The Klipschorn

Rhum_runner - You will only need a few watts of tubed power. I noticed you presently have a 200 w/ch Mac at the heart of your system. Unfotunately, if you mate this with the K-horn, neither will perform well since the amp will never get above idle and drive the SPL to earbleeding levels. Quicksilver makes horn monoblocks for $1595 new. They are push-pull, 25 w/pc and match the k-horns perfectly. If you want to venture into SET amps, I'd recommend a George Wright 2A3 for $1430 new. Wright and Mike Sanders (Quicksilver) have similar design philosophies - simplicity, reliabilty, and affordability. Check out the Quicksilver and Wright Sound websites in the A'gon manufacturers listing.

$6k new? Holy crap, I had no idea they were that much!

Mootsdude gives an inexpensive formula for audio Nirvana. Klipsch + George Wright or Mike Sanders' gear in a good room = Heaven! Absolutely agree with two recommendations (s)he(?) gives. Sanders for Push/Pull and Wright for SET. Too bad Sanders doesn't like SET enough to build them! The stuff he does build is first rate and the customer service he gives is second to none. George Wright is a gentlemen of similar integrity in my estimation. I had the pleasure of meeting him last year. Good call on both IMO!

Marco

PS...$6k may be the new price for the current Khorn, but I've seen them (vintage) going for under $2k in great shape on the used market from folks just looking to get rid of them. They are not the easiest speakers to move around or ship at almost 200lbs each. Consequently there are deals to be had on them if you are patient. The point about having the proper room and space for them is a good one as well. They are built to be installed in the corners of one side of a room. The LaScala's and Belles use the same drivers, but do not require corners for optimum performance. Some folks actually build false corners around the Khorns. Not quite the same reinforcement as a real wall might offer.

Rhum_runner, you can get into the Klipsch sound with a pair of Chorus or Cornwalls for $500 to $800 on the used market. Add another $500 to $800 for a nice, used push-pull tube amp to drive them and you have the start of a great budget system. Just make sure the tube amp you get is very low in hum and noise as the Klipsch's high effiency will magnify any inherent noise in the amplification chain.

For those with more limited space, a set of Hereseys could be a good way to go -- perhaps mated to a subwoofer.

Mootsdude, thanks for the tip on the Quicksilver monoblocks. I may need to check those out.

Marco - I just picked up a pair of Quicksilver MiniMites and absolutely love them!! They are matched with the Heresys (1984). I've modded the speakers with Dynamat on the horns and Liquid Nails on all the seams and have clearly noticed an improvement. Do you have any recomendations for rewiring the speakers and maybe putting new binding posts on them? I still would like to tone down the high-end. Thanks.

Mike