Yes. I regret letting my Akai reel-to-reel tape deck go, Got it new in ‘72. I loved recording albums to tape and creating 5.5 hours of music that matched well with each other. The “OG” tape mixer. 🎶😎
@@ForeverAnalog Yes they did indeed. I learned about recording in the process of having fun listening to music as recorded. Your Pioneer deck looks cool.
So I forgot to mention. Stick with what you like. The only person that needs to be impressed is you. Everyone else can have their opinions. They just can't have your ears.
Loved it Aaron- Thanks for playing! I use Morning Bell off Kid A- whole album is amazing. I agree with you on BT turntables "unless" its for kids or for headphones. Thanks for not being offended about the Heresy's- get ADS L710 or 810s =) Love those little spade connectors too.
Funny you brought this up. I found mine in my garage about a month or two ago. They have been such a big help for a multitude of reasons. To be honest, I haven’t used it in my HiFi setup but you have me thinking about it and considering it. I will keep you posted.
As someone who sold hi-fi gear in the mid to late 70s, Receivers were never used in the hi-fi listening rooms where you could audition speakers like the Heresy's, with very nice turntables, and tape decks, all hooked up to very hi end seperate amps and preamps. The better the equipment used, the better the Heresys sounded. I got my Hersey's in 1972, and they are all original, and I still love them. We also sold McIntosh, and they were in the back hi-fi audition listening rooms well, they were built like a tank, but we only sold them to someone who came in dead set on buying them, we did not use them to audition any of our speakers, turntables, or tape decks, our other amps and preamps just sounded better. All of the Receivers that we sold, were paired to low cost speakers like the Advent, KLH or Polk speakers. I dont know of any real stereo stores in the area that even sold Pioneer, you could buy them at the campus book store, and they weren't even hooked up to listen to. The students just bought them by their power output. And now Receivers are a cult favorite, I can see why they are attractive, but they were never hi-fi, in the true world of hi-fi, they were a good bargain of the times, for a all in one unit. If you want an analogy, a 1972 Camaro is not a 1972 911, both good products, but not the same.
Hey…these top 11 list are great. That crafty Kevin’s got the community buzzing. Watched US of A’s video yesterday. FA and that grabber thing…I’m 😂over hear. You look so satisfied…🤣🍻
My weakness (or, rather, my preference) is that, rather than spend a fortune on one "high-end" audio system, I love vintage '60s and '70s stuff (the look, the feel, the sound) so much that I want to hook up a whole bunch of pieces and use audio showroom switches to effortlessly "swap out" various amps/receivers, inputs (turntables, disc players, streamers, DACs), and speakers. So, that's what I did. Took me forever to connect so much of the stuff I'd collected for so many years, but now whenever one combination starts to sound tired to me, I can just push a few buttons and -- voila! -- I've got a whole new system instantly operational! (BTW, I've had very little experience with, or interest in, horn speakers -- but my current set-up allows me to compare the only horn speakers I've ever owned, the popular Klipsch RP-600Ms, with more conventional speakers: Polk R-200, Focal Chora 806, Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G, Triangle BR03. There are times when the Klipsch speakers are just the right fit for a certain kind of music and a certain amp...)
Becoming one of my favs man great vid. Always fascinating. I’m an audiophile in my own way but it would make real audiophiles cry but learning is the fun for me, and slowly accumulating what’s in my means. Thanks for being a cool inspiration in the community. I really only make kind thanks like this to RUclipsrs who have cool personalities. The list is not long!
When I was in kindergarten back in the 1950's my teacher taught us that Benjamin Franklin invented many things. One of his inventions was the "Long arm (extension arm) to reach high books (1786)". I have owned a version of his invention since the 1960's. It has 101 uses. Especially if you are mechanically inclined and like to work with your hands but sometimes have butter fingers.
Pincher grabber thing! Yes, I got one at Harbor Freight Tools and I keep one in the corner of my music room. It real comes in handy reaching for cables and other stuff. This was a fun video to watch and I’m jumping over to your McIntosh video.
Great video. So many great questions and your answers are really good. I don't think you should feel bad about your Klipsch Heresys at all. Many many people can attest to how great they are. Of course that's all very much dependent on the room and your taste! Money no object to spend on stereo: three different systems, each very different style in three different room setups. 1 - Tube system with large horn speakers in a large room with bare surfaces. 2 - McIntosh solid state system with tall, narrow tower style speakers in a medium sized room that's treated for medium absorption and some diffusion. 3 - Crown amps with Klipschorns or JBL 4367s in a small warehouse with Persian carpets and six couches. That last one is the "beer and tunes" system. Everything would be primarily for vinyl playback. I got those spade to banana adapters and found the banana holes to be way too small. They simply didn't work and I returned them. I don't get who's using those because they just don't fit standard banana connectors. Not only are they too small in diameter, they're much too shallow. If you made them work, can you show a video and the model of banana plugs you used? I wanted those to work so badly but in the end I realized that they're just not the right size for anything I have in my box of connectors.
Thank you for doing the challenge! Watched your first video years ago about the 2270 and then the Klipsch floor speakers you picked up a little latter. Great video! Cheers.
If you love the sound of your speakers, that is all that matters. Everyone has an opinion. Yours is what matters. Enjoy what music you like and on the system you enjoy. BTW, Wish I had your Klipsch!
The pincher-grabber is a good idea and I have been using a modified compact version for years that keeps the wires in reach at all times, before I remove any cable I attach plastic chip clips to the cable so they can't get away from me. The clip itself can work, or I sometimes use a second clip to secure it to something else while I move gear. My responses to Kevin's list: 1. Marantz 2238B that I inherited from my dad 2. Marantz 2238B 3. Surround system 4. Track #8 on Alegria ~ Cirque Du Soleil (Mirko), track #12 is also very good. 5. Big ADS, vintage McIntosh, a really nice CD player 6. CD 7. Streaming 8. Room treatment, or a listening room built from scratch 9. N/A 10. ADS L780/2s 11. Schiit external DAC for my CD changer
this was a lucky buy....my audioresearch SP3a1 tubed preamp. it is a classic that I got at a bargain price and the sound is so profound that that ADCO GFP565 NEVER was repopulated to my system. it does NOT sound like the "stereotyped" tubey soft and rubbery sound in any way. it's dead flat and extends seemingly from DC to daylight with vividly accurate tonality with imaging and soundstaging that is enviable.
I agree with you on the speaker stress. I have 3 sets hooked up to my stereo, but my custom upgraded originals probably sound the best. Still searching...
I noticed your Pioneer SX9000. I love mine. It’s hard to believe it was built in 1972 and it can hold its own with all my amps. (It’s been recapped). Including my Mac 6500 & my Denon A110. klipsch are my favorite speakers too! I’ve got a pair of Heresy IVs & Forte IVs Lol Enjoyed the video. Be well. ✌️
100% Agree with the Pioneer RT-909. I have seriously considered shelling out the big bucks to get one and have it brought up to snuff, and then just getting ONE good tape and have it going constantly just because it looks so cool!
Back around 77 Pioneer came out with 2 reel to reels, both jet black - They sold for about $1400 and the other for about $1800. If I remember right they were Pioneer's version of Pro models. They were actually very seductive especially at 3 1/2 inches/second
Well im certainly bias because i grew up with klipsch heresy since a baby literally. My dad had heresy II's. The house always rocked and it felt good to my soul. I still have them and use them with a 70wpc technics integrated. However, i did purchase a set of cornwalls which i have connected to my 100 wpc ab class yamaha integrated. But i would never recommend anyone upgrade from heresy in the way of getting rid of em altogether. Maybe id suggest adding a sub or bi amping them on an active crossover instead of a passive one for more bass. Love your channel. Youre the humble audiophile. Not the pretentious one. I appreciate that!
I found my old iPod too. I used to use mine at work. I was in a cubicle and put my ear buds in and got 8-10 hours a day out of it. Can't remember exactly what version i have but I have the original box and charger.
P.S. I have one of those grabber things -- my mom had one! -- but it won't help me find the LP Gear Series V cartridge that I knocked off the two-ton console on which a lot of my stereo gear sits. Because there are so many wires and cables back there that the cartridge never hit the ground. It's probably snagged in a tangle of wires about two feet from the floor -- and I can't see it, so I can't grab it.
A buddy of mine has a set of Klipsch Forte's, and he's had them since the early 90's. I always thought i wanted a pair, but honestly, at this point, i would really have to give them one heck of a test run. The speaker that really has peaked my interest is the Lintons. No cost options. I'd have to look into either Luxman or Accuphase. You have a lot of cool stuff. Great video.
Thank you! As I mentioned, speaker buying stresses me out so much lol. I heard a pair of Tannoys last weekend that at first I loved but after listening for awhile I started to realize they were way to bass heavy for me.
Did you like the Zu DWX enough to replace the Heresys? What are they lacking if not? They are a little too high of a reach on the money tree for myself but think they look fantastic and hope / wish they sound as good as the look. Love the banana plug converters! A link in the description?
I noticed the Marantz doesn’t have any feet on the bottom. I’m not sure if you got it that way or if you took them off to fit in that tight cabinet but I don’t see how it’s getting any airflow because it’s sitting directly on the bottom grill.
I love Skylabs! Everyone has their tastes in speakers! Keep the Klipsch!!! I love mine! Although I can't afford the ones you have, I love my KLF 30's! I run those with my Vega AT 12's, the Quintet V's, and my 2 M&K 76 sub's
Fun video, and I almost fell off my Sith Audio Audiophile Toilet Seat when you mentioned your RT-909. MY RT-909 sat next to my main system for three years, looking absolutely splendid, and very rarely ever being played. In a moment of weakness , I gave in to the insane asking prices, and recently sold mine 😢. Your Klipsch speakers are probably better than 95% (99%?) of all box speakers out there. Maybe try some Magnepan speakers. Your Mac should have plenty of current to drive most of them. Maybe budget a bit for a sub, though! Have fun!
I've owned Klipsch for over 30 years. KG2, KG4, Forte ii twice and La Scalas. The problem with Klipsch is they are so efficient and usually overpowered. So they sound shrill. They need to be powered with tube amplification. I've tried so many solid state amplifiers with good results. But when I went all tube, they sound wonderful!
Klipsch Heresy speakers have always been one of those speakers that just needs to find the right combination of amp, source, and surroundings to sound right to me. I've owned several pair and still own an early pair that I picked up as a package deal years ago. I've had a few set ups where they really shined and a few where they were all but worthless. They like big power and an open area. To me they sound better 30ft away then right in front of them. Mine have been relegated to be the set I wheel out on the deck for outside use, on a system I put together just for that use with a pro amp and Carver preamp getting its music from an Philips SD card based DVD player that can hold enough music to play for days without repeating. If someone was to ask me what I regret selling the most its most likely a 25w NAD receiver I had a few years ago. It was a freebie that I got from a friend of a friend that was a bit rough looking, it had been dropped, had a few chips on the corners of the face, and the volume pot had gotten so bad it wouldn't remain playing without constant movement. I cleaned the all the pots with DeOxid, found a better, used volume pot from fleabay, and set it up on a pair of small JbL bookshelf speakers. At first I was completely disappointed in the sound, I had been playing it with a Beogram turntable and nothing sounded right, with that combo. I sold the Beogram and switched to a Technics SL1200 for a bit, and that didn't sound any better, I ended up selling the SL1200, and the Jbl speakers, then hooked it to a pair of then newly acquired Realistic tower speakers using an older DVD player that I had trash picked and cleaned up. It didn't hit me right away but I really noticed how clear it was while in the next room. It had good range and female vocals, and fine instruments sounded like they were right next me. I heard things in music I've had for years that I hadn't heard before. It remained set up there till the speakers sold, and I swapped in several other pairs of speakers and it remained very much one of the easiest to listen to systems I've had. I was selling a few pair of speakers one day and using that NAD to demo them, and the buyer made me an offer I felt was more than fair and I let it go. I should have never parted with it. I've had others since and none sounded like that one. The one thing it did teach me is that to never sell any component until all possible combinations have been tried. More often then not its just a matter of finding the right combo. I've had some high end gear sound really bad, often bad enough to assume there's something wrong with it, only to set it aside and end up bringing it back out to try with something completely different only to finally get to hear what its really capable of. Finding the right combo also often has nothing to do with price range of the equipment, quite often its been a combo of a high end amp and a cheap set of speakers or the reverse that's amazed me most. I have noticed that at least in my opinion, some brands work best with certain other brands more often than not and some brands of speakers are very picky as to what they're connected to. I can't count how many times a really high end pair of speakers that has disappointed me time and time again only to find they come into their own connected to some rack system amp you bought for $10 at the fleamarket or connected to some salvaged amp board playing on the bench connected with jumper wires.
Does anyone know what a KR 9600 is or what brand? My grandma recently passed within the past year and she still had it in her possession my grandfather's receiver with something like a JBL paragon hooked up to it (looked like a coffee table). It has sat in the garage for years collecting dust and finally I just went ahead and donated it to Goodwill.
Speakers are hard to choose. I have had them all form JBL L100 to Pioneer home 100s and last yr I did something different probably midlife crises but I did it anyway. I been following a small company USA made speakers called ZU Audio and I bought a upgraded pair of DW6 s and wow what a game changer .
As Kevin (from Skylabs) would say, "This is a fun one." It is. I had found out about you around the same time as Kevin and Skylabs, so it is cool that you both crossed paths. Now for starters, with the vintage receivers, I am one of the few vintage audio lovers that is NOT a Marantz lover. Mostly it is because of the looks and not really the sound, although, when compared to other receivers, I tend to prefer Sansui. So that it is my preference. What is it about the Marantz look I don't like? The blue lights on silver. Blue works on Black, like it does with McIntosh, but I just don't like the way it looks with silver. I think green might have been better. But the thing I don't like the most about Marantz, is the horizontal tuning dial. I just don't like it. Skipping ahead to a particular test song. Well, most would find this odd and this is something that happened recently. I was trying out a pair of KEF Q350 speakers and I was auditioning Madonna's Immaculate Collection album. I got tip off from another YoutTuber that mentioned this is a good album for sound stage and imaging. I had found that surprising, but since I owned the album already, I gave it a shot. ...The RUclipsr was correct. This is an amazing album for imaging and sound stage. Now, on the KEF speakers, the last song on the album, called Rescue Me, features a thunderstorm and this was so expansive that it sounded like it was BEHIND me. So that was a huge WOW! moment for me. Your beef item with Skylabs. Klipsch Heresy. Well, like yourself, I was looking for this very speaker for a while as I had heard so much about Klipsch as I was growing up. It was supposedly the go to speaker for anyone desiring to listen to sound through a tube amplifier. However, I have heard time and again of the low frequency response, or lack there of on the Heresy speakers. I had found that odd, but then again, they are cramming a huge 12" woofer into a small cabinet. Also, learning of the history behind the Heresy as it was meant to be a center channel speaker for the Klipshorns, had me rethinking what it was that I was looking for. While I have not heard many speakers in the Klipsch Heritage line, I had the opportunity to audition a friend's pair of Klipsch Forte speakers, and I was floored. Mainly so because he was using the speakers for DJ work and only was using a 100wpc amplifier, which is what the speakers were rated for. He did a 200 person party with those speakers and I was just amazed at the sound quality AND quantity. So this would be the go-to speaker for me out of the Heritage Line. I mean, if you love the way the Heresy's sound, then stick with them. Especially if you have a sub as well. I just felt like the speaker was too big and too expensive and then to have to get a sub for it? Naw. You don't need a sub with the Forte's and it is a nice size speaker. Perhaps trading up to those would be prudent. If money and space were no object...KLIPSHORNS! What I am looking for now? Well, it is a couple of things. I do need a DAC (funny you should mention reviewing those). I think I might end up with either the Denafrips Enyo (Ares II) or the Geshelli Labs J2 AKM4499. I am also looking for a preamp that has balanced outputs. Naturally, I went straight to Sansui here, but found that they didn't make many preamps and the ones they did make are very expensive now. I have been giving a strong hard look at the Douk Audio T8 Pro, which is a preamp that has a 7 band eq on it and it has XLR inputs and outputs. The specs look good on it, but I am not sure if this is really a "hi-end" product. Cheap Audio Man did a review on it and likes it, so I might try one out. An item that came out that found I can't live without. Well, it isn't related to audio, but I bought myself one of those tree saws on an extension pole and it has the twig trimmer built in. I LOVE it! I don't have to go up on a ladder to trim my trees anymore! Anyway, keep up the great work here and I certainly am game for another DAC review, or if you review some music too!
@@ForeverAnalog I have had a few myself, but again, for reasons of moving, most had to go, including a 9090. BUT, the cooler looking G 7500 won out, and that is the one I kept. In fact, that one is my living room system. I always had a soft spot for the G series.
14:42 Ha! I have that exact same grabber picker-upper "The Claw" doohickey which I bought from a local Dollarama in Canada years ago and it has come in handy when picking up audio cables inconveniently fallen behind a TV console or any other items that are awkward to grab. Never underestimate the usefulness of such an odd-looking device. Haha! :)
15:57 Haha! I have those same banana plug spade adapters too! They are so handy when dealing with pesky vintage stereo receivers or amps or older speakers that used those annoying screws in the back instead of banana plugs or even lesser spring tab connectors (that are still better than those irritating screws). I highly, HIGHLY recommend them to audio gear collectors. :)
13:15 I've been using my 160 GB 7th generation iPod Classic continuously ever since I bought it used on eBay 15 to 20 years ago. I also have a 120 GB iPod Classic for redundancy. I use my iPod for train trips, flights, or for relaxing at home and I have devices to connect it to any stereo system too, but I mainly use it as a portable device and I transferred hundreds of my CDs onto it for the convenience. :)
So the question is. Do you like flat-line response or do you like live music? You can go with the "it's not how the musician intended for you to hear it" line. But what you need to understand is that in many cases the musician signs off on the final take over a telephone or a video call. Don't believe me? I have been playing drums for over 50 years. I've taken lessons from people like Joe Morello and I have recorded and played live in venues like The New Haven Colosseum. I have been in bands that okayed the final take on a cassette Ghetto Blaster. All we want as musicians is for it to sound good and sell as many records as possible. I always like the live sound. No fluctuations mean no character and no soul. If I want a perfect dead-on response with no fluctuations, I'll sit at home and listen to my metronome. It's perfect, but it's as boring as hell.
HERESY! FOREVER! The best criticism of them is the crossovers and the binding posts which are relatively easy to fix. I visited the Audio Club on base for months listening to the everything in the store. I had to have the Heresy. They were small enough to move with most of the sound of the larger siblings. Listen to Nobody's Home by Kansas! There is someone in the speaker knocking to get out. That sealed the deal for me! I had to pause at the Bluetooth subject and rant to myself. I am fine with podcasts and broadcast TV late at night on Bluetooth. Why oh why dumb down the music!
@@OldGuyHifi I agree with Kevin's comment that they are great for kids or headphones but if you have an interest in building a traditional two channel set up, it seems silly to not just have a regular table connected appropriately.
I have a pair of gripper/pincher….super useful tool….it has saved my life. I’m working on putting together an audio system. I have my iPod that still works and listen to the same music before the iPod when I got the iPod and after the iPod (remember I was born March of ‘75) so I have seen music formats change. If I had a gazillion dollars I would have a super hi-end hi-fi system using vinyl…..but the new system I’m putting together is CD based because I am way to paranoid if playing vinyl and scratch it while handling it I would need to have unlimited supply of Valium to calm my nerves. The system is going to be a hybrid of vintage & modern/semi pro-sumer setup.
If you're going to upgrade your Klipsch Heresy's I would recommend going with the Klipsch Forte IV's. The passive radiator is a huge upgrade. I very much dislike speakers with ports. The a/d/s/ L810's were great speakers but finding a pair in decent shape these days is not easy.
The CSS Typhons are on clearance right now. A true full-range speaker from an excellent company. If I didn't already own Cornwalls I'd spring for them.
While I appreciate the nostalgia surrounding vintage audio that served me well 50+ years ago, the current paralysis analysis of overinflated gear has also helped me decide to once again splurge for a new system, be done with it, and get on with enjoying the music. After all, isn't that what it's all about? "If it sounds good, it is good." -Duke Ellington
@@ForeverAnalog Call me crazy, but as a recent retiree with no kids, I've actually considered a MAC7200, or a 6700 if I can still find one. You gotta admit, they're pretty 'sexy' -more so than my ex. LOL
You've got a point regarding a VHS player and I think a reel-to-reel deck is also similar to a film projector with two reels; one full of film and the other being an empty take-up reel.
@@TorontoJonA high quality reel-to-reel machine is like 70mm. IMAX FILM. I recently almost donated a whole box of my own prerecorded VHS TAPES and S-VHS PLAYER. I just remembered that I can make great stereo audio recordings. Now imagine that I could've had two 3/4" U-MATIC SONY Recorders with built in TBC and plenty of brand new tapes to go with it!!!
Klipsch Heresy speakers are great, but you have to incorporate a subwoofer into the system to get the desired bass. With Klipsch heritage speakers, you have to like horns. I own a pair of heresy II's and a pair of Cornwall II's.
I've got the same MC505 McIntosh amp and C26 McIntosh preamp as well as an MR71 McIntosh stereo tuner. That amp and preamp must have been sold as a set back in the late '60s or early '70s in Hi-Fi shops I'm thinking. Mine is a one owner set that actually came from my dad. When I was a little kid he got into Hi-Fi for a while but then by about 1976 he had gotten out of it. In the 1980s, when I was getting into it as a teenager, I brought down all of the McIntosh equipment he had built into a large wooden case he made which was stored upstairs in his closet in the master bedroom. He was out of town a lot but he wasn't too happy when he came back and saw me using this equipment. But he didn't make me put it up and I got to enjoy it off and on up through about 1990. Only a few years. But I just recently got it from him and it's been stored in his closet almost since he quit using it back in the 1970s. Other than the little bit of use I got to get out of it of course. But I'll never forget the sound and now that I have it I want to use it! But I'm too nervous to plug it in and turn it on, I'm legally blind and can't do the work myself now, and I really want to have it looked at and see if anything like recapping needs to be done. Just a month ago I sold the family house down in Houston where this equipment had been for so many years. I tore the house apart looking for cabinets for this Macintosh equipment. But no joy. I asked my dad if he knew where the cabinets were but then he could not remember if he had actually ever gotten cabinets for it or not? I wish I could post a picture here but that's not possible. I also brought back some Acoustic Research AR-3 and AR-3a speakers as well as some Wharfedale speakers but they all need work. I did kind of blow some of those back when I was a teenager haha. Both the amp and preamp are solid state but the tuner is tube. My financial situation has made it where it's probably going to be a while before I can afford to first off find any cases for the gear and second off get it work on. And I can't even find a place that can look at it in the DFW area. Any recommendations on a Dallas/ Fort Worth Hi-Fi shop? There's one that I know of, and I'm not going to mention any names, but it is the dirtiest place around and it just doesn't seem like people have been happy with it looking at reviews. It's not a place I want to take what my dad finally passed on to me and leave it for who knows how long. Anyhow, sorry for the long, run on paragraph but Google's doing the typing and I'm going to try to use my magnifier and proofread it. And thanks for any recommendations if you might have any on a Hi Hi-Fi shop or where find reasonably priced cabinets for this vintage McIntosh gear! Brian in Fort Worth 🎶
@ForeverAnalog : As an audiophile ( whatever this is, individually defined ), I enjoyed this your Q&A very much. It makes it clear ( again ) that I am on a journey with this hobby and my passion, and I dare to say you too. Thank you for sharing the personal details ( which BTW are all very well understand even to me as a non-native English speaker ).
Thank you for watching and the kind words. This hobby is a journey for me and not a destination so we might as well have as much fun as we can along the way!
Great video Aaron. I’m in the Nashville area as well and you might want to check out a repair shop called J&T Electronics Repair. Luckily I haven’t needed any repairs in the last few years since the guy over on Nolensville road(Hi Tech) closed up shop (I used him once on an ADC equalizer repair and he did a great job). J&T doesn’t seem to have a brick and mortar shop but they do have an Instagram account. They specialize in 70s hi-fi. I think the next time I need a repair I may give them a try.
I love my Klipsch Heresy ii's I added a SVS Micro 3000 to handle the low end. I've also replaced the harsher Klipsch tweeters with Crites Titanium and recapped the crossovers. Bottom line they sound wonderful. I can listen to them for hours. I don't agree with Kevin LoL 🤣
I inherited a pair of Klipsch speakers from my father-in-law over 20 years ago. I kept them until 2000. My wife and I were moving and she told me that if I did not want them that I should sell them. They were model KG-???? They had a horn and a couple of other drivers in the front and maybe something in the back. I just never liked the sound of them. They sure did look nice though and the cabinets were solid wood. I remember he had to wait several months to get those speakers.
Did you say you were in Nashville? Surely, there must be a repair facility closer to you than Kevin's shop, 11 hours away. Have you ever checked out Cherry Vintage in Greenville SC? I live in Eastern TN and I've always been impressed with the research they do on each piece of gear that they sell. And for me, they are a 2 hours' drive and that is doable. Or perhaps you are just being tongue-in-cheek?
@@ForeverAnalog I guess they are a dying breed. I's sure Cherry Vintage in Greenville SC has a tech that works for their store and that must be closer than West Des Moines IA. How about Memphis?
Definitly get that RT 909 into a system. I have one and it's probably my favorite source I've ever purchased. I find albums to be much more finicky than tape and I managed to get a rare very old RL Zep 2 on tape before it developed a skip and making recordings with the 909 is a pleasure and I think the end result sounds just as good if not better than the album somehow if that's even possible. I find many prerecorded tapes sound better than albums and for some reason easy listening or folk like Simon and Garfunkel or Bread tapes are still cheap and some of the best recordings I own and I've been down the dac rabbit hole with r2r and tube dacs. Funny how the very oldest format sounds best. Klipsche speakers are awesome and my Forte IVs probably edge out my JBL l100 classics and l96s as my favorite speakers once I got the amplification right (class A hybrid). Granted, I haven't heard Heresys but I know they were a popular speaker reviewers favorite speakers for quite a while. They are kind of outrageously expensive as are JBLs these days so I buy used or at least wait for them to be discounted. It took 6 years for the classics but well worth the wait as they are so good loocking and fun. My RT909 and Klipshe speakers are the gear I'd not part since I consider Forte's end game and I got my IV's used about the same as new Heresy's but of course shiipping eas a killer
I saw Kevin's challenge & when he said "streaming" was his favorite way to listen to music, I was actually shocked! It's records, cassettes & CD's forever with me! Sometimes, I use Bluetooth, but that's rarely.
Honestly, streaming was a tempting answer for me because it's all right there in your hand but I love shopping too much to make it my final choice lol.
Kevin did say he usually streams because it is so convenient. I get that. Thankfully, we all have different tastes and preferences. And ears! To each his own. 👍🏼🎶
I could’ve swore Kevin stated “if he had to choose from all the options” type of hypothetical question 🤔 I’ll have to re-watch the video. Streaming definitely has its time for use. I’ll always prefer physical media though 😎
@@MusicalHifi54 Yes. You heard right, the other guy, fail. Typical response by someone NOT paying attention. Kevin said "if you can only have ONE format".
Heresy speakers are excellent. I have heard Cornwalls that broke my mind though. Honestly, you could get a pair and if you didn't like them probably sell them for what you got in them. But I like all the Klipsch I have heard, so there is that.
I have to agree with Kevin and others. Owned Heresy II speakers several years ago and really didn't care for them. They were sold off quickly. Lots of better vintage options out there
Good video. When you said you sold the matching pre-amp to your old Mcintosh amp I groaned in agony with you. Sometimes you don't know what you have until it's gone. Take care.
To get the most out of your Heresy's I would recommend pairing them with the Rogue Audio Sphinx V3 Magnum Edition. If you feel that you would like some more bottom-end toss in JL Audio Dominion d110. Sit back.. be happy.
Seriously, try it. Made in the USA and there aren't nearly enough in-depth reviews on the Sphinx v3. I own one and have it paired with the Heresy IVs. Would love to get your opinion. Like I said, the JL Audio Dominion d110 rounds them out beautifully.
Marantz started it all. But In 78, I bought a new Pioneer SX 780. I currently own a ‘72 Marantz 2245 that I had restored. If I had one song: “when the levee breaks” Led Zeppelin 4 Perfect system? Marantz 2275, JBL-L-166 Horizon speakers. Format: vinyl My next update will be reel to reel. Probably Akai. My Marantz is my show piece. I have other receivers (Onkyo, Harmon Kardon) As of now, I can’t live without my Auris Bluetooth. 😂
FWIW, Kevin’s fav speakers are the next one up, ADS L810s. I have had them for 45 years. I was delighted when he said he appreciates them. I guess we all like our choices validated.
I gave a Sansui unused still in original box to a work buddy. Won an auction for 27 dollars on eBay during a lightning storm. Cranked Nazareth Son of Bitch and smiled at the time. Most Sansui's are sweet!!
Ha, you correctly understood the "format" question., I'm not sure why others responded with genre instead of format. Oh, so true about bluetooth on the TT, that's flat out ridiculous.
@painttoad from AK in Illinois is my goto guy for repairs. He has a “no fly list” for transistors and Marantz used them. He repaired my 2245 and it rivals (and in some ways) surpasses my Sansui AU-999.
Do you regret selling any of your gear?
Yep ... I had a pair of original Heresys, with the oil caps and all. I still miss them every time I want to play some 60s and 70s rock and roll.
@@Douglas_Blake_579 I hear ya
Yes. I regret letting my Akai reel-to-reel tape deck go, Got it new in ‘72. I loved recording albums to tape and creating 5.5 hours of music that matched well with each other. The “OG” tape mixer. 🎶😎
@Norman-bone13 I need to use my 909 more. Akai made some amazing decks!
@@ForeverAnalog Yes they did indeed. I learned about recording in the process of having fun listening to music as recorded. Your Pioneer deck looks cool.
So I forgot to mention. Stick with what you like. The only person that needs to be impressed is you. Everyone else can have their opinions. They just can't have your ears.
You on the money !!!!!
Thank you @@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120
So true. Such an obvious mindset, yet so overlooked
Loved it Aaron- Thanks for playing! I use Morning Bell off Kid A- whole album is amazing. I agree with you on BT turntables "unless" its for kids or for headphones. Thanks for not being offended about the Heresy's- get ADS L710 or 810s =) Love those little spade connectors too.
Thanks again for asking me to contribute - this was so much fun!
The pincher-grabber for cable use is BRILLIANT!
Thanks 😊😂
Funny you brought this up. I found mine in my garage about a month or two ago. They have been such a big help for a multitude of reasons. To be honest, I haven’t used it in my HiFi setup but you have me thinking about it and considering it. I will keep you posted.
Steely Dan - Black Cow - a great demo track
As someone who sold hi-fi gear in the mid to late 70s, Receivers were never used in the hi-fi listening rooms where you could audition speakers like the Heresy's, with very nice turntables, and tape decks, all hooked up to very hi end seperate amps and preamps. The better the equipment used, the better the Heresys sounded. I got my Hersey's in 1972, and they are all original, and I still love them. We also sold McIntosh, and they were in the back hi-fi audition listening rooms well, they were built like a tank, but we only sold them to someone who came in dead set on buying them, we did not use them to audition any of our speakers, turntables, or tape decks, our other amps and preamps just sounded better. All of the Receivers that we sold, were paired to low cost speakers like the Advent, KLH or Polk speakers. I dont know of any real stereo stores in the area that even sold Pioneer, you could buy them at the campus book store, and they weren't even hooked up to listen to. The students just bought them by their power output. And now Receivers are a cult favorite, I can see why they are attractive, but they were never hi-fi, in the true world of hi-fi, they were a good bargain of the times, for a all in one unit. If you want an analogy, a 1972 Camaro is not a 1972 911, both good products, but not the same.
Thanks for sharing and watching!
obviously not the same - the Camaro didn't have an external oil-filler door.
First Piece of Gear
was a
1972 Montgomery Wards
AM/FM Stereo 8-Track
Turntable All in One with
Two 8” Bookshelves Speakers 🔊
Yes I Was In Audio Heaven
Awesome, thanks for sharing and watching!
Hey…these top 11 list are great. That crafty Kevin’s got the community buzzing. Watched US of A’s video yesterday. FA and that grabber thing…I’m 😂over hear. You look so satisfied…🤣🍻
Thanks for watching! I had a lot of Fun and so happy Kevin asked me!
My weakness (or, rather, my preference) is that, rather than spend a fortune on one "high-end" audio system, I love vintage '60s and '70s stuff (the look, the feel, the sound) so much that I want to hook up a whole bunch of pieces and use audio showroom switches to effortlessly "swap out" various amps/receivers, inputs (turntables, disc players, streamers, DACs), and speakers. So, that's what I did. Took me forever to connect so much of the stuff I'd collected for so many years, but now whenever one combination starts to sound tired to me, I can just push a few buttons and -- voila! -- I've got a whole new system instantly operational! (BTW, I've had very little experience with, or interest in, horn speakers -- but my current set-up allows me to compare the only horn speakers I've ever owned, the popular Klipsch RP-600Ms, with more conventional speakers: Polk R-200, Focal Chora 806, Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G, Triangle BR03. There are times when the Klipsch speakers are just the right fit for a certain kind of music and a certain amp...)
Great points thank you!!!
Becoming one of my favs man great vid. Always fascinating. I’m an audiophile in my own way but it would make real audiophiles cry but learning is the fun for me, and slowly accumulating what’s in my means. Thanks for being a cool inspiration in the community. I really only make kind thanks like this to RUclipsrs who have cool personalities. The list is not long!
You are too kind, thank you!
"The pincher grabber thing..". I just nearly spit out my beer..😅
Cheers, friend! Hope you have an awesome weekend!
And the irony is I HAVE one...very valuable item for those of us who are older, shorter, and lazier at times😂
Mrs B-side is vertically challenged…She calls it a Nifty Nabber, (and just sent me an Amazon screenshot)…😂😂
@jimmyBside amazing
When I was in kindergarten back in the 1950's my teacher taught us that Benjamin Franklin invented many things. One of his inventions was the "Long arm (extension arm) to reach high books (1786)". I have owned a version of his invention since the 1960's. It has 101 uses. Especially if you are mechanically inclined and like to work with your hands but sometimes have butter fingers.
Love this, thank you!!!
Pincher grabber thing! Yes, I got one at Harbor Freight Tools and I keep one in the corner of my music room. It real comes in handy reaching for cables and other stuff. This was a fun video to watch and I’m jumping over to your McIntosh video.
Thanks for sharing and watching!
Great video. So many great questions and your answers are really good.
I don't think you should feel bad about your Klipsch Heresys at all. Many many people can attest to how great they are. Of course that's all very much dependent on the room and your taste!
Money no object to spend on stereo: three different systems, each very different style in three different room setups. 1 - Tube system with large horn speakers in a large room with bare surfaces. 2 - McIntosh solid state system with tall, narrow tower style speakers in a medium sized room that's treated for medium absorption and some diffusion. 3 - Crown amps with Klipschorns or JBL 4367s in a small warehouse with Persian carpets and six couches. That last one is the "beer and tunes" system. Everything would be primarily for vinyl playback.
I got those spade to banana adapters and found the banana holes to be way too small. They simply didn't work and I returned them. I don't get who's using those because they just don't fit standard banana connectors. Not only are they too small in diameter, they're much too shallow. If you made them work, can you show a video and the model of banana plugs you used? I wanted those to work so badly but in the end I realized that they're just not the right size for anything I have in my box of connectors.
Thanks for sharing and for watching!
Thank you for doing the challenge! Watched your first video years ago about the 2270 and then the Klipsch floor speakers you picked up a little latter. Great video! Cheers.
Thanks for watching!
If you love the sound of your speakers, that is all that matters. Everyone has an opinion. Yours is what matters. Enjoy what music you like and on the system you enjoy. BTW, Wish I had your Klipsch!
Well said!
Klipsch all the way; love my Cornwalls. Wouldn't sell them for $10,000
Absolutely love the accessories ❤ you’re spot on with the choices. They solve two very,very real problems
Yes! Thank you!
I upgraded Klipsch Hereseys for Klipsch Fortes, no regrets, except I do wonder about those Cornwalls🙂
Awesome. Let me know if you want coparent some Cornwalls to help with the pricing lol
The banana plug thing is a great idea because I have a pair of Klipsh Cornwall's 2 (1976) and I want to keep them original.
I love them!
The pincher-grabber is a good idea and I have been using a modified compact version for years that keeps the wires in reach at all times, before I remove any cable I attach plastic chip clips to the cable so they can't get away from me. The clip itself can work, or I sometimes use a second clip to secure it to something else while I move gear.
My responses to Kevin's list:
1. Marantz 2238B that I inherited from my dad
2. Marantz 2238B
3. Surround system
4. Track #8 on Alegria ~ Cirque Du Soleil (Mirko), track #12 is also very good.
5. Big ADS, vintage McIntosh, a really nice CD player
6. CD
7. Streaming
8. Room treatment, or a listening room built from scratch
9. N/A
10. ADS L780/2s
11. Schiit external DAC for my CD changer
Awesome, thanks for sharing and watching!
this was a lucky buy....my audioresearch SP3a1 tubed preamp. it is a classic that I got at a bargain price and the sound is so profound that that ADCO GFP565 NEVER was repopulated to my system. it does NOT sound like the "stereotyped" tubey soft and rubbery sound in any way. it's dead flat and extends seemingly from DC to daylight with vividly accurate tonality with imaging and soundstaging that is enviable.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing and watching!
I agree with you on the speaker stress. I have 3 sets hooked up to my stereo, but my custom upgraded originals probably sound the best. Still searching...
The hunt never ends, lol! Thanks for watching!
I noticed your Pioneer SX9000. I love mine. It’s hard to believe it was built in 1972 and it can hold its own with all my amps. (It’s been recapped). Including my Mac 6500 & my Denon A110. klipsch are my favorite speakers too! I’ve got a pair of Heresy IVs & Forte IVs Lol Enjoyed the video. Be well. ✌️
Thanks for watching. Sounds like you have some great gear as well!
I love my 9000. Its recapped but the tuner still dead on it.
100% Agree with the Pioneer RT-909. I have seriously considered shelling out the big bucks to get one and have it brought up to snuff, and then just getting ONE good tape and have it going constantly just because it looks so cool!
I’m inspired now to use mine more. Thanks for watching!
Back around 77 Pioneer came out with 2 reel to reels, both jet black - They sold for about $1400 and the other for about $1800. If I remember right they were Pioneer's version of Pro models. They were actually very seductive especially at 3 1/2 inches/second
Well im certainly bias because i grew up with klipsch heresy since a baby literally. My dad had heresy II's. The house always rocked and it felt good to my soul. I still have them and use them with a 70wpc technics integrated. However, i did purchase a set of cornwalls which i have connected to my 100 wpc ab class yamaha integrated. But i would never recommend anyone upgrade from heresy in the way of getting rid of em altogether. Maybe id suggest adding a sub or bi amping them on an active crossover instead of a passive one for more bass. Love your channel. Youre the humble audiophile. Not the pretentious one. I appreciate that!
Thank you for the kind words!
I found my old iPod too. I used to use mine at work. I was in a cubicle and put my ear buds in and got 8-10 hours a day out of it. Can't remember exactly what version i have but I have the original box and charger.
Awesome! Thanks for watching and sharing!
CDs are the way to go.
I will miss the included stuff you get with the vinyl, however.
P.S. I have one of those grabber things -- my mom had one! -- but it won't help me find the LP Gear Series V cartridge that I knocked off the two-ton console on which a lot of my stereo gear sits. Because there are so many wires and cables back there that the cartridge never hit the ground. It's probably snagged in a tangle of wires about two feet from the floor -- and I can't see it, so I can't grab it.
Good luck!
My NAD player had poor error correction, so I gave it to Goodwill. My 25 year old Sony SACD still works great and plays everything .
Sorry to hear about the NAD but great news on the Sony!
Currently have Marantz 2220b paired with my old Klipsch KG4’s. Been looking for a 2270 and a pair of Heresy’s. Great rig!
Awesome! Those 2220s put out a lot more punch than you'd expect! Thanks for watching.
A buddy of mine has a set of Klipsch Forte's, and he's had them since the early 90's. I always thought i wanted a pair, but honestly, at this point, i would really have to give them one heck of a test run. The speaker that really has peaked my interest is the Lintons. No cost options. I'd have to look into either Luxman or Accuphase. You have a lot of cool stuff. Great video.
Thank you! As I mentioned, speaker buying stresses me out so much lol. I heard a pair of Tannoys last weekend that at first I loved but after listening for awhile I started to realize they were way to bass heavy for me.
Did you like the Zu DWX enough to replace the Heresys? What are they lacking if not? They are a little too high of a reach on the money tree for myself but think they look fantastic and hope / wish they sound as good as the look. Love the banana plug converters! A link in the description?
Yes, link in description for adapters. The Zu's were a friends and back with him so I don't have them anymore unfortunately!
I noticed the Marantz doesn’t have any feet on the bottom. I’m not sure if you got it that way or if you took them off to fit in that tight cabinet but I don’t see how it’s getting any airflow because it’s sitting directly on the bottom grill.
Yep, once I have this rebuilt I will deal with that issue as well, lol. It's always something with vintage gear!
I love Skylabs! Everyone has their tastes in speakers! Keep the Klipsch!!! I love mine! Although I can't afford the ones you have, I love my KLF 30's! I run those with my Vega AT 12's, the Quintet V's, and my 2 M&K 76 sub's
Awesome. Thanks for watching!
Fun video, and I almost fell off my Sith Audio Audiophile Toilet Seat when you mentioned your RT-909. MY RT-909 sat next to my main system for three years, looking absolutely splendid, and very rarely ever being played. In a moment of weakness , I gave in to the insane asking prices, and recently sold mine 😢.
Your Klipsch speakers are probably better than 95% (99%?) of all box speakers out there. Maybe try some Magnepan speakers. Your Mac should have plenty of current to drive most of them. Maybe budget a bit for a sub, though!
Have fun!
Thanks for watching and sharing! We need a RT-909 regret channel lol.
If you like klipsch, that's all that counts. Klipsch can be glorious speakers when set up well!
Awesome, thanks for watching!
I've owned Klipsch for over 30 years. KG2, KG4, Forte ii twice and La Scalas. The problem with Klipsch is they are so efficient and usually overpowered. So they sound shrill. They need to be powered with tube amplification. I've tried so many solid state amplifiers with good results. But when I went all tube, they sound wonderful!
I love mine with tubes as well. Thanks for sharing and watching!
I have purchased and sold 3 sets of Heresy’s and one set of Cornwall’s.
I suggest for vintage Polk Audio SDA 1C or Magnepan LRS plus for new.
Thanks for sharing and watching!
I bought the heresy iii upgrade kit from Klipsch for my heresy ll. I love the results. It is much better sounding to my ears.
Awesome - the gentlemen I bought mine from had already done the same! Thanks for watching and sharing!
Klipsch Heresy speakers have always been one of those speakers that just needs to find the right combination of amp, source, and surroundings to sound right to me.
I've owned several pair and still own an early pair that I picked up as a package deal years ago. I've had a few set ups where they really shined and a few where they were all but worthless.
They like big power and an open area. To me they sound better 30ft away then right in front of them. Mine have been relegated to be the set I wheel out on the deck for outside use, on a system I put together just for that use with a pro amp and Carver preamp getting its music from an Philips SD card based DVD player that can hold enough music to play for days without repeating.
If someone was to ask me what I regret selling the most its most likely a 25w NAD receiver I had a few years ago. It was a freebie that I got from a friend of a friend that was a bit rough looking, it had been dropped, had a few chips on the corners of the face, and the volume pot had gotten so bad it wouldn't remain playing without constant movement. I cleaned the all the pots with DeOxid, found a better, used volume pot from fleabay, and set it up on a pair of small JbL bookshelf speakers. At first I was completely disappointed in the sound, I had been playing it with a Beogram turntable and nothing sounded right, with that combo. I sold the Beogram and switched to a Technics SL1200 for a bit, and that didn't sound any better, I ended up selling the SL1200, and the Jbl speakers, then hooked it to a pair of then newly acquired Realistic tower speakers using an older DVD player that I had trash picked and cleaned up. It didn't hit me right away but I really noticed how clear it was while in the next room. It had good range and female vocals, and fine instruments sounded like they were right next me. I heard things in music I've had for years that I hadn't heard before.
It remained set up there till the speakers sold, and I swapped in several other pairs of speakers and it remained very much one of the easiest to listen to systems I've had.
I was selling a few pair of speakers one day and using that NAD to demo them, and the buyer made me an offer I felt was more than fair and I let it go. I should have never parted with it.
I've had others since and none sounded like that one.
The one thing it did teach me is that to never sell any component until all possible combinations have been tried. More often then not its just a matter of finding the right combo.
I've had some high end gear sound really bad, often bad enough to assume there's something wrong with it, only to set it aside and end up bringing it back out to try with something completely different only to finally get to hear what its really capable of. Finding the right combo also often has nothing to do with price range of the equipment, quite often its been a combo of a high end amp and a cheap set of speakers or the reverse that's amazed me most.
I have noticed that at least in my opinion, some brands work best with certain other brands more often than not and some brands of speakers are very picky as to what they're connected to. I can't count how many times a really high end pair of speakers that has disappointed me time and time again only to find they come into their own connected to some rack system amp you bought for $10 at the fleamarket or connected to some salvaged amp board playing on the bench connected with jumper wires.
Thanks for sharing and watching!
Had a Pioneer SX-450 in the late 70s/early 80s. I regret replacing it. Wish I still had it.
Thanks for watching and sharing!
Does anyone know what a KR 9600 is or what brand? My grandma recently passed within the past year and she still had it in her possession my grandfather's receiver with something like a JBL paragon hooked up to it (looked like a coffee table). It has sat in the garage for years collecting dust and finally I just went ahead and donated it to Goodwill.
Speakers are hard to choose. I have had them all form JBL L100 to Pioneer home 100s and last yr I did something different probably midlife crises but I did it anyway. I been following a small company USA made speakers called ZU Audio and I bought a upgraded pair of DW6 s and wow what a game changer .
I reviewed some Zu speakers on my channel and they were fun, especially with low powered tubes!
I owned 23 pair of Hereseys. I tended to suffer from listening fatigue. The horn loaded mids and tweeters tend to be a bit shrill after a while.
That a lot of Heresy!
I have owned KG4, Forte II still own Heresy I, Chorus II, La Scala. The La Scalas sound the most live. I only really play jazz on the Heresy
Awesome. Thanks for sharing!
As Kevin (from Skylabs) would say, "This is a fun one." It is. I had found out about you around the same time as Kevin and Skylabs, so it is cool that you both crossed paths. Now for starters, with the vintage receivers, I am one of the few vintage audio lovers that is NOT a Marantz lover. Mostly it is because of the looks and not really the sound, although, when compared to other receivers, I tend to prefer Sansui. So that it is my preference. What is it about the Marantz look I don't like? The blue lights on silver. Blue works on Black, like it does with McIntosh, but I just don't like the way it looks with silver. I think green might have been better. But the thing I don't like the most about Marantz, is the horizontal tuning dial. I just don't like it.
Skipping ahead to a particular test song. Well, most would find this odd and this is something that happened recently. I was trying out a pair of KEF Q350 speakers and I was auditioning Madonna's Immaculate Collection album. I got tip off from another YoutTuber that mentioned this is a good album for sound stage and imaging. I had found that surprising, but since I owned the album already, I gave it a shot. ...The RUclipsr was correct. This is an amazing album for imaging and sound stage. Now, on the KEF speakers, the last song on the album, called Rescue Me, features a thunderstorm and this was so expansive that it sounded like it was BEHIND me. So that was a huge WOW! moment for me.
Your beef item with Skylabs. Klipsch Heresy. Well, like yourself, I was looking for this very speaker for a while as I had heard so much about Klipsch as I was growing up. It was supposedly the go to speaker for anyone desiring to listen to sound through a tube amplifier. However, I have heard time and again of the low frequency response, or lack there of on the Heresy speakers. I had found that odd, but then again, they are cramming a huge 12" woofer into a small cabinet. Also, learning of the history behind the Heresy as it was meant to be a center channel speaker for the Klipshorns, had me rethinking what it was that I was looking for. While I have not heard many speakers in the Klipsch Heritage line, I had the opportunity to audition a friend's pair of Klipsch Forte speakers, and I was floored. Mainly so because he was using the speakers for DJ work and only was using a 100wpc amplifier, which is what the speakers were rated for. He did a 200 person party with those speakers and I was just amazed at the sound quality AND quantity. So this would be the go-to speaker for me out of the Heritage Line.
I mean, if you love the way the Heresy's sound, then stick with them. Especially if you have a sub as well. I just felt like the speaker was too big and too expensive and then to have to get a sub for it? Naw. You don't need a sub with the Forte's and it is a nice size speaker. Perhaps trading up to those would be prudent.
If money and space were no object...KLIPSHORNS!
What I am looking for now? Well, it is a couple of things. I do need a DAC (funny you should mention reviewing those). I think I might end up with either the Denafrips Enyo (Ares II) or the Geshelli Labs J2 AKM4499. I am also looking for a preamp that has balanced outputs. Naturally, I went straight to Sansui here, but found that they didn't make many preamps and the ones they did make are very expensive now. I have been giving a strong hard look at the Douk Audio T8 Pro, which is a preamp that has a 7 band eq on it and it has XLR inputs and outputs. The specs look good on it, but I am not sure if this is really a "hi-end" product. Cheap Audio Man did a review on it and likes it, so I might try one out.
An item that came out that found I can't live without. Well, it isn't related to audio, but I bought myself one of those tree saws on an extension pole and it has the twig trimmer built in. I LOVE it! I don't have to go up on a ladder to trim my trees anymore!
Anyway, keep up the great work here and I certainly am game for another DAC review, or if you review some music too!
Thanks for watching and sharing your experiences! Sansuis are great and I’ve had a few come and go. I always keep my eyes peeled for more.
@@ForeverAnalog I have had a few myself, but again, for reasons of moving, most had to go, including a 9090. BUT, the cooler looking G 7500 won out, and that is the one I kept. In fact, that one is my living room system. I always had a soft spot for the G series.
Sony strv6 with adc equ and dbx 228 expander and noise reduction sony psx70 with ortofon cartridge. Klipsch lascala. Miss them with all my heart
14:42 Ha! I have that exact same grabber picker-upper "The Claw" doohickey which I bought from a local Dollarama in Canada years ago and it has come in handy when picking up audio cables inconveniently fallen behind a TV console or any other items that are awkward to grab.
Never underestimate the usefulness of such an odd-looking device. Haha! :)
I love it so much and use it all the time!
15:57 Haha! I have those same banana plug spade adapters too! They are so handy when dealing with pesky vintage stereo receivers or amps or older speakers that used those annoying screws in the back instead of banana plugs or even lesser spring tab connectors (that are still better than those irritating screws). I highly, HIGHLY recommend them to audio gear collectors. :)
How many amps were blown over the years due to those annoying screw terminals?!?! Lol
YES! this is what I use on my vintage heresy’s.
13:15 I've been using my 160 GB 7th generation iPod Classic continuously ever since I bought it used on eBay 15 to 20 years ago. I also have a 120 GB iPod Classic for redundancy. I use my iPod for train trips, flights, or for relaxing at home and I have devices to connect it to any stereo system too, but I mainly use it as a portable device and I transferred hundreds of my CDs onto it for the convenience. :)
I hope to get this 30gb 5th gen modded successfully this weekend - wish me luck!
@@ForeverAnalog, good luck and it could make a great new video too, Aaron. :)
Sounds from the ground - Tending the vine.
Is what I tune to.
So the question is. Do you like flat-line response or do you like live music? You can go with the "it's not how the musician intended for you to hear it" line. But what you need to understand is that in many cases the musician signs off on the final take over a telephone or a video call. Don't believe me? I have been playing drums for over 50 years. I've taken lessons from people like Joe Morello and I have recorded and played live in venues like The New Haven Colosseum. I have been in bands that okayed the final take on a cassette Ghetto Blaster. All we want as musicians is for it to sound good and sell as many records as possible. I always like the live sound. No fluctuations mean no character and no soul. If I want a perfect dead-on response with no fluctuations, I'll sit at home and listen to my metronome. It's perfect, but it's as boring as hell.
HERESY! FOREVER! The best criticism of them is the crossovers and the binding posts which are relatively easy to fix. I visited the Audio Club on base for months listening to the everything in the store. I had to have the Heresy. They were small enough to move with most of the sound of the larger siblings. Listen to Nobody's Home by Kansas! There is someone in the speaker knocking to get out. That sealed the deal for me!
I had to pause at the Bluetooth subject and rant to myself. I am fine with podcasts and broadcast TV late at night on Bluetooth. Why oh why dumb down the music!
I've really enjoyed the Heresys, thank you!
As a speaker "upgrade", consider the Klipsch, new, kornerhorns...should go well with any amp/preamp choice(sorry Kevin)...(David)
Awesome thanks!
The room may be the most important component in a sound system
Always but usually the most challenging so we work with what we can afford!
Fun video Aaron. Glad you tagged Kevin.
Thanks for watching Ed!
The Bluetooth turntable is a great one that sucks. @@ForeverAnalog
@@OldGuyHifi I agree with Kevin's comment that they are great for kids or headphones but if you have an interest in building a traditional two channel set up, it seems silly to not just have a regular table connected appropriately.
I have a pair of gripper/pincher….super useful tool….it has saved my life. I’m working on putting together an audio system. I have my iPod that still works and listen to the same music before the iPod when I got the iPod and after the iPod (remember I was born March of ‘75) so I have seen music formats change. If I had a gazillion dollars I would have a super hi-end hi-fi system using vinyl…..but the new system I’m putting together is CD based because I am way to paranoid if playing vinyl and scratch it while handling it I would need to have unlimited supply of Valium to calm my nerves. The system is going to be a hybrid of vintage & modern/semi pro-sumer setup.
Awesome. Thanks for watching and sharing!
If you're going to upgrade your Klipsch Heresy's I would recommend going with the Klipsch Forte IV's. The passive radiator is a huge upgrade. I very much dislike speakers with ports. The a/d/s/ L810's were great speakers but finding a pair in decent shape these days is not easy.
Awesome! Thanks for the suggestion and for watching.
Flamenco Sketches from Kind of Blue is my song for testing and enjoying.
Great choice!
The CSS Typhons are on clearance right now. A true full-range speaker from an excellent company. If I didn't already own Cornwalls I'd spring for them.
Awesome!
I like my Hersey III's but my RF7's have the bottom end that I was missing.
My room is like what you described. Different systems on different walls. Just move the chairs to play the system I want to hear.
That’s amazing!
My Klipsch Belles are the one piece I doubt if I ever will sell
Awesome!
While I appreciate the nostalgia surrounding vintage audio that served me well 50+ years ago, the current paralysis analysis of overinflated gear has also helped me decide to once again splurge for a new system, be done with it, and get on with enjoying the music. After all, isn't that what it's all about?
"If it sounds good, it is good." -Duke Ellington
Awesome! I've decided to try and keep both a modern and vintage system which seems excessive, lol!
@@ForeverAnalog Call me crazy, but as a recent retiree with no kids, I've actually considered a MAC7200, or a 6700 if I can still find one. You gotta admit, they're pretty 'sexy' -more so than my ex. LOL
A reel to reel is like a VHS player :)
You've got a point regarding a VHS player and I think a reel-to-reel deck is also similar to a film projector with two reels; one full of film and the other being an empty take-up reel.
@@TorontoJonA high quality reel-to-reel machine is like 70mm. IMAX FILM. I recently almost donated a whole box of my own prerecorded VHS TAPES and S-VHS PLAYER. I just remembered that I can make great stereo audio recordings. Now imagine that I could've had two 3/4" U-MATIC SONY Recorders with built in TBC and plenty of brand new tapes to go with it!!!
I have to agree with Kevin on the heresys.
I want to like them, but every time I get to hear a pair I hope they are going to be better. I never like them.
Klipsch Heresy speakers are great, but you have to incorporate a subwoofer into the system to get the desired bass. With Klipsch heritage speakers, you have to like horns. I own a pair of heresy II's and a pair of Cornwall II's.
Nice. Agreed on the sub which I also have!
Allied 395 I think was model & pair of pioneer 2 way 8 inch speakers were given to me in 1979 and that started my habit , now have a lot LoL
Thanks for sharing and watching!
You just raised the prices of those pincher grabber units. Thanks a lot! 😊
Hahaha great comment thank you!
I've got the same MC505 McIntosh amp and C26 McIntosh preamp as well as an MR71 McIntosh stereo tuner. That amp and preamp must have been sold as a set back in the late '60s or early '70s in Hi-Fi shops I'm thinking. Mine is a one owner set that actually came from my dad. When I was a little kid he got into Hi-Fi for a while but then by about 1976 he had gotten out of it. In the 1980s, when I was getting into it as a teenager, I brought down all of the McIntosh equipment he had built into a large wooden case he made which was stored upstairs in his closet in the master bedroom. He was out of town a lot but he wasn't too happy when he came back and saw me using this equipment. But he didn't make me put it up and I got to enjoy it off and on up through about 1990. Only a few years. But I just recently got it from him and it's been stored in his closet almost since he quit using it back in the 1970s. Other than the little bit of use I got to get out of it of course. But I'll never forget the sound and now that I have it I want to use it! But I'm too nervous to plug it in and turn it on, I'm legally blind and can't do the work myself now, and I really want to have it looked at and see if anything like recapping needs to be done. Just a month ago I sold the family house down in Houston where this equipment had been for so many years. I tore the house apart looking for cabinets for this Macintosh equipment. But no joy. I asked my dad if he knew where the cabinets were but then he could not remember if he had actually ever gotten cabinets for it or not? I wish I could post a picture here but that's not possible. I also brought back some Acoustic Research AR-3 and AR-3a speakers as well as some Wharfedale speakers but they all need work. I did kind of blow some of those back when I was a teenager haha. Both the amp and preamp are solid state but the tuner is tube. My financial situation has made it where it's probably going to be a while before I can afford to first off find any cases for the gear and second off get it work on. And I can't even find a place that can look at it in the DFW area. Any recommendations on a Dallas/ Fort Worth Hi-Fi shop? There's one that I know of, and I'm not going to mention any names, but it is the dirtiest place around and it just doesn't seem like people have been happy with it looking at reviews. It's not a place I want to take what my dad finally passed on to me and leave it for who knows how long. Anyhow, sorry for the long, run on paragraph but Google's doing the typing and I'm going to try to use my magnifier and proofread it. And thanks for any recommendations if you might have any on a Hi Hi-Fi shop or where find reasonably priced cabinets for this vintage McIntosh gear!
Brian in Fort Worth 🎶
Thanks for sharing and watching!
My favorite song for demoing my HiFi gear is "Hotel California" MTV Unplugged version, by the Eagles.
Awesome. Thanks for sharing!
My dad's 1956 Harmon Kardon Festival receiver and Electro Voice Regency speaker.
You may be able to answer this- what brand of components are used for the speakers in my local Chipotle?? Sorry no photo- just wondering…..
Good question - unfortunately I'm too impatient these days to eat inside a chipotle, lol!
@ForeverAnalog : As an audiophile ( whatever this is, individually defined ), I enjoyed this your Q&A very much. It makes it clear ( again ) that I am on a journey with this hobby and my passion, and I dare to say you too.
Thank you for sharing the personal details ( which BTW are all very well understand even to me as a non-native English speaker ).
Thank you for watching and the kind words. This hobby is a journey for me and not a destination so we might as well have as much fun as we can along the way!
Great video! Love hearing your feedback to Kevin’s video 😎
Thank you! Thanks for taking time to watch
If you like horn speakers then forte' are great, but I would upgrade speakers if I had a horn speaker. I like coaxial speaker, to each their own.
Thanks for the recommendation and for watching!
Great video Aaron. I’m in the Nashville area as well and you might want to check out a repair shop called J&T Electronics Repair. Luckily I haven’t needed any repairs in the last few years since the guy over on Nolensville road(Hi Tech) closed up shop (I used him once on an ADC equalizer repair and he did a great job). J&T doesn’t seem to have a brick and mortar shop but they do have an Instagram account. They specialize in 70s hi-fi. I think the next time I need a repair I may give them a try.
Thanks! I know the J&T folks too. Thanks for the reminder!
One song to demo is Aja. Vinyl or CD. No compressed sources.
Agreed!
I love my Klipsch Heresy ii's
I added a SVS Micro 3000 to handle the low end. I've also replaced the harsher Klipsch tweeters with Crites Titanium and recapped the crossovers. Bottom line they sound wonderful. I can listen to them for hours. I don't agree with Kevin LoL 🤣
Awesome. Thanks for sharing and watching!
I inherited a pair of Klipsch speakers from my father-in-law over 20 years ago. I kept them until 2000. My wife and I were moving and she told me that if I did not want them that I should sell them.
They were model KG-???? They had a horn and a couple of other drivers in the front and maybe something in the back. I just never liked the sound of them. They sure did look nice though and the cabinets were solid wood. I remember he had to wait several months to get those speakers.
Thanks for watching and sharing your experience!
Did you say you were in Nashville? Surely, there must be a repair facility closer to you than Kevin's shop, 11 hours away. Have you ever checked out Cherry Vintage in Greenville SC? I live in Eastern TN and I've always been impressed with the research they do on each piece of gear that they sell. And for me, they are a 2 hours' drive and that is doable. Or perhaps you are just being tongue-in-cheek?
No repair shop here, just folks working out of their home.
@@ForeverAnalog I guess they are a dying breed. I's sure Cherry Vintage in Greenville SC has a tech that works for their store and that must be closer than West Des Moines IA. How about Memphis?
Just curious is Forever Analog into a band called Bevis Frond?
Great band!
Definitly get that RT 909 into a system. I have one and it's probably my favorite source I've ever purchased. I find albums to be much more finicky than tape and I managed to get a rare very old RL Zep 2 on tape before it developed a skip and making recordings with the 909 is a pleasure and I think the end result sounds just as good if not better than the album somehow if that's even possible. I find many prerecorded tapes sound better than albums and for some reason easy listening or folk like Simon and Garfunkel or Bread tapes are still cheap and some of the best recordings I own and I've been down the dac rabbit hole with r2r and tube dacs. Funny how the very oldest format sounds best. Klipsche speakers are awesome and my Forte IVs probably edge out my JBL l100 classics and l96s as my favorite speakers once I got the amplification right (class A hybrid). Granted, I haven't heard Heresys but I know they were a popular speaker reviewers favorite speakers for quite a while. They are kind of outrageously expensive as are JBLs these days so I buy used or at least wait for them to be discounted. It took 6 years for the classics but well worth the wait as they are so good loocking and fun. My RT909 and Klipshe speakers are the gear I'd not part since I consider Forte's end game and I got my IV's used about the same as new Heresy's but of course shiipping eas a killer
Awesome! Thanks for sharing and for watching!!!
I saw Kevin's challenge & when he said "streaming" was his favorite way to listen to music, I was actually shocked! It's records, cassettes & CD's forever with me! Sometimes, I use Bluetooth, but that's rarely.
Honestly, streaming was a tempting answer for me because it's all right there in your hand but I love shopping too much to make it my final choice lol.
Kevin did say he usually streams because it is so convenient. I get that. Thankfully, we all have different tastes and preferences. And ears! To each his own. 👍🏼🎶
@Norman-bone13 I agree with the convenience!!!
I could’ve swore Kevin stated “if he had to choose from all the options” type of hypothetical question 🤔 I’ll have to re-watch the video. Streaming definitely has its time for use. I’ll always prefer physical media though 😎
@@MusicalHifi54 Yes. You heard right, the other guy, fail. Typical response by someone NOT paying attention. Kevin said "if you can only have ONE format".
The song I would use to demo my Hi-Fi would be I Want My MTV by Dire Straits
Awesome, great choice!
Heresy speakers are excellent. I have heard Cornwalls that broke my mind though. Honestly, you could get a pair and if you didn't like them probably sell them for what you got in them. But I like all the Klipsch I have heard, so there is that.
I would love Cornwalls 😊
I have to agree with Kevin and others. Owned Heresy II speakers several years ago and really didn't care for them. They were sold off quickly. Lots of better vintage options out there
Thanks for watching!
Good video. When you said you sold the matching pre-amp to your old Mcintosh amp I groaned in agony with you. Sometimes you don't know what you have until it's gone. Take care.
Thanks for watching!
Definitely gonna be a fun one
😊
To get the most out of your Heresy's I would recommend pairing them with the Rogue Audio Sphinx V3 Magnum Edition. If you feel that you would like some more bottom-end toss in JL Audio Dominion d110. Sit back.. be happy.
Thanks!
Seriously, try it. Made in the USA and there aren't nearly enough in-depth reviews on the Sphinx v3. I own one and have it paired with the Heresy IVs. Would love to get your opinion. Like I said, the JL Audio Dominion d110 rounds them out beautifully.
Marantz started it all. But In 78, I bought a new Pioneer SX 780.
I currently own a ‘72 Marantz 2245 that I had restored.
If I had one song: “when the levee breaks” Led Zeppelin 4
Perfect system? Marantz 2275, JBL-L-166 Horizon speakers.
Format: vinyl
My next update will be reel to reel. Probably Akai.
My Marantz is my show piece.
I have other receivers (Onkyo, Harmon Kardon)
As of now, I can’t live without my Auris Bluetooth. 😂
Awesome. Great gear all around. Thanks for watching and sharing!
I gotta say, nothing wrong with Heresy speakers. But, if you wanna upgrade and want to stay vintage, ADS L710s. They need to be heard.
Will definitely try to hear em! Thanks!
FWIW, Kevin’s fav speakers are the next one up, ADS L810s. I have had them for 45 years. I was delighted when he said he appreciates them. I guess we all like our choices validated.
I gave a Sansui unused still in original box to a work buddy. Won an auction for 27 dollars on eBay during a lightning storm. Cranked Nazareth Son of Bitch and smiled at the time. Most Sansui's are sweet!!
Agreed!
I would have actually traded great stuff just to have That Macintosh Preamp. Live and learn Brother!
The "weird" sax in the Radiohead song reminds me of Morphine (the band)
Love Morphine!
The best song to demo an amp with is just about anything from Steely Dan Aja.
Yep
Heresys are awesome. Don't get rid of them, you'll regret it.
Yeah, I doubt I will, I picked these up for too good of a price considering the upgrades the previous owner made!
Ha, you correctly understood the "format" question., I'm not sure why others responded with genre instead of format.
Oh, so true about bluetooth on the TT, that's flat out ridiculous.
Yeah at first I worried I goofed up the format question lol. Thanks for watching!
Hey Aaron, Give a listen to a restored pair of AR-3a's. I think they will make you smile.
Great idea, thank you! I never seem to be able to land a deal when the pop up on FB marketplace.
@painttoad from AK in Illinois is my goto guy for repairs. He has a “no fly list” for transistors and Marantz used them. He repaired my 2245 and it rivals (and in some ways) surpasses my Sansui AU-999.
well I thought my Klipsh where pretty good ...until I got some ADS L780 ...sold the klipsh
Nice! Thanks for sharing and watching!