[playntheblues]

Hello again, This may be the wrong place for this considering its the TWO channel forum LOL. I am toying with the idea of buying a Klipsch Shorthorn for my game room.  I have one Corner in the room that would work perfectly.  This would also allow me to finally put an 8' pool table in their without worrying about loosing the stereo imaging.  

Now for some hopefully not to dumb questions.  First) I dig the whole vintage thing so that's not a problem, however if the horns die can the be rebuilt or replaced? What would ones options be if and when the horns finally die. (I assume the woofer could be reconed so no problem their)  Seconded) Don't start laughing at me  To run the Shorthorn mono.....Would you run both left and right signals to the speaker via some bi wire cable run backwards or how would that work?  Third)  In a 16' X 24" game room how do you (or what do you) think this mono set up would sound like?  I would be running it with tubes (Cayin TA-30).

My thoughts would be to suspend a 32' TV above the speaker.  Ascetically it would work perfectly.  I just don't want to go down the wrong path if the whole mono thing doesn't sound good.  As always Thanks and all the best, Guy

[Marbles]

Guy,

When I was growing up, my dad put a pool table in our basement.  He then took an old Heathkit receiver he had built many years earlier a TT and set it on a corner loaded large speaker.  I'm pretty sure this was a single driver speaker.

That setup sounded really pretty good for the backround music one needs or wants when playing pool.  Hi fi it ain't, but you have other rooms for that.

Fast foreward 20 years and I have a nice Sansui stereo setup in my billiards room.  Sansui speakers are the XP-9000's.  They sound pretty good for backround music, but the room setup sucks for serious listening.

I don't think my stereo setup sounds any better then dad's old mono setup.

If you buy a vintage receiver it should have a "mono" button on it.  Then just hook up one channel and you'll be fine.  I have a Marantz 1060 with this mono feature.

Did you get the Ack!?

[playntheblues]

HI Marbles, Thanks as always for your input. I am rustling with how to set up the game room.  Yes I got the dAck on Saturday.  Hmmmmmmmmm not jaw dropping be any means.  I will give it a few more days.  The Cayin did the most for my set up and the dAck is only marginal.

[Mathew_M]

I don't mean to derail but how good is the Cayin?  One guy on Agon consistently has 'damaged' shipping box deals on them for $500.  How's the 30 watt rating as far as bass response?

[TIC]

Mathew,

I bought a Cayin TA-30 from "that guy on AudiogoN". That guy is Paul Grzybek and he owns a retail Audio store, in the Chicago area, called Bizzy Bee Audio. He specializes in rebuilding vintage tube receivers and he is probably the biggest seller of Cayin TA-30s in the US. Because he is a guru on tube amps, he has also developed some exclusive Mods for the Cayin TA-30.

The $499 version is stock from China and does not include any mods. If you want to perform bias adjustments or use the amp in SE mode (as described on Paul's web page), you will have to turn this version over, remove the bottom cover and expose yourself to 450v in order to perform the bias adjst. This is OK for me since I have experience with this sort of thing, but if you don't know what you are doing or don't want the hassle, I would suggest at least getting the external bias adjst mod.

I bought the $499 (slightly damaged box) version and quite frankly, the external box (it is beautifully packaged in double box with molded foam insert) was no worse than ANY box I've ever seen shipping via UPS or FedEx.

Now, about the sound: IT IS INCREDIBLE for this price range. I've owned at least 10 amps in the last 2 years, including some that cost over $2000 new and I can tell you, the Cayin is VERY GOOD. Because it is an integrated amp and can be used in P-P or SE mode, it is very versatile and that also adds to the value. Build quality is ABSOLUTELY first rate too. It looks spectacular in person (with the tube cover removed, of course!).

I could not recommend the Cayin TA-30 more highly. I love mine and I'll ultimately send it to Paul for his inexpensive mods (external bias adjst, focus mod).

It is really a cool piece and a great value......


http://www.2baudio.com

BTW, I have no personal or professional connection with Paul G. or Bizzy Bee. I'm just a happy customer.

Enjoy,

TIC