Lucky Pierre

Hi Giorgio, Just popping to say I love my 7s mated with my KLH Twenty Seven receiver. I listen to the combo daily in my kitchen. Plus, I am cooped up and bored. P

Very cool service bulletin, Kent. Thanks!

I can attest to this. One of the screens fell off the mid on my AR 3s, and I haven't gotten around to re-gluing it yet. One speaker has noticeably higher output than the other. P

Thanks Chris!

Hi Chris, Nice speakers! I can't help with the date, but I think Markkb and our friend Denny Roll took care of that. Where did you get those stands? I am looking for something like that for my 3s. I tried my 3s with a couple of tube amps: 30 watts up to a pair of 60 watt Dynaco Mk III. They didn't come alive until I put them on a lot of SS power, currently a Marantz 240 (~160 watts).

Thanks Glenn. I've been thinking about what to do with the cabinets. I had originally planned to sand, stain, and lacquer, to restore the original finish. I have been considering sanding then oiling them with something like Watco Mahogany. While not the original finish, the oiled cabs would go well with the rest of my oiled speakers. Plus, it's a lot easier than spraying lacquer for those not experienced. I sanded and oiled my mahogany AR 7s a couple of years ago, and they are beautiful. What are your opinions, good people, on originality of finish? Peter

Hi Glenn, Happy New Year! Well, I finally expect to have a permanent position within the month. I've been consulting with a new start up since the end of October. My boss says to expect a permanent position in January. It will have been a little over a year since I have had permanent employment (and seven months in 2019 with no job.) Once the contract is in hand we'll start looking for a new house. There is one just across the street from us that I want. Mostly because it has a two storey, 1000 sq. ft., heated and insulated barn! A big workshop is just what I need! Peter

Thanks Robert. Yes, this is one of the ones I picked up in the spring. The cabinet restoration came out really nice. I was laid off at the end of March, and just started working again. All the hobbies were put on hold during the interim. I don't think too much catnip. Just a big, 14 pound cat looking for a comfy place to sit! Peter

Thank you for the advice. This pair is a slow moving project. They are on the shelves for now. I'm just looking for ideas to have in the back of my head for when I do get back to them. Peter

Greetings, This was a 4x woofer. Should I consider having it reconed or just look for a replacement? L_P

Got one! I'll be posting about it when I can start cleaning adn evaluating it. Peter

I agree that you have a very valuable pair of speakers. I also echo ar_pro that you should do nothing to them. You can check ebay sold listings for sold prices.

P.S. I'm good at it, but I hate painting.

I think this project, along with a few others, is on hold for now. I am awaiting news on a new job. Upon which, a new house will be in our future. My time now is occupied with prepping our current home for a potential sale. I'll post updates once things are more settled. Peter

Be careful with your woofers. The white dust on the magnets is cadmium corrosion. It IS toxic. If it is not too late, you should wear nitrile or latex gloves and wipe it off with a dampened rag. Windex or other gentle cleaner will work. Then promptly dispose of the rag and gloves. DO NOT try to blow or vacuum it off. As other have said rebuilding the crossovers is pretty straightforward.

Thanks Glenn. I will consider sending the mids to Roy, but I can't imaging them sounding better than they already do. What prompted you to send yours to Roy? The plan now for the cabinets is: sand, stain, seal with shellac, they a few coats of gloss lacquer. I will definitely post pics. Peter

Great tips! Thanks again. I'll post pics when I start on the cabinets.

So, the weather is getting warm enough to spray lacquer. Does anyone have any tips for lacquering over stain? I have been trying to get some information on the original stain used, but the company is not returning my calls. I was going to try to steam out some of the dents in the veneer, but I think I will leave them as battle scars. I plan on sanding 150, 180, 220, then staining red mahogany. I have only used oil-based stains in the past. I assume that if I use an oil based stain I should let it cure for at least a week before I lacquer. Do I need to use a sealer between the stain and the lacquer? I plan on using multiple coats of gloss lacquer, followed by a final coat of semi-gloss. I will probably use rattle cans, unless I can borrow a HVLP sprayer. Thanks! L_P

Got it!

Quick update: Day 4 with these and I keep thinking that this is the sound I have been looking for. I picked up the Marantz 240 today, along with a 120B tuner. I think the journey with this system is over. I picked up material for repairing the grills yesterday. I found a post in my research, I think by lakecat, that suggested using electrical tape to attach the grill cloth. I might try that route rather than glue. I'll start that next weekend. I'm really looking forward to the cabinet work, but that will have to wait until spring so I can do the work outdoors. I'm going to try my hand at spray can lacquer, to keep the finish original. Pics to come in a few months. Peter

I cleaned the pots and recapped yesterday. These speakers are glorious! First I tried them on an NAD T748 (100-125 watt at 4 ohm) in analogue bypass mode. I was completely blown away. Then I tried them on a Marantz T7 preamp and a pair of Webster 30 watt 2A3 monoblocks. They lost everything that made them sound good. Muddy, dull, and lifeless. Tonight I swapped the Websters for a Carver TFM-6cb (rated at 100 watts into 4 ohm). The first song up was Hendrix's Little Wing. Just incredible! I'd love to hear these in a larger room. I have also decided, based on a year or so of observation, that I don't think I am a tube guy. Part of the problem is that all of my speakers are not that sensitive. But I have also found that all of my speakers sound better on the SS NAD, vs. the Websters or my recapped and retubed Dynaco Mk III. So, I've decided to divest of most of my tube gear. I have my eye on a Marantz 240 to compliment my T7 pre. I'll post pictures when I start the cabinet restoration.

Thanks!

Caps arrived. Restoration starting soon. The grill fell off the midrange while one speaker was sitting on its side on my bench. Can I just glue it back on? Peter

I'm pretty sure it is cadmium. I think the rings around the back side of the woofer are (were) cadmium plated.

I wiped it off with a mineral spirits dampened rag and did not breathe it.