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Kef 104/2 Reference Speakers

Your AU-9500 will be the perfect match with your 104/2 for a couple of reasons, one, it's rated at 4 ohms, and the Sansui,s from the low 70s were some of their best years. With 75 watts at 8 ohms and 105 watts at 4 ohms, this will be a quality integrated amp to drive your speakers, and would be capable of even driving the KEF 105/2 model

You will see :D(hear) a big difference between the 881 and the 9500
 
moinau said:
Since KEF no longer have the original 104/2 tweeter, they can supply a substitute tweeter. These are different from the original tweeter, therefore they would need to be replaced in pairs.
These can be ordered direct by contacting
service@kef.com
The part No. is R1548X and the cost will be, approximately, £17 per tweeter plus carriage.
KEF AUDIO (UK) Limited / Celestion Consumer Division
Click to expand...

Wow Moinau, do you work for KEF? Is KEF reproducing any other drivers for their "vinatge" line? T33's for the R107 perhaps? :thmbsp:
 
Hi SimplySound,

No, not quite :D, but I read a lot since I also own KEF speakers. You guys have excellent KEF, the 104/2 and for you, the 107, both reference Series model.
The best infos for KEF speakers are to be had from England, France and Germany, although USA and Canada sometime have some.

Now since you ask, the fluid in your T33 has probably or could have dried-up also.
All T33 are not the same, maybe the same name, same dimension, and in your case, also rated at 4 ohms. Some are also rated at 8 ohms.
The T33 on the 104/2 is the SP1191, 4 ohms, and yours is the SP1210, also a 4 ohms.
I suspect they are voiced differently and probably have also a different type of fluid.
So, the replacement for the SP1191 might not be a good match for your 107. You should first write to KEF and ask them if they have something for you. Also, make sure yours is still functional before discarding. If they are dried-up, don't bother looking for an exact replacement like people do for other make of speakers, you will probably get the same all dried-up tweeters.

One more possibility for people having this problem, you can buy ferrofluid, not sure about the specification though, but I heard that it's possible to refurbish them. They seem to do it in France and in England. Again, this is a question to ask KEF/Celestion office.

Last thing, beware of some replacement drivers sold on, you know where, they are not the right type, configuration, and are way to expensive.
 
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One of my T-33 tweeters had its ferrofluid gel up creating havoc causing the voice coil wire to unfurl.
I replaced both with comparable Audax drivers from Madisound.
This did entail some Dremel work on the inside of the baffle for a tailored fit and beautiful sounding result.
 
moinau said:
Now since you ask, the fluid in your T33 has probably or could have dried-up also...
Click to expand...

Thanks Moinau for you response... I always wondered about this, but my 107's sound beautiful, so I've ben reluctant to mess with it. But as Canucker has pointed out, I have no reference as to whether or not these sound as good as new because the ferrofluid is shot.

I don't have a problem with changing out caps in cross-overs for identical but better caps. Messing with Ferrofluid could be a receipt for disaster!

But I will contact KEF just to see what they have to say about the issue.
 
The Audax (the AUDAX TW025A2 - 4 Ohms) is also one of the recommended driver from some English folks.
The other are, the Morel MDT29 and the MDT30 which by the way are exact fit and all available at Madisound.
One good thing about Madisound is, you can return the product, providing you did'nt solder it when trying it. You can also talk with the tech there, some are quite knowledgeable on the KEF product

There is also a write-up on ferrofluid replacement.

http://www.hifiloudspeakers.info/speakertalk/viewtopic.php?t=1304&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
 
SimplySound said:
Thanks Moinau for you response... I always wondered about this, but my 107's sound beautiful, so I've ben reluctant to mess with it. But as Canucker has pointed out, I have no reference as to whether or not these sound as good as new because the ferrofluid is shot.

I don't have a problem with changing out caps in cross-overs for identical but better caps. Messing with Ferrofluid could be a receipt for disaster!

But I will contact KEF just to see what they have to say about the issue.
Click to expand...

According to KEF, the Ferrofluid was good for 25 years or more, all depending on people not cooking their speakers (read, playing them at ears splitting volume) all the time, which will hasten their degradation.
If the high doesn't sound constricted, muffled or maybe brittle at time, then yours are still good.
Beside, if you like the sound, that is what counts.
 
Nót messing with ferrofluid could be a recipe for disaster also sadly - if it has disappeared or gummed up, it will inhibit the voicecoilmovement of the tweeter within the magnet - apart from the damage this can cause to the coil, the lack of fluid cooling also impedes the tweeter's function ( load capability )
I got a pair of 104/2's sitting pretty in my study until I have the time for a complete rebuild ( foam surrounds, ferrofluid, xover filter checkup, and if my friend the Carpenter has some time, a new walnut veneer job - will post pics when ;)

The if it aint broke dont fix it will eventually turn into if this were a horse I'd shoot it =S
 
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