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XRT20 Speaker System Restoration (and questions)

Oh yeah - if you can get them for a reasonable price I'd say go for it.
They may need refoaming if that hasn't been done - but that's not a big deal and it's a great bargaining chip.
If you can check the tweeters, I think i have one or two spares still.
Since the tweeters are wired in series (sets of 5) if one is out then 5 won't work.

I'd be hard pressed to get rid of mine!
 
Personally I think those are priced a bit high - half that would be more reasonable in that condition.
But then I got mine for $600 - and then bought and refurbed some other gear from the same seller that eventually made it come out to close to free.
That's the way we do it!
 
If I were the seller, I'd stand firm given that these include the impossible to find column stands and mounting hardware. Just those pieces alone could be sold for $300-$500.

$1600 implies there is $100 in wiggle room though ...
 
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Thanks, gents. I have given it much thought. I have some Polk SDA 1-B's that need a full resto, tho they play just fine (caps, actual veneer, reseal, etc) and I really like the SDA effect.

I also have some Vandersteen 2c's that are pretty nice, but I was considering bailing on all this and get a serious set of speakers, such as these.
 
With those choices there are really no wrong choices - just alternatives.
Still I'd make him an offer that you could live with.
You can't catch the big fish if you don't go fishin'.
 
onwardjames said:
Thanks, gents. I have given it much thought. I have some Polk SDA 1-B's that need a full resto, tho they play just fine (caps, actual veneer, reseal, etc) and I really like the SDA effect.

I also have some Vandersteen 2c's that are pretty nice, but I was considering bailing on all this and get a serious set of speakers, such as these.
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I would not let these pass they are way above your other restorations in amazing sound. They are also the later version where the 12's crossover in a different fashion. Where lower is set 20Hz to 150Hz and the Upper woofer is set 20Hz to 250Hz. Like XR19 and XRT22. My set are earlier where the crossover is accessed from back. Buy these and you will forget about listening to speakers and only notice the music. As if the live performer is now in your room or your room is now a concert hall. They sound great at any volume

I love mine though they are in the bedroom system now that I have XR290s. They also pair great with and XR19 in a stacked configuration.
 
w1jim said:
Personally I think those are priced a bit high - half that would be more reasonable in that condition.
But then I got mine for $600 - and then bought and refurbed some other gear from the same seller that eventually made it come out to close to free.
That's the way we do it!
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Ah yes, the AK skore mentality. When is this not approaching stealing from widows?
 
c_dk said:
Ah yes, the AK skore mentality. When is this not approaching stealing from widows?
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I haven't looked lately but last I saw a pair of clean working XRT20's SOLD for about $2200.

These need the 6 big drivers reformed and if they have a burnt or distorted voice coil that's an unknown.

If it requires replacement tweeters (like mine did) it may be a while before you can find those.

The brackets are nice but there isn't much to replicating them if your install would benefit from them.

The enclosures are a bit dirty and dry but that shouldn't take much labor to address.
Bottom line is these are an unknown and they're not plug & play - hence my price suggestion.

It's hardly a stealing from widows scenario.
 
w1jim said:
I haven't looked lately but last I saw a pair of clean working XRT20's SOLD for about $2200.

These need the 6 big drivers reformed and if they have a burnt or distorted voice coil that's an unknown.

If it requires replacement tweeters (like mine did) it may be a while before you can find those.

The brackets are nice but there isn't much to replicating them if your install would benefit from them.

The enclosures are a bit dirty and dry but that shouldn't take much labor to address.
Bottom line is these are an unknown and they're not plug & play - hence my price suggestion.

It's hardly a stealing from widows scenario.
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I bought replacement tweeters from Audio Classics. I did find one intermittent that gave up the ghost after a year and half. I have a source in Dallas that can replace coil spider and cone for 65 dollars a driver on the big guys if you need them. I had one voice coil dragging when restoring mine. The cone and spider surrounds look identical to the McIntosh originals.
 
This guy's proximity (about 70 miles from my home) makes this so damned tempting, but I still smart when someone mentions B&W (my last upper end purchase), because I bought a set with a bad tweeter, and found out the hard way that not all companies continue to support a 30 year old product, lol.

And funny enough, I have the cash.
 
Just spoke with the owner. Very knowledgeable, very cool fella. Said the woofers aren't too difficult to refoam, and they're old CTS drivers, he said.

Eases my fears of unobtainiumness somewhat. Also he is open to some horse trading with some of my vintage receivers.

Whoo boy.
 
Careful - you just poked the speaker dragon.
Good to know that Audio Classics still has a supply of replacement tweeters - these have lots of them, although it's unlikely that to many would go bad.

I used to sell B&W car (!) stereo speakers and had a couple of pairs of their home speakers. As much as I wanted to love them for some reason they fell short.
 
onwardjames said:
This guy's proximity (about 70 miles from my home) makes this so damned tempting, but I still smart when someone mentions B&W (my last upper end purchase), because I bought a set with a bad tweeter, and found out the hard way that not all companies continue to support a 30 year old product, lol.

And funny enough, I have the cash.
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Well these drivers are relatively plentiful and exceptionally durable and fused. I would ask if the CS-20 brackets opposing feet are present I did not see in photo. They tulip out front and back But would probably still function with just front foot if placed direct to wall.
 
@onwardjames - you come into the mcintosh forum and we are very bad influences on one another ... but this is really a no-brainer given that he's willing to trade as well.

Go get 'em! You'll never want for another speaker ...
 
onwardjames said:
Gonna try and meet up with this guy on Saturday. Now to convince the wife.........
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The 37 inches of wall space per speaker is not an easy thing for wives to deal with but well worth a few pictures other decorative non functional pieces.

Perhaps you should present an Infinity IRS V option first so she will give the nod to the XRT20.

So what are your amp plans to drive these XRT20s?
 
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