henry4841

Sounds like a good plan to me. You are not going to enlarge the speakers that much using 1/4" panels. Go for it.

Personally, owning 86 LaScala's, I would just leave alone. Never heard a problem with bass bin myself. Good choice going with AA X0's.

I say cool it guys. We are supposed to be friends that disagree on many subjects. I took shot. Weight benefits vs risk and decided to leave it to a more higher power whether it was a mistake. Believe the vaccine works. I know a family that husband took vaccine and wife did not. Wife got covid and husband took care of her for a couple of weeks without getting virus. I do think it should remain a personal decision and not become mandatory. Kid down the street tested positive before school. Has slight head cold only. Does not really effect the young that much. Went through grandsons college the first month without affecting students that much. I hate to see it being mandated by Gov. My trust in journalism and Gov is at the lowest point in my 72 years. God help us all.

Or another commission to study the problem.

Lots of discussions and in depth sound perceptions from those that have done some changing around. Played around with many different X-overs years ago and to be honest the differences between the ALK and A or AA is subtle at best. A small change in volume level can change anyone's opinion of which is better. In other words a volume increase comparing two electronic audio components can deceive you. For me doing away with the autotransformer and building a simple 1st order crossover network using resistors for attenuation sound best to me but that is another story. After experimenting with over 30 different X-over combinations I settled on the AA as being good enough even with the autotransformer. And and keeps my LaScala's stock making them easier to sell for my kids when the time comes. The OP says he does not listen loud so I honestly think he will be fine using the A network. If one likes the sound and something happens to the tweeters just replace them with ones that are not delicate like the stock ones. I like simple circuits and the A certainly fits the bill.

Excellent looking and you have a right to be proud. If I did not already have LaScala's this is the way I would go. Best bang for buck.

All of mine are ones I built myself so I really have no experience with retail ones but from all I have read online there are great deals coming from China right now. There is much praise on the Reison A10 on youtube and the net right now. https://www.amazon.com/BOYUU-Hi-Fi-Stereo-Amplifier-Single-end/dp/B07L4GL63N/ref=sr_1_4?crid=13M96S7VS816R&dchild=1&keywords=tube+amplifier+stereo&qid=1629543286&sprefix=tube+amplifier%2Caps%2C202&sr=8-4 This is one I would give consideration. Prices have increased a lot this year like most everything else because this amp use to be priced much lower. The thing about a SE tube amplifier is the circuits are really simple to understand so anyone with any electronic knowledge can fix or change components in them. From all said the most expensive part of an amp, the iron, is pretty good on this one. I have two Chinese kit amplifiers I built mainly to see how good the iron was and how they sound. I was surprised on the quality of iron and the sound I got from just around $200 per kit which was many years ago I am afraid. Plenty of good tube amplifiers from other places in the world with reviews and comments to be found all over the net with the rest of them but for me if I were needing a decent tube amplifier I would look to Asia. https://www.amazon.com/BOYUU-Hi-Fi-Stereo-Amplifier-Single-end/dp/B07L4GL63N/ref=sr_1_4?crid=13M96S7VS816R&dchild=1&keywords=tube+amplifier+stereo&qid=1629543286&sprefix=tube+amplifier%2Caps%2C202&sr=8-4 A decent SE 300B amplifier has an amazing sound like no other amplifier I own. I consider it my best of over 20 amplifiers I now have up and running.

Trying to edit the post because of grammar error and instead of correction the post it throwed up another post. Perhaps I just did it wrong. Have to get use to this new Klipsch program they are now using.

For the biggest difference in sound go for a SE tube amplifier. There is a mark difference in sound between PP and SE either tube or SS. I referenced a tube buy being that for the same sound in a SS amplifier you are going to have to buy a SE class A SS amplifier and those can get pricey. To me that is the biggest difference, the cost of SE tube sound vs SE SS sound. You can find many SE tube amplifiers under $1000. A comparable SS SE class A is going to cost 3 times as much.

Never heard KT120 power tubes so I cannot say. But I will say the KT88 is a fine tube.

Cannot give answer on specific equipment you mention but I do have a lot of tube amplifiers and class A SS ones to compare and comment on. My experience on sound, much the same if one compares similar quality equipment. The SS class A amplifiers I have are Firstwatt clones I have built myself which are pure class A and the sound is comparable to the many tube amplifiers I have. This is where you compare sound between PP and then SE (PP being push pull and SE single ended. In other words the sound between a SE SS class A is comparable to a SE SET tube amplifier and the same comparing PP tube and SS. The differences are very subtle at best if quality equipment is compared. All amplifiers sound different with their strengths and weakness.

Sure.

The reference 250watt bulb is what you use testing tube amplifiers. For SS 100watt ones are what you want to use. At least this is what I was taught. There are many on youtube who just use 100watt bulbs for all their testing though. The point is having something that will drain some of the wattage away from amplifier being tested before it destroys itself if you have a dead short. Saved me on a few occasions.

Good question. I am sure the engineers had good reason for using a pentode vs triode to achieve the sound they were looking for. Pentodes may just have a less sound of their own then a triode tube which does color the sound more.

Nice case as well as layout. Here is the schematic for those interested. https://img.usaudiomart.com/uploads/large/2067451-708e3817-angela-model-91-monoblock-tube-amplifiers-300b-western-electric-91a-clones.jpg Simple with just enough needed components and no more. Bet it does sound as good as it looks. There is magic in a Single Ended 300B amp for those that have never heard one. Perfect for our high efficient speakers we love.

Just thought I would add to above statement. The horn loaded bass is what sets the Belle's, Lascala's and K-horn apart from the rest. You definitely want the quickness and punch of the horn loaded bass using a 15" woofer or you would be wasting a fine speaker concept. Throw in a decent sub at a later date and be you will be happy. Price a pair of Belle's on Ebay and you will see they are very treasured.

Defiantly go with 15". Many like a pair of these which are now on backorder. Read the reviews. https://www.parts-express.com/Eminence-KAPPA-15C-15-Driver-4-Ohm-290-459 Or go with Crites 15" speakers. Many horns available along with drivers at Parts Express that will work fine as well. This midrange driver is a good choice https://www.parts-express.com/Selenium-D250-X-1-Phenolic-Horn-Driver-1-3-8-18-TPI-264-204. Just find a horn that will fit in the space in the cabinet. Many excellent horns and drivers for the highs available at good prices. Crites for crossovers. Nice looking cabinet by the way.

Do not forget the NOS Russian tubes as well. The prices have gone up but some of them sound really excellent. Russia kept using tubes far longer then the USA for military use. I agree with George in that when you see NOS or for that matter still good USA tubes grab them.

I agree that when you reach a certain quality point you have to spend a lot more be subtilty better. I have a lot of amplifiers and there are differences between them all but being most are quality ones the differences are subtle between them. All are very listenable. The biggest difference is class of operation and whether single ended or push pull. But in it's day when tubes ruled Western Electric ones were considered the best.

Current prices on Ebay. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1311&_nkw=western+electric+300b&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_odkw=300b+tube&_osacat=0 And here is some recent sold pirces. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=western+electric+300b&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&rt=nc&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1 There are some that went crazy wild bidding desiring those old tubes. One tube sold for $2200 and another for lets round off and say $3500. One tube. The WE300b has been cherished for their sound for decades. Anything is worth what someone is willing to pay. Purist will love the price of these new reissues. Maybe some member will take the leap and tells us more about the sound of the reissues. There are members here with deep pockets.

Compared to what old Western Electric 300B's are selling for they could be a good deal depending on how much they sound like the originals. The last time I priced the original ones they were bringing around $3500 for a NOS pair. I agree with most that they are not for me but there are many that can afford them that will purchase them. At least I hope so since they have went to the trouble of producing them again. I have a SE 300B amplifier and I consider it the best sounding overall to my many other amplifiers. I have Gold Lion's in mine. I've read that many reviewers claim one has never heard a 300B amplifier unless you have the old Western Electric tubes. Might be best that I have never heard them.

Probably braced well enough as is. Looks like a good solid cabinet. Well on your way to good music.

Lovely looking pair. No comment on price, you judge. No affiliation just searching this morning. https://www.ebay.com/itm/402962557052?hash=item5dd270a87c:g:KosAAOSwA0Bg3kU3

The selling price of LaScala's has increased of late members. Just checked Ebay for price of some that have sold recently and was surprised myself. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=klipsch+la+scala&_sacat=0&rt=nc&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1 I would clean them up some and apply some furniture polish and replace those pictures though. Maybe the price of new ones increasing so much has increased the value of our old ones more then the normal going price of around $1500 we are use to seeing old ones selling for.