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Cornwall IV – new amp vs crossover upgrade

I recently bought Cornwall IVs and basically I´m very happy with them – they just sound very pleasant. And I haven´t even upgraded to another amp yet which seems to be the next logical step. When I was in the store I tested them with a class AB and a hybrid amp and I could already tell that the hybrid made them sing. Currently I´m using an old, small Rotel amp and they do sound great with it but I know there´s plenty of room for improvement.

Having read a few things here and there, I´m wondering which has the bigger impact: a new amp or a new set of crossovers. Sure, it´s all individual but with people raving about non-Klipsch-crossovers and other improvement (for example damping the horns as suggested by the Boston Audiophile), I´m not exactly sure what should be next. Would a nice tube amp make a crossover upgrade unneccessary? It´s hard to tell from what I´ve read.

As much as I like them, I feel right now they are lacking a bit of overall warmth. On the other hand the highs are a bit too pronounced and detailed for me which led me to turn down the highs on the amp a bit. There are some recordings that just match the current setup and listening to them puts a big smile on my face. And I just feel that this can be extended to more albums.

Thanks in advance for help and suggestions!

chmaiwald
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,516 posts
 

Yes I would say a nice tube amp and some solid copper speaker wires like AQ Type 4. Then work on horn damping and maybe knock down the tweeter if needed. They are not a very warm sounding speaker stock, more accurate than warm. A tube amp with the right tubes will sound very good, system synergy is key. I'm a bit of a broken record but my Rouge Sphinx might be as good as it gets for your system or a really nice tube amp. 

audition__audio
1,494 posts
 

First get a good medium powered tube amp. I have heard horns, regardless of sensitivity, eat lower powered SET amps alive. Older Klipsch didnt present the amp with the best impedance load, but perhaps the new speakers are better. 

After getting a good tube amp then explore mods. An unmodified Klipsch is unacceptable to me but with mods they can be greatly improved. Actual Klipsch owners can steer you in the right direction regarding mods.

chmaiwald OP
79 posts
 

Thanks a lot for your replies. First amp, then mods then.

Thanks as well for the suggestions! Ampwise I have to take what´s available here (I´m living in Poland) and what I can listen to in advance. 300B I have to check, Rogue Sphinx is sold here. There also is a local brand, which is the one I could test already: Taga Harmony. Their HTA 2500B gave a nice first impression, but well, it was the first tube(hybrid) amp I listened to.

Since it may not be known here I leave a link below.

 

sns
3,255 posts
 

Per audition_audio, yes Cornwall not as high a sensitivity vs Klipschorns, but Klipschorns do have somewhat difficult impedance curve as well. My 300B monoblocks are sublime, but then they each have power supplies equal or surpassing what you see in stereo 300B amps. My 845SET or any 845SET for that fact should have no problem with impedance curve. Forget about most 2a3 or 45 for Cornwall, although 2A3 with really nice power supplies could possibly work. But for most, I'd agree, go with push pull. I previously had PrimaLuna Dialogue Four, damn nice in triode mode.

smatsui
167 posts
 

I've tried driving my Cornwall IV with a McIntosh MC275 VI, Rogue Stereo 100 with Dark upgrades, BoyuuRange A50 mkIII 300B amp, my Audio By Van Alstine 600R hybrid amp, and my Enleum 23R.  I own the last 2 and the Stereo 100 and the 300B amps were my friend's amps.  The MC275 VI was borrowed from a local dealer.  My 600R beat all the amps except one, the Enleum 23R.  The 23R was a class above all the others in terms of transparency, image clarity, soundstage width and depth, and musical engagement.  This amp has an organic sound unmatched by any other amp that I've tried. 

I won't go into details about its design because you can get that online and in several reviews.  John Darko recently posted a YouTube video rave review on the 23R.  Other reviews include 6 Moons in which Srajan said the 23R is the best solid state low powered amp he's ever tried.  As a bonus, it's a state of the art headphone amp as well.  It's not inexpensive and there's a wait list to get it but it's worth it imo.

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