech Jade Amps: Jeff Korneff 45 Interconects: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Speaker cable: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Power cords: CPCC Top Gun and Model 11 Line conditioner: CPCC Super Power Block Equip Stand: Grand Prix Audio Monaco Belle Klipsch, K-horns to arrive 7/21 This message has been edited by Mike82 on 07-18-2002 at 01:04 PM

LoneStar: Like many others, hearing SET for the first time is an epiphany of sorts. You hit it on the head- more naturalness, greater dynamics, better focus on imaging, etc. I've been using SET in my system for some time. Truth be told: I never cared much for Klipsch products (Heritage series) until I heard them powered by a SET amp. Those still using p-p or s-s don't know what they are missing. Enjoy the music. PS: Con men who take advantage of the elderly should be shot. ------------------ Transport: CEC TL-2X DAC: Audiomat Maestro Pre-amp: Wyetech Jade Amps: Wyetech Onyx monoblock, Jeff Korneff 45 Interconects: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Speaker cable: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Power cords: CPCC Top Gun and Model 11 Line conditioner: CPCC Super Power Block Equip Stand: Grand Prix Audio Monaco Belle Klipsch, K-horns to arrive 7/28 This message has been edited by Mike82 on 07-18-2002 at 10:46 AM

B&W, Avalon, Vandersteen, Dunlavy, Meadowlark speakers powered by ARC, Krell, Levinson, Bark, Barf, Barf, Barf, OK, Barf, Barf, Barf. Been there done that. The Klipsch make music and that's what it's all about. ------------------ Transport: CEC TL-2X DAC: Audiomat Maestro Pre-amp: Wyetech Jade Amps: Wyetech Onyx monoblock, Jeff Korneff 45 Interconects: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Speaker cable: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Power cords: CPCC Top Gun and Model 11 Line conditioner: CPCC Super Power Block Equip Stand: Grand Prix Audio Monaco Belle Klipsch, K-horns to arrive 7/28

When I was a dealer, I allowed home audition in my local area. I doubt you will get a dealer to ship you a Rega Planet (you can do better) or a Rotel unit for several reasons: 1. Every time something is shipped there is risk of damage or loss. The shippers will pay pennies on damage claims. In any case, with the rough handling of components the shipping carton will become useless; 2. The dealer has to part with demo stock for a couple weeks. So he either has to open a new unit or go without his demo unit for 2 or more weeks; 3. Too many a$$#@!e$ will have a dealer send a demo unit and then buy a used piece on Audiogon. The whores know who they are, and 4. There isn't enough profit incentive for a dealer to send units in the price range. Looking at your list, I'd nix the Arcam and Rega, the others are decent. Good Luck! ------------------ Transport: CEC TL-2X DAC: Audiomat Maestro Pre-amp: Wyetech Jade Amps: Wyetech Onyx monoblock, Jeff Korneff 45 Interconects: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Speaker cable: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Power cords: CPCC Top Gun and Model 11 Line conditioner: CPCC Super Power Block Equip Stand: Grand Prix Audio Monaco Belle Klipsch, K-horns to arrive 7/28

Deang: You wrote: <<I'm really starting to lean towards this idea that what kind of music you like and listen to should also play a factor in what you find the most appealing in a speaker>> Boy are you right! Being an audio hobbyist for 30+ years, a SoundStage! reviewer for 3 1/2 years and part time shop owner for 2 years, I've had a chance to hear a lot of stuff including expensive stuff being driven by expensive electronics. There is no "perfect" speaker despite what some manufacturers claim. If you are a metal head or rock only- get some good solid state. Classical, acoustic, solo vocal, etc., needs tubes, preferably SET, if you're using the Heritage line. Synergy rules. ------------------ Transport: CEC TL-2X DAC: Audiomat Maestro Pre-amp: Wyetech Jade Amps: Wyetech Onyx monoblock, Jeff Korneff 45 Interconects: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Speaker cable: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Power cords: CPCC Top Gun and Model 11 Line conditioner: CPCC Super Power Block Equip Stand: Grand Prix Audio Monaco Belle Klipsch, K-horns to arrive 7/28

Deang: What type of electronics were being used? One reason I never "got" the Klipsch thing was because I never heard them with the proper electronics. I now have Belles and am driving them with a Wyetech Jade pre-amp/Korneff 45 and Holy $#!T, I can't believe what I'm hearing!!!! I'll be writing more about the Korneff in the near future. The bottom line is the Klipsch are incredibly resolving, musical speakers, BUT they need the proper electronics to sound right. ------------------ Transport: CEC TL-2X DAC: Audiomat Maestro Pre-amp: Wyetech Jade Amps: Wyetech Onyx monoblock, Jeff Korneff 45 Interconects: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Speaker cable: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Power cords: CPCC Top Gun and Model 11 Line conditioner: CPCC Super Power Block Equip Stand: Grand Prix Audio Monaco Belle Klipsch, K-horns to arrive 7/28

JMON: Yup, some audio engineers designed a lot of the stuff we listen to, but some hobbyists also did the same. I put the quotations around audio engineers in order to seperate these dweebs from the audio engineers--- audio engineering being a sub-specialty of electrical engineering. Like medicine, it;sa complicated feild and no one can be an expert on everything. I did my undergraduate work in mechanical engineering. I learned a little bit about everything, but not a great deal about anything. The real learning comes after you spend some time immersed in real work, not books and labs. So when I run into these dudes, I don't pay mmuch attention. ------------------ Transport: CEC TL-2X DAC: Audiomat Maestro Pre-amp: Wyetech Jade Amps: Wyetech Onyx monoblock Interconects: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Speaker cable: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Power cords: CPCC Top Gun and Model 11 Line conditioner: CPCC Super Power Block Equip Stand: Grand Prix Audio Monaco Currently hunting Klipsch (Khorn, Belle, Lascala)

Deang: ____________________________________________________ You wrote: Why not just set your player on some nice thick bubble wrap or acoustic foam --or maybe put some dimes under the feet? It would at least be interesting to try to see if the net effect is the same. Seems to me there are other effective ways of isolation and damping. _____________________________________________________ I've tried that, along with bicycle tire tubes, thick fluffy pillows, cones- ceramic, aluminum, graphite resin, etc. Under CD players/t-ports, the roller balls work the best. Under amps, pre-amps, DACs, etc. I don't hear much difference with roller balls. I think resonance drainage is also in play in addition to isolation and damping. I don't fret over how it works,I just sit and enjoy the music. ------------------ Transport: CEC TL-2X DAC: Audiomat Maestro Pre-amp: Wyetech Jade Amps: Wyetech Onyx monoblock Interconects: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Speaker cable: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Power cords: CPCC Top Gun and Model 11 Line conditioner: CPCC Super Power Block Equip Stand: Grand Prix Audio Monaco Currently hunting Klipsch (Khorn, Belle, Lascala)

RatBoy: Originally posted by kenratboy: I would LOVE to talk to some real men (or women) who make a business out of recording, what do THEY USE AND BUY? Well, you might email John Marks again, but use a more congenial tone. IMO&E, John is one of the best music recording producers out there. The quality of his recordings consistently exceeds that of even the better labels: Hyperion, Harmonia Mundi, Astree Auvidis, nevermind the so-so quality of Sony, DG, EMI, Philips, etc. I doubt John uses the latest, greatest equipment as the major labels tend to have the best, but he does consistently gets the best sound. May he can tell you how he does it. ------------------ Transport: CEC TL-2X DAC: Audiomat Maestro Pre-amp: Wyetech Jade Amps: Wyetech Onyx monoblock Interconects: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Speaker cable: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Power cords: CPCC Top Gun and Model 11 Line conditioner: CPCC Super Power Block Equip Stand: Grand Prix Audio Monaco Currently hunting Klipsch (Khorn, Belle, Lascala) This message has been edited by Mike82 on 07-02-2002 at 06:39 AM

Deang: I don't put much faith in what "electrical engineers" have to say when it comes to audio. Their thinking seems to be limited to what the current technology allows them to "measure", ie, if it can't be measured, it doesn't exist. To use a weak analogy, when the scientist, Lister (I think), was promoting the theory about bacteria causing infection and disease, the mainstream medical community laughed at him. Of course, when the microscope was invented, the mainsteam thinking changed. Well, this may be the case here. John Marks did make a passing statement about the CPCC top Gun using varous layers of shielding to drain RFI to ground. I know Dave Blair of Luxor/CPCC very well and even he won't even tell me about all the ways his cords work. A few years ago, I was working with a speaker company at CES. After three days of setting up and tweaking the room to get the best sound we could, an "electical engineer" came in and told me the best way to demonstrate the speakers was to have them pointing dead-on axis at the listener. He went on to blather about anaechoic testing, blah, blah, but he was full of crap! My ears, and the designers ears told us otherwise. Unfortunately, psychoacoustics is a newer field and the "electrical engineers" sure as **** don't have the technology to measure psychoacoustic phenomena. If you ever get out to Atlanta, you;re welcome to come by my home and hear for yourself what power cords can do. ------------------ Transport: CEC TL-2X DAC: Audiomat Maestro Pre-amp: Wyetech Jade Amps: Wyetech Onyx monoblock Interconects: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Speaker cable: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Power cords: CPCC Top Gun and Model 11 Line conditioner: CPCC Super Power Block Equip Stand: Grand Prix Audio Monaco Currently hunting Klipsch (Khorn, Belle, Lascala)

The actual roller devices I brough over to Edster's place were the Darumas by Final Labs. www.finalabs.com I also have the Symposium Rollerblocks with titanium balls (~$420)and the Solid-Tech suspension device ($295). The Darumas, at $99 retail are by far the best value. The Rollerblocks with titanium balls sound best under my CEC TL-2X transport than the regular balls, and also better than the Solid-Tech and Darumas. And a double sandwich of Rollerblocks is even better, but major diminishing returns and the cost is about $700!!! I don't get into discussions on how/why they work, etc. They just do. I don't recommend the Aurios rollers though as they use three balls and need to be placed between absolutely parallel surfaces to be fully effective. Try the Darumas, they're relatively cheap and I think you'll be impressed. ------------------ Transport: CEC TL-2X DAC: Audiomat Maestro Pre-amp: Wyetech Jade Amps: Wyetech Onyx monoblock Interconects: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Speaker cable: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Power cords: CPCC Top Gun and Model 11 Line conditioner: CPCC Super Power Block Equip Stand: Grand Prix Audio Monaco Currently hunting Klipsch (Khorn, Belle, Lascala)

Well, it sounds like you have all the answers. How can I argue against that? ------------------ Transport: CEC TL-2X DAC: Audiomat Maestro Pre-amp: Wyetech Jade Amps: Wyetech Onyx monoblock Interconects: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Speaker cable: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Power cords: CPCC Top Gun and Model 11 Line conditioner: CPCC Super Power Block Equip Stand: Grand Prix Audio Monaco Currently hunting Klipsch (Khorn, Belle, Lascala)

RE: "Mr. Klipsch was a charming ideologue whose speakers suffered terminally from Doppler distortion, but played loud. May he and they rest in peace, along with much zip cord." I'm kind of surprised that John would make that kind of remark. I met John a few years ago at CES and found him to be a thoughtful music lover. I would add the John can also be considered an ideologue in that he recommends the unconventionally designed Shahinian loudspeakers. Dick Shahinian is definately an ideologue who also loves music. I guess what ultimately matters in the end is your personal preference in musical reproduction. However, your comment about "never, ever, using a $1150 power cord" is impetuous, condescending, and also an ideological statement, albeit an inexperienced one. You opened that can of worms. And I would also agree that his experience surpasses yours to a significant level. Power cords do make a difference. While I was a SoundStage! reviewer for 3 1/2 years, I had the opportunity to audition and actually reviewed power cords for one issue. Some cords suck and are "snake oil" as John pointed out, but others can indeed make a remarkable improvement to your systems. However, you may not hear much difference over your receiver, but once you get into high performance electronics, synergy becomes critical and power cords, even the $1150 ones, become an issue. The nice thing about the audio bulletin boards is one can share ideas and experiences and hopefully climb the steep audio learning curve faster and with fewer mistakes ultimately saving you lots of $$$$. Regards, Mike Masztal ------------------ Transport: CEC TL-2X DAC: Audiomat Maestro Pre-amp: Wyetech Jade Amps: Wyetech Onyx monoblock Interconects: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Speaker cable: Analysis Plus Solo Monocrystal Power cords: CPCC Top Gun and Model 11 Line conditioner: CPCC Super Power Block Equip Stand: Grand Prix Audio Monaco Currently hunting Klipsch (Khorn, Belle, Lascala)

Can anyone advise me of the length of the side/back edge of the K-horn? I have one corner with only about 25" before hitting a door frame. Thx, Mike This message has been edited by Mike82 on 06-29-2002 at 11:22 AM

Are there any LaScala owners in the Atlanta area? The local shops don't stock them and I'm interested in having an opportunity to hear them. Please drop me an email. Thx, Mike mikem82@mindspring.com