bmoran
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Posts posted by bmoran
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^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.
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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..
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On 10/6/2021 at 5:09 AM, Area 51 said:
Thanks, bmoran. I'm glad to learn at least a couple are having success with a low cost alternative amplifier. I had hoped to find more posts about these amplifiers which, theoretically, might work well with our high sensitivity Klipsch speakers. As a newbie I didn't know which Klipsch speakers would work best for me so I have been fortunate to be able to experiment with different Klipsch speakers and I have worked my way up to a pair of Belles (acquired just last month) while keeping those other somewhat less efficient models acquired along the way. It seems I'm much better at buying than selling. As a result I hope to be able to mix and match some different amplifier/speaker combinations.
Your post follows my inquiry of 4 months ago. Still curious about tubes and the inexpensive amps from China I decided last week to take a chance and experiment with a minimal investment in Chi-Fi electronics so I grabbed a cheap Nobsound 6P1 Vacuum Tube Amplifier. By coincidence your post and my new amp arrived today. I haven't even opened the package yet. Like you, I'm looking forward to playing with different tubes. I have already ordered a set of Russian tubes, based on what I have read about their superior sound reproduction (I saw it on the internet so it must i be true).
Anybody else willing to share their experiences with inexpensive amplifiers?
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.
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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
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27 minutes ago, wetowne said:
Not just different tubes, the sockets are wired for 12ax7 tubes. My A10 needs converters.
Correct. 12ax7's are more common, so easier to roll.
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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.
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On 4/20/2021 at 2:00 AM, JohnW said:
I’ve never heard if a Doge 10.
Well now you have! https://doge.audio/product/doge-10-padc-mk3/
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Have you checked out the Doge 10?
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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.
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1 hour ago, wvu80 said:
I know what you mean about the outliers but I don't judge that. The numbers are the numbers, nothing personal.
Could you add a little info about your LS's? s/n if you have that, year, finish, condition, and in what region or town were they bought. Thanks! -Dave
Mine are consecutive SN, built in 2017. Black ash. 9/5/10, tweeter diaphragms aside ($40 to fix). Bought in PA.
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$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..
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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
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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.
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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.
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16 hours ago, Panelhead said:
I should have followed this thread. Got a pair of K77’s with maybe 200 Hours pulled from a pair of LS II. These K77 are unique to the LS II. The horn is wider and taller than the normal K77.
Probably the K-77-D, right? The diaphragms are still the same though.
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1 hour ago, jimjimbo said:
Pat's or Geno's?
Neither! Dozens of better places exist. One might find better at a local pizza shop
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1 minute ago, Coytee said:
Since you asked...
If it were me, (and to be honest, I almost feel bad mentioning this....especially so close to your acquisition of these)
If it were me, I'd consider putting a K402 on top of them before venturing into tubes. The 402 will move them to a higher level again......however, it does come with the need to use an active crossover, biamp and now an extra amp (could be the tube amp you might end up with)
It would take them to a 2-way speaker and add some coherency to them because of losing a crossover.
Don't do it now....just planting seeds.....we'll get you there.
BTW, I didn't notice, where are you located? Maybe someone is near enough where you could hear the 402's.
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
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2 minutes ago, Coytee said:
I've had mine since 1979 and they still have all original drivers (and diaphragms) in them. Boggles my mind how someone blows one when I know what I put mine through (playing at weddings, living through college.....)
I certainly had my moments where they screamed their lungs out.
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
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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?
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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
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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.
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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.
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Confirmed both tweeter voice coils are cooked. Fingers crossed the expedited shipping new diaphragms arrive tomorrow.
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20 hours ago, jimjimbo said:
Recommend you disconnect the tweeters from the crossovers and measure them with a voltmeter before you attempt to get new diaphragms. Actually surprised that they would both be damaged as there is a lot of protection built into those crossovers.
Mind elaborating? Test the leads of the tweeters?
Boyuu tube amps
in Talkin' Tubes
Posted · Edited by bmoran
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.