Have some (re)discovered Klipsch Heritage for serious 2 channel??

The room and system upgrade was a major focus for me last year, and I think I'm at a good place with it. I needed my cocoon built out, now I can focus on other things. I got into skydiving last summer, so more money and attention is going to the wind tunnel this winter, with my eyes on getting licensed next summer. I've got some reno projects around the house in mind too.

 

You could do a lot worse than this amp for under $6K and BTW did you try tightening the screws on that buzzing driver? Or is it not a mechanical buzz?

Leben CS-600 Integrated Amplifier

 

Just yesterday, my son who worked his butt off getting three degrees in five years, is now down in the dumps cuz he worked so hard and burned himself out.

Yesterday I said, "go skydiving, you need something to jolt you back into gear"

He'll come around, he also broke up with his girlfriend of five years too... but at 23 yrs now, time to put all that tuition to work!

 

It's not mechanical, it's constant... it'll get fixed, not too worried, it's fairly easy to swap a driver. (if that's the problem). I'm confident I'm in good hands with my 10 year warranty.

Like I said, when the music is playing no buzz, no impact... so I'll probably procrastinate... the way I see it I still have 8.5 years to do it.

 

Update for new readers:

Wanted: tube integrated, 4-5 RCA inputs, Cornwall IV's, prefer not super low wattage in case of future speaker swap, budget $6K, ok with less.

Recs made so far: CMIII, Cary SLI-80, EVO 300, Primaluna, a really nice Luxman LX-80 that's $2K over budget but still nice. Probably missed one... Pharoah II

Would always keep in mind: some of the amps on OntheOnes profile.

 

Another update: If anyone out there wants to use the thread to post ideas, questions, new topics regarding "serious" 2 channel with Klipsch, feel free, don't view this as "my" thread, it's clearly a place to get ideas though... fire away.

 

I'm glad to hear I made a good impression on Keith. He was very nice to deal with and his gear speaks for itself.

 

That's a fair concern and while it was expensive to test various tubes, the ones I actually settled on were not bank account breakers at all. The combo I loved were:

12AU7 RCA Clear tops
12AX7 GE Longplates
Center 12AU7 Mazda Cifte 6198

 

You have me wishing I would have tried the power tubes. I was always under the impression they did not offer much in the way of affecting the sound. That might have been the missing link to reaching that 100%

 

BTW, I just re-read this, no didn't get counseling, yes went from 6 to 4... the counseling was a joke, the (no s**t) on the end was confusing!

 

I didn't add the Pharaoh because I thought you wanted pure tube. My bad, the Pharaoh is the best amp I have heard -period. But that is very dependent on the sound signature you love. I love tube good ness but I crave detail. The Pharoah gives you both.

 

Ah, hadn't dug far enough into that one to realize, then you're right... maybe I'll still have a look anyway. Always open minded....

 

Haha, I definitely took it as a joke!

 

That’s good advice. It will fill him with a sense of vitality. Experienced skydivers have told me they haven’t felt that ‘first jump’ exhilaration from it for a long time. To them, it’s a calming experience. They say there’s something grounding about having one thing, and one thing only, to think about. Everything else gets out of the way.

Are you fully committed to an integrated, or are you open to separates? You could get yourself into a nice pre and amp for $6k.

 

They make a noticeable difference in my amp. Generally speaking, the lower power tubes have softer, rounder bass (and less of it) but you gain a more holographic and sweet midrange. The higher the power, the closer they get to the punch of the KT120s. Pretty linear progression with each step.

 

Listen, it's good enough that if you have the chance I'd encourage you to listen to one. But be warned, I was never a believer in break in. I mean to a point maybe but the Pharoah sounds very different when it is a new unit to once it has 200 hours on it. VERY DIFFERENT. And no it was not my ears adjusting. When I first turned it on I thought to myself "oh man did I make a mistake getting rid of my CM3" a week later it is pure bliss. I think that's what happened to Avanti. I value his opinion quite a bit but he hates the Pharoah, so we differ on that drastically. I'm guessing the one he heard was new with zero break in.

 

Wish I'd have known this 3 months ago. Although those tubes are not cheap!

 

Given your post above, it sounds like you found a soft spot to land.

Glad to hear the Pharaoh is treating you so well.

 

Yeah but what Avanti is currently running is always the "best"... until he's not running it any more! And that changes frequently...



I definitely WILL listen Mike! You know me, even though I try things, I *always* take the time to choose wisely, and moreover *always* get a good deal.

Plus I'm in no hurry.... I had a choice here - either new speakers that could excel with quality SS watts, or tubes on Cornwalls. I think on Page 1 or 2 TylerB and I were exchanging about Harbeth 40.x's... this is an alternative to that!

My Accuphase signal chain (C-2410, C-27 and P-4200), plus my 1200G was all had for $13,500. It's all in the archives! I mentioned the purchases on each along the way, some in threads I started. For those unfamiliar with Accuphase pricing, I did quite good. It took time though, patience was the key. I don't think I will ever sell the Accuphase stuff, handing it down it's nice SS gear. (sorry Harris )

I'm not buying the tube gear to compare to the Accuphase gear, I'm looking at it cuz I'm curious! It might be better, it might not. Audio gear and synergy is tricky... But tubes and Klipsch have a long standing following... so I like my chances that I'll like it, that's really what's important to me. I gave up pissing contests with things like audio gear a while ago, it's not worth it and have better things to burn my calories over.

 

I did mention earlier that I did not want separates *on tubes*.... BUT know some like tube pre with SS amp... AND I have a good SS amp.

You don't have to sell me on the virtues of separates

Anything is possible. Whaddya' thinkin'>

 

Just thinking about the number of inputs you’d like to see. I saw @avanti1960 mentioned upthread and remembered the SLP-05. Five inputs, two are balanced. No idea how it would pair with your amp, but you could probably find a used one within your budget, like this one.

The RP5 and 7 both have a bunch of inputs too, great reviews.

 

LOL.

You mean this mention?

If I'm not razzing Tony, he sends me a Get Well Soon card. (and vice versa)

He knows he's one of my Top 5 favorites around here, and they're all tied for first!

Glad you summoned him though, was trying to get his opinion too in my own special way.

 

BTW if going to five inputs means any step down in quality, four could work!

Five is a lot.... just a bonus if it did. You get it... don't want a better choice to disappear because it had four inputs!

 

I’m sure he’ll have some useful input, with the CMII in his past and the SLP-05 in his present. Definitely lots of experience with different amps and that pre.

 

I don’t know if it means a step down in quality, just can’t think of many integrateds that have that many. 4 seems pretty standard, three if you’re set on the HTB.