2. amps-preamps
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A rocking tube amp & speaker combo?

I am currently running a set of George Wright Mono 10's with a WLA12AL Wright preamp. I love the sound, but on heavier, more layered music, the mids & highs sound harsh through my Klipsch La Scala's. Perhaps no big surprise there. So I'm going to set up two systems: one a SET amp-based system run through the La Scala's, and the other for more driving music (Matthew Sweet to Metallica). I think the Mono 10's could work well if mated with a more appropriate speaker. Maybe a Klipsch Forte? Room aesthetics DO play a role. Don't need room shaking bass, just a clean, tight, driving sound. And no offense, but SS just isn't my cup of tea, in case you might have that in mind. Thank you for the suggestions, on either the amp or the speaker options.
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tomryan
796 posts
 
I have heard at least a dozen different Klipsch models over the past 25 yrs including cornerhorns and LaScalas. Have heard them in numerous stores and homes with tube and SS amps - never heard them sound good, there is always a 'fingernail on blackboard' sound inside the music. I think you need to start looking for properly designed horns or other designs such as the Decware models. I understand the mystique about Klipsches but it's time to face the reality - I most recently heard LaScalas being run by expensive Mac tube gear and the music was awful. I then listened to Classic Audio models with EAR tube integrated amp and it sounded quite good, unfortunately they were $9,600.00 a pair and need a good sized room. Time for someone to design and sell a musical $3,500.00 horn speaker that's not harsh. Maybe that's not possible.
boa2's avatar
boa2 OP
1,551 posts
 
Thanks again for all the input. I appreciate it.
lsilver507
11 posts
 
i ran lascals with alk crossovers instead of stock and if big room need more power i went to von schweikert
blackwatch26
1 posts
 
I am using Wright sound Mono 10s on my "77 Khorns with ALK X-overs and no matter how "complicated" the music there is none of the harshness of SS left. Even with the Moody Blues "A Question Of Balance" at 100 Db.

If your Lascalas are made with K400 horns, have you damped them? If you have type AA networks a nice easy mod is to put a 1mF capacitor across the two 2mF caps. This takes a lot of the energy off the tweeter at Fs (3500Hz)

Go to http://www.alkeng.com/ and take a look at Al K's work with Klipsch X-overs. Go to http://www.klipsch.com and click forum. There is a lot of good information there and many knpledgable posters to help you.
boa2's avatar
boa2 OP
1,551 posts
 
Thank you, Blackwatch26. We actually came up with the perfect solution--bridge two systems through a common preamp & CD player. So now the La Scala's are mated with the Wright 3.5's (love the Mono 10's, by the way), and we are running Quicksilver Mini Mono's through a pair of Soliloquy 6.2's for all of the rocking music. THAT, my wife claims, "Is MY system." We are both quite happy. Thank you for the suggestions.
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