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Recommendation for KLH Six Speakers

R

RandomHybrid

New Member
This site was recommended to me and this is my first post, so let me know if there is a more appropriate place to ask this question.

I have a pair of KPH model 6 speakers and I'm looking for a vintage turntable / amp to connect them to.

Looking for recommendations... and also any place north of Boston where I may be able to find some good options.

Any help is appreciated
 
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Craigslist is your friend or become an AK subscriber and put a WTB thread in Barter Town and someone local to you might hook you up.

In the meantime look for a Yamaha CR series silver faced receiver or maybe a HK-330.

There is someone selling an AR XA and a XB turntable in barter town either would be a great choice. Almost any technics direct drive TT or anything Thorens would make a great deck.

Keep us updated about your search.

Good luck

Eric
 
There are tons of options. Do a KLH model Six search here on AK and threads will come up that will likely include some examples of pairings that others have as examples of options. The turntable does not matter as much with the speakers as the amp/receiver would. Also, if you dont need AM/FM radio, consider an integrated amp.
I have personally connected KLH six's, 23's, 17's etc up to several different pieces and they all sounded pretty good. I had a nice Pioneer SX737-KLH model 17 combo that sounded wonderful. Many of the mid power receivers or integrated amps in the various lines by Pioneer, Marantz, Sansui, Kenwood, Yamaha etc all would be nice. Just find one known to have a good phono section. I have a Pioneer SA-9100 Integrated that is fantastic in many regards and super versatile.
Good recommendation above too for tube gear which always sounds good with the likes of the KLH Six. Will just be a bit more difficult to come across and manage. But a lot of fun if you are willing to get into it.
In all of these think carefully before purchasing anything vintage. it may come with issues or some might arise. It may also not sound as good as it should. Look for restored pieces. They may be more $ up front, but may be worth it. it is the same with your Six's. They may benefit from some refurbishment.
Post a few photos of them if you can including the rear. Do the grilles come off easily?
 
A KLH Model Six was my first factory-built loudspeaker, and I've since worked on several of them. They can sound exceptionally good, but be advised that problems are to be expected with any speaker this old. The Sixes were solidly built, but (at least most) were not designed to be easily serviced.

As far as other components, the AR XA turntable, a Shure cartridge, and Dyna vacuum tube electronics comprised popular system mates.
 
So many options...

If you're looking for a "period correct" turntable, something like an Elac Miracord 50H would be of similar vintage to your KLH 6 speakers. It happens to be a very fine turntable, too.

In amplification, the recommendations for tube gear are also period correct, but getting harder to find. Early vintage solid state receivers would also overlap with the latter years the KLH 6 was in production. The recommendation of the Pioneer SX-737 is a good one. That is a great sounding, great looking classic Pioneer receiver. The Sherwood S-7100A would also be a nice choice in an early solid state receiver (just don't use Deoxit on the on/off switch - volume control).
 
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I had a Sherwood S7100A and a modded Technics SLB203 going into a pair of KLH Model Six speakers back in the early 1970s. I still have the Sherwood, now powering Model Seventeens. A great receiver to pair with KLH, IMO.
 
Appreciate the advice everyone. I noticed a few people mentioned the Sherwood S7100A - however I located someone local who has a Sherwood S7100 for sale (not the S7100A). Is this something to consider?
 
Since it was requested, I thought I'd update you all on my progress. Over the weekend I was able to find an AR XA which I picked up. Still looking for a vintage receiver, however when I hooked up the turntable to another received and the KLH speakers, I realized one of the tweeters is blown. (Doh!) Love the AR XA so thanks for the advice... still have some more work to do to get the full set up I want now.
 
I would suggest an Adcom GF-535 amp and a decent preamp. Another good amp that is not too expensive is the Sonance line but make sure you get the proper amp (not one of the amps that just drive subwoofers). I found a mint one last year for $15 the Sonance 260 x 3. If you can't afford those and are not really handy fixing vintage equipment I would suggest a new Yamaha receiver or one of the cheaper Sherwood/Insignia receivers with a phone preamp. Not much $$ and newer.
I have been using a Sherwood receiver for about 5 years. I just picked up a Insignia NS-R2001 with a phono section last week for $15. One of the newer versions of the Yamaha receiver I have listed in my signature is a good buy.
 
Post about your speakers on the speaker forum... The tweeter may be fine and the problem may be dirty switch contacts or bad caps in the x-over. It is a good idea to recap and reseal these. Much more advise in speakers.
 
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