djordan Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 I would like to improve the two channel listening in ahome theater setup. I really can't have a separate system (or room) for music.I currently use a five channel Parasound 855 with an Outlaw 990. I plan to geta Rega P5 soon and would like to upgrade the amp portion with either a new amprun with the Outlaw or an integrated amp for music sources. I understand thatmany people will say get a tube amp but I don't really want to be running tubeswhile I watch tv or movies. I guess my main question is are there SS amps thatexhibit the "tube sound"? I have never heard Cornwalls with tubes. Isit really that much of an improvement? I had considered a Primaluna Dialogue 2- it has a Home Theater bypass mode. Have also considered Naim amp or int. amp.Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I don't need a lot of power - justgood quality. Thanks and have a Happy New Year! Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arky Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 I have Cornwalls as part of my setup with an Outlaw 990/7500. The front 2 channels are driven by a QSC pro amp. I got the idea off this forum. I won't say the QSC is "tube-like" but it is very smooth. It actually drives my cornscalas which are supposed to be a mix of Lascala & cornwall parts. Mark Deneen, on this forum, builds something called a Peach. I don't know much about it but the unit has a bypass mode designed for 2 channel/home theater use. You can do a search for numerous threads on it. You might want to post over in 2 channel because some of those guys don't look here much. Welcome to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coytee Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Mark Deneen, on this forum, builds something called a Peach. I don't know much about it but the unit has a bypass mode designed for 2 channel/home theater use. You can do a search for numerous threads on it. You might want to post over in 2 channel because some of those guys don't look here much. I was going to make a comment about the Peach as I started reading his post...but he seems more concerned with an amp for his speakers. If someone is using a Peach and the HT passthrough, the same amp will ALWAYS be powering the same set of speakers. All the HT bypass does is control where the signal (and volume control) are coming from. In Peach mode, the Peach inputs and Peach volume control are what affect the amp that is attached to the Peach (as well as speakers) In the HT bypass mode, the HT unit will have 2 line outs that go to the HT inputs on the Peach. In this configuration, the volume control on the HT unit will control the signal level going through the Peach. The Peach volume control is bypassed. You still have the same amp attached to the output of the Peach as well as to the speaker. Bottom line... if he's looking to swap amps around, I'm not so sure a Peach will be his right answer, since in either mode, the same amp is connected to the same pair of speakers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesV Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Don, How much are you looking to spend for the separate amp? James Welcome to the forum. Funny since he joined a little after you did in '05 Arky... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arky Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Well i'll be ... Richard thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winchester21 Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 I am facing a very similar issue.I am running a reference setup with a group of powerful separate amps for each speaker. The HT is fantastic- the music is lacking. I have decided to keep my existing reference system for now and sell it off in pieces as I find Heritage items for sale on the used market.I plan to set up a seperate 2 channel system based on a set of khorns crammed into the same room for now and change everything out to heritage down the road . I listened to a set of Cornwalls hooked up to a new Mac 275 tube amp with the current entry level Mac tube preamp and was it sweet!!!!!!! I also listened to the same mac tube setup at a dealer side by side against a soild state integrated Mac through a set of B&Ws (91db)-less efficent) and the difference was night and day. In the course of my very unscientific research- listening to as many heritage speakers as possible- I have formed the opinion that low powered tube amps/preamps(100WPC max) are a must for Cornwalls or Khorns. Depending on your budget- I would give the tube stuff a serious look before eliminating them from consideration. A friend of mine is using a high end NAIM system with a set of Linn speakers.He has spent a small fortune on building and upgrading the system. Personally- I liked the mac 275/Cornwall setup much better for less money. My 2 cents worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djordan Posted January 3, 2009 Author Share Posted January 3, 2009 Thanks for the replies. I think my main concern about going the tube routeis if they have enough "oomph" (technical term) for movies. Also wewatch tv or movies a couple of hours or more each day. Generally how long dotubes last plus how long does it take for a tube amp to warm up? My budget isaround $2K. I thought that a SS amp would just be more practical in a HT setupbut I do want to improve the music end. To be honest I think I've changed my mind somuch about which way I want to go I've thoroughly confused myself. The onlydecision I've made is the Rega TT. I could just buy 2 more heresys for the HT(stack them on the Corns)and use a tube amp with the Cornwalls just for music. Ithink I'll go tell the wife this latest idea - I think she'll be excited (lol) Got to go - getting ready for the Colts victory! Actually that last idea isn't bad! Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Don, You need to come over and check out my setup. I have 2-channel and HT in one room (with Cornwalls) using a Niles switchbox to switch between my HT receiver which sucks for music and my Scott 299b tube integrated which absolutely KILLS for 2-channel listening. I'm in Ellicott City if you want to come by sometime. Just shoot me a pm if interested. It's the ONLY way to go!! - Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 See that little black box to the left of my tv? That's the switchbox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilMays Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 I always wondered if one could do that! Where did you get it Gary? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilMays Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Gary, are those risers on your CW's? Did you make them or can one get them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djordan Posted January 4, 2009 Author Share Posted January 4, 2009 Gary, are those risers on your CW's? Did you make them or can one get them? My Cornwalls came with the risers on them in 1979 - I don't believe Klipsch sells them individually anymore. I imagine they could be built pretty easily. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djordan Posted January 4, 2009 Author Share Posted January 4, 2009 Gary, Thanks for the offer. I've never heard CW's in a system other than mine. If I ever get up that way I may take you up on the invite. BTW those speakers are nice! What kind of wood is that and is that something you did yourself? Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
st. patrick Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 hey Dr. Gary, are those the zebrawood cw's????????? Thems purdy; much nicer than the black and white stripes i had envisioned. Happy New Year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Happy New Year to you too Patrick! Thanks!! Yes, those are the factory zebrawood Cornwalls I bought new in 1980 and yes, they came with the risers as most Cornwalls did. You don't see very many pairs without risers. Greg reveneered at least one pair in zebrawood but painted the risers black so they almost looked to be floating. Pete - If you Google Niles DPS-1 you will find the switchboxes. Many here use them for the same purpose that I do. You hook up 2 amps to the box and one set of speakers. It's about $80 and although there are cheaper versions, this one is very well built and I can't tell any difference in sound quality. You're welcome anytime as I said but I would highly suggest to try and make the trip if you want to get an idea of just how good a $600 tube amp can sound with your Cornwalls. If you've never heard one, especially one rebuilt by Craig, you owe it to yourself to at least give a listen before you spend your hard-earned money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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