2-Channel Audio

Re: Klipsch, B&W, Magnepan, Magnepan, Triangle, B&W, Revel, and back again

fenderbender — Mon, 26 May 2008 15:37:14 GMT

I use a mcintosh MCD7007 cd player with the mc2505 with no preamp and it is awesome!!! much better than with the MX112 pre in the line. the 7007 has line level variable outs so I can control the volume from it. The 2505 is what it is...a 35 year old entry level Mac for about $700 due to the nature of it's collectibility. Are there better amps out there ....hell yeah... but for the money and the nostalgia factor...big blue hypnotizing meters, you can't beat it.

Re: Klipsch, B&W, Magnepan, Magnepan, Triangle, B&W, Revel, and back again

Hifi jim — Mon, 26 May 2008 15:19:52 GMT

oldbuckster:
Tubes and KG4's are nice .......... but ....... if you really want the Klipsch sound, try their 3-way systems. I started with KG4's, went to Heresy's, and now run Cornwalls ............... Tubes run them all quite nicely !!!!!!!!!!!

Perhaps you could answer a question that I've pondered for sometime, will a 3 way system work in my nearfield setup? The kg's are in a multi use room and can be enjoyed from many locations, but while sitting for critical listening the speakers are 9 feet away. The Kg's sound wonderful in this setup and I've wondered if a horn loaded mid needs more space than this? Thanks

Re: Klipsch, B&W, Magnepan, Magnepan, Triangle, B&W, Revel, and back again

Hifi jim — Mon, 26 May 2008 14:57:42 GMT

Arf: Thanks for the info and I'll let you know how my comparison goes. I really don't want to like the 7070 too much, as I'd like to pass it on to my brother who regrets selling his years ago. However, if I really do like the Sansui, then I'll just have to pick up another : ) oldbuckster: I've wanted to try tubes since I've first heard them. But my system is on 10-12 hours a day since I'm working from home so replacing tubes could get a bit expensive, I'm thinking tubes might be a good third system fenderbender: I've tried a Mc2105 and 2505 on my kg4's but somehow the H/K sounds better. The Macs were definately the best sounding amps I tried on my kg's until this 930 came along. I sold the 2105, but still have the 2505, perhaps I should try the preamp from the H/K into the Mac. I never gave the Mac its due, as I never ran a quality pre amp into it. I always thought a nice tube preamp, or a Mac C26 or C28 would be a good fit, but I never got around to it. The 930 probably isn't the best pre either, but I'm sure it's better than the Yamaha C-40, or the H/K Siganture 2.0 that I tried. An old NAD preamp did make nice sounds with the Mac though, but still a distant second to the 930.

Re: Klipsch, B&W, Magnepan, Magnepan, Triangle, B&W, Revel, and back again

fenderbender — Mon, 26 May 2008 13:20:23 GMT

I've got Cornwall I's and heresy II's run them with my Mcintosh 2505 SS brilliant!!! then on my Sansui Au7900 and Au 11000....match made in heaven!!! Untill I find a Au-111 6L6GC.......I'll never leave the house!!!!

Re: Klipsch, B&W, Magnepan, Magnepan, Triangle, B&W, Revel, and back again

oldbuckster — Mon, 26 May 2008 07:45:22 GMT

Tubes and KG4's are nice .......... but ....... if you really want the Klipsch sound, try their 3-way systems. I started with KG4's, went to Heresy's, and now run Cornwalls ............... Tubes run them all quite nicely !!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Klipsch, B&W, Magnepan, Magnepan, Triangle, B&W, Revel, and back again

arfandbark — Mon, 26 May 2008 05:45:23 GMT

I've used both the Sansui 7070 and 8080 on my Cornwalls and have found although there is more power available, they allow some "screech"

out of the K600 mid horn that the H/Ks seem to control. I've never tried a Nikko.

The Cornwall has a touchy midrange that will let you know if your receiver is not matched immediatetly.

You may not have that problem with KG's.

Give that 7070 a fair shake, so to speak. It does provide more headspace.All depends on synergy.

I have a G-7700 Sansui that sits unused....Not a good match with Cornwalls.

Maybe I"ll plug them into my Infinity RS5Bs and see if they like each other.

Looking forward to your comparison.

Re: Klipsch, B&W, Magnepan, Magnepan, Triangle, B&W, Revel, and back again

Hifi jim — Sun, 25 May 2008 21:51:07 GMT

arfandbark:
I honestly can't remember noticing any sonic differance between the units when I compared then a few years back.
The 930 has a slightly better FM section and 5wpc more than the 730, but neither of those are of great significance, at least to me.
As far as my son and his HII's, he has used two differant 930s yet prefers the 730.
You would think a 23 year old would want those 5 extra watts....Nope.
And he claims to get better FM reception out of the 730.
The sound is similar. Very,very, very similar.

Thats good to hear. I'll be on the prowl for a 730 now. I got a deal on a Sansui 7070, and I picked up my friends Nikko 9090, both have sentimental value to me (as the story tells), but I'm curious how they will face off with the 930. I've read great things about all of them. but the H/K sound is really doing it for me. Once they all arrive I'll do a proper comparison. Thanks for the follow up Arf.

Re: Klipsch, B&W, Magnepan, Magnepan, Triangle, B&W, Revel, and back again

arfandbark — Sun, 25 May 2008 17:02:14 GMT

I honestly can't remember noticing any sonic differance between the units when I compared then a few years back.

The 930 has a slightly better FM section and 5wpc more than the 730, but neither of those are of great significance, at least to me.

As far as my son and his HII's, he has used two differant 930s yet prefers the 730.

You would think a 23 year old would want those 5 extra watts....Nope.

And he claims to get better FM reception out of the 730.

The sound is similar. Very,very, very similar.

Re: Klipsch, B&W, Magnepan, Magnepan, Triangle, B&W, Revel, and back again

Hifi jim — Sat, 24 May 2008 21:45:02 GMT

Thanks for the welcome Amy. Arfandbark, it's good to hear that the synergy is there with Heresy and Cornwall as well. I'm thinking of Forte's perhaps someday, but I dream about Cornwalls. Your collection reaffirms my thoughts that this is as good as it gets...at these prices anyway. I've read that there is little difference soundwise between the 930 and 730, have you ever directly compared the two and if so, would you agree? I think these receivers have no modern competition as few if any $1500 receivers have dual power supplies, US design, and solid Japan build. In addition, most modern solid state designs sound far different from these tube emulating amps. NAD comes to mind, but the models I've tried do not compare to these H/K's. I'd like to go with a 730 for the newer face plate design, and the pre out/in jacks (as opposed to the 430), but only if the sound is very similar to the 930. Still listening to my system non-stop, just can't get enough music...

Re: Klipsch, B&W, Magnepan, Magnepan, Triangle, B&W, Revel, and back again

arfandbark — Sat, 24 May 2008 05:03:57 GMT

Another believer in the x30 Harman Kardon/Klipsch combination!

I too bought a 930 based on forum information and found the receiver to be an ideal combination with my Cornwall I's.

Since then I have bought three 930s and another 730.

My son uses a 730 with his Heresy II's and as you say, the synergy is there.

A perfect match. And for such a small investment.

Too bad they aren't all new with fresh caps and filters and whatnot.

I wonder what a refreshed 930 would do compared to, say a new $1000.00 receiver.....

Hmm...

Re: Klipsch, B&W, Magnepan, Magnepan, Triangle, B&W, Revel, and back again

Amy Unger — Fri, 23 May 2008 13:15:33 GMT

Great story

Welcome home, Jim!

Re: Klipsch, B&W, Magnepan, Magnepan, Triangle, B&W, Revel, and back again

Hifi jim — Fri, 23 May 2008 05:36:02 GMT

Thanks Steven. It feels good to finally have a system with synergy again. I enjoyed the Maggies, but tired of their few faults, and the Revel m20 driven by a Theta Intrepid is quite good. But I find it refreshing, the presentation of the Klipsch when properly driven compared with my other set-ups. I don't always care to know what color socks the tambourine player is wearing. The Revel/Theta combo allow that kind of detail, but I find it overwhelming particularly in my nearfield setup. It's great for home theater, but I had stopped listening to music. I've never enjoyed these kg4's so much, they simply sing now. And I've fallen in love all over again with the many positive attributes of a horn driver...when properly driven. It was a looooong lesson learned.

Re: Klipsch, B&W, Magnepan, Magnepan, Triangle, B&W, Revel, and back again

skonopa — Fri, 23 May 2008 04:18:27 GMT

Hifi jim:
The system is nearly without rest, as am I. I am losing sleep and forgetting to eat, such is the great music that now fills my space. I scream the virtues of vintage and Klipsch to anyone who calls. My snobbish audiophile buddies want me committed. Yep, I've drunk the Kool-Aid. Next stop tubes...well someday.

Ahh yes, when you finally find that perfect synergy.....

Does not have to be some huge, high-dollar $$$. Heck, I would not mind eventually scoring one of those old H/K reciever to try with this pair of Pioneer CS-99As I still got sitting down in the basement pretty much doing nothing (for the simple fact that I don't have an amp for them).

Also, a bit newer, but a pair of RF-7s with B&K Ref 200.7 amp - friggan KILLER! The dynamics! The clarity! The details - un-friggan-believable! Even brand new, it was still way less than many of these big "audiophile" setups that I've seen and heard about, yet I found myself coming back to this despite listening to some high-dollar setups, such as this one Krell/Focal rig I checked out at a local audio dealer. Was very nice, but still - was great to come back home to the Klipsch and B&K.

Glad you finally found what you were looking for!

Re: Klipsch, B&W, Magnepan, Magnepan, Triangle, B&W, Revel, and back again

Bill Cain — Fri, 23 May 2008 04:08:32 GMT

Hifi jim:
The system is nearly without rest, as am I. I am losing sleep and forgetting to eat, such is the great music that now fills my space. I scream the virtues of vintage and Klipsch to anyone who calls. My snobbish audiophile buddies want me committed. Yep, I've drunk the Kool-Aid. Next stop tubes...well someday.

May the Force be with you.

Re: Klipsch, B&W, Magnepan, Magnepan, Triangle, B&W, Revel, and back again

Hifi jim — Fri, 23 May 2008 03:49:02 GMT

The system is nearly without rest, as am I. I am losing sleep and forgetting to eat, such is the great music that now fills my space. I scream the virtues of vintage and Klipsch to anyone who calls. My snobbish audiophile buddies want me committed. Yep, I've drunk the Kool-Aid. Next stop tubes...well someday.