Have the Duelund VSF now in both midranges. The only difference is CAST tweeter caps vs. VSF in other.
The difference is shocking!
They do not sound similiar at all.
A couple of guys were here today buying my Linn speakers. They came down to hear the speakers for awhile.
When they were hear the midrange was still vintage. They could not believe that was the only difference was caps.
I am very interested in Tony's review on the CAST. Somewhat dark but wayyyyy quieter. For sure not just a VSF at much more money. |
I take back any comment that the Duelund in the midrange is not much better. IT IS!
Now that I have them one on one (vs. vintage) the Duelund is a massive reduction in resonance.
I have a bad feeling about my order. It was for CAST midrange but agreed to take the VSF's when they came in, not sure if the CAST would have been worth the extra anyway.
I am very glad I spent the money on the Duelund's for the midrange for sure! |
Stormen is right but likely correct to temper expectations. He said there was a difference Duelund tempered expectaions as well.
So my expectations were I was spending twice as much on a cap that I thought I would struggle to hear the difference.
I will confirm tonight or tomorrow but the difference is (I think) to be very large! MUCH bigger than I was expecting. Of course I am using horns which is what the CAST was made for by Burt. I thought at this level it would be like pulling teeth.
The only downside is they are sooooo quiet they will reveal worn vinyl plain as day! Noisy caps blend in the noise and you struggle to figure if it is your vinyl or where the noise comes from. You won't anymore! |
Volleyguy,
Exactly, the CAST has the lowest noise floor by far. At least compared to any cap I know.
When I originally thought about the CAST instead of the VSFs I was using, I asked the Duelund guys who also remarked that they found the noise floor to be substantially lower when using the CAST.
The detail that comes through is staggering. |
One speaker with CAST one with VSF.
Have not changed the VSF midrange though.
Not sure if it is just me but the CAST seem a lot darker.
They seem to make the VSF's sound noisy???
I am putting in the Duelund VSF in the other mid range later tonight.
I did not expect this but am starting to think the CAST is a completely different sounding cap? I will know real soon but first impressions seem to be MUCH quieter than the (I thought) already quiet VSF's.
I think this is what has been frustrating me is the CAST are soooooo quiet they reveal upstream problems. My LP12 sounds great but the Karik not so good. |
The x100 I should say sounds good but not very good. There is a big difference in vintage tube amps.
One guy who bought the Mundorf Supreme from me tried in a set of Klipsch Lascala's and was thrilled. Way better than the Auricaps Dayton and Solens he was using. I am not surprised as Mundorf is better in the poly type caps.
Both guys who have bought the Klouts have e-mailed me to thank me on them.
My one fisher is being fixed. The resistor and cap. It was so quiet I did not know it was possible to be that quiet. I felt I could hear behind the instruement.
You need a dead quiet amp to hear what the Duelund can do. Should be back soon. |
I just got a vintage tube amp all check over (tonight) and running Fisher/Telefunken tubes and Raytheon 6BQ5 output tubes and a Mullard rectifier tube. All test well.
Sounds very good and will get a good idea very soon.
I can say from CAST vs. VSF you better have the rest of the system up to snuff.
Tommorow I am starting to compare. CAST to VSF I am not sure that is large bit VSF to any plastic cap I heard is fundementally different. |
The Claritycap MR Is just a killer cap.. in most applications my opinion will put out 98% of what a duelund does... Way better pricing on the smaller sizes.. Although not far behind in cost on the bigger values. |
It's not unsurprising that the most expensive cap sounds good and possibly best. What remains unanswered is the importance of Duelund relative to gains that can be achieved upgrading other areas of the system. Hopefully this will be explored as you move past the vintage vs. Linn analysis & continue on down the path. The lack of such perspective was what led me recently to purchase Claritycap MR instead of much costlier Duelund. The question becomes how much to sink into one small area of a system. |
Dan
I did listen more than maybe it seems. Someone on here a long time ago suggested why don't you try Duelund. So I ordered one with the other caps. Not really thinking much but hearing good things about Duelund.
It was Shit Luck. I had been listening to foil caps for 28 years and did not know why I liked the vintage (horn driven woofer ones) Klipsch better. I just knew I did.
It was just luck that a Duelund was of the same type (foil)of cap but much better than the vintage. Pure Luck that Duelund tweeter caps kept Klipsch qualities I really liked "realness" and Duelund took away the overbearing shouty midrange.
I am going to finish it off here very soon. I am waiting on a EL84 amp back from tech and will fix the x-101d. I have now learned that not all vintage amps are as good as one another. The fisher 500c is better than the SS gear I had but not even close to the x101-d??? But the tubes are much better quality in the x101-d and boy do tubes make a difference. I felt with that amp I could hear around the instument. To make a statement about the CAST vs. VSF you need a dead quiet amp. Too bad the 500c is not that amp.
Dan part of the reason I bought the Heresy's is I already know what will make them sound good and do not have to do this again. So I understand your feelings big time!
That is why I find Steen's findings as important as his caps. I bet he did it hundreds of times and I know he knew TONS more than we do and even HE was frustrated. So if he says stick to foil or stack foil or some kind like it that is good enough for me. I know I could hear what sounded liked speakers out of phase with plastic caps. (maybe one of my generalizations) Which leads me to his comment that the speakers need to be in phase all the time to sound real. |
You are certainly crazy stubborn, but that is not necessarily a bad thing :) I have great respect for your quest to restore the sound of the horns you clearly love. It's an achievable goal and you are almost there. Congrats!
In retrospect, I should have done the same the same thing with my KEFs. Instead I set out to build new speakers that ended up being very good, but not knock your socks off great. Clearly my goal, to build better speakers than a classic KEF line was ridiculous and not achievable. So you're already way ahead of me.
You are right that even high-end speakers use cheap crossover parts. That had a lot to do with the speakers I built, and also the ones I eventually purchased to replace the KEFs. The Gallos have no cross-over for the tweeter! The mid has a single cap and the woofer a single inductor. I figure the fewer xover components, the more will be spent on drivers and system integration. Now I'm the one making broad unfounded generalizations :) But it is true that when the time comes, I'll be able to find a viable replacement for this very simple crossover design. And when I do, I'll certainly listen to Duelund caps - not kidding.
Looking forward to reading how the final xover sounds.
Dan |
Danmyers
A Crazy Stubborn. Yes maybe! My Local high-end dealer used to tease me about the big Klipsch all the time. I would have all new gear and they would laugh over the speakers.
b I will always take the advice but as anyone should do in audio use your own ears.
c infer cause and effect that one I would like you to clarify. Not sure what you mean? My rants on plastic caps?
I am Ok with being crazy but would like to talk about this one.
d broad unfound generalizations is like the c comment please be specific.
Danmyers you never heard me say building speakers was easy. After doing a crossover rebuild I have gained new respect for speaker builders. You will get NO arguement from me that tweaking your own speakers can be expensive! If I could buy new speakers with Duelund in them at a price I could afford I would.
Dan I am very much looking to get back to a peaceful enjoyment of music. I waiting to get back from the tech guy a EL84 amp and will fix up my x-101d fisher (professional series) and be done. The x101d is MUCH better than the 500c. (at least the one I have)
Dan I may be crazy that is always hard to tell but my dealer who has snickered over the big Klipsch and tried to sell me all these other speakers over the years of which not one single one is on Arthur Salvatore's list. So I could have dumped a ton of $.
I have also sold all of my gear and used caps based on what I found out and to NO regrets. So I may be crazy but at least I believe in Steen's foil caps if that's what you mean? This was something I do not do as I am not a gear changer. |
I can't believe I read the whole thing! OK, I skipped over some of Volley's ramblings, (who hasn't?) and I have these comments:
1) I still don't care for most Beatles songs
2) There are some great cap comparison links here - thanks
3) Volleyguy you:
a. are crazy stubborn
b. completely ignore really, really good input & advice
c. infer cause/effect where none exists, and then
d. make broad unfounded generalizations
4) I have enjoyed reading (almost) every word! Thanks again.
I too am stubborn, but finally gave up and bought new speakers. First though I built my own from scratch (took a year), tweaked them for another year after that. When I couldn't match, much less exceed, the sound of my existing KEF 104/2s, I thought seriously about rebuilding them (the KEFs that is). By then I'd had enough tinkering and thrown away enough money that I bought some new Gallo Ref 3.1s. I am very happy with these unique speakers (not pushing them - they are NOT for horn guys).
Volley - God bless you and I sure hope you find what you are searching for. Your love and passion for these speakers is commendable and it seems your quest will end successfully. I am now back to just enjoying my music collection. Hope you will get to this place again soon as it's very peaceful here. In the meantime, I am enjoying following your journey and at times seeing more of me in you than I'd like to admit. Passion about the intangible and indescribable does that to us all.
Dan
PS Do you think I should replace the caps in my new speakers with Duelund CAST? .... just kidding :)
|
Put the Duelund VSF's into the tweeter caps (which is all there is) into the Heresy's.
I am not intending to buy them for the Heresy's. (yet) Just want to see if they make the same kind of difference. It might be something someone would consider if they like Klipsch sound and did not have room for the big Lascala's Belle's or Khorns. The caps are worth more than the speakers!
Well I was right with the Lascala's the Duelund have do the same thing in the Heresy's.
Not just the highs are smoother the white noise is eliminated and mids are smoother. A huge improvement albeit at a cost many might not want to spend on a set of Heresy's.
I just wanted to know if I thought it was worth it in a set of cheaper speakers. The Heresy's to me are like Cornwalls too slow in the bass. This is for me as I know some like Cornwalls over Lascala's and Khorns. Too me the big horn driven woofer speakers are wayyyyy better and much faster in the bass. Some say they can't bass out of the horn type. I think they miss the boom. Would I spend the money on the Heresy's on Duelund. Hmmm part is maintance and foil in oil originals are Ok for midrange but in the high freq the Duelund tight tolerance is MUCH better. To me Duelund is a slam dunk in the tweeter caps. Better than the vintage ever was by a mile and for good reason! |
G_24 Thanks
I never hear people talk much about Electrolytics. At least one being better than the other.
I am going to put the Duelund VSF's into the Klipch heresy's to see if the improvement is the same there. Of course they have the same tweeter and midrange but no mid range caps so just tweeter caps to replace so a Duelund speaker on the cheap. I am going to test the 500c what will be the livingroom system.
Will Duelund make the same improvement in cheap speakers??
Part of me bought the Heresy's for parts for the Khorns (I have Lascala's but getting Khorns) part wants to never do this again! I already know what will sound good in the Heresy's. (I think)
Heresy's have slow bass compared to Khorns or Lascala's that won't change even if one did put in Duelund tweeter caps. |
Nichicon electrolytics from Michael Percy is your best bet
http://www.percyaudio.com/ |
Have two (new) old Fishers here one x101 and a 500c. The x101 was supposed to have no hum? Maybe the owner was deaf?? The 500c is working but does not have the crystal clear sound of the x101-d before it blew. I have to get tubes checked out etc. So both are going to tech guy.
I will have to replace electrolytics etc. Any recommendations there?
This sounds more like what I thought vintage would. A little dull. |
Halcro I am somewhat confused myself. The tubes make the CD player sound like it never has before. (always wayyyyy below the level of the LP12) On the other side the improvement was not as stark with the Lp12 hooked up to tubes. This could be as little as a poor vintage phono stage. If you would have asked me before this I just assumed vinyl was the only way to go. Almost got rid of the CD player as it was getting so little use. Mostly for my wife really as I never listened to it. I am to the point of wondering if I will keep the Lp12. That's why I say I was confused as well. SS causes an ever increasing investment in the LP12 and I was somewhat frustrated with being somewhat stuck in the past. (vinyl I mean) Halcro I think everyone would agree if you can get digital as good as vinyl sound than vinyl is a big question mark. CD's do not wear out like lp's etc. I know a lot of it has to do with even and odd harmonic distortion. In my opinion digital with (my SS) just gives wayyyy too much odd harmonic distortion.
Which takes me back to Steen's camp. A cheap (my CD player was $3 or $4k new) but only worth $600 (or so) now coupled with a vintage tube amp (again for chump change) with vintage speakers and Duelund crossover blows away a my many, many times more expensive vinyl SS system. Steen says 50% speakers 50% of that crossover and 50% in the rest of the system.
My x-101-d is I think the same as the 500c. Stereophile write this review and I know they love everything except the Fisher does not advertise. They do say the phono stage not all that great.
http://www.stereophile.com/historical/605fisher/ |
Well now I'm completely confused? Are you saying that the Linn is great with transistors but with tubes it's only the CD player that benefits? |
Halcro on my Linn SS the Lp12 blows away the Cd player. My Lp12 has the cirkus bearing, Lingo and Ekos Mk II tonearm. That is part of what I am saying my CD player sounded like garbage until I got the vintage tube amp. |
Volleyguy, you can do much better than a LP12....especially if it sounds like your CD player.
Even my 30 year old Rega 3 would demolish any CD player! |
Stormen and Halcro
I will give what I think is possible.
The guitar amp guys swear by vintage tube guitar amps. After hearing the vintage stereo tube amp I can understand why. Tones. Guitar guys talk about the tone. I can understand that now! The vintage tube (stereo) amp excels at it. My SS is not even in the league. You can tell so many different instruements apart. I do not mean to say your SS amps are not good just mine was not even close to the vintage tube amp.
I have been driven nuts as to why myself. I now have 5 vintage amps in total one here (broken) and 4 coming and maybe more.
You guys both read Steen's findings. No plastic was huge to him. I suspect he wondered why the vintage stuff sounded better.
The guitar guys say no plastic in the vintage transformer? point to point wiring. (I am assuming your amps have circuit boards) The vintage amp uses foil caps. No doubt not even close to Duelund quality but the Duelund's really only blew away my tweeter caps and it is close in the mid range. They both have similiar tones. Which makes me think (as Steen said) "caps should be foil or some variation of".
When I think about my Linn system which was a pretty standard system. (near there top a few year ago) I used all Linn I.C's Linn sources Linn pre Linn amp Linn speaker wire (tri-wire) and Linn speakers and yet the vintage stuff blew it away! Like I said when I heard the Linn all I could think was attention Walmart shoppers! Night and day. That is where the losing my mind over vintage. Why? is what was bugging me.
Look at my Linn system
pre-amp loaded with circuit boards along with the amp. The speaker crossover had cheap electrolytic caps. Cheap plastic caps and on a circuit board again. I heard tons of high freq hash all the time. It was so bad on the CD player I used to laugh at it. I thought it was a piece of junk! When that same CD player is hooked up to all foil amp. all foil (non circuit board) speaker crossover it was a thing of beauty. I never would have believed it could even sound so good.
I think it is like a chain. When I put the Mundorf in the Midrange even in a all foil vintage amp the Duelund's did not shine the same. When I put in (my SS) the Duelund's do not shine the same. All foil all the way and WOW! Holy mother of crap that is amazing! Hence all my gear up for sale.
There is even only one concern I have is why does my CD player sound around the same as the LP12 on vintage? That is my one last question. Might not even own a turntable soon.
I will be going to Steen's site again to look for more clues. |
I too am running total solid state and the Duelunds are a revelation. I don't understand how a capacitor is going to distinguish between an electrical signal generated by valves or transistors? It doesn't make sense to me and I'd sure like to see a scientific explanation if there is one? |
Volleyguy,
I must say, I experienced a huge leap in quality on solid state when going to Duelund. You may be right that its even better with tubes
Found this:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vevol&1216741392&openflup&43&4#43
Apparently other people are joining the club. |
All the Mundorf caps are for sale very cheap on e-bay. Includes free shipping. (50% off new and I am paying for shipping)
Today I bought some Klispch Heresy's (I's) for Alnico tweeter and midrange in case needed. When down to one system one needs parts. Might see what Duelund does there (tweeter caps) as they are the same tweeter caps as the AA network.
Lots of Linn gear for sale as well. |
Dave the "losing my mind over vintage" is what feels like a good description.
I started fixing up old speakers and ended up selling everything I owned! All to buy some old junk! (that sounds great but still) So it feels like I am losing my mind!
I think the speakers (Linn are sold) and will sell the last of the electronics off this week. To think I was just looking to fix a second system set of speakers!
So Duelund can be dangerous! (just kidding) |
Volleyguy, thanks for checking out the caps & for returning. The Russians are cheap on ebay, should you decide to continue experimenting. |
Sorry forgot to say Thanks Dave.
I was never going to keep them just wanted to hear them. (in electronics) Wish the amp did not blow up! The amp blew up the day the CAST caps came in. Actually worried I wired something up wrong for a minute.
Thanks for the link to AK guys. I am getting some much needed help there.
With half a dozen vintage amps to try I may need it! |
Mundorf Supreme 10uf
Mundorf Supreme 3.3uf
Mundorf Supreme 2.2uf
Mundorf Silver in Oil 2.2uf
All just one of each.
Good deal for any buyer. I have them listed at 50% and include free shipping. I have not put all on yet but will.
Testing caps is an expensive hobby overall. The Sonicaps sold for around 50% new. If one does buy them from me you will not suffer further depreciation.
Dave your caps are on their way.
I did really want to hear them though. I am very curious about the teflon in electronics. Oh well, another time. The Russians at least you can play with without wasting a ton of money.
Buying caps in not like buying an amp used. You spend a lot testing and end up with just one and the others have not much value.
I have learned when buying a speaker I would want to know what the crossover is made of. A complicated one could break ya! |
What size are the mundorfs? Supreme or Supreme silver oil?
Thanks |
Sorry Dave they will be mailed within one hour. I "really" did want to hear them in the electronics. I am sorry for the delay but testing caps can be expensive. I was never going to keep Dave's caps when the amp blew that slowed things down. One can see from e-bay my buying of 3 tube vintage amps but of course they are Dave's caps and will be mailed today. I will be listing the Mundorfs at 50% off new on e-bay today. So if anyone wants to try Mundorf's e-mail me before and you can have them.
I have decided not to fix up the Linn speakers and now for sure do not need the parts.
Also today another Linn Klout amp and pre-amp. (Kairn) I have already sold one so whatever I have said about thinking vintage tube gear that great and Duelund that great one can see that it is no bull as you can see the results for sale. |
Jody/Volleyguy, before you "lose you mind over vintage," kindly return to me the 10 teflon & PIO caps that I lent to you for testing long ago. Thanks, Dave |
Will be able to test caps soon with at least 4 different vintage tube amps if not more.
Lost my mind over vintage. I want spare parts for a lifetime.
I had heard only new tube and SS gear.
Read a good link on a guitar amp site on why vintage sounds better. Points were.
Transformers now are wound different using a plastic core. Is this correct? Anyone know? Paper bobbins opposed to plastic.
Point to point wiring
Circuit boards act as a capacitor. Is this correct? The site said only point to point wiring does not do this and they prove it by having two wires run in opposite direction.
Of course they talked about caps and resistors as well being better. |
I will check it out for sure Undertow.
I feel not ready to comment on the CAST till the tube amp gets here. (so not much to say) I bought a 500c and will be buying another vintage tube amp or two as well. Not going to have less than two working ones again. I will likely change the woofer inductor as well. Sorry for not finishing the thread but unexpected smoke slowed things down.
I can understand your feeling of being worth it on the crossover being more $ than speakers.
I still must say though Duelund not worth it on SS. (or at least mine) The stunning difference the caps make on vintage tube gear does not carry over to the SS. I have theory's but am not sure why?
The difference from the vintage and the newer SS is mindboggling. So much I can not even comment on the CAST vs. VSF with this setup. I have this theory that the tolerances (meaning cap tolerances) are not as important as material type of the cap. By my conclusion in the midrange that the vintage foil and Duelund sounded VERY much a like. One being a crude device another state of the art and both were good and all the plastic caps were poor.
Doesn't matter as I will own no SS in a short while anyway. Likely never again! Also never to own poly caps again either. A unmistakable fakeness (to me) is added by them.
I do have this theory on resonance. I think we need just the right amount. Or at least resonance is like tube distortion. I could hear the resonance in the mid range vintage cap and it is not offensive like the distortion from the SS amp. Like a natural resonance. Where the crude vintage caps run into trouble is in the tweeters. The resonance there comes across as noise and distortion. Not painfull SS noise just a fog kind of noise.
So Undertow I do not have a lot of confidence that a air core 12 guage inductor is going to make much difference. I am going to do it just to hear it but do not have high hopes. I hope your right and it does in my speakers. Always want improvement. I do have concerns about the plastic on the inductor. I do not know if plastic in an inductor is the same negative as plastic caps?
If the plastic coated 12 guage inductor does not sound as good (in my case) as the lower guage iron core (plastic free) vintage inductor I will feel very confident that plastic is the problem and will likely buy Duelund (or other plastic free) Inductor and speaker wire. |
Not attempting to bring this thread back to life, but I found this interesting thread... Volleyguy will get off reading this :-) Still not sure if you ever changed out those woofer inductors this might point you in the right direction. By the way I have used the duelund VSF's now on my horns with the Jantzen superiors Bypassed with the Vishay MKP's in the woofers backed by the 12 gauge copper foil Alpha core inductors, identical approach to Tony Gee.. My crossovers now cost more than most completed speakers, but worth it.. See link
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?rspkr&1164387495&openflup&19&4 |
Sorry guys no camparisions from CAST and VSF yet. Looking for another vintage amp. I blame myself very stupid leaving that old amp on that long. Should have had a cooling fan on it.
With the SS it is just not good at all. Can not fault Duelund just a poor match.
I will have one or two vintage tube amps going in a week or two.
You do not get that super realism Duelund can deliver with the (vintage) tube gear on this SS.
In fact it is not a whole lot better than than the vintage caps.
If I was to have done the caps based on SS I would not have been to thrilled. If I did not know what Duelund could do I would in fact be upset.
Duelund in my mind is a completely different cap and may need no plastic caps in the system and maybe no SS to show what they are capable of.
I know I have said the caps are the best money I have ever spent and they are with the tube gear and maybe the worse money I have spent with SS as they do not move the earth like they can.
Oh well at least the cap burn will be done by the time the tube amp is hear. |
Since vinyl is my main source any suggestions. I find the Fisher sounds fabulous on CD but did not sound good on vinyl before it blew no doubt the resistor and cheap electrlytic cap would not help.
Any suggestions? |
Thanks for the help I did find the cap is a 100uf 100v Electolytic cap.
The resistor that was touching it appears to have got hot and melted the wire. It tests 46ohms and was rated 500. (power handling is 7 w)
Any recommendations on resistors??? or electrolytic caps? for the phono stage. |
Thanks Wavetrader
I am going to go there. I did see a pic and there is a cap on another x101d. I think whoever put that cap in put the wrong one or a poor quality cap or maybe there is something wrong with the phono stage that is causing these caps to blow? |
The best place to seek advice on the Fisher is the AudioKarma website. There's a army of Fisher freaks on there. |
I'd sure find out! How long had it been on when it 'smoked'?
I don't know your repair skills, but I'd sure be looking for a schematic / meter / solder sucker / scope / iron (10watt?)
Lacking the skillset needed to fix it, a good repair guy, for sure.
Next thing to worry about is if the dying cap took out other elements in the circuit? |
Magfan the part that smoked (the capacitor) was the only new part I know of in the amp.
I had used the Fisher for a few months and tons of hours but when the phono stage was hooked up it went up in smoke. I wonder if the cap was the incorrect voltage? |
don't worry about a part that doesnt' measure 'exactly' as marked. All have a built in tolerance. Lower/better=$$$$$
I haven't plowed thru the whole thread, but how old was the cap that smoked? They do that, you know. Caps age.
If a piece of gear has been sitting...and I mean years not weeks, be careful when firing it up again. |
I did find out the cap runs from the 12Ax7 low level (phono pre-amp) tube to the output tube. All along I have thought this amp sounded very good on digital and terrible with the turntable. It blew up when using the turntable.
Also does anyone know if Electrolytic caps are used on tube phono stages?
I know I read these tube amps were supposed to have decent phono stages. I found this one lousy! Great line stage.
Another question does anyone have any recommendations for the cap for the phono stage? |
I think I found the problem in the vintage amp.
The one and only plastic cap the wire going in has gotton very hot. What I do not know is was it even supposed to be there?? Can anyone help with vintage Fisher schematics and more in particular fisher x101d.
I bought a capacitance testers. I wanted to know how the old Klipsch caps were. The tweeter caps test right on 2.0uf but sound noisy. The mid cap tests 14uf but sound good (real good) but should be 13uf.
I tested quite a few caps in the the fisher and very close to original value.
The problem with the plastic cap (in the fisher) is it seems to be added for no reason?? Also the value says brand KMC value 100uf and 200v No where else is there a vintage cap of this value??
Was this just someone doing there own sound mod?
It is clearly the source of the heat problem. I can not see any other damage. It guages out nowhere near 100uf? |
Yes I did.
I read too much before doing mine. My daughter and I are going through my vinyl collection this weekend to sort out the worn ones. (she loves doing that and I am not sure why) Where I had doubts and was not sure before there is no doubt now! You can hear clear as day a worn or even slightly worn vinyl.
I am wiring up the other speaker tomorrow.
Also getting another vintage amp. Looking right now. I have become convinced that there is something about the vintage amps. Maybe the resistors or caps or maybe just the tubes. Not sure yet.
My SS sounds like listening in Black and White. I know some say tube amps are colored. Give me color over Black and White any day.
One thing is for certain I have become a HUGE Duelund fan. Upon switching from one speaker to the other the difference is staggering.
I have become a fan of not just the caps but Steen's findings.
I am buying a second amp that is largely the same, for parts as well. I want all plastic out. I have been reading some vintage stuff and guys say that when they change the resistors and caps in the amps you lose the sound. Of course they will have been going to plastic caps.
This has been very humbling for me. I used to think you needed to spend a ton of $ on a system. |
Volleyguy,
Running 2 way right now, so should have read woofer/mid.
Did anyone see this audiogon review of a Duelund upgrade of a Dunlavy?
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?rspkr&1164387495
His findings seem to mimick those in this thread. |
Stormen and in the midrange?
I am out looking for another vintage tube amp and repair for mine. I am going to have to run two amps.
My CD player sounds poor with the SS pre and amp. But then again it always did. Hard and brittle.
So anyone reading this in my opinion you do not get the full Duelund with SS (or at least my SS) and I did find even one plastic cap in the circuit does not allow full effect. |
Volleyguy, I had a Kebschull valve pre-amp immediately before the Halcro, with a Perraux 1850 power amp. A Rega Planar 3 with Hadcock GH228 Unipivot arm had been my analogue source since 1979. The speakers have been with me for 30 years albeit now with Scanspeak drivers (except for the woofers), Vampire internal wiring and Duelund capacitors. Here is a link to a review when I changed to the Raven AC3 http://forums.avguide.com/viewtopic.php?t=3585 |
Volleyguy,
I agree completely that plastic should be avoided, nigh on impossible as it may be
Paper/metalfoil caps to me also seems to be a way better bet than any metalized capacitor. It seems to me that the only reason why foil caps are not predominant in audio today relates to cost and ease of implementation.
I use Duelund CAST caps and resistors on my tweeter. My woofer uses a CAST inductor. Wouldnt have it any other way.
My Duelund car system is being developed, so wont bore you with that. Yet
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