heavyP Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Today i plugged in my "old" (but serviced-up to specs) Heathkit MA12 monoblocks to play the La Scala. it's a Mullard 5-10 thing with EL84 tubes in PP mode. they have a gain/volume pot that enables to run them directly from a cdplayer. though i could hear a faint hummmmm in the doghouses when i got close to them, it was a very special treat. bass was much tighter than my usual FDA amp and dynamics were impressive. the first good watt-rule, i guess. from Miles (demastered version thanks to Chris A ;-) to Giuffre, Bley, Haden, Ortega and Zoot, the La Scala really sang differently. though i'm a def KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) guy who fell for FDA, i'm afraid the tube virus may have hit me again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tube fanatic Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 The MA12 is a delightful amp. It's not surprising that you are enjoying it with the LSs. To my ears no SS amp can touch the sound quality which Klipsch speakers provide when driven by tubes..... Maynard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heavyP Posted January 8, 2017 Author Share Posted January 8, 2017 another day spent listening to music with the Hkits on the LaScala. it sounds so good i've decided to bring my favorite turntable back in the living room. it's a Braun Pcs5 with a simple Acutex 312str, my phono-pre is a custom MM/MC V-fet thing on batteries. i had invited a few friends who never heard LaScala but had read all the "lack of bass" litterature. they were totally impressed by the natural and articulation of drums and double-bass, wether it was on cd (various McBride and Haden opus) or Lp, where the dynamics are even more startling. and find that finally, the LS are not "that" big ;-) the duo track with Richard Davis on "Eric Dolphy Memorial album" (mono) is incredible and Kind of Blue ( 6eyes mono) never sounded so rich and full and close. the LaScala definitely bring me back into the pleasure and desire of music, which is risky - but delightful read a very interesting piece about flea power vs. more tube watts on the LS i'm trying to find again to share here. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tube fanatic Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 I'd enjoy reading the article if you can locate it. I've had guys running as little as 1/3 wpc with La Scalas, and it was more than enough power for their listening needs and taste. There was a discussion on here some time ago about just how little power LSs need to create very loud levels when sitting fairly close to them. Maynard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heavyP Posted January 8, 2017 Author Share Posted January 8, 2017 hi Maynard check#7 here http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=184088 of course they still would sing with one good watt ;-) listening to the Hkits, one of my friends who loves 300B and 845 was pretty sure i wouldn't get such dynamics and bass with them and from what he heard, urged me to stick with the EL84 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tube fanatic Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 The sonic characteristics of ultralinear push-pull are so different from those of SETs that it's impossible to make any comparison. Each mode of operation has its strengths and weaknesses, so it simply becomes a matter of personal taste in choosing the preferred sound. Even if your friend said that SETs would be better, if you don't like it as much what would be the point of making a change? I used to hang out on Pink Fish and remember this discussion. Damping factor isn't all that much of a big deal with speakers like the LSs. Again, this is subjective. In any event, enjoy! Those MA-12s, having been restored, should last forever so unless you need greater power output in the future you won't need to buy other amplifiers... Maynard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heavyP Posted January 9, 2017 Author Share Posted January 9, 2017 thanks M for your feedback. you're right, we're all different, all systems are different and we search different sensations thru music. my friend (and others agreed) actually meant a SET amp - especially modern ones - would have a hard time touching these Hkits ;-) i had quite a few reference amps passing by for the past 10 years: mc30, marantz 8B, CJMV55. the only ones i kept are the Hkits, so yes, i think they're here to stay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 Interesting thread Gents. I went over to pinkfish and continued reading comments there. Did you restore the Heathkits yourself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMRR Posted January 9, 2017 Share Posted January 9, 2017 I've a number of old pro broadcast PP 7-10W cathode biased amps, any if which can deafen you when connected to a La Scala. Very nice sound in all cases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heavyP Posted January 10, 2017 Author Share Posted January 10, 2017 no they've been restored by british vintage Don Haden Boardman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.