chops Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 I am very seriously thinking about getting a pair of these for my Klipsch. I've already got my Aragon 2004 Mk II up for sale on AudioGon.... http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1090032493 I know Colin did a review on the Wave 8's a while back and he really liked them. I was just wanting to hear everyone elses views on these little amps since it seems that 90% of the members here own tube gear. There's a few other tube amps that caught my eye for right around $500-$700. Some of them even using a quad set of KT-88s, or some EL34s. Any thoughts or suggestions? BTW, I am wanting to stay away from vintage tube gear just because. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBrennan Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 I used them for awhile to drive Altec 902s and 288s above 500hz. Sounded good, real good. A pal uses them to drive JBL 2426s above 500hz, that sounds good too. I've no idea how they'd sound full-range though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speed3 Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 I have a pair I am running with my KLF 10's which are very similar speakers. I've noticed the price on these amps has shot up recently. I picked mine up as a dealer demo for $170 shipped with detachable power cords. I don't have a lot of experience with tube amps but I will say that they do sound much better than my AVR for stereo listening. I'm looking forward to picking up a decent SS or tube preamp at some point when the funds allow to improve the sound further. The thing about these amps I noticed first is the rather punchy bass which I was not expecting at all. The sound is definitely more "fluid" sounding. Now, I know these are not even close to being the end-all-beat-all but for the price, they are great. The fit and finish on them is pretty pathetic, but I can get past that. I am also considering swapping out the caps for auricaps as everyone suggests, I just have to get up the courage to do so. I don't know if I would be selling that other amp so fast. Try to take some time to compare the two before you decide. It will make you appreciate each amplifier more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chops Posted May 18, 2004 Author Share Posted May 18, 2004 Well, for starters, I need to sell the Aragon in order to have the money to buy another amp. I know it stinks to do it that way, but I don't have much of a choice. However, to help me with my decision, my other brother is going to let me barrow his Dared 12 watt tube integrated amp for a couple days (hopefully today since I'm off) to see how it sounds in my system. I'm just hoping I can still play the system loud enough to enjoy it. One question though..... Are those Wave 8's or the new AV-20's auto-biasing or do you have to set it yourself? Either way it's not a big deal, since I do know how to set the bias. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbflash Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 Check out this site. http://www.geocities.com/asl_wave8/modsum.html email Jeff if you have any questions. He bought my Waves and has done alot of mods. Stock they sounded very good for the money, but others have upgraded them to new levels. Danny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnysal Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 power output is exactly what I would be worried about with these little babies, try out your brother´s amps first before making a decisions. remember the waves make less power than the dared (8 watts versus 12) and the KG 5.5´s 98db efficiency is right where I might say "not enough power"...of course it all depends on your room, the music you like to listen to and what volumes you enjoy BUT...an EL34 based amp that put out closer to 30 watts per channel would be a safer bet with those speakers, IMHO. tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lshannon Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 I have two pairs of ASL AV8s, one set I kept NIB and put in my finished attic, the other set I use to drive a pair of cornwalls in my office at work. I really like and recommend them. I have not done any mods and probably won't for some time. They have a nice sound, do the job I require of them, the efficiency of the speakers make the 8 watts go a long way. - Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 Glad to see you're still enjoying my those Corns, Lee! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gullahisland Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 I used a pair of Wave 8 Monos to drive Belles QUITE satisfactorily. In fact, it was MORE than enough power. I would say, however, that the bass-reflex nature of the Cornwalls (even with their high sensitivity) might benefit from more power. This is only speculation, however, as I have not used Cornwalls. It is based on my observation that the Fortes that I had REALLY needed high power/current to control the woofers. They really are spectacular little amps and HIGHLY recommended with Belles/LaScalas/Klipschorns. YMMV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gullahisland Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 Oops. I re-read and noticed that you're using the KG series, not Cornwalls. How different is the KG series from say Heresy or Forte? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chops Posted May 18, 2004 Author Share Posted May 18, 2004 ---------------- On 5/18/2004 12:15:32 PM sunnysal wrote: power output is exactly what I would be worried about with these little babies, try out your brother´s amps first before making a decisions. remember the waves make less power than the dared (8 watts versus 12) and the KG 5.5´s 98db efficiency is right where I might say "not enough power"...of course it all depends on your room, the music you like to listen to and what volumes you enjoy BUT...an EL34 based amp that put out closer to 30 watts per channel would be a safer bet with those speakers, IMHO. tony ---------------- That's exactly what I was thinking. In fact, I've got that Dared playing in here right now and must say it can get pretty loud. No, I am not pushing it at all. The volume is where my brother put it, which is at the 12 o' clock position. I have my CD player piped directly into it and it sounds pretty darn good. Dare(d) I say it even sounds better than the Aragon?!?! Anyway, I've also been looking at the new AV-20 DT mono blocks that ASL offers now. They produce 20 watts each which I think would do fine, since this 12 watt Dared is doing this good so far. I have to admit, these new amps are a little better looking as well. However, I just noticed something on their site. Here's the link, look at the specs and please tell me those frequency response ratings are just a type-o.... http://www.divertech.com/aslwaveav20dt.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chops Posted May 18, 2004 Author Share Posted May 18, 2004 ---------------- On 5/18/2004 1:07:17 PM gullahisland wrote: Oops. I re-read and noticed that you're using the KG series, not Cornwalls. How different is the KG series from say Heresy or Forte? ---------------- All I know is that depending on what year Cornwalls you have, like the Corn I's, they are 98dB @ 1 watt just like my KG 5.5's, and are bass-reflex loaded like the Corns. So I imagine they would put a similar draw on the same amp. Of course, the Heresy, Forte, and all the older models are better built. I for one am not impressed with the construction of the KG line, no bracing, no solid joints, but oh well. As long as they don't fall apart on me, I'm doing alright! And if they do, I'll just build new enclosures myself, and slot port them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chops Posted May 18, 2004 Author Share Posted May 18, 2004 I've done a little rearranging!! What I have done is move the KG's back so now they're about 6" away from the back wall instead of 3' and toed them in just a hair. I have the subs pushed up against the side walls as far away from the KG's as possible. Here's the results..... The bass has improved dramatically because the KG's are now closer to the wall. The imaging and soundstaging is amazingly good concidering those subs are kinda boxing in the Klipsch. From what I can tell, it seems this little amp is very capable of driving these KG's of mine to very good levels without any compression. Very natural, clean, tight and punchy as all get-out, and completely black between tracks. It's hard to believe that this little Dared amp is blowing away my Aragon amp in every way! I'm listening to Diana Krall's "The Girl In The Other Room" while writing this (regualr CD, not SACD). When I close my eyes and just listen, it's like she's sitting in the room with me in front of her piano. I never even got anything close to that with the Aragon! I can only imagine what a better, more expensive tube amp or mono block pair could do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 I'm listening to Diana Krall's "The Girl In The Other Room" while writing this (regualr CD, not SACD). When I close my eyes and just listen, it's like she's sitting in the room with me in front of her piano. I never even got anything close to that with the Aragon! I can only imagine what a better, more expensive tube amp or mono block pair could do! You know your in real trouble if you reach out and try to give her a quick feel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chops Posted May 18, 2004 Author Share Posted May 18, 2004 ---------------- On 5/18/2004 4:01:30 PM NOSValves wrote: I'm listening to Diana Krall's "The Girl In The Other Room" while writing this (regualr CD, not SACD). When I close my eyes and just listen, it's like she's sitting in the room with me in front of her piano. I never even got anything close to that with the Aragon! I can only imagine what a better, more expensive tube amp or mono block pair could do! http://forums.klipsch.com/idealbb/images/smilies/6.gif"> You know your in real trouble if you reach out and try to give her a quick feel ---------------- You weren't supposed to know about that part! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lshannon Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 Fini, They are still great ! - Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chops Posted May 18, 2004 Author Share Posted May 18, 2004 Say, does anyone have any info on this amp or the company itself? Audio Institute VR-120 I'm gonna go do some researching! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1stcav Posted May 18, 2004 Share Posted May 18, 2004 Model VR-120S, with KT88 output tubes, 6SL7 drivers, and a 6SN7 preamp tube, and 55 watts per channel...NICE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chops Posted May 19, 2004 Author Share Posted May 19, 2004 ---------------- On 5/18/2004 12:42:17 PM lshannon wrote: I have two pairs of ASL AV8s, one set I kept NIB and put in my finished attic, the other set I use to drive a pair of cornwalls in my office at work. - Lee ---------------- BTW, what exactly do you plan on doing with the NIB pair? Would you be interested in selling them? I also asked this before but never got an answer..... Are these Waves auto-biasing or manual? Just wondering more than anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chops Posted May 19, 2004 Author Share Posted May 19, 2004 If I go with the mono blocks, which I probably will, I'll also get one of these little Dared SL-2000 preamps. They are supposed to be very good little units. 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.