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Amps for Klipschorn speakers

I am in the market for a tube power amp and pre amp to use with my 1980s Klipschorn speakers. I will be using a turntable as well as a CD player. I am a musician and have a studio that is good size where this stereo will be located. I like to sometimes play fairly loud although what I am really looking for is quality of sound on this system. For a budget maybe $3-$5000 on each piece. Used amps are fine with me. I listen to rock, blues, pop, etc. Right now, I have an old 70s Marantz 250 power amp with a Marantz 3300 pre amp hooked up to the Klips. I am a musician and not an audiophile so I know very little about good stereo equipment but I want to take a big step up in sonic quality. I appreciate the help as I am ready to acquire the amps. Thanks...
wemfan
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Learsfool,
Many Klipsch speaker owners seem to feel as you do in my experience. A good quality tube amp is the better choice with these speakers if the goal is superior sound quality.This is from owners who have tried both SS and tube power amplifiers.I realize there`re always exceptions.The large woofer size is`nt a problem with the proper tube amp.This is a very easy speaker load.
Regards,
ths364
181 posts
 
Atmasphere. Look it up. (no affiliation whatsoever)
wemfan OP
87 posts
 
I have been looking at the Atma-spheres particularly the M60 mono blocks and the MP-3 pre amp. They seem to get rave reviews but I am a little worried about the heat they might put off and just having an amp with that many tubes so I am still on the fence with that one.

Another option I am considering is an ARC VS115 with a REF-3 pre amp.

I read some threads on the Cary SLI-80 several of you suggested and that also seems like a unit I might would want. I just moved to a new house and really need to upgrade my living room as well as a master bedroom so the Cary looks like it may be a good fit there.

How can I run a center speaker with my Khorns? I have a pair of Cornwalls I could use. Would I have to buy an amp with a center out and if so do many have them?

I am still looking up all of the amps suggested. I do appreciate the help.
markpao
524 posts
 
As a former owner of the Khorns for some 23 years, I can say that I have listened to them with several amps. Those who say SS is not a good choice are spot on. IMO, vintage type low wattage tube amps are the way to go. A few amps I owned that sounded fabulous with these speakers were;

Baldwin -converted organ amp by Will Vincent. 25 wpc
Custom made OTL 6wpc (made in Italy by Mario Patrizio-unbelievable bass!)
Art Audio PX25 6wpc (midrange magic)

A few that I didn't care for were;

Audio Research Classic 60 (too bright and fatiguing)
Cary 808 Rocket 88 (no bass or dynamics-boring)
Cary CAD-300se (as above)

A couple that I never heard, but read from others that sound good with the Khorns;

McIntosh MC225 or MC240
Quicksilver Horn Monos

My opinions are based on listening to mostly classic rock music.

Lastly, you might want to go over to the Klipsch forums where you will read about anything you'll ever want to know.
lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes
690 posts
 
If you want to hear what your Klipschorn's are really capable of then put a low powered SET amp on them like a 2A3 or 45 amp and you will be amazed. There's nothing like it. You don't need to spend $3-5K on each piece, you can spend quite a lot less and still have incredible sound. With the efficiency of the K-horns, if you haven't heard SET's on them, you are in for a real treat....
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