RobLikesTubes

Thanks.... I picked the speakers up in person, so shipping wasn't an issue. Stupid question: How do you remove the backs of the Cornwalls ?? I see no schrews or anything ?!?!

I purchased a pair of 1987 Cornwalls from mmiles from this forum a few weeks ago. I was having some issues with the over-all sound so I worked on the perfect placement, got them up on some custom stands, and noticed some improvements. But in the past 2-3 days/nights these things just came to life, or a new life of their own. The soundstage, imaging, bass, balance, and just over-all performance of these classic gems just seemed to 'light up' Is is possible, since these speakers had been dormate for a number of years, they needed to be re-broken in ? Have numerous hours of listening "cleaned out the cobwebs" so to speak ? Am I just becoming "used to" the over-all sound ? It COULD be the fact that our heat pump isn't running 7x24 now that it has warmed up a bit ! Am I nutz ? (this is sort of a given in audiphile land) Whatever the case may be, somehow, everything is "just right" right now. I was definitely in eargasm goosebump land last night !

I found a couple of lead-filled stands in surplus in my office. These stands measure 22" wide and 14" deep. They are designed for servers to keep them off the floor , and reduce vibrations. They weigh about 15lbs each, are rated to hold up to 250lbs, and seem to be working very niicely on my recently aquired Cornwalls. BIG inprovement in bass/mid-bass response.

I want to give a little update here...... I am VERY pleased with the sound of the Cornwalls. After a bit more extended listening, some experimentation with placement, etc. I have discovered that at the point in which the sound was "breaking up" , the volume was WAY too loud for normal listening levels. My previous speakers were only 90db, and I had gotten used to listening at much lower levels. I noticed immediately that the normal gain setting on my Zen amps was much louder than I EVER listen to music. I discoved that with the amps running at 1/2 the normal gain setting, they were loud, and due to the increased efficientcy, it too very little adjustment to crank them up. I also noticed just how sensative these speakers are to differences in output levels on CDs. Whereas prior, a really "hot" recording would force me to reduce the gain a bit to prevent clipping - now with a really hot recording, a MAJOR reduction in gain was required to listen at normal levels. I've never owned a pair of speakers that were THIS effecient. So, I'm learning, and getting used to just how the rest of the system interfaces with them. I am amazed by the detail they are cabable of providing, and sense that as I adjust to having this much effecientcy, I will have a better feel for where I need to set levels on various recordings. I'm going to run them with just (1) Zen tonight to see what difference that makes. I also invision adding a sub at some point. I was used to bass extension on the VRs down to 22Hz. I notice a vast difference in that area, particulrly on recordings where a 5 or 6 string bass is being played. ALSO - DO you other Cornwallers have the risers ?? or are you using another type of stand/spike arrangement. Previous experience has told me that getting a little lift, and better coupling to the floor (medium thick carpet /padding over concrete) will yield a bit more mid/low bass punch.

I just wanted to take a minute to thank mmiles on this forum for a the great experience in completing the transaction for the Cornwall IIs I purchased through the forum. I happened to have some clients in the area near where mike lives, and last wednesday met up to listen to the Cornwalls with my Zen tube amps. Mike was very accomidating in shifting some gear around to make the audition possible, incluing making an impromptu set of speakers cable for the audition. I was immediately impressed by the imaging and soundstage, as well as just how damn loud they would get with my flea-weight SETS. My business partner and I went to load them into my Audi A6, to find that only one would fit (unless I left HIM behind !) And I told mike I'd return over the weekend to claim the other. Saturday brought the first 5" of what would be the "Blizzard of '03" to Maryland, and mike graciously met me at a halfway point between my house and his to claim the other speaker. Got them home, set up, and began an orgy of listening to a wide range of different music. Rock, jazz, classical, world, you name it short of rap and country. I am still getting used to the sound, and playing around with different placement options. All-in-all i'm very pleased with the purchase, especially given the price ! I'm looking forward to many hours of enjoyment of these little gems, and finding out just how to best feed them for maximum enjoyment. I'm sure I'll have many follow-up observations in the weeks to come. Thanks again to mike for the pleasant transaction. Your Cornwalls have a caring loving home for sure. Thanks to all you other Cornwall owners on the suggestions, tips. This forum contains a wealth of information.

I'm gonna have to agree with this post based on preliminary listening I've done with a pair of Cornwalls purchased from mmiles through this formum. At lower volumes (haven't measured db levels) the Cornwalls are trully magical. The imaging is beautiful, and the soundstage is bigger than a Montana sky. As the volume goes up, things go a bit astray. The highs/mids definitely become very bright , the bass compressed, and the over-all sound is harsh. Now, I've been running a pair of Decware ZenSE84C-Selects bridged mono-block. Combined, they may be pushing about 7watts/channel. Tonight, I'm going to try the Cornwalls with just one of the amps in stereo to see if there is much of a difference.

To me the biggest advantages of tubes are the timbral accuracy and the huge soundstage/holographic image. I have a pair of low-powered SETs (about 5wpc) Push-pull designed will yield a bit more power and a more bottom-end slam, and are suited for those wanting to drive lower effecientcy speakers with tubes. Because of Klipschs very high effecientcy, a whole lot of watts are not required to get amazing sound at respectable to LOUD listening levels.

I'm semi-local to mike, and going to see/hear them on Wednesday. I hope to purchase them

for $900 . I'd buy the Decware ZenSE84C-Select http://www.decware.com/zas.gif only if you have speakers 93db or above. Why ? Excellent SET amp $45 bucks to re-tube pre-amp not required, can run any 2.83v source direct, and use the gain control imazing imaging huge soundstage 1st class customer support sound better than amps costing many times more

I will vouch for the Musical Fidelity A3, very musical, very affordable. I've had mine for close to 3 years , and it hasn't burped once !

I'm a big fan of the Zen amps from Decware. Steve is a pleasure to work with. Quality product, service, and a wonderful sounding range of products. http://www.decware.com

you wont Spend Entirely Too much if you isten to some of Steve Deckert's designs. http://www.decware.com I run a pair of steve's ZenSE-84C Select amps (bridged), and I am about to pair them with a pair of RF7s (which is what has brought me here) I auditioned the RF7s with just one of my amps. I had six sales people shaking their heads in disbelief, and wondering how a $695 3watt tube amp could be making such beautiful music (at pretty unrestricted volumes) with such timbral accuracy, transparency, and simply concert hall sized image.

Single-Ended Triode