JoshT

Hey Jazzman, Sounds like a good plan, and please let us how it works out. I have a Rega Planar 3 with the RB300 and also an NAD 533 with the RB250 (or some version of it). I have considered getting a Basis 1400 without arm and installing the RB300 or RB250 to save money. I think those two tables are similarly priced, though I have not heard either. Have the folks at VTI indicated that the verticle tracking of the RB300 will be correct on the Scout? Josh

Hey leok, I think it's all a matter of expectation. I am not suggesting that NAD or Rotel will best a nice tube amp. If that were the case I'd go buy a used C340 integraged amp for less than $400 with remote. But I do think that NAD and Rotel stuff sounds quite nice with Klipsch for a reasonable price, if your expectations are realistic. I actually prefer the SB3s diven by a NAD C740 receiver in many regards to the CDM1SEs driven by a Krell KAV300i at more than triple the price. The later combo can be more refined, but not necessarily more engaging, and has its own flaws (such as a sizzling treble on some recordings). My tube search is still on. I'm awfully curious about the Rocket 88! Not sure about the CJ PV-14L and MV-60. Need a further audition to decide. Regards, Josh

Jazzman, I'll be interested to find out what you think of the Aries Scout. It looks promising. Have you posted your question on the Vinyl Asylum of audioasylum.com? I first saw an advertisement for the Scout in the Accoustic Sounds catalog a few weeks ago. It is advertised as a $1,500 package with a new JMW9 arm (I suppose a mini version of the JMW 10 and JMW 12). Have you considered that package? Has anyone any information on that package? It seems like a great deal. Josh

Jeff, What do you think of the Rocket 88? I am thinking of getting one for my bedroom system (in which I would use it, alternativley, for Heresy IIs and B&W CDM1SEs). My local Cary dealer does not have a demo unit out yet. What system are you using it in? With what preamp? Thanks for your advice. Josh

I agree with leok, but I do think that there are commercially available, moderately priced, ss amps out there that sound very good with Klipsch speakers (at least with Legend towers and Synergy monitors). Rotel and NAD come to mind. Let's put it this way, to my ears there is more "sizzle" from the metal dome tweeters in my B&W CDM1SEs, at least when driven by the little Krell beast, than there is from the horns of my KLF20s when driven by a Rotel power amp and Sherborn Newcastle pre/pro. The Klipsch have a more forward sound in the midrange, but the B&Ws have a hotter treble. I'm not complaining about either, as I like them both, but the B&Ws have a reputation of sounding bright because of their tweeters. I think the Klipsch can sound bright because of their midrange, and I think that is probably where the tubes do the most good. I'm still looking for the right tube set-up to drive both my newly acquired used Heresys II and my CDM1SEs. I auditioned the CJ PV-14L and MV-60 extensively at the dealer a week ago yesterday (with CDM1NTs), and was not as impressed as I had been the weekend before that (but sometimes my mood may affect how I perceive the sound). I'm still considering the AES Super Amp with the AES preamp with remote, but would have no opportunity to first audition them. Another possibility is the new Cary Rocket 88, but I have not had a chance to audition it (since the local dealer does not yet have enough models to set up a demo), and I'm not sure how to keep the costs down if I get that plus a preamp with remote.

Interesting perspectives from Audioholic and Cornwalled, who each have preferred the sound of B&Ws over Klipsch for music. It's all a matter of taste. I have KLF 20s in the living room with decent, but not exotic, electronics (Rotel and Sherwood Newcastle). I have B&W CDM1SEs in the bedroom with a Krell KAV300i. And I have Heresy IIs sitting in the living room waiting for a permanent home, which will eventually be in the bedroom with a tube amp (I'll keep the B&Ws also to switch back and forth). I agree that the B&Ws tend to sound more neutral and handle vocals very well, but to me they are not as engaging, and hence as musical, as the KLF20s. OK, apples and oranges, since one is a small monitor and the other a big tower. But to me, the Klipsch Synergy SB3 sounds much more engaging, live and musical than the B&W 601s. The SB3 is totally ignored on this board, which is a shame. At $450 MSRP it is a BARGAIN. I know nothing about the Synergy towers, but the SB3 is the competitor to the 601s -- it's even about the same size. Techguy 13 -- it would seem that your dealer could hook each up to decent electronics and compare them for you. If so, give it a whirl and let us know what you think. While I would opt for used Heresys over a new SB3 at the same price, not all would agree. In fact, I have a friend who has SB3s hooked up to an NAD receiver and they sound great. He thinks they sound better than my Heresys. Who knows? They both sound great, but different. B&W is a good speaker though, and the 601 is nice and polite, and if it sounds better to you than the SB3, then you should get it.

Thanks Kevin!! Great pictures. Very helpful suggestion. I've printed the pictures and may take them to a local woodworking shop. Are they a solid oak?

Thanks Kevin! I was afraid of something like that, since I have NEVER heard of anyone using Heresys on commrcially made speaker stands. Could you describe the plant stands? Thanks too HDBRBuilder. Sounds like one way or another they will be home made or special ordered.

I agree wholeheartedly with SoundJunkie's conclusion, but I think the 601 is a decent, very neutral sounding speaker. I find it to be a bit on the bland side, but there is nothing really wrong with it and for $450 it is a good deal. I think you should consider it. That said, for about the same money new, I would go for the Klipsch Synergy SB3, which may not be quite as neutral, but is a whole lot more engaging and dynamic in my opinion. A real gem, though not discussed much on this board. The RB5 is even better, but then you are entering a higher price point. I love my newly acquired used Heresy IIs (see my other posts), for which I paid $400, but you should try to hear some first before you buy them. They are so sweet and dynamic -- to me really quite magical -- but they are big, bulky and do not go very deep. But did I mention I love them?

Hey Kevin, I'm dying to know what speaker stands you are using. I really want to get some stands that are beefy enough for this speaker. Ideally with a fat top and bottom and solid legs and an 8 to 14 inch rise (no more or less). What brand/model do you use? Do you like them? Thanks, Josh

Thanks guys for all the continuing advice. My latest audition was of the CJ PV14L tube preamp alternatively with the MV-60 power amp (tube 55 wpc) and MF 2250 power amp (ss 125 wpc), and I have to say that both combos sounded GREAT with B&W CDM1NTs at the dealer (no home audition yet). I get the sense they would sound great with the Heresys too. The MV60 sounded simply seductive. To my ears it was a vast improvement to the Cary SLI-80. The MF 2250 lost much, though not all, of the seductive midrange, but the bass was noticeably quicker, tighter and more defined. I will follow up with a longer audition this Friday I hope. This same dealer is the Cary dealer who lent me the SLI-80. I am awfully interested in the Cary Rocket 88 from what I have read. Any thoughts on that? Unfortunately, while they claim to have one in stock, they do not have a demo model to listen to!! I have decided that I do like my B&W CDM1SEs enough to want to keep them (though I will most certainly sell the Krell integrated), and I want a tube amp that will drive both so I can swithc back and forth from time to time.

I see that the published frequency responses have changed for the Heresy II also (I think). If I am not mistaken, the claimed range used to be 50 hz to 20,000 hz and now it is 63 hz to 20,000 hz. If I am mistaken, I apologize. If not, I assume that this is simply a more honest spec, rather than an actual change in performance. I assume the same as to the La Scala and Belle, which used to claim 45 and now 55 hz (which may still be a bit generous from what I have heard). Good news that they are back!

Wow -- very cryptic indeed. All they have done is add the "NEW!" label without any price information or expanation. Perhaps the moderators will step in and address this?

Oh my goodness. Oh boy. Too much information -- sensory overload! Yikes! So, now I have to decide between (1) the AES stuff, which alone is confusing because of all the options that add up to more $$$, (2) the ASL stuff, which is really priced nicely but gets mixed reviews from the folks out in cyberland (QC and noise issues), (3) the Decaware Zen stuff (which looks really great on their website), (4) some combination of one of the above preamps and a solid state power amp (maybe the CJ MF2250 with an AES preamp, or maybe with the CJ PV14L preamp???), or (5) some other combination of the foregoing, or (6) taking leok up on his offer, because Waltham is near by and the price might be right, or (7) something else that I'm sure someone else will now suggest. AAARG. In all seriousness, this is a lot of fun and I really thank you all for the input! So, leok, please describe for me what you have for sale (as though to a child because I really am new to tubes). Since I bought the Heresys used from the trunk of a car in Maine, it seems only fitting to drive them with a used amplifier from Waltham! :-) But I'm not sure what you are describing (unlike the Heresys, which I'd wanted since junior high in the late 1970s/early 1980s). And Maxg (or anyone else who wants to chime in), please tell me what you know about the Decaware Zen stuff, because I really found their website to be fascinating but know nothing about it. I am particularly interested in the $1,500 integrated amp they offer (the SE34-I). Phew -- I'm exhausted! Time to go home.

Well guys, one way or another I need the remote. So, it's either (1) use the AE-25 with an AE-3 with remote, or (2) get an AE-25 with remote if that is even available (but I'm not sure it is), or (3) maybe use the little Creek with the AE-25, or (4) . . . errr do something totally different!! The AE-25 with the AE-3 with remote seems like a cool set-up, though less budget than I would ideally want for something sight unseen for use with $400 speakers.

Thanks Dean and Edster for your thoughts. The power cord is everything! Ha, ha. Seriously, though . . . Dean your offer is tempting. And it sounds like the AE3 might be the perfect pre-amp for that amp. Jeez -- all the choices though, and actually these get pretty expensive with all of the options (at least to drive $400 used Heresy IIs). If I go this route, I might get the preamp with remote (but nothing else) and the base AE-25 without volume control. Even that gets me up to $2,417 if I'm reading correctly. Of course if I buy the AE-25 from Dean then I'm down to about $2,200 with some extra goodies. What about the AE3 with those ASL Wave 8 monoblocks? That would be like $1,217 with the remote!

Interesting offer Dean. So I understand, yours corresponds to the $1400 version? Couple of questions -- how many line inputs? Looks like only one, so if you want to run more than one source (e.g. a CD player) you must use a preamp. Is that correct?

Hi Guys, Thanks for the feedback, which is exactly the type of information I'm fishing for. NOS440, the idea of vintage gear does appeal to me, but I really am not a DIY type, so I'm not sure it would be a good route. Still, it would be cool to hook Heresys up to a Scott, Fischer or the like. Dean, I am very intrigued by that amplifier. Do you know the list price for the factory assembled versions currently (base, SE and DH's modified version)? I suppose the top of the line fully assembled model would approach the cost of the SLI-80, which would be sort fos self-defeating. Looks like you got a great price. Also, do you run it in triod or ultralinear? Josh

Hello Folks, I just returned the Cary SLI-80 Integrated Tube Amplifier to Spearat Sound (f/k/a Goodwins Audio) after a Saturday night/Sunday home audition. In a nutshell, though it was quite fun to listen to, I am awfully happy I brought this home for the weekend rather than buying it based on my audition at the dealer. Phew! I used it with my newly acquired used Heresy IIs (see other posts) and a Sony S7700 DVD player as CD player. I listened extensively to rock, blues and jazz, and less so to classical. Here is what I found: This amp is quite an impressive powerhouse in both PP and triode modes. I was immediately surprised by its speed and the sense of control it had over the Heresys. This was not what I expected from tubes. In push pull/ultralinear mode, the bass was noticeably deeper and tighter than in triode mode, but overall the sound was less rich. Bass guitar and drums sounded wonderful; piano and sax sounded unnatural. Piano was muted and the sax sounded sort of squeeky. Highlights: Led Zeplin II, which was just so awesome on this combo, and Luther Allisaon live blues. The Heresys sounded like electric guitar tube amps right in my living room. Sweet. Lowpoints: most everything else sounded sort of glary and thin. In triode mode, the bass was much less articulate, and electric guitar, while still nice, wasn't as engaging. But everything else sounded fuller and more natural. Piano and sax sounded very nice. At times I felt like the sound was more nature than I'd heard from a recording before, but then I would notice something strange. Overall, this amp seemed to color the sound of the music, in one way or another, no matter which way the SE/PP toggle switches were pushed. It was fun, and sometimes sounded great, but no way could I live with this little beast. If it cost $1,o00 or less maybe I would buy it for kicks, but $3,000 is just too much. In fairness, I only listened to the amp on this one system (at home). Perhaps with other speakers it would sound better. And in any event, I paid $400 for the Heresys, so it would be a bit excessive to pay $3,000 for an amp unless it was truly magical. Also, I am perhaps even more interested in tubes now, not less. I just think I have to go a more budget route for these speaks, like maybe try the Wave 8s or a Jolida, or something used but reconditioned. Thanks to the folks at Spearat for the free ride though. I will continue my quest to learn more and find a better match. For now, the Heresys sound fine on rotel/sherwood newcastle ss equipment.

Some time ago, BobG posted that Klipsch was developing a new speaker series that would be considered very high end, and would be priced accordingly. He was not talking about the Jubilee KHorn, or the Reference series, or the Heritage series with the new drivers, but something totally new. Has anyone heard anything about this line lately. Care to comment BobG or JimG? Very curious, JoshT

Sheesh. Just as I expected, this post prompted an unprovoked attack by one poster against another! What a waist of time. The truth shall set you free. Yes, but this hobby does not contain many truths and falsehoods. Better to express things as opinions, and respect others who disagree. This message has been edited by JoshT on 03-30-2002 at 03:57 PM

I have MIT cable with my KLF20s and am happy with it. Now, I may very well have imagined what happened, but here was my perception (shared by a couple of friends who hang out at my place fairly often): When I first installed the MIT, it sounded like it was choking the sound compared to the prior cables (a "house brand" internal biwire cable from Goodwins Audio in Boston). The imaging seemed off, the bass seamed weak and everything seemed veiled. I thought I was imaging this (and maybe I was), but my friends claimed to hear it too. I left the system on night and day (at low volume) all through out the work week, and the sound seemed to open up and the bass seemed to get stronger than I'd heard it before, and the imaging became better than I had remembered it before. When my friends came over the next weekend, without any prompting, they expressed amazement at how much better the bass was and how clearer the systems sounded. But they meant compared to when the MIT was first installed (they honestly could not remember whether it was better than with the old cables). So, I do think the cables improved with break in, which might be unique to MIT because of the big boxes at the end of the cables. I also think that they smothed out the high end of the KLF 20s and improved the bass. But, lest I fall victim to attack and be labled a believer in voodoo, I have to admit that I have not since tried an AB comparison with the old cables. Who knows? Bottom line -- they sound good to me; I think they improved the sound of the KLF 20s; and they were not very expensive. If you get MIT cable, or any other "high end cable", you may considered buying it used on line, since it is kind of a rip-off brand new. I love the MIT/KLF 20 combo. But any difference between decent quality cables will be subtle at best.

This is nothing more than a troll in my opinion. Chambers, why would you post such an obviously controversial topic (which is argued over and over and over and over and over and over again -- which should be obvious to you if you bothered to do a search for this topic), other than to pick a fight? No reason. Congratulations, because it will work, as it always does. Big deal. Just like posts about tubes vs. ss and whether or not Bose stinks, etc., etc. Yawn. Sorry James. You may agree with Chambers, and maybe I do too, but it is not a "good job" to troll, and that is all this is. Too bad.

I don't even have a sub actually. I know it would improve the HT a lot, but I live in an apartment building and I worry about pissing off the neighbors. So, for now I just rely on the dual 10" woofers of the KLF20s.

Thanks for all the feed back everyone. Having now spent about a week listening to the Heresys IIs, I can say that they just continue to grow on me. There they sit in front of the towering KLF20s, and I find myself in no real hurry go go back, though I'm sure I will be pleasantly surprised when I do since I really love both sets of speakers. I am still feeling that Klipsch has done a great job in the Legends at preserving the Heritage sound while appealing to a broader market and delivering stronger bass response (not quite as tight, perhaps, but close). Still, if the sight of these way out in the livingroom in front of the KLF20s wasn't so ridiculous, I could see them there for quite some time. There is a warmth and dynamics that the Legends just don't quite match -- even with SS gear. And the vocals are sounding fine to me now, so I suppose it is all what one is used to. I hope to borrow a Cary SLI-80 for the weekend so I can check these out with tubes. If I pull that off, I'll let you know what I think of the amp and the combo with the Heresys. I want a bigger apartment! That way I could keep my HT system 100% Legend, have a tube driven Heresy II system (or even switch to Cornwalls eventually), and keep my silly "highend" B&W/Krell bedroom system, which I must admit sounds very nice in its own way. But something has to go -- It's a one bedroom city apartment for crying out loud! :-)