KG 5.2 dented woofers fix

[ScottLK48B]

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and chest deep into rediscovering the stereo interest from my youth(HK pushing CSW ensembles in HS) while on a frugal young father's budget has lead me from things like bi-amping Paradigms with used Adcom separates to currently marveling at previously unheard details and soundstage dynamism of remastered genre classics.

This blessing is due to a cost effective tobaccoy but mostly original, fully tuned up and close to silent H.H. Scott LK-48-B integrated amplifier pushing a pair of KG 5.2s which sold for relative pennies on the bay due to all four woofer domes being dented in.

Needless to say I like to run speakers with the grills off and I decided to do something about the eye sore but was having little luck initially with tape pulling attempts. I ended up using hot glue sticks of diminishing sizes combined with a heat gun, waiting until they were stiff enough to pull out the dent then cooling them more before they cleanly pulled right off the material.

Now they look brand new which is certainly better than I had hoped for given the unknown length of time that they were deformed.

Can anyone out there offer ideas to a better sounding system for under $435? (not gifted, "found", or the like)

I will add that I am planning to splurge on the Crites tweeter and crossover upgrades I have a feeling after that I am going to be placated for quite some time!

Having fun on the cheap,
Nick

 

[isotopesope]

What do you feel is lacking with your current system? What sources do you use?

 

[ScottLK48B]

What do you feel is lacking with your current system? What sources do you use?

Lacking is not what how I would describe my experience, my intent may have been misunderstood. I am quite happy now but likely plan to do the Crites upgrade in the future, time permitting, based on recommendations I have read thus far.

Currently I use two main sources: a fully analogue well grounded DD33 turntable with a NOS AT111E/U, and steaming from my desktop(motherboard boasts separated PCB for onboard audio and dual DACs) through a 3.5mm to dual RCA. Both sound excellent and do offer quite different experiences I find the Live Unplugged Nirvana album on the DD33 sounds like you are in the audience but this comes with added cleaning & maintenance not to mention the risk of my young son suddenly vibrating the entire house!

I was looking at DACs with wifi or bluetooth but have been hesitant to purchase as I have found little consensus and realize many cell phone streaming apps limit high bit and sample rates.

Unfortunately I generously but asininely gave all my CDs from High School and before to my step sister long ago in the early Ipod "free music" days, maybe I will start a collection again but then I would have to research CD players uh oh...

 

[isotopesope]

If you’re considering a DAC, I would suggest looking into Topping. I use an inexpensive Topping D30 DAC for my 2 channel system, which sounds incredible imo. It has three digital inputs on it (optical, coax, and usb), which is super handy since my early 80’s preamp only has one AUX input. I joke the DAC is a pre-aux. har har.

I run my old 1080p Sony Blu-ray player as a transport thru the DAC via coax, as well as the usb connection to plug my iPhone directly into it. I was considering a Bluetooth receiver, but since I have an iPhone I learned they don’t use the newer high fidelity aptX codecs. They only use the AAC codec. I discovered my ancient 1st gen Airport Express 1/8” analog out is also a mini toslink optical output, so now I use Apple’s AirPlay WiFi connection to the Airport Express, which runs through the D30’s optical input. It works great and sounds great. Since setting this up, I pretty much never directly plug my phone into it.

On my home theater system, my Marantz processor uses AirPlay and Bluetooth. I find AirPlay sounds better than Bluetooth from my iPhone. Though I rarely use this system to music.

 

[Chorus1fan]

I will add that I am planning to splurge on the Crites tweeter and crossover upgrades I have a feeling after that I am going to be placated for quite some time!

Having fun on the cheap,
Nick

To keep it cheap, (& something you can do 1st/now) order the titanium tweeter diaphragms from crites. Simple, cheap, only takes 10 min, & it will be the biggest bang for your buck !!!