castironandtubes

I'm running a 5 watt SET (Zen SE84C) with my Heresy's. This is my first tube amp so I can't offer a comparison with PP, but I can relate my experience. Some of the above posts would suggest that my SET ought to be hopeless with anything other than solo guitar music at nominal volumes. I will say this, it does pretty well with large orchestral passages. I have some Classic Records Shaded Dogs that have some very significant dynamic ranges and complex passages, and listening at levels as high as I care to it sounds great. Put it this way, I don't get it loud enough to hear distortion. The dynamic peaks don't quite jump out like they would with high power, but again, it does quite well. In all honesty, for my power level I would prefer more efficient speakers (over 100db) so someday I'll do that, but for now I'm getting great sound, dynamics, bass with my 96dbs. Again, I'm not putting down PP and maybe someday I'll check that out for the extra slam once in a while. Many people will certainly be happier with PP than SET, I just want to illustrate that however it looks on paper, SET sounds pretty darn good in every way with the Heresys. Dave

I too got my heresys off the floor, and enjoyed the results. Mine are on stands that are around 14' high with a small stick under the front to angle them slightly upwards. Now, unlike you my listening position is quite close (6' from ear to speaker) but in that position the tweeter is pointed directly at my ears and I get beautiful soundstaging. I fully concur with the comments about aiming the tweeter. I was worried about losing bass taking them off the floor but in my room it works great how I have them. Dave

When I bought my Heresys I was using a Marantz 7t (1968) with a Marantz 300 DC (1978), and I thought they sounded pretty good, although obviously 150wpc was extreme overkill - I usually had the gain knobs a little under half. I am now using an Eico HF-85 pre and Decware Zen SET amp (both tubes). I have tried various combinations of each although I sold the 300 DC. For me it's all tubes and the heresys sound much better. With the SS the sound was quite a bit harsher in comparison, although I didn't realize it untill I got the tubes. Maybe it's all in my brain but the balance between the two seems better, like a good match. The 7t with the Zen sounds pretty good, a great deal of clarity, but it still doesn't do it for me like the Eico does. It depends what you're into, the type of sound with tubes is quite different, my point is that it was a big difference with my heresys so if you have the opportunity check out each before buying. BTW, tubes are generally cheaper than SS, my HF-85 was $112, The 7t was $285. My 300 DC paid for the Zen AND the Heresys. Just my input. Dave

I imagine this has been discussed before but I couldn't find a conclusive answer, so if someone has a second to clue me in it would certainly be appreciated. My '85 Heresys have ceramic square-magnet tweeters with the K-77 stamp on them. Are these the same as the K-77-M? Sometimes I see people referring to the K-77 as an alnico tweeter, I know that's not the case for me. Are there actually three different models or are mine K-77-M's just with a different stamp. Thanks. Dave

Thanks for the response guys. I'm sort of leaning toward DIM since I can do it in increments as long as the finished product provides the desired results, which it sounds like it will. In the last few months I've only seen one set of 60's Heresys on eBay and budget is a bit of a concern so I might not be able to spring when "the one" comes along. I guess the horns will have to come at the same time as K-55-Vs and the crossovers will have to come at the same time as the alnico woofers. What would the appropriate Klipsch crossover be? Are there any other crossovers (Altec, EV, University etc.) that might work? Thanks again. Dave

Hi everybody, my first post. I have a set of '85 Heresys that I aquired a few months ago and set off a total replacement of my sytem from ss to tubes. I'm really into them but I can't shake the thought that I'm sure I would like the older ones (pre '78) better as 9 times out of 10 that's the case with me. My question is this - is the cabinet that much different (for sound) or could I accomplish more or less the same thing just replacing the drivers and horn (I notice that some people here seem to prefer the K-77-M tweeters, so maybe I'll think about that one). Also, looking at alnico woofers on eBay, are there any particular EV's that would be the most compatible? (I rarely see Klipschs) Thanks in advance for the help. Dave