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"Dahlquist for Dummies"

libertycaps

libertycaps

Analogue "AAA" vinyl.
Looking fairly seriously at a local pair of vintage DQ 10's. Can i do any better in the 70's Dahlquist line? I know they are power hungry buggers and will be feeding them with a Sansui 990DB.

ATTN: Audio adepts. Please advise this Dahlquist neophyte. :D
 
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How's it going libertycaps, I power my DQ10's with my Concept 11.0 that is 110 watts to each and I really like their performance. I do have to say I use mine as mid and high range speakers as I have two huge RHLabs passive subs running off their own amp and pre-amp that more then covers the low or bottom end. I.M.O. the DQ10's perform well on their own as the imaging is superb, maybe a little bass shy but very accurate and in a nut shell, well balanced. So many opinions as to each is his/her own on listening preference. A sub or a pair of subs with a pair of DQ10's will take you to the next level in listenig pleasure. I love mine. I forgot to mention a mirrored image pair is the way to go, not sure as to how much difference that makes, mine are.
 
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yeah

The DQ-10s are very sweet and like power but don't neccessarily require it.
They can sound good with lower power.
(But to really hear them preform, big power makes them talk).

Now, your question answered.

The DQ-20s will outshine the DQ-10s.
Mine are 4 ohm so even more power ability, but they really sound great.
 
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libertycaps said:
Can i do any better in the 70's Dahlquist line?
Click to expand...

They were Dahlquist's top speaker in the 70s, so no.

I am also a big fan of the later (1980s) speakers from Dahlquist such as the DQ-20 and DQ-30, but I believe the DQ-10s hold their own with any of them. I've never heard a recapped, mirror-imaged pair and would like to someday.
 
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Go get them. I have a mirror imaged pair with the crummy original caps in the crossover. They are still an outstanding speaker. I just need to find the time to recap the crossover and maybe run some new wiring.

I've run mine with amps/receivers of every description. Fisher 800C - don't even think about it. Same goes for Marantz 2235B. Pioneer SX1280 did a fine job of making them sing, but not quite as well as a Kenwood KA9100. I currently run them with a Soundcraftsmen MA5002, bench tested at 340WPC into 8 ohms. I still get the Class H Vari Portional going once in a while (around 125WPC). DQ-10s like power.
 
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Mirror imaged pair as in a sequential pair?
Think i'll leave the RSW 15 in the mix as the Sansui has a Pre Out/Main In loop for the sub. Might have them this Sunday!
 
I had a set that I bought new in 1980, they were mirror imaged and I recapped them about 3 years ago, if you have the newer yellow caps it is not essential to do so. I was running mine with a McIntosh MC2200 (200wpc) then 2 of them with a Veldyne subwoffer. the sound was fantastic. The great thing with these speakers is you can start out smaller but they will allow you to work your way up the power chain. Mine were in a very large room so that will make a huge difference.
 
Mirror imaged as in placement in the room, right? Okay, i think i got it now.
I've read elsewhere that 60WPC is the minimum requirement. When i get my Dynaco MKIII monoblocks in i might try those to see how they fare compared to the 120WPC Sansui.
 
Mirror imaged means the placement of the midrage and tweeter in the speaker encloseure itself. The early models were not mirror imaged and I don't know when it started. you can look at the back of the speaker and see the set up to tell. I attaced a photo of mine and you can see what it looks like.
 

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This photo from the Dahlquist Yahoo Group illustrates a pair that is mirror imaged. This is a popular "mod" to perform on earlier non-mirror-imaged examples:
 

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If you have the space, I would go all out and create the system Jon Dahlquist had originally intended. That is with the DQ LPS-1 crossover and at least one DQ-W1 bass modules. Since you would then be biamping them, power is not an issue and tube amps driving the mids and tweeters, with a SS amp pushing the SW is a match that is hard to surpass in the vintage audiophile world.
 
Got 'em. Not mirror imaged and the crossovers look like they need some TLC. Cosmetics 9/10. I'll prolly take them down to JAMAC and have the XO's rebuilt, new caps in and mirror imaged in the next months.
 
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You'll be happy you did, there is a Yahoo Dahlquist group you WILL want to join ton's of invaluable info there and VERY knowledgeable members.
 
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BTW, I think I read the DQ10 used an Advent woofer. From the attached image, it even resembles those Advent woofers which had the large "roll" for a surround.

I almost bought a pair back in the 80s, $500 used at a local audio dealer. They also had one of the subs. I probably should have bit the bullet and picked them up.
 
Wildcat said:
BTW, I think I read the DQ10 used an Advent woofer. From the attached image, it even resembles those Advent woofers which had the large "roll" for a surround.

I almost bought a pair back in the 80s, $500 used at a local audio dealer. They also had one of the subs. I probably should have bit the bullet and picked them up.
Click to expand...

Yep... Same woofer.
 
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