Another KLH 25 Console - rare version?

[droh]

As a huge fan of KLH dating back to working at a stereo store in the late 60s I just added one more item to my collection. A KLH Model 25 console showed up on my local Craigslist, I ended up paying $175 for it, not a bargain by any means, especially since it needs quite a bit of restoration work. But I think this is a pretty rare version, I think it is the "Modern," "Contemporary," or "Walnut" version.

But unfortunately it is buried under some paint, antiquing and decorations (see pics) that were added by a previous owner in order to make it fit in with their livingroom decor. The Walnut version is mentioned in some old catalog listings I have found, but other than that I have not been able t find any pictures of this version on the web. There are lots of pictures of the fruitwood version but none of the walnut. It's notable for it's flat doors and contemporary styling.

My plan is to do a full restore of this unit, bring it back to it's original look. Other than the added decor it's actually in pretty decent shape, big strong sound, in need of new crossover caps for sure, and I might end up recapping the electronics as well. As I make some progress on the restore I will post more pics.

If anyone out there has one of these versions I'd love to see some pics, the only part that is missing and will need to be sourced from somewhere are the door handles on the front, I might have to take a guess at what they looked like.

 

[alteclipsch]

Nice unit, I just scanned and sent an owner's manual to you. These things have really nice sound and can fill any room. I recapped and re-doped the speakers in the one I have (tweeters weren't functioning), and they came to brilliant life! Also installed a new stylus but I want to goof around with it's weight, currently about 3.5 grams. Good luck and have fun!

 

[dshoaf]

There's one on our local CL that's been for sale for months. In my house, placement is the big problem.

Cheers,

David

 

[alteclipsch]

They're not very big, only 32 x 15, so if it's reasonably priced and good condition, check it out.

 

[droh]

Agreed, this thing is very compact, and yet it has amazing sound, well worth checking out. David are you in the Detroit area - I thought I saw one listed in the Detroit CL.

 

[alteclipsch]

That one in Detroit looks nice and has been serviced.

 

[droh]

Agreed. Given that the electronics have been recapped and it has a new needle that is actually a bargain.

 

[droh]

Look what I found hiding under all that paint and antiquing.

 

[miklos1965]

Hi. New guy here. Just found a nice version of your piece. Model 25 in walnut w/ original Pickering needle w/ brush. These are quite rare in the walnut version. The fruit wood console is butt ugly omho, and don't know why those were chosen over the mid century walnut beauty! Playing some old Chicago on the TT, sounds sweet. AMFM works well, and aux input w/ phone on youtube Grateful Dead is killer. A multi-functional piece in a small package w/ sealed speakers that don't bleed. This is the compact version of the Model 20 Plus. The better consoles like this are being snapped up quickly in my area (Milwaukee). I'll try and load up some pics so you can see the original unit w/ original aluminum door pulls. Last pic is lighter from flash. My first post. Thanks.

 

[alteclipsch]

Yes, nice to see these classic KLH consoles coming back to life. I use mine mostly with an iPod, but fm is great, and the turntable is good too, although the tonearm is a bit heavy for my best records.

 

[miklos1965]

Thanks for my first reply. I'm glad I replied so you could see the aluminum rectangular pulls on the cabinet that were missing from your console as you stated. I am more knowledgeable about makes/ models/ year and quality of units vs. how to work on and fix. I love the 20 Plus unit w/ the Bose 901 style stands. This unit is the same, only compartmentalized. Playing TREX now on the unit. Very fat and like it should be. Cheers, Miklos.

 

[audiojones]

This is the compact version of the Model 20 Plus.

Nope, it's actually the entire Model Twenty Four phono system (including the Twenty Four speakers) in a console package. The Model Twenty had a larger amp, larger speakers with a larger woofer and different tweeters, and of course a larger price tag than the Model Twenty Four. The Twenty and Twenty Plus phono systems shared the same electronics but the speaker cabinets were larger on the Plus version to match the dimensions of the larger control cabinet and to accommodate the tulip style stands.

Having said that, your console is an excellent piece and a great find IMO. I agree the fruitwood finish isn't as attractive as the walnut, and for a small console it really has a fantastic tone quality (like all KLH products from that era). Nice console there!

 

[droh]

Miklos, thanks for the post, its nice to see one of the walnut versions. And I appreciate the pics of the handles, if you could actually take some closeup pics I would appreciate it, I am going to have to either find them somewhere or manufacture them. Looking at your pics and doing a bit more research I have discovered that there were actually three versions of the 25, the Fruitwood version (I share your feelings about that one), your version which I believe is called "Walnut" and my version which I think was called "Contemporary", it is exactly the same as yours but instead of walnut legs on the bottom is has brushed aluminum.

And audiojones is correct, it's actually all of the components of the Model 24, including the speakers. I have mine completely disassembled at this point and verified it is the same drivers as the 24. The electronics are from the Model 24 series I, but interestingly mine came with knobs from the series II.

If you havent already you might want to recap the crossovers in yours, and reseal the woofer surrounds, both pretty easy projects, and after you do it you might be surprised by even better bass and richer high end.

Thanks again for the pics!

 

[VinylRevival]

Just stumbled on a GEM! Found it on the side of an Antique Barn in South Carolina. It was laying in its side and I looked over and saw the top could be lifted. I looked in and saw a turntable. The owner saw me looking at it and told me everything in that pile was FREE! Said it didn't sell at auction and the old lady never came back to get it. I put it rite side up, did a wipe down, opened all the doors, then I looked at the back and BINGO! Once I saw KLH I knew I had something good. I don't know anything about these but upon reading this thread I guess it's the "Contemporary" version with brushed aluminum legs. It doesn't have the Arch's cut into the front doors, it's all flat (which I like better by seeing other pictures) I haven't tested it yet but I know the turntable and speakers will need work. I was thinking of taking out the turntable and putting in my red Pro- Ject turntable. Then the guy helped me load it in my Jeep since it does have a little weight to it. I gave him two bucks to buy himself a couple of cokes and he was HAPPY! Said now he doesn't have to make a trip to the dump! LOL! Any info on this beauty would e greatly appreciated! AND HE THREW IN TWO WOODEN DUCKS JUST BECAUSE. LOL

 

[VinylRevival]

Hi. New guy here. Just found a nice version of your piece. Model 25 in walnut w/ original Pickering needle w/ brush. These are quite rare in the walnut version. The fruit wood console is butt ugly omho, and don't know why those were chosen over the mid century walnut beauty! Playing some old Chicago on the TT, sounds sweet. AMFM works well, and aux input w/ phone on youtube Grateful Dead is killer. A multi-functional piece in a small package w/ sealed speakers that don't bleed. This is the compact version of the Model 20 Plus. The better consoles like this are being snapped up quickly in my area (Milwaukee). I'll try and load up some pics so you can see the original unit w/ original aluminum door pulls. Last pic is lighter from flash. My first post. Thanks.

THAT'S what I want mine to look like!!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!

 

[droh]

Just stumbled on a GEM! Found it on the side of an Antique Barn in South Carolina. It was laying in its side and I looked over and saw the top could be lifted. I looked in and saw a turntable. The owner saw me looking at it and told me everything in that pile was FREE! Said it didn't sell at auction and the old lady never came back to get it. I put it rite side up, did a wipe down, opened all the doors, then I looked at the back and BINGO! Once I saw KLH I knew I had something good. I don't know anything about these but upon reading this thread I guess it's the "Contemporary" version with brushed aluminum legs. It doesn't have the Arch's cut into the front doors, it's all flat (which I like better by seeing other pictures) I haven't tested it yet but I know the turntable and speakers will need work. I was thinking of taking out the turntable and putting in my red Pro- Ject turntable. Then the guy helped me load it in my Jeep since it does have a little weight to it. I gave him two bucks to buy himself a couple of cokes and he was HAPPY! Said now he doesn't have to make a trip to the dump! LOL! Any info on this beauty would e greatly appreciated! AND HE THREW IN TWO WOODEN DUCKS JUST BECAUSE. LOL

WOW! Nice score, I guess this is an ausio equivalent of a "barn find." And you can't beat that price, I am very jealous.

Yes indeed, that is the "Contemporary" version, same as mine, at least that's what my started out as, I'm in the middle of restoring it back. Mine is currently in pieces I am working on rebuilding the doors that the previous owner "modified." I am still trying to find some perfect replicas for the door handles so VinylRevival if you could maybe post some closeup pics of those handles I would be very grateful. And I'm also curious about the piece of paper that was apparently stapled to the bottom? Can you tell what that was, I know it's torn and mostly missing, but I'm very curious.

If you have any questions please feel free to send them along, I've developed quite a bit of knowledge about these units. Here's one tidbit that you should know - these cabinets were clearly made by a different factory than the KLH speaker cabinets. The good news is that the veneer is substantially thicker and therefore refinishing is much more practical. So if you want to return yours to it's original glory by all means charge ahead.

Dave

 

[droh]

Hi again, was just looking at the pictures some more...

It appears that for some reason the speaker connections have been unplugged and the connectors removed. That's what those bare wires are hanging out the back, you'll need to put RCA plugs back on those and plug them in to the "SPKRS" jacks on the back. But that may also be a tip off that there are issues with the electronics, if they bypassed them to use just the speakers. But the guts of these are just a Model 24, so not hard to repair or replace.

 

[VinylRevival]

WOW! Nice score, I guess this is an ausio equivalent of a "barn find." And you can't beat that price, I am very jealous.

Yes indeed, that is the "Contemporary" version, same as mine, at least that's what my started out as, I'm in the middle of restoring it back. Mine is currently in pieces I am working on rebuilding the doors that the previous owner "modified." I am still trying to find some perfect replicas for the door handles so VinylRevival if you could maybe post some closeup pics of those handles I would be very grateful. And I'm also curious about the piece of paper that was apparently stapled to the bottom? Can you tell what that was, I know it's torn and mostly missing, but I'm very curious.

If you have any questions please feel free to send them along, I've developed quite a bit of knowledge about these units. Here's one tidbit that you should know - these cabinets were clearly made by a different factory than the KLH speaker cabinets. The good news is that the veneer is substantially thicker and therefore refinishing is much more practical. So if you want to return yours to it's original glory by all means charge ahead.

Dave

Here's some pics of the handles and that paper on the bottom. That seems to be packaging/shipping info. Also, is this console Mono, Stereo or Hi-Fi? I look forward to all you knowledge to help me along with this beauty.

Scott

 

[droh]

Here's some pics of the handles and that paper on the bottom. That seems to be packaging/shipping info. Also, is this console Mono, Stereo or Hi-Fi? I look forward to all you knowledge to help me along with this beauty.

Scott

Scott,

Thanks very much for the additional pics, that helps me a great deal, I may have found something reasonably close.

The Model 25 is stereo, hence the speakers on both sides. As others have said it is basically the Model 24 but all built into one piece. And it has an aux input so you can actually hookup an ipod to it. If you search on this forum or Google KLH Model 24 you can find a lot more information. I created a reproduction of the original owners manual, if you'd like a copy drop me a PM.

 

[VinylRevival]

Scott,

Thanks very much for the additional pics, that helps me a great deal, I may have found something reasonably close.

The Model 25 is stereo, hence the speakers on both sides. As others have said it is basically the Model 24 but all built into one piece. And it has an aux input so you can actually hookup an ipod to it. If you search on this forum or Google KLH Model 24 you can find a lot more information. I created a reproduction of the original owners manual, if you'd like a copy drop me a PM.

Thanks!
Another question, why do some versions have the arch carved in the front doors and the version I have is a flat front?