CECAA850 Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 15 minutes ago, Deang said: Yes. It surprises me that someone would infer that there is no audible difference between the single and two piece phase plug versions. The Atlas solder lugged, or two piece phase plug version is the one to have if you can find a pair. The A-55-G is also nice. What's the difference in the solder lugs and the PD-5VH made by Atlas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark1101 Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 I agree. I can hear the differences in those drivers. I have not yet heard the "G" Bob is selling. But I would replace the exponential horns with tractrix before I would change drivers. I got lucky and wound up with a pair of Dave Harris Fastracs. Those made a big difference IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 Not counting the K-55-M, they are all Atlas PD-5VH. When buying used, the terminals are just an easy way to figure out what you're buying without removing the plate. The soldered lugs have the two piece phase plug, the spring loaded terminal versions do not. The new PD-5VH, or K-55-X; has soldered lugs, but is like the old spring loaded type (single phase plug), which are also basically clones of the old Western Electric WE555. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 Just now, Deang said: Not counting the K-55-M, they are all Atlas PD-5VH. When buying used, the terminals are just an easy way to figure out what you're buying without removing the plate. The soldered lugs have the two piece phase plug, the spring loaded terminal versions do not. The new PD-5VH, or K-55-X; has soldered lugs, but is like the old spring loaded type (single phase plug), which are also basically clones of the old Western Electric WE555. Thank you Mr. Butterfly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 5 minutes ago, mark1101 said: I agree. I can hear the differences in those drivers. I have not yet heard the "G" Bob is selling. But I would replace the exponential horns with tractrix before I would change drivers. I got lucky and wound up with a pair of Dave Harris Fastracs. Those made a big difference IMHO. Unless of course one prefers the K-400, and there are a lot of those folks. Dave's horns provides a 2dB reduction in gain. Couple that with Al's 6dB down -- and you now have a nice tinkle boom speaker. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnA Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 This is how Mr. Paul did one pair. HDBRBuilder supplied us with an old photo that I can't access now. 5 hours ago, Marvel said: Braces for side walls: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 4 hours ago, Dave A said: Yeah those are the best I have heard in person but try to get them when you need them. They're almost always on eBay for $300+-. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave A Posted June 8, 2019 Share Posted June 8, 2019 I have a pair there now but they are going to be pulled. It must be La Scala month as I have glommed onto two sets of LSI's and will be picking up a nice LS BR set when it quits raining. I will be using the rest of my soldered lugs to upgrade these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heritage_Head Posted June 8, 2019 Author Share Posted June 8, 2019 6 hours ago, JohnA said: This is how Mr. Paul did one pair. HDBRBuilder supplied us with an old photo that I can't access now. Those might look good with the grill material bob sells (what I used on the grills I made). Or just painted jet black. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho Panza Posted June 8, 2019 Share Posted June 8, 2019 Would love to re-do my grilles in Cane. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoreCowbell Posted June 8, 2019 Share Posted June 8, 2019 Long time lurker, first-time poster. Anyway, people have mentioned the A-55G from Crites. I used it as a drop in for my Klf 20s and it does sound a lot better. The distortion is incredibly low so the music always sounds quieter than what it actually is. It also images really well. Since my Klfs are on the skinnier side it made it even better that the driver makes it sound like I'm listening to a wider speaker. It also is a little tamer. By saying that I mean that it is likely that it is a few dB less than your current midrange in terms of sensitivity. Whether that is a good thing is up to you. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted June 8, 2019 Share Posted June 8, 2019 My beater LS had a pair of EV 1828R drivers on some EV 8hd horns. On the k400 horns they sound ok but I've not done any freq. sweeps. The diaphragm is a little smaller the the Atlas, but they will still play low. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted June 8, 2019 Share Posted June 8, 2019 2 hours ago, MoreCowbell said: It also is a little tamer. By saying that I mean that it is likely that it is a few dB less than your current midrange in terms of sensitivity. Whether that is a good thing is up to you. Less cowbell. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete H Posted June 8, 2019 Share Posted June 8, 2019 18 hours ago, CECAA850 said: What's the difference in the solder lugs and the PD-5VH made by Atlas? You sly dog, posting and texting simultaneously to better your position in the discussion. LOL 18 hours ago, Deang said: Dave's horns provides a 2dB reduction in gain. Couple that with Al's 6dB down -- and you now have a nice tinkle boom speaker. Just confirming that you're referring to the Fastrac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted June 8, 2019 Share Posted June 8, 2019 Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WMcD Posted June 8, 2019 Share Posted June 8, 2019 18 hours ago, Deang said: Not counting the K-55-M, they are all Atlas PD-5VH. When buying used, the terminals are just an easy way to figure out what you're buying without removing the plate. The soldered lugs have the two piece phase plug, the spring loaded terminal versions do not. The new PD-5VH, or K-55-X; has soldered lugs, but is like the old spring loaded type (single phase plug), which are also basically clones of the old Western Electric WE555. What Deang wrote gives me the heebee-jeebees (sp?). The single phase plug is like the WE-555. It must be that Deang talking about just the phase plug. The drivers overall are by no means a clone of the WE-555. I have seen the "clone" word used elsewhere and not restricted to the phase plug. The WE 555 has a field coil instead of a permanent magnet. The early ones at least had an aluminum diaphragm. The surrounds are different. Looking around the Internet I see that an original 555 commands very high prices including up to $7000 (asking price ?). There is mention of businesses who will make you a clone of a 555 but I'll estimate one will cost $5000. http://www.audioanthology.com/audio1.html and the first page of one of WE's patents attached. 1707544.pdf 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WMcD Posted June 8, 2019 Share Posted June 8, 2019 I have made an error in the spelling of heebie-jeebies above. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heebie-jeebies_(idiom) The error is regretted and I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted June 8, 2019 Share Posted June 8, 2019 Lol. Yes, I think we all have grown lazy with our use of the word "clone". I should have said "based on". I was loosely quoting Jim Hunter. I did find this: I have heard that the Atlas K-55-V, introduced in 1961, was supposed to be a 555 clone, albeit with a perm. magnet and phenolic diaphragm... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalifornian Posted June 8, 2019 Share Posted June 8, 2019 22 hours ago, Cinema_head said: Mine are the 55v. The description on those on his website seem pretty nice. The 125vs the 120. What’s your take on how it’s an improvement? For me no "ringing" very silky smooth sounding. My wife (anti audiophile) admitted to noticing a more pleasant difference in sound as well (unsolicited) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark1101 Posted June 8, 2019 Share Posted June 8, 2019 23 hours ago, Deang said: Unless of course one prefers the K-400, and there are a lot of those folks. Dave's horns provides a 2dB reduction in gain. Couple that with Al's 6dB down -- and you now have a nice tinkle boom speaker. Yes, many prefer the stock horns. My setup with the Fastracs and ALKs not only reduce the mid horn but also reduces the tweeter. You forgot that part. The result is a lascala with a nice balanced top end but that actually sounds like it makes some bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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