XRT20 Speaker System Restoration (and questions)

[onwardjames]

YES very much loving them!!! But I removed the 50 watt amp, and have yet to connect the M504 Onkyo. This is due to the entire room needing rearranged, so I had a mess to deal with. Hoping to connect everything very soon.

Yes, that audition is exactly why I sought out those McIntosh's, tho there was quite a bit of luck involved. I simply stumbled upon the ad on Craigslist, lol.

 

[Velocityboat]

Let us know how you like them using more amp headroom and your final set up.

It is good you found them and were able to restore them to full glory. Music with sweat equity is hard to beat. There are so few audiophile purchases that can mesmerize every time you switch them on and at nearly every song played. True seven foot time machine teleportation devices every spin of the dial. Wait until you start trying good digital streaming they are not just for analog.

 

[onwardjames]

Got them set up, on the big Onkyo, and had a nice listening session last night.

3 things are apparent -

1) Room is far too small, and needs treatment.
2) The Onkyo is doing a better job with dynamics, but strangely not as enjoyable as the little Onkyo (which had some bass help via an adjustable bass boost)
3) Regardless of the loss of the Sansui 9090db and the nearly 1k I'm out cashwise (rebuild kit, tweeters, 800) these are some lifelong keepers.

I stood back last night and just giggled like a kid playing "The World Is A Ghetto" from War (downloaded at 96kps from HDTracks).

The best thing about these, along with stupid amounts of clean, tight bass, is the way EACH INSTRUMENT is just sitting there, floating, in the middle of the air. It's frightening, really.

 

[c_dk]

Before you go crazy fussing with room treatments, and while many here will bombard you with digital room accoustic solutions, at the very least find a way to get the room accoustics analyzed.

Back when these were new I would spend 45 minutes to an hour to measure each 1/3 octave step from 20 to 20k, now with a RTA in can be done in minutes. So quick that now it can be done from multiple locations in half the time.

Then what ever path to correction you choose, you will have the knowledge to plan the path at the least.

 

[Velocityboat]

Got them set up, on the big Onkyo, and had a nice listening session last night.

3 things are apparent -

1) Room is far too small, and needs treatment.
2) The Onkyo is doing a better job with dynamics, but strangely not as enjoyable as the little Onkyo (which had some bass help via an adjustable bass boost)
3) Regardless of the loss of the Sansui 9090db and the nearly 1k I'm out cashwise (rebuild kit, tweeters, 800) these are some lifelong keepers.

I stood back last night and just giggled like a kid playing "The World Is A Ghetto" from War (downloaded at 96kps from HDTracks).

The best thing about these, along with stupid amounts of clean, tight bass, is the way EACH INSTRUMENT is just sitting there, floating, in the middle of the air. It's frightening, really.

Bass from the split woofer crossovers can sound different at first. A MQ102 or MQ104 or MQ107 equalizer could offer you more bass too I actually like the XR19 bass better with MQ102 proving a boost on split crossover. Or it could be a damping factor difference on amps. The other opportunity is backing bass cab further to wall and not angling the arrays.

I agree regarding life long keepers. Spent some time with Ken Haig today. He only sold his XRT20s off after he replaced with IDS-25. He sold his XRT20s or his new purchase price to a friend that loved them.

 

[onwardjames]

Before you go crazy fussing with room treatments, and while many here will bombard you with digital room accoustic solutions, at the very least find a way to get the room accoustics analyzed.

Back when these were new I would spend 45 minutes to an hour to measure each 1/3 octave step from 20 to 20k, now with a RTA in can be done in minutes. So quick that now it can be done from multiple locations in half the time.

Then what ever path to correction you choose, you will have the knowledge to plan the path at the least.

Completely agreed. What would you say would be the way I'd go about that?? Is there something you could recommend? I understand the concept, just not the execution.

Bass from the split woofer crossovers can sound different at first. A MQ102 or MQ104 or MQ107 equalizer could offer you more bass too I actually like the XR19 bass better with MQ102 proving a boost on split crossover. Or it could be a damping factor difference on amps. The other opportunity is backing bass cab further to wall and not angling the arrays.

I agree regarding life long keepers. Spent some time with Ken Haig today. He only sold his XRT20s off after he replaced with IDS-25. He sold his XRT20s or his new purchase price to a friend that loved them.

Having heard and being blown away by the IDS-25's, that is reassuring.

Right now, I got Bjork blasting thru them now. My bedroom where I surf the net is on the other end of the house. The little Icelandic goddess sounds like she's right over my shoulder, and the M504 is putting out MAYBE 20 watts.

With my strong coffee, it's a nice Sunday morning.

 

[damacman]

Bass from the split woofer crossovers can sound different at first. A MQ102 or MQ104 or MQ107 equalizer could offer you more bass too I actually like the XR19 bass better with MQ102 proving a boost on split crossover. Or it could be a damping factor difference on amps. The other opportunity is backing bass cab further to wall and not angling the arrays.

I agree regarding life long keepers. Spent some time with Ken Haig today. He only sold his XRT20s off after he replaced with IDS-25. He sold his XRT20s or his new purchase price to a friend that loved them.

How did the IDS sound?

 

[Velocityboat]

Pretty fabulous. Check out my post in my XR290 listening impressions. If you love your XRT22s you will love sound of the IDS-25. Just a whole lot smoother though you might not think it is possible.

 

[damacman]

Got them set up, on the big Onkyo, and had a nice listening session last night.

3 things are apparent -

1) Room is far too small, and needs treatment.
2) The Onkyo is doing a better job with dynamics, but strangely not as enjoyable as the little Onkyo (which had some bass help via an adjustable bass boost)
3) Regardless of the loss of the Sansui 9090db and the nearly 1k I'm out cashwise (rebuild kit, tweeters, 800) these are some lifelong keepers.

I stood back last night and just giggled like a kid playing "The World Is A Ghetto" from War (downloaded at 96kps from HDTracks).

The best thing about these, along with stupid amounts of clean, tight bass, is the way EACH INSTRUMENT is just sitting there, floating, in the middle of the air. It's frightening, really.

Here are a few albums that will blow your mind on the XRT20s:

Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygene & Equinoxe
Yello - Toy
Cowboy Junkies - The Trinity Sessions
Tower of Power Direct
Rage Against the Machine - s/t
Wendy Carlos - Switched on Bach

 

[onwardjames]

Here are a few albums that will blow your mind on the XRT20s:

Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygene & Equinoxe
Yello - Toy
Cowboy Junkies - The Trinity Sessions
Tower of Power Direct
Rage Against the Machine - s/t
Wendy Carlos - Switched on Bach

Thanks for the suggestions, Tony! I actually have that Cowboy Junkies cd laying in the floor, lol. Never listened to them, spun it a total of 1 time. That'll be first. Also got that Rage cd.

I have to say I've heard several so far that have blew my doors off. Dave Brubeck live at Carnegie on my TT was an especially nice eye opener.

Never posted these pics, so here goes. First is the speakers in their new home. The second pic is the modified wash stand I redid. I'm no carpenter, but that thing was shot, and I love the results.

 

[damacman]

I played the first 3 tracks of that RATM CD for a buddy of mine who is a guitarist and idols Tom. We had that **** so loud I thought I was gonna break something - like the drywall. It was scary. Afterwards, he tells me - Now I'm gonna' go home and burn my ****.

That album is recorded so incredibly well - Sound City!

 

[damacman]

Thanks for the suggestions, Tony! I actually have that Cowboy Junkies cd laying in the floor, lol. Never listened to them, spun it a total of 1 time. That'll be first. Also got that Rage cd.

I have to say I've heard several so far that have blew my doors off. Dave Brubeck live at Carnegie on my TT was an especially nice eye opener.

Never posted these pics, so here goes. First is the speakers in their new home. The second pic is the modified wash stand I redid. I'm no carpenter, but that thing was shot, and I love the results.

View attachment 985853 View attachment 985854

Nice - those things own the room! Is that an SL1300mk2? That's my table!

 

[onwardjames]

Nice - those things own the room! Is that an SL1300mk2? That's my table!

VERY close.....it's an SL-1400mk2 with the rosewood vinyl base. Got that for 100 bucks, shipped, WITH an ortofon cart, from an old-school AK'er Pete the Bully wayyyy back in the day (2004) I think?

Those were the days of very cheap goodies.

Alas, no more.


Yeah, these things pretty much OWN the room. I am still adjusting to the space, and the sound, but I am happy I took 2 weeks to do this correctly.

 

[damacman]

VERY close.....it's an SL-1400mk2 with the rosewood vinyl base. Got that for 100 bucks, shipped, WITH an ortofon cart, from an old-school AK'er Pete the Bully wayyyy back in the day (2004) I think?

Those were the days of very cheap goodies.

Alas, no more.


Yeah, these things pretty much OWN the room. I am still adjusting to the space, and the sound, but I am happy I took 2 weeks to do this correctly.

What cartridge do you run on it? I'm obviously using a DV10x5. I absolutely love the combo. I've had the 'table for 20 years now.

 

[onwardjames]

What cartridge do you run on it? I'm obviously using a DV10x5. I absolutely love the combo. I've had the 'table for 20 years now.

Currently I switch between a Shure V15 II improved with an SAS stylus (set me back a bit, but worth it!) and an Astatic MF-100 that I bought off that auction site with the sagging suspension. A few shots of WD-40 around the base of the stylus into the suspension and it firmed up enough to use. THAT is a helluva cart. Shame they're unobtainium.

Also swap in a very nice Shure M3N21D or M7 from time to time, and occasionally an Empire 880-TE.

 

[Velocityboat]

Currently I switch between a Shure V15 II improved with an SAS stylus (set me back a bit, but worth it!) and an Astatic MF-100 that I bought off that auction site with the sagging suspension. A few shots of WD-40 around the base of the stylus into the suspension and it firmed up enough to use. THAT is a helluva cart. Shame they're unobtainium.

Also swap in a very nice Shure M3N21D or M7 from time to time, and occasionally an Empire 880-TE.

So you have everything dialed in now or still adjustin?. Did you ever host a listening party? Any regrets,or next plans?

 

[onwardjames]

Hey there, Velocityboat!

No listening party yet, and yes, still tinkering, but my main regret is the lack of space. Far too small.

With that said, I must say I see all SORTS of improvements coming forth. Gotta get my room treatment dialed in, spacing, etc.

I've always had a love/hate affair with vinyl. My tinnitus-riddled ears cannot take IGD, even for a minute. With these speakers, vinyl is FUN again. Using an Astatic MF-100 cart, which I cannot say enough how good it is. I've been having a blast with my vinyl.

These are supreme speakers, and I thank all who pushed me, kicking and screaming, directly into the light.

What receiver did I trade again, lol??

 

[Velocityboat]

Hey there, Velocityboat!

No listening party yet, and yes, still tinkering, but my main regret is the lack of space. Far too small.

With that said, I must say I see all SORTS of improvements coming forth. Gotta get my room treatment dialed in, spacing, etc.

I've always had a love/hate affair with vinyl. My tinnitus-riddled ears cannot take IGD, even for a minute. With these speakers, vinyl is FUN again. Using an Astatic MF-100 cart, which I cannot say enough how good it is. I've been having a blast with my vinyl.

These are supreme speakers, and I thank all who pushed me, kicking and screaming, directly into the light.

What receiver did I trade again, lol??

The 48 silk dome tweeters leave you with all the sparkles, no distortion from over driving power to single tweeters and zero listening fatigue. I am sure you will get it all ironed out to your liking. a second person in sweetspot is the easiest way to dial in spacing. iPhone RTA with a blue icicle usb converter and calibrated microphone is a good tool to see what you can EQ or treat out. Moving you listening location sometimes is best for bass issues. Inches can matter on some bass frequencies.

 

[damacman]

What a fun thread this was ...

 

[onwardjames]

What a fun thread this was ...

I'm still grinning ear to ear. You guys have given me fantastic advice, and have pulled me into another realm of sound.

For that, I am eternally grateful.