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KLH Model Nines

Grady Cain

Grady Cain

Batterista
Subscriber
I have the opportunity to buy an excellent set of 6 panels. My question for this forum is what amplification is proper for these rare electrostatics - Tube? Solid state? Wattage? Mono blocks or stereo amp? What do any of you Model Nine owners out there use and why? What shouldn't I use and why? Amp choices that I currently have are my HH Scott LK72 or a pair of more modern Parasound A23s that I run in bridged mono mode (400 WPC bridged) but can be run as separate stereo amps. I also have a pair of Eico HF30 mono blocks which I am restoring but will be an option when they are done. I have been filling my head with as much information as possible before purchasing them and have read that proper amplification is critical so as not to destroy the speakers (or the amps.) Any and all input from members is welcome. Thank you!
 
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I've never had the pleasure of dinking around with a set. Given the efficiency of the Model 9s, I'd suggest those low wattage amps would need to be used in a small room. You should expect to bring on the power for them.

Using higher power amps, however, has its own set of caveats for not driving them hard enough that the 'static panels begin arcing.

Cheers,

David
 
Tagged - echo the above (Smaller <50w tube amps - I believe - ) I have a scan of the owners manual somewhere and would be happy to email to you.

I am (Slowly) restoring two pair of two NINE -

I also find myself in NW Ct pretty much every weekend - KLH Model Nine Owners Manual0001_Page_7.jpg.... so if you DO get them I could offer some muscle for moving or set-up in return to a listen!
 
chinacave said:
I also find myself in NW Ct pretty much every weekend so if you DO get them I could offer some muscle for moving or set-up in return to a listen!
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Hey man, thank you very much for that offer! I'm still on the fence about the purchase. If I did get them, I would probably sell 2 of the 6 panels to recoup some money. I really want to make sure I have the proper equipment and adequate space to do them justice...
 
E-Stat said:
My suggestion would be to ask Arthur Janszen's son David who refurbishes them and is planning new production!

I've always liked powerful tubes with my stats, but both sets are of dual transformer design which have more linear impedance response and are thus more "tube friendly".
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I just checked out the "new" KLH website.......nice looking stuff there, but not much of anything that harks back to the old days other than the new NINES. Did I mention they are listed on there for $25K!!! Whoa!

The new table radio is called the Eight, but doesn't really come close to what the original was all about. Its a bit more like the last of the Cambridge Soundworks radios. And......its made overseas....:oops:

http://www.klhaudio.com/

Worth a look to all those that were/are KLH fans just the same......
 
They split the lowest octaves out to the subs. No more comprehensive
systems. Is that the latest fashion?
 
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