New Vintage

[RDSChicago]

I have a soft spot for vintage speakers, particularly electrostatic. So I couldn't pass up the opportunity to purchase a restored pair of KLH Model Nines. J. Gordon Holt loved them: "This is the most nearly perfect loudspeaker we have ever heard, and we've heard every likely contender that's in commercial production. It does not favor some instruments over others, but seems to make everything sound almost perfectly natural." For any of you fellow vintage speaker lovers who have heard or owned them, do you have any amp recommendations? I heard tubes are best - and I have several amps to choose from - KT120, EL84, EL34, 300B and 845. I also thought they might sound good with my Pass Aleph 0 mono blocks. The speakers arrived yesterday; I'm convalescing from a hip replacement I had last week, so a friend is coming over tomorrow to hook them up. I'll report back. Thanks! Here's a photo, not of mine but for those who haven't seen them.

[puroagave]

Very cool. Now you have to work your way up to Sound lab A-3s.

[Randy Myers]

These look very cool. Congratz on the find!

[RDSChicago]

These look very cool. Congratz on the find!

Thanks Randy. They sound fantastic. They throw off more bass than my Quad 57s and literally throw off a wall of crystal clear sound. Not bad for late 1950’s technology. Arthur Janszen knew what he was doing!

[Mike B.]

I have only heard them one time. A young school teacher - audiophile organized a local show at the community college back in the late 1960's or early 70's. His name was Wendell Diller, now with Magnepan. That was also my first experience with the Tympany 1U speaker also. I bet a undated power supply with newer components would benefit the 9's. Enjoy