Are the Klipschorns mainly for Classical music ??

>>Maybe I should ban myself from Audiogon for ignorance<<

Many of us would have to resign if that were the case.
:-)

I vote to overlook your wiring faux pas, as long as you don't tell anyone that I once installed a 300B tube incorrectly. Boom boom, out goes the amp!

Next up!

Trying some different electronics from your Carver gear. I owned an all Carver system(M1.5T, C-3 preamp(?),TX-10 or 11 tuner, cassete, etc.) in college during the 80's w/ Klipsch Forte's.

System kicked ass for late-night ear blistering heavy metal sessions. I actually gave it to a former college roommate 10-15 years ago when I moved a smaller apartment and he returned it when he got divorced ~7 years ago. It all got badly damaged when my house was robbed a year later.

But, outside of etching glass, I'm not sure I would have much use for it these days. The Fortes weren't too bad when I hooked them up to a decent tube amp. A new solid cabinet and crossover rebuild probably would have made them great.

There's not a lot that can be done for the Carver stuff. But, that's just my opinion now that I'm a flea-powered SET guy. There's probably more people who would disagree with me on that than would agree.

I appreciate any suggestions. All information is greatly appreciated. I have 22 Klipsch speakers. I do love my Forte II's. The '92 Klipschorns are probably my best pair and the Cornwall II's aren't bad either. I have been in a Carver-Klipsch rut for many years now and I am willing to try some new gear. I love hard rock and metal....I was told I would grow out of it....BUT....it never happened !!!! Screaming guitars is my kind of music but I do listen to some mellow stuff. Criss Oliva was one of my favorite guitarists before he got killed in a car accident. I still listen to Savatage "Hall of the Mountain King"....I love that cd. Earlier today I listened to Black Sabbath I....it was better than I ever remembered. Dave Mustaine ain't bad either. There are too many great guitarists to count.

Lordy Allsmiles, you've got the Klipsch bug bad!

22 speakers and you've never really tried any different electronics? The world is about to split open for you.

You haven't indicated your price range for components, so it is hard to make suggestions. Perhaps filling in the rest of your electronics will help, too. What type of cd player or dac do you have? What's your preamp? Also, how big is your room?

At a 101dB for the Cornwall II's and at least that or more for the Klipschorns, it won't take much to get them going. Though, I'd think those 15" woofers have got prefer a little power in the tank for big climaxes.

If you are used to the power reserves of the Carver M1.5T and like to crank it, it might be best for you to start out with a really good push-pull amp. Something with grunt.

Unfortunately, I'd suggest getting a new preamp at the same time or most the benefits of an amp upgrade would probably never shine through.

Let us know how much you'd like to spend on both an amp and preamp, and I'm sure we can give you a great list of potential buys.