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Capacitor log Mundorf Silver in Oil

I wished I could find a log with information on caps. I have found many saying tremendous improvement etc. but not a detailed account of what the changes have been. I have had the same speakers for many years so am very familiar with them. (25+ years) The speakers are a set of Klipsch Lascala's. They have Alnico magnets in the mids and ceramic woofers and tweeters. The front end is Linn LP12 and Linn pre amp and amp. The speaker wire is 12 gauge and new wire.

I LOVE these speakers around 1 year ago they started to sound like garbage. As many have said they are VERY sensitive to the components before them. They are also showing what I think is the effect of worn out caps.

There are many out here on these boards I know of that are using the Klipsch (heritage) with cheaper Japanese electronics because the speakers are cheap! (for what they can do) One thing I would recommend is give these speakers the best quality musical sources you can afford. There is a LOT to get out of these speakers. My other speakers are Linn speakers at around 4k new with Linn tri-wire (I think about 1k for that) and the Klipsch DESTROY them in my mind. If you like "live feel" there is nothing like them. In fact it shocks me how little speakers have improved in 30 years (or 60 years in the Khorns instance)

In fact I question Linn's theory (that they have proved many times) that the source is the most important in the Hi-Fi chain. Linn's theory is top notch source with lessor rest of gear including speakers trumps expensive speakers with lessor source. I think is right if all things are equal but Klipsch heritage are NOT equal! They make a sound and feel that most either LOVE or hate. (I am in the LOVE camp and other speakers are boring to me)

So here goes and I hope this helps guys looking at caps in the future. Keep in mind Klipsch (heritage Khorns Belle's and Lascala's especially) are likely to show the effects of crossover changes more then most.

1 The caps are 30 years old and
2 the speakers being horn driven make changes 10x times more apparent.

Someone once told me find speakers and components you like THEN start to tweak if needed. Don't tweak something you not in love with. Makes sense to me.

So sound
Record is Let it Be (Beatles)
The voices are hard almost sounds like a worn out stylus.
Treble is very hard. I Me Mine has hard sounding guitars. Symbals sound awful. Everything has a digital vs. analog comparison x50! Paul's voice not as bad as John's and George's. Voices will crack.

different lp
Trumpets sound awful. Tambourine terrible. Bass is not great seems shy (compared to normal) but the bad caps draw soooooo much attention to the broken up mid range and hard highs that are not bright if anything it seems the highs are not working up to snuff. I have went many times to speaker to make sure tweeters are even working.

All in all they sound like crap except these Klipsch have such fantastic dynamics that even when not right they are exciting!

Makes me wonder about the people who do not like them if they are hearing worn out caps and cheap electronics? Then I can see why they do not like them! If I did not know better from 25+ years of ownership that would make sense.

For the new crossover I have chosen Mundorf Silver in Oil from what I have read and can afford. I want a warm not overly detailed sound as Klipsch already has lots of detail and does not need to be "livened up" they need lush smooth sounding caps. Hope I have made the right choice?

When the crossover is in I will do a initial impression on same lp's. Right now it goes from really bad (on what may be worn vinyl) to not as bad but NOT great on great vinyl. (I know the quality of the vinyl because tested on other speakers Linn)

The new caps are Mundorf Silver in Oil and new copper foil inductors are coming. I will at the same time be rewiring the speakers to 12 guage from the lamp cord that PWK put in. PWK was a master at getting very good sound often with crap by today's standards components.

The choice of speakers would be a toss up now depending on what I am listening to. Klipsch vastly more dynamic but if the breaking up of the sound becomes to much to effect enjoyment the Linn would be a better choice on that Lp. If I could I would switch a button back and forth between speakers depending on song and how bad the break-up sound was bothering me.

volleyguy
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,506 posts
 
Marqmike, I agree 100% that more builders should do this. The reality is it does cost more, takes up more room, some won't like the added boxes and aesthetics etc...

Some builders already put $10 caps and $3 resistors in $10,000-$20,000 speakers. Building and properly damping an outboard chassis is most likely way to costly.

If you are willing and capable DIY can bring you substantial sound quality improvements for a relatively modest investment.
vn101606
73 posts
 
Grannyring,

Could you share some good sources of quartz reptisand?

I could put an inch or two of it in my external crossover boxes and have the tone wood with the crossover parts/circuit rest on it.

Thanks,

VPN
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,506 posts
 
Here is a link to buy it.....

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017UB3PI/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687722&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00076HTU6&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=06A2AVMSP8QW30CNYRKN

Completely covering the board was the big pay off!
nyaudio98
420 posts
 
have the lsa statement speakers...this is what the owner/enginner said about speakers..

The resisters are 6.2 and 12 ohms. The caps are 4uf and 10uf. The inductors are 1.2mh and .357mh.
We certainly have great parts available to dramatically improve sonics of these speakers…the only issue is your budget, and whether you are going to be doing the work, or someone else.

Space limitations are also an issue….some customers want parts to fit into the existing cross-over board…others, can “McGuyer” a larger board to still be internally mounted….. And others still, retrofit the cross-over outside the cabinet.You can go MILLS resistors, with CLARITY ESA caps ($100 to $150 for the pair)…..or, DUELUND resistors and CLARITY MR CAPS…and be in the $400 + range.

Without seeing a schematic, I’d stay away for changing the INDUCTORS….

However, if you do, MUNDORF Copper Foil inductors can be unwound to you exact value needs, for a change of $5 per inductor…go with 14 awg. ****** feedback?
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,506 posts
 
Nice of the builder to share all that with you! Very nice. I would start by replacing the resistors only. Buy some Path Audio as they are better sounding than the mighty Duelund. Let those settle in an enjoy the improvement. They made a big difference.

Do you have Dynamicaps? Solen? If so, I suggest looking at the Jupiter Flat stacked VT or HT line. The are expensive, but great sounding.

I would wait on that and start with the resistors. The jupiter caps are large and may not fit on the board so you may need to "MacGyver" them in! Love that phrase.

Clarity are good caps also, but please tell me the kind of sound you like. The Jupiter flat stacked are rich, organic and full bodied with good transparency also. The Clarity caps will perhaps be more detailed.
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