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KLH Model Thirty System - Any info?

Westlind

Westlind

Rank Amateur
Hi! I recently scored this rather rustic looking KLH Model Thirty system - it came with a pair of absolutely pristine Sansui SP-50 Speakers for the combined price of $50, and I couldn't pass them up. Speakers are great, but the KLH looks like it was stored in a barn. Haven't torn into it yet, but it might be my next project. Everything seems to work, but no sound is coming out of one channel. Besides the layer of grime, it looks to be complete and in good shape, except that someone thought it would be a good idea to engrave their Social Security number into the face.

Question for the group: I've been able to find some manuals and schematics for the similar KLH Model Twenty, but very little out there for the Model Thirty aside from this one AK thread from 11 years ago: http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/klh-model-30.237985/

Has anyone had any experience with these, or have a source for a schematic, manual, parts list, etc? I'm happy to just tear into it and see what I can see, but am even happier to do so with a little bit of guidance.

Thanks!
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Post Henry Kloss era KLH.....definitely one of the Made in Japan models made for KLH........Singer era. That's about all I can tell you about it. Probably has a decent sound to it, much like the same era Model Fifty-One (51) receiver does. Also, most likely a common model Garrard TT there as well. Parts for the TT should be easy to find. The rest of it.....well.....not so much. Probably not worth much, but a nice conversation piece none the less, once cleaned up and made functional of course.
 
Looks like one that I owned eons ago. Not bad with decent speakers, if you have a need for an all-in-one like that. If you're into vinyl, biggest drawback is that the tonearm was designed for a proprietary Pickering cart - not a standard 1/2" mount. Might be nice for a young'un who's discovering vinyl (with a new stylus, of course).

Cheers,
Larry B.
 
Don't be too dismissive of the Model Thirty, it's really kind of a hidden gem. I have a Model Thirty and it's big brother the Thirty-Five.

Yes it is certainly from the post Henry Kloss era, but it was very early in the new Singer regeme when they were still investing in KLH and a lot of the design work was probabaly done by some of Henry's proteges. Service docs were written in 1970 and 1971. Like all the models in the 30s it shows how singer was trying to reduce manufacturing costs but I think trying to maintain at least the sonic quality and value that KLH had offered. The Thirty replaced the Model Twenty, the electronics are not Japanese, at least I'm 80% sure of that, all the components are American brands and the build of the boards sure looks like American gear of that era. It's true that the faceplate and controls have that very Japanese look of the time, lots of black plastic, blacked out dials and fake chrome. But I think the aesthetics were just a nod to the changing look of gear in the 70s. Underneath all that is a well engineered chassis that used a lot less aluminum and instead has a composite material that everything is attached to. And the design of this unit (and the other compacts in the 30 series) have a very modular construction that I think made them quicker to assemble and repair. For example a lot less point to point wiring and instead cables with connectors and a back-plane of sorts that boards attach to.

The speakers in the model 30 used the exact same components as the Model 20 (and Seventeen) but with a simpler crossover (no switches) and a much cheaper cabinet, no fancy molding on the front, no velcro to attach the grills, and no recessed connector on the back.

But the sound of the Thirty was, and still is very nice, very true to the KLH legacy and I think certainly worth restoring.
 
Thanks Droh - Any chance you have copies of those service docs? I still haven't torn into it yet (two other projects are on my bench right now), but it would be helpful.

Happy to hear you like the Model 30 - I'd have restored it just on old coolness and style points alone, but hearing your good experience makes me more excited to start!

D
 
Westlind said:
Thanks Droh - Any chance you have copies of those service docs? I still haven't torn into it yet (two other projects are on my bench right now), but it would be helpful.

Happy to hear you like the Model 30 - I'd have restored it just on old coolness and style points alone, but hearing your good experience makes me more excited to start!

D
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Very interesting to read. we have a pair of KLH 30s too
 

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I too have a set of Model Thirties. They are really nice sounding speakers, and you gotta love the super groovy rainbow grills.
 
Pete B said:
I have a model 30 all in one but bought it with a pair of model 20 speakers.
The turntable is a Garrard 5-300 based on the CC10 with significant upgrades.
I believe that the much improved Garrard SLX-2 will drop into it as I mention here:
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/klh-model-30.237985/page-2#post-15001919
Click to expand...

Which is Ugh!, a Unimech. Which is Garrard at rock bottom. Modular built, from modules, PITA to ever have to overhaul. SLX-2 not much better. Garrard SL-95B better if that fits.
 
I actually have the 5-300 manual and it says that this is a supplement to the CC10
showing and describing the changes - SO much is changed. The frame is larger,
the platter is larger, the motor and arm are better but I believe that all of the auto
mechanics are the same. The 5-300 is WAY better than the CC10 and the SLX-2
is even better than the 5-300 with completely different changer mechanics and a
better arm.
I believe that the SLX-2 has the same basic mechanics as the SL-95 - not positive.
The SL-95B probably would fit but I don't have one to try.
The 5-300, SLX-2 and all of the SL models have the syncho-lab motor.
 
Pete B said:
I actually have the 5-300 manual and it says that this is a supplement to the CC10
showing and describing the changes - SO much is changed. The frame is larger,
the platter is larger, the motor and arm are better but I believe that all of the auto
mechanics are the same. The 5-300 is WAY better than the CC10 and the SLX-2
is even better than the 5-300 with completely different changer mechanics and a
better arm.
I believe that the SLX-2 has the same basic mechanics as the SL-95 - not positive.
The SL-95B probably would fit but I don't have one to try.
The 5-300, SLX-2 and all of the SL models have the syncho-lab motor.
Click to expand...

And the 5-300 Unimech crap as is the SLX-2. Garrard on their way down to bottom. SL-95B or a Zero 100 better options.
 
I'm not a Garrard expert but I used the SLX-2 far more than my father ever did
and I think that it is a pretty good changer. It might not be that far off from the SL-95B,
and it is _far_ better than the 5-300 which I agree is pretty bad.
 
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