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CWelsh

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Everything posted by CWelsh

  1. I know there has been some stuff posted about using active crossovers, but I'm specifically curious about the Pass designed biamp crossover from DIY Audio. Anyone have experience with it, particularly with Forte IIIs?
  2. Welcome to the club! I am also a Forte III owner (also my first ever Klipsch), and share your enthusiasm.
  3. This is in a Facebook thread I follow. https://www.facebook.com/commerce/listing/1105454427160063/?media_id=0&ref=share_attachment I have no affiliation or interest in this offer. Owner isn't sure, but thinks they are from the mid-80s to early 90s.
  4. It is the big can caps that really scare me. They are buried under a rat's nest of wires and have multiple wires connected to them. I recapped my Marantz 1060 and even replaced a few transistors, but everything is mounted on boards and is clean and easy. If it wasn't such a nice amp, I would try it. I just don't want to mess it up when I know someone with experience could restore it to better than new condition. I've even got all the new caps and am including them in the sale price.
  5. I suspect it may not be working 100%, but I don't have the ability to test it. I've had this amp for more than 25 years and haven't done anything to it. I'm pretty sure it was in storage for at least 5-10 years before that. All of the tubes except the rectifier are Fisher brand, so it is possible they are original. If not, I will bet they are at least 50 years old. Both channels are working and, to my ears at least, sound even. In fact, the sound stage sounds really nice.
  6. Thanks, Maynard. I'm glad to hear it.
  7. The experiment was successful! I tried the Fisher using the 4 ohm taps and it made an amazing difference. The output volume is significantly increased. Surprisingly, still not equal to the ACA. However, the Fisher gives more oomph to the bass. Other than the bass, though, I prefer the ACA. It's fun to learn new things!
  8. This amp is fully functional and in outstanding original condition. I had it hooked up to my Fortes and my music streamer recently and it sounds wonderful! Since the amp is over 60 years old, I was going to replace some of the critical capacitors, but after taking a look underneath, I chickened out. I'm including the new caps, a parts list, and the schematic with the cap locations marked. I don't have the ability to fully test the amp so I am selling it as is. In preparation for recapping, I opened everything up and did a deep clean. I used Deox-it on all of the terminals, connections, pots and switches. Everything work smoothly and noiselessly, and seems to be doing what it is supposed to. As far as I can tell, everything is original with the exception of the rectifier tube and the brass caps on the knobs. It has the original oiled walnut cabinet and the brass mesh vent panel is even in great shape! The amp is currently listed on Reverb for $995 and I may try a couple of other places.
  9. My first experience with Klipsch was a long, long time before I owned a pair. I was in a store called Audio Labs in Des Moines, Iowa, probably about 1972. I spent enough time there that I had gotten to know a couple of the sales people fairly well. When I walked in one day, one of the guys grabbed me immediately and dragged me into the large room where they had a pair of K-horns powered with bi-amped Audio Research 100 wpc tube amps. He sat me in the sweet spot and fired up Karn Evil 9 by ELO. It was mind blowing! It took me 50 years to buy my own...not K-horns, but I'm happy.
  10. Fisher X-101-B Part III This is why I chickened out on replacing the caps!
  11. This is my Fisher X-101-B. I finally took it apart to do a deep clean including using Deox-It on all the connectors, switches, pots, etc. I was planning to replace a bunch of caps, but chickened out when I opened up the bottom panel. YIKES! Instead taking the chance of turning the thing into a boat anchor, I've decided to sell it. Besides, it works great as is, so I can enjoy it until it sells. I recently read an article from Audio Research suggesting that just because a speaker has a nominal 8 ohm rating, tube amps may work better using the 4 or even 16 ohm taps. I tested this one using the 4 ohm tap and it made an amazing difference. The amp sounds great, but I still think I prefer the ACA.
  12. @The Dude If you don't mind me asking, what are you planning for your new preamp with phono section project? That sounds a lot like what I want.
  13. The specs for the Forte III say the impedance is "8 Ohms compatible" and I'm curious what that means. I just saw something from Audio Research saying it pays to experiment a little with which impedance tap you choose when using tube amps because a "nominal impedance rating" of 4, 8, or 16 Ohms may be misleading. Apparently not the case with SS. I have an old Fisher integrated that I have tried with my Fortes and I wasn't overly impressed. The Fisher is rated at 28 wpc, and my 7 wpc Class A ACA just blows it away in terms of output volume. I haven't done any experimentation using different output taps on the Fisher yet, but expect I will. I just wondered if anyone else has any experience/thoughts?
  14. And, this is supposed to be a hobby we enjoy and share.
  15. At AXPONA last spring, I attended a session on streaming and was surprised by how many "industry experts" suggested using a laptop with a DAC dongle as a great way to get started in streaming. They did all say you would probably want to move up to a dedicated component for extended functionality, but they didn't seem to suggest the audio quality would be significantly superior at the entry level.
  16. I've looked at Tubes4hifi.com. Very interesting stuff and the prices seem reasonable. I have to admit, I find the website a bit difficult to decipher. I've also looked at Elekits. What tips me to Tubes4hifi is the remote control option. As for tubes into SS vs. SS into tubes, I have no bias either way. I would love to be able to try a nice little SET amp sometime, but I have an old Fisher integrated that I've hooked up to my Fortes, and it does sound good, but I definitely prefer the ACA. Maybe it is just that it is Class A. I don't know. I've looked at various options from Diyaudio and will likely go that way if I stick with SS. I snagged one of the active crossover/bi-amp kits and want to see what that does. I have the technical skills to handle the assembly of kits, but I'm not sure I have the knowledge necessary to combine various pieces into a whole. I think I need a mentor...LOL My goal is to have a great sounding system, but I have no illusions that it is going to be the creme de la creme... that is beyond my means and even beyond my ability to appreciate. However, being able to say I built it adds significantly to my appreciation. Sorry for rambling so much. I really appreciate your feedback.
  17. I know this thread has been dormant for quite a while, but I'm starting to think of next steps for my system, still keeping the ACA as my power amp. I'm looking for thoughts and suggestions for a preamp. I need a minimum of two line level inputs and a phono section. Ideally, I would like something I can build from a kit, but it won't be a deal breaker if not. I'm attaching to this thread because I would like to hear from those who are using (or have used) the ACA. Let's discuss!
  18. I also have an ACA and highly recommend it. I tried a Class D amp and thought it was fine, but I think the ACA is a whole lot better. And, it really doesn't get very hot. After all, it is only pumping out 8 watts maximum, and you're never going to get there with your Klipsch...maybe 1-2 watts. Of course, it is a kit, but I'm sure you can find one already built if you look. Still, if you're happy with your Topping, you can just leave well enough alone.
  19. I should have also asked, since you already have the Schitt Mani 2, are you really concerned about having a phono section? Also, you might get more response by posting this in the Two Channel section.
  20. What is your budget? I'm sure you will get plenty of suggestions.
  21. Thanks! One of my issues, though, is that the chip goes all the way down to the base wood and I need to be able to patch the paint before filling. There is a General Motors firemist color that matches, but when I tried to find some, the best I could come up with was a quart at a body supply store and it was $65 five years ago. YIKES! The CA should allow me to fill the hole, then maybe I can figure out some sort of stripe I can add around the edge (sort of like a sunburst). My plan is to replace the stock pickups with lipsticks, so a funky paint job might be just the thing. You've got me inspired!
  22. Nice job! I picked up an Ibanez Gio Strat style a few years ago for $20 that has a nickle sized chunk out of the finish. Unfortunately, the finish is about the thickness of a heavy guitar pick, a firemist periwinkle color, and I haven't figured out a way to repair it. I think I'm just going to have to try to strip it down to bare wood and paint it.
  23. I'm intrigued by what appear to be custom made bases to elevate the K-horns. They look to be beautifully matched. Really enjoyed all of these pictures.
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