AR-LSTs

[frankmarsi]

This one is for that guy named "owlsplace"

There is a set of LST on the auction site for really cheap.

And they're close to you besides.

I'd ask if all drivers work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Acoustic-Research-AR-LST-Vintage-Audiophile-Speakers-ORIGINAL-LOCAL-PICKUP-/172271482876?hash=item281c2e37fc:g:CowAAOSwyDxXhRtp

[Liangshan Marsh]

OMG!!! The Guy offers local for only $900.. pretty cheap

https://denver.craigslist.org/ele/5679932864.html

 

 

[frankmarsi]

2 hours ago, Liangshan Marsh said:

OMG!!! The Guy offers local for only $900.. pretty cheap

https://denver.craigslist.org/ele/5679932864.html

 

 

 

 

 

Then you too, my son, must go and get them!

Actually, all fatherly tones aside, I think "owls place" should make the effort.

You know he was smart enough to buy those 5's in '74, so that means he might also be considered a vet of the AR-mania?

They might be close to him not only in mind and heart but, in proximity.

Heck, I was actually and crazily thinking to call a buddie of mine and taking the 2000+ mile drive for 27 hours, a 7 hour drive for 3-4 days. So what, I got a new car with a huge trunk. It could happen you know but, gees anything could happen.

But, how stupid would that be these days except to see the land which I love and can say about all of the the mid-west, it's simply beyond description and which I first saw in 1973 on a two month road-trip along with my ponytail and full beard, along with two Nikon F's.

And then, once again dealing with a friends habits on the road for better or worse. Coming back exhausted. putting them in the house along with the speakers, making room, and then what? Oh. the uncertainty!

It's difficult dealing with the numbers of big AR speakers that dominate this place already. I should forgo such fantasies.

They'll be another pair here closer to me in no time, I'd like to think. Then again, I do think too much. 

P.S. The corner 'bass-traps' I've been trying out have been curious for me but, have some what minimized what the LST's have taught me to love, that being reflected sound and 'broad-field' sound rendering unlike many 'audiophile' speakers available today at a premium cost.  Which to me are in the  background of past great speakers playing 'catch-up' to my LST's. Oh you laugh, go to Audiogon and try to speak of your AR's.

If I wanted to  be part of that 'new and super expensive, near-field speaker trend of small but tall and narrow looking and perhaps also narrow sounding speakers', I'd spend 10+ big ones for the new type of 'audiophile-speakers' and not be a vintage speaker lover!

 

 

 

[tysontom]

3 hours ago, frankmarsi said:

This one is for that guy named "owlsplace"

There is a set of LST on the auction site for really cheap.

And they're close to you besides.

I'd ask if all drivers work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Acoustic-Research-AR-LST-Vintage-Audiophile-Speakers-ORIGINAL-LOCAL-PICKUP-/172271482876?hash=item281c2e37fc:g:CowAAOSwyDxXhRtp

The cabinet on one AR-LST has been seriously damaged (obviously dropped), causing huge damage to the speaker enclosure.  There also are no pictures of the woofers.  Hard to say what they are worth.  The person listing them bragged about a "matched set" when, if fact, there was no such thing as a "matched set."

[ra.ra]

Astute observations, Tom ..... and with my not being a member of the LST club, I was hesitant to offer similar thoughts. Also, whenever I hear $1400 speakers being labeled as "really cheap", or 1000 road miles being described as "close" in proximity, I am once again grounded by the realities of my limited pursuits.

[DavidR]

I emailed the seller and asked for pictures of the woofers.

 

[frankmarsi]

 

Conspicuous by his absence, I bet "owlsplace" is on his way there as we speak.

Initially, I did mention to check and see if the drivers were original.

The grills on the LSTs are attached with velcro, it would've easy for the seller to pop them off, if he knew they could?

I did notice some corner damage in the photos but, that's repairable by the potential LST lover, it certainly wouldn't stop me at that price.

When I bought my last pair of LSTs in 2009, I paid $850. and they're almost mint having newly been refoamed.

With the original tweeters, I suspect that I'd be replacing them in short time because no matter how well they perform, they sadly cannot handle much power at all coupled by their weakness due to aging. Presently, they're not being used as I suffer from having more than I actually need, poor me.

But with an intense joy of listening to them, I'd buy more if the price was right and decide where to set them up later on.

[owlsplace]

16 hours ago, frankmarsi said:

This one is for that guy named "owlsplace"

There is a set of LST on the auction site for really cheap.

And they're close to you besides.

I'd ask if all drivers work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Acoustic-Research-AR-LST-Vintage-Audiophile-Speakers-ORIGINAL-LOCAL-PICKUP-/172271482876?hash=item281c2e37fc:g:CowAAOSwyDxXhRtp

Thanks for thinking of me Frank but you are the acknowledged LST king -- I'm just a poor tenant farmer happy eating road-kill. Road trips to Colorado are always fun although I'm being played like a ragdoll these days ... off to work I go ...

Roger

[frankmarsi]

2 minutes ago, owlsplace said:

Thanks for thinking of me Frank but you are the acknowledged LST king -- I'm just a poor tenant farmer happy eating road-kill. Road trips to Colorado are always fun although I'm being played like a ragdoll these days ... off to work I go ...

Roger

You'll be forgiven but, you know not what you do.

Listen to reason man, you are missing out on a possible good deal here?

Get a hold of yourself man, open your eyes and in this case ears too.

Think of the ramifications, you may never forgive yourself, ever!

And, you'll be sitting there listening to your AR-5s wondering, always wondering and never knowing.

This is going to be one sad day in Nevada, I'm telling you!

I hope that you know what you're doing here, how will you be able to be so close to them knowing you are guilty of such a disservice to yourself?

May the 'AR gods' have mercy on you.

 

 

[Liangshan Marsh]

14 hours ago, frankmarsi said:

Then you too, my son, must go and get them!

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Thanks Frank, yesterday I had a chance to get it for $900, even bargain as low as $800 or $850.. It is just right in my backyard but I have little cash in hand so I passed it and I think I will never see any good deal like that again...

[frankmarsi]

11 minutes ago, Liangshan Marsh said:

Thanks Frank, yesterday I had a chance to get it for $900, even bargain as low as $800 or $850.. It is just right in my backyard but I have little cash in hand so I passed it and I think I will never see any good deal like that again...

This is getting to be really sad for all involved. Could these LSTs be cursed?

Am I cursed for owning 3 pairs? Am I undeserving myself?

I'll walk away with my head down and remain.

Although, later on today, I will throw myself in the living room and do some listening while feeling sad,  put a few records on and wonder if I'm just a fire starter?

 

[michiganpat]

FWIW in the ebay pics, at least one of the mids is a newer replacement, maybe from an AR11?

and with cabinet damage that bad, it wouldn't shock me if it compromised the drivers....

[DavidR]

I got an email from the seller. He stated one woofer has been refoamed the other is rotting. He said he would post pics later when he gets home from work.

[frankmarsi]

Those AR-LSTs are now sold and for just over $1,000.00

I wonder if a CSP member bought them? Hmmmm.

[frankmarsi]

As fate would have it, the new buyer has re-listed them on the same auction site and is asking $1,385. which is only $300. more than he apparently paid for them. 

To me the price still seems low and fair, the task at hand is the shipping perils and that repair.

Another consideration is having an amplifier with enough guts to power them. 

Speaking from experience, believe me, they do absorb tons of power in order to sound their best. Not this stuff I've read here and there about "Oh, I don't play mine very loud and I don't listen to hard rock and stuff". That's poppycock and probably coming from the mouth of a spineless moron who doesn't appreciate powerful rock, synth-rock, well recorded jazz or powerful emotionally moving classical music.

 Powering mine with a PL700 Series II seems to do the trick, however I can say, having more power on tap will not be a mistake. 

Be smart, don't listen to folks who claim one could use a small amp and get by, that's idiocy. Remembering that they are 4 ohms nominally and are capable of stressing almost any amplifier requiring a low db cooling fan as part of the deal when having yourself a good time with them. I'm talking realistic sound levels, not wussy, "I'm in a quiet mood tonite" depressed mood levels.

 It is my firm belief they perform very well with something over 350 or so of clean watts RMS @ 4ohms per-side, extremely well with even more. Anything lower and you'll be denying yourself of the ultimate pleasure these speakers are capable of, plain and simple! 

The other major consideration is those confounded tweeters and their replacements. Or, one could use 'Micro-Statics' as I do or almost any appropriate substitute tweeter array that can afford enough HF spread to accommodate the wide sound field those four lovely midranges present. Certainly, a full replacement of four tweeters in each cabinet is the best route.

So, to all and any of you desirous of LST speakers, you're been given a second chance.

To recap, that damaged corner seems a tad serious but, I'm sure someone with enough wood working experience could remedy that quite easily. It's not a deal breaker in my pee brain.

So, 'Go, catch a falling star and put in your pocket, never let it fade away'............ and believe me. I've been out there and one does see many falling stars in that beauty part of this country, except, not like these ones.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ACOUSTIC-RESEARCH-AR-LST-VINTAGE-HOME-STEREO-SPEAKERS-ar-ar-lst-/172272646824?hash=item281c3ffaa8:g:pJgAAOSw7s5XhpUD

[ar_pro]

There's no "new buyer"; they are for sale by the same seller for $300 more than the original listing.

[frankmarsi]

ar_pro, you're correct. I'm just so excited about these for some strange reason I didn't bother to look.

Anyone see owsplace?

I'm starting to worry now, he's always here, where is he?  If I have to issue an APB, I will.

You think his absence is caused by his change of avatar, he did show up late to this thread?

Admittedly, he looks much better with the M/U and hair done in his new photo but, he's still no contest winner.

If you see him, tell him he's got another chance at this.

You know, he did mention something about eating road-kill, that can't be good for anybody. No, that's not good at all. His mentioning of being played like some rag doll its awful strange too. Hey, I'm really starting to worry.

 You know it's not exactly a stone's throw from Nevada to Colorado it would take a number of hours, like a day.

Maybe by now he's just passing the 'four-corners' on his way there? God's speed man, wind at your heels and that stuff.

You guys are right, I shouldn't worry.  I myself, was seemingly born to worry, it's what I do.

[lakecat]

Looks like he redid his auction to include shipping now. Also...he is not showing the damage with his new pictures. If you like repairing speakers.....here's your ideal task.....

[owlsplace]

Unless my memory fails me a pair of these in mint condition went out the door for only a couple hundred more recently.... ok, Frank, I finally looked at these and figured out what is punching your buttons -- the low serial numbers -- which means it has the early crossover ...

Oh, that isn't me in the avatar, it is Mariangelo Melato ... sadly she passed away not too long ago ...

Roger

[frankmarsi]

 7-14-2016

 

In contrast to the pair we’ve been speaking about these last couple of days, this pair’s in better condition and the high and mid-frequency drivers are connected correctly. In my travels, I’ve noticed many folks do this improperly as I have done myself in the past.

 

The seller claims he had a wood worker handle the cabinets but, apparently he missed a few spots or was simply sleeping on the job.

 

There is a newer AR-10-11 tweeter on one side, I wonder if the tweeter has an appropriate modification to the X-over?

Regarding the woofers surrounds, well, these are those type one must cut too size.

I do like the extra wide foam roll though.

 

If a U.S. citizen had these shipped from Europe, I can't imagine a safe arrival unless the are mounted on a strong oak palet, or incased in a custom made padded enclosure as I sometimes think I should be placed in.

 

Price wise, to me these are more in keeping with what I consider correct. They are certainly considered rare as they should be and worth the high cost for all the good reasons one can think of.

The U.S. seller/offering we've been discussing must be boiling about the selling price difference which is more than twice.

 

Do I sound like a devotee of these speakers? Well, does a bear shit in the woods?

FM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-Acoustic-Research-AR-LST-super-Condition-very-rare-Studio-Speakers-/322192015497?hash=item4b04240089:g:5z8AAOSwAPlXh2Ko

[owlsplace]

13 hours ago, frankmarsi said:

Do I sound like a devotee of these speakers? Well, does a bear shit in the woods?

 

 

Wow, Wiesbaden is where I bought my first AR speakers. So Frank, I'm a little cash strapped at the moment or I'd pick these up. I'm counting on you to save these for posterity. Just think, a little summer trip to Europe. You can supervise the packing of these marvels and escort them to Bremerhaven for shipping stateside. While they are in transit you can visit all those places you always wanted to see in Europe, castles on the Rhine, rimes with wine for a reason. Tuscany would be fun or sail the Peloponnesus. Then you can pick them up in NJ and visit Kent on the way home.

Or better yet, buy a new BMW at the factory, pick up the speakers, drive to Rome and hook up with Adriano. He has an amp to do them justice. Then drive the whole rig to Bremerhaven and put it on the boat while hiring on as a deck hand to supervise transit across the pond.

 

Roger

 

[VintageMan]

I contacted the seller about the damage:

On 7/14/16, 8:08 AM, i2paq wrote:

Details about item: i2paq sent a message about ACOUSTIC RESEARCH AR-LST VINTAGE HOME STEREO SPEAKERS LST #172272646824

Am I correct that one of the upper corners is badly damaged?

Kind regards, Norman

His reply:

It has a crack that runs top too bottom in center of wood. Only on 1 rear edge. Looks like a good wood cement & a couple clamps could get it back to decent! It's not visible from front & only on the rear! But yes it will need repaired if you decide to purchase! Regards Joe

[frankmarsi]

21 hours ago, owlsplace said:

 

 

Wow, Wiesbaden is where I bought my first AR speakers. So Frank, I'm a little cash strapped at the moment or I'd pick these up. I'm counting on you to save these for posterity. Just think, a little summer trip to Europe. You can supervise the packing of these marvels and escort them to Bremerhaven for shipping stateside. While they are in transit you can visit all those places you always wanted to see in Europe, castles on the Rhine, rimes with wine for a reason. Tuscany would be fun or sail the Peloponnesus. Then you can pick them up in NJ and visit Kent on the way home.

Or better yet, buy a new BMW at the factory, pick up the speakers, drive to Rome and hook up with Adriano. He has an amp to do them justice. Then drive the whole rig to Bremerhaven and put it on the boat while hiring on as a deck hand to supervise transit across the pond.

 

Roger

 

7-16-16

Let me be frank, after all, that is my name.

A wonderful and yet preposterous itinerary that you have planned for me owlsplace.

But, what with all that is going on in the world these days, I feel staying home and not traveling with all of the obvious tension is a bit more appealing for me. But, I do appreciate your ‘travel-agent’ abilities.

 

With all of ‘the-work-in-progress’ speakers sitting here with me is enough to occupy my time.

Well, I mean if I was so inclined I’d get all of the necessary work done. Then what?

 

Being basically a slug, I’d rather enjoy my ‘stay-cation’ instead of a vacation as traveling abroad these days is not the mind-set that I would entertain right at this moment as much as I would like to.

 

So, let me slowly recline into a comfortable position and simply enjoy the LSTs I own at this time.

Future purchases will have to be done solely if any new LST offerings are close by and I can cart them into my man-cave myself.

All six of my LSTs were carried from where I found them and delivered personally by me to my home.

True, it was a back-wrenching ordeal each time but, they arrived safely and without any damage.

 

So, Let the music begin!

Today’s list: Ella Fitzgerald, Sade, Chuka, Joni Mitchell, Joan Biaz, Vanessa Fernandez.

 

After I’m content with that, it’ll be an ‘Eighties’ foray with Depesh Mode, Thompson Twins, Bryan Ferry, Super Tramp and others.

 

Then, if my ears and mind allow, perhaps some jazz with Jamal, Bill Evans, Da Duke, Louie Belsen, and others.

And if I’ll still lucid, maybe some YoYo Ma, and some great music by Bach played by Salvatore Accardo and others.

This will all happen on vinyl baby, the only truly satisfying medium for me!

Or, I may just cheese-out and watch current events or a history or science program on the tube.

 

At times and in a troubling way, my mind is just too sporadic these days. It may have to do with being a teenager in the sixties, living and fully loving the seventies and eighties and being forced to make sense of the world in the two thousands,

FM

[iso]

This seems almost too good to be true for our UK-members or even for Vintageman or Klaus. I asked if seller would make pallet and send this pair to Finland, but received no reply. Seller seems to be honest, so story about this pair is probably true. No dented tweeters or mid´s, woofers seems to original and cabs are not too bad either... and only one bid with low reserve. Hurry... only 14 hours left.

Kimmo

 

PS pasting this link stinks... I really do not get it right but here is link http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Acoustic-Research-LST-AR-LST-Vintage-Restoration-/291817182191?hash=item43f1a8d3ef:g:AdUAAOSwygJXhVak

Mouse over to zoom - Click to enlarge   Click to view larger image and other views Have one to sell? Sell it yourself Acoustic Research LST - AR-LST Vintage Restoration   Email to friendsShare on Facebook - opens in a new window or tabShare on Twitter - opens in a new window or tabShare on Pinterest - opens in a new window or tab | Add to Watch list   Seller information spragnut (269 ) 100% Positive Feedback    Follow this seller   See other items   AdChoice   Condition: For parts or not working   Time left: Time left:13h 30m 55s (19 Jul, 2016 22:02:26 BST)           £250.00 1 bid   Submit bid     Add to Watch list Add to collection     6 inquiries Longtime member Zero customs charges   Collect 250 Nectar points Get Started | Conditions       Postage: May not post to Finland - Read item description or contact seller for postage options. | See details     Item location: Chatham, Kent, United Kingdom         Posts to:     Delivery: Varies   Payments:  Processed by PayPal ,  Other - See seller's payment instructions  |  See payment information Europe's No.1 Packaging Supplier Rajapack   Returns: No returns accepted   Protection: Money Back Guarantee  | See details- opens in a new window or tab

 

 

 

[owlsplace]

Okay, Frank, change of itinerary -- those Chatham LST's are too good to pass up so, fly into Heathrow, buy a new Range Rover, pick up the speakers, cruise around the Emerald Isles for a couple of weeks checking out all the pubs, ferry over to Amsterdam ...

 

 

 

Roger