Help For A Wanna-be Audiophile?

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PatrickC

New Member
Hey Guys,

Last summer I finally brought my father's old Klipsch Heresy Is back to life, and I've been hooked on improving my music-listening experience ever since. However, I have a few issues with my setup and a few general questions, so hopefully the collective experience in these forums can help.

I am a college student, therefore I can't spend tons of money on the often-bizarre things audiophiles buy to improve their sound. I hooked up my speakers to my father's old Carver The Receiver (free as well), and while it has worked, it also produces a hum I can't seem to get rid of. This seems to be a common problem with Carver receivers of this vintage, so I'd like to replace it.

If you guys can help, I'd like to know what the best amplifier choice would be for a set of Klipsch Heresy Is on a relative budget (lets say under $400). I've heard tubes work great with these speakers, does that even remotely fit into my budget?

I'm planning on using these speakers for listening to music, but I'd also be able to do some DJ work with them in my room if I need to. Being able to add a subwoofer, since the Heresy's are a bit bass-shy (I think) is a plus as well.

Thanks,
PatrickC
 
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silverlord said:
Can't go wrong with a Dynaco Stereo 70.
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I think it will be hard to find one - and a preamp - and do the necessary maintenance for $400. Possible, but have to get pretty lucky.

Heresy's in a dorm room won't need that much power. Perhaps a smaller PP 6BQ5 integrated amp could be found. Dyna SCA-35, Eico, Heathkit, Scott, etc. I don't know about that Carver... perhaps simply put the money into repairing it?
 
If you aren't looking to spend much, you should just fix the Carver. Tubes are not exactly cheap. You might be able to find an old tube amp for cheap, but it will require time and money to get it back up to snuff.
 
Well you have some speakers that have a legendary sound. Not a bad place to start. So you are asking what do you do to drive them that will not limit their abilities yet not for more than $400. Tough call. A tube integrated amp would probably be close to twice that cost before you find something that make em sing.

This is a little on the risky side, but at that price point, and including a linestage, for these speakers I think a decent tripath integrated amp would blow you away.

The new Virtue Audio amp would be my choice (assuming you have a good CD or computer/DAC source).

http://store.virtueaudio.com/product-p/vrtu-ia-vaone.2-pbf-1.htm
 
Thanks for the link, I am always amazed by the performance of small amps and the Virtue sure has had some good reviews. If you have more than one source of audio, you could add a switchbox to bridge the extra sources. I did that for my Accurian so that I could switch from my computer audio to my multiband receiver audio.
 
The Carver can be sent back to Bob Carver and get refurbished for $175. The thread with his address is somewhere in the threads around here.
I'd say that's your biggest bang for your buck.
 
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Never heard the Carver Receiver. So don't know if it's worth fixing but I suspect yes.

How about checking out craigslist, AK classifieds, or better yet subscribe to AK and watch Barter Town for great items on sale. This last option would be my first pick but don't dump the Carver. It can be fixed when you have time, money and something else to play while it's gone.

Maybe keep your budget below $200 and leave rest for fixing the Carver.
 
Thanks to all for the suggestions so far, I've been sent reeling for Google a few times already, and that's a good thing in my book.

I'm open to spending a bit more on the amplifier and the rest of the setup if the sound quality will be noticeably better. If I wanted to go with tubes (not considering my budget here for a second), what would be my best options? What would you guys do if you owned these speakers?

I've also heard these speakers are a bit bass-shy. Is there any way to put a subwoofer with this setup? What would be a good subwoofer for the job?

Thanks so much for the help!
 
stoutblock said:
This is a little on the risky side, but at that price point, and including a linestage, for these speakers I think a decent tripath integrated amp would blow you away.
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That's a good suggestion. Those Tripaths can sound amazing, and they are affordable. :yes:
 
For considerably less than your budget, you can pick up a low powered Marantz receiver, a 2215, or a 2220, either one will sound great with your speakers.

Well placed Heresy’s will give fine bass response. :thmbsp:
 
PatrickC said:
I've also heard these speakers are a bit bass-shy. Is there any way to put a subwoofer with this setup? What would be a good subwoofer for the job?

Thanks so much for the help!
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Try them first then assess need for sub. In small room I doubt you'll need it.
 
imho, i would look for a fisher integrated in the x line series... a x-110c or x-100b should do the trick and can be had for under 200 on the e bay. seen them going cheap lately. the b is my first choice.... the 7868 tube has very good bottom end and great high extension.
 
I think a fully functional the Carver Receiver is a pretty kick ass HiFi piece, and worth looking into refurbishing in it's own right, especially since you have $0 into it now.

Here's the link to the website for Rita's Vintage Audio repair - which is run by Rita, a former Phase Linear technician, and Bob Carver in Snohomish, WA. The refurb rate is now $195, still a good deal, especially if you're local and can drop/pickup:

http://www.ritasvintageaudio.net/index.html

A refurb'd Carver receiver will sound very nice with the Heresies, won't need much juice in a small room. I think the Carver Receiver is not the best match with Heresies, there are better choices in your budget if going with a solid state receiver/amp. I'd look for a warmer sounding solid state unit - like a 70's Marantz 22xx or Sansui x0x0 or G series receiver.

Ideally you can match up the Heresies with a tube amp at some point - tube and Klipsch horns were made for each other. But in a small room at normal listening volumes I think a warm SS unit sounds great. I have been happy listening to Heresies driven by a Sansui AU-717 integrated amp.

The trouble starts when you move to a bigger room - in my experience Heresies and Fortes start throwing razors at your ears if placed in a moderate to large sized room and driven with solid state gear.
 
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You've got a real good start on building a quality system with those Klipsch Heresys. They are a very well respected speaker here at AK. One of the big advanages the Heresys have, is that you can get high quality sound out of them with only a few watts of power. I also think you are on the right path looking at tubes to drive those Heresys too. Klipsch speakers and tube amps are a magical combination. The suggestion of Fisher tube-type integrated amps is a very good idea to which I would only add that you should also look at Scott integrateds too. Unfortunately, any of the older tube gear that you purchase off ebay, craigslist, etc., is likely to be a project, (i.e., recapping, retubing, etc.) and I get the idea that you don't want a "project"; you want music.

So, I would suggest that you take a look at the Decware Website and their line of tube-based gear. http://www.decware.com/newsite/homepage.html

Their products are all relatively inexpensive, but very high-quality and IMHO high-value! They might be exactly what you are looking for. They also have a great website with lots good information, articles, and other neat stuff.

If the idea of the classic Fisher and Scott tube gear does appeal to you Mapleshade Records sells refurbished and improved Fisher and Scott tube gear that has had all the work done for you. Here is a link to their page on the tube gear. http://www.mapleshaderecords.com/audioproducts/tubegear_hub.php

I hope this helps you make a choice. In any event, I would also have the Carver Receiver refurbished as well. Good luck on your search! :music:
 
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What do you guys think about the Onix SP3?

I've seen them on sale for $450 or so, and that's a killer price for an amp that's supposedly quite good. I think it'd be a good match, but I'd like to know what you guys think first.

What else would I need if I bought the SP3?
 
PatrickC said:
What do you guys think about the Onix SP3?

I've seen them on sale for $450 or so, and that's a killer price for an amp that's supposedly quite good. I think it'd be a good match, but I'd like to know what you guys think first.

What else would I need if I bought the SP3?
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The SP3 is a great amp. Be carefull as I've been told some of the newer ones did not have the quality internal components as the earlier ones.

I second the Decware. The Taboo or even the Zen would match up well with your speakers.
 
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