From harjoy@elknet.net Wed Aug 18 18:47:14 2004
Subject:Re: Whilst we're talking amplification


From: GLandreth

>I too am interested in "what amp", particularly to help my VK77 piano
sounds. I play the organ output thru either a 760 or a 147 (can't
beat the real thing!), but would be interested in everyone's take on
what would make the other sounds (accoustic piano in particular)
sound better. Right now I'm using a Fender Passport 250 PA, which is
convenient but really lacking in authentic "grunt", if there is such
a thing. The HK Audio Lucas XT looks cool, but $1700? Ouch!
Thanks in advance -
Geo

--- In CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com, "Carleton Van Selman"
wrote:
have just paid £900 (about $1700) for an HK Audio LUCAS XT system.

>
> You get one sub (16Kg), with a 10" speaker rated at 250W and two
satelites (4.5Kg each) rated at 60W each, so a total system of 370W.
It all fits together in a tolleybag. It sounds great - perhaps not
the loudest on the block but very clear, you just can not distort
this thing and besides I can get more volume from the main band PA.
As my own amp come on stage monitor this is a great system.
>
> Take a look at their web site at
www.hkaudio.com/Portable/Active/lucas_xt/
When corresponding with GEM rep regarding speakers for reproducing synthesizes acoustic piano (such as their Promega 3) he opined that his view was that the usual 15" plus 1 1/2' tweeter was not necessarily optimum for piano.At the time I had the Pm3 on a 10 day trial and the first nine days had me wondering.
At fault was the fact that piano 1 and 2 didn't appeal to me and their programming of piano 3 was drowned in reverb. Now the only acoustic I use is piano 3 which is similar to their earlier pianos and sounds great with some eq and less reverb. The other potential reason not to keep the Pm3 was I posses a Real Piano module, the earlier version in a rack.

I tend to somewhat agree that since the quality of the mid range is extremely important to the Ac Pno, while it can be done with the 15 plus tweeter some amps may miss it. Then you add to that the great variation in program source and the room acoustics, and personal subjectivity (maybe dependent on how badly you've shot your ears)- well!

Some will suggest speakers must be paired identical make. I have never used two identical speakers, largely by virtue of replacing the less glorious sounding of the pair with something better sounding.

As I posted elsewhere I am using an FBT Maxx4a on my right. This is an excellent sounding speaker of the whole range, weighs 34 lbs, well built, attractive unit priced about the same as Mackie SRM 450 at $750. I liked about everything I A B from a K2600, including pianos better on the FBT.

I kept a Kc500 for use as my Lh speaker- it seems to have a certain amount of grunge it can add to low piano notes. I was considering trading it on a KC 550 but found they were using exactly the same tweeter as the 500, very little speaker differences. People will divide on opinions on this one.

A music store owed me on a consigned item and checking with one of the salesman he made the statement that the only speaker that has impressed them lately was a Motion Sound no spinner speaker - the Kb100s.
This is a stereo unit with an electronically adjustible spread. It is at its best position in back of or in front of your ears- but does not miss covering the room. They have a larger version the 200. On one of the sites a fellow sold his 200 because of a problem which only existed below certain serial number. He bought a pair of Eon 10's. Hes's happy,and so is the new owner of the 200 happy with the upgraded unit.

These do not use large bass speakers- actually a pair of 8''s in the 100 and 10's in the 200. Motion Sounds engineering is specific to Organ in their organ line and designed to do a good job on piano by the boss who plays piano and organ and would be glad to talk to anyone on the products.

Anyhow I like what the 100 did for acoustic piano, bought it, kept the others result- overkill and/or ear candy.

End of story? not quite. Happened to add in a Speakeasy Stereo Preamp. Now there are not near the deficiencies you expect to tolerate in acoustic piano. Used to only sound good with the damper pedal heavily used, seems to sound better on lyrical passages now. I can't explain what it does.It really makes ep come alive!! If you don't have one you won't miss it - if you do have one you sure will use it. I'm sure I'd have an order in with Bill Brown for an Xk 3 if I hadn't put the Speakeasy between the VK 7 and speakers!

An excellent local musician was once trying to sell me an amp with the thought that: Hey this is what makes the sound- the final translator of what your fingers tell the keyboards and modules!

Don't forget that *many* ( or a few at least) organists are using 2 or 4 ($1600) Leslies for that final rendition from the toneweels (or clone). There's more than volume involved the interaction is like surfing a good wave!

Harold

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