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bmoran

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Everything posted by bmoran

  1. I did the Skunkie Designs mods to the A12 (see YouTube) and added Miflex 600V coupling caps to the project. The amp is now a capable SET. Still putting hours on it, but the improvement is dramatic. The original design was pretty bad...Might have to look at a set of gold lion 12AX7's or maybe some NOS. The A12 is competing for center stage with a VTA ST-70 in triode mode, which is superior in all aspects, but the SET A12 has a sweetness that I hope improves over time.
  2. ^I am far from experienced with tube rolling. Just sharing what I've learned so far about the A12. I think you'll enjoy the amp. The midrange is very nice out of the box. I think the EH 12AX7's improved the sound, particularly the highs and center image.
  3. So I swapped in the EH 12AX7's. Wasn't expecting much but right away, there is a noticeable improvement in top end sparkle and center image. Now I may have to try rolling the EL34's to see what happens. The Tung-Sol's seem well reviewed..
  4. I ended up buying the EH 12AX7's. Will report back once they arrive and get a little run-time. Honestly, I don't have experience with higher-dollar tube amps so I don't know what I'm missing. Coming from solid-state, the Reisong is much more laid back and listenable at all volumes on the La Scala II's. In general, I prefer it over solid-state. The only thing I miss is the top-end sparkle of solid state. Maybe a higher quality tube amp wouldn't sacrifice that as much. Someday, I'll find out for myself. But for now, the $500 A12 is awesome for the money - just wish it came with a remote.
  5. I've been running an A12 for several months with zero issues, feeding La Scala II's. Looking to tube roll a 'lil bit for fun. Has anyone swapped the 12AX7's for higher quality and matched tubes? Here's one option https://www.amazon.com/Electro-Harmonix-12AX7-Matched-Pair/dp/B01IW94PLU/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=12AX7+Preamp+Tubes&qid=1633455402&sr=8-9
  6. Correct. 12ax7's are more common, so easier to roll.
  7. I tried the Reisong A10 with LSII's and am impressed. However, I sent it back and purchased the newer version A12 (same thing, just different preamp tubes) since my A10 example had a Morse code-type beeping sound in the left channel that couldn't be fixed. Aside from that, the sound was really impressive, with very nice mids and surprisingly sparkly highs. The bass was fine, but I use subs below 55 hz.
  8. Well now you have! https://doge.audio/product/doge-10-padc-mk3/
  9. Have you checked out the Doge 10?
  10. Following Edit - I'm interested in the Decware SET and other push-pull amps like your Jolida. FYI, the Decware lead time is 25+ weeks. I called them today.
  11. Mine are consecutive SN, built in 2017. Black ash. 9/5/10, tweeter diaphragms aside ($40 to fix). Bought in PA.
  12. $2,800 for LSII's....don't hold your breath. I don't doubt the accuracy of the spreadsheet...I appreciate the effort put into it, but is it complete?? Real-world prices are higher - a lot higher lately; end of story. Original LS's are selling for near $3k. LSII's are a marked step up from them and not much different than the new AL5's, which retail for $12k. I paid $5k for black ash LSII's in good condition, requiring simple tweeter diaphragm replacements. I'm happy with that number and most other people should too. There's always low ballers that think their gear is worth more than anyone else's, yet think yours is worth nothing. Who cares what they think..
  13. There are two sets of LSII's for sale here https://community.klipsch.com/index.php?/topic/198998-la-scala-ii-portland-or-4750/&tab=comments#comment-2617428
  14. Signals are mixed. I bought a pair of mint LSII's a couple weeks ago for $5k. The tweeter diaphragms were shot - that was their only issue.
  15. Correct - the market is nuts for La Scalas. Aside from needing new tweeter diaphragms, my LSII's were mint. The CL link in the beginning of this post is now defunct. Edit - Mine are ~2017. Not sure how to decode the new serial numbers.
  16. Probably the K-77-D, right? The diaphragms are still the same though.
  17. Neither! Dozens of better places exist. One might find better at a local pizza shop
  18. I like how you think, but there's no friggin way I'm gonna swing putting giant horns on top of already giant speakers. I'm lucky to have WAF for the LSII's. I'm outside of Philly
  19. I think it's hard to blow them at any sort of humane listening volumes. Probably a result of carelessness with plugging into a hot amp, etc. In any case, the tweeter diaphragms aren't that hard or costly to replace and now I know how to do it. They sound great
  20. Still tweaking speaker position, but these are definitely special speakers! I could go on about their strengths, but you all know what they are... Tried a bit of two-channel movie watching with the subs on. Very engaging. I may scrap the entire home theater setup and build up a simpler two-channel streaming music system instead. Feeding Tidal through Audirvana on a Macbook via USB to a DAC/preamp, to a tube amp. The subs will remain and I'll probably have to feed the main signal through the MiniDSP 2x4HD for bass management with REW (does amazing things with dual subs), passing the rest of the signal through to the tube amp. Thoughts?
  21. Moved them out about a foot, pulled off the wall slightly and toed the inner cabinet walls to the MLP. Sounding pretty, pretty sweet now! Tubes are definitely in my future
  22. Settle down gang! Maybe these pics will help. Got the diaphragms replaced and they're now singing! Damn, these things throw effortless sound and make my room sound much smaller. Regarding placement, how about in the long corners (about 28 feet apart)? The room is cluttered with the speaker swap, but it's temporary.
  23. Has anyone took the leap and tried one of these cheap Chinese tub amps? Sure, they're not going to stack up against the stalwarts, but if money is tight they may be worth it. I would only be interested in the amplifier section and not the preamp. https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-Amplifier-Single-Ended-Headphone-Handcrafted/dp/B076CC92BX/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1PDAHX8Z4QPPP&dchild=1&keywords=single+ended+triode+amplifier&qid=1616188022&sprefix=single+ended+triode%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-2
  24. Confirmed both tweeter voice coils are cooked. Fingers crossed the expedited shipping new diaphragms arrive tomorrow.
  25. Mind elaborating? Test the leads of the tweeters?
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