Replacement for My Imperial

[aclarke207]

While no more consoles, I am still keeping things vintage. Current set up has been updated a little with the addition of an early 70's Dual 1229 turntable. Beautiful machine with idler drive... whisper quiet and sounds amazing. My main speakers are first gen KLH Model 6 that date to the late 50s or very early 60s from what I can tell. The receiver is a Sansui 5000x from about 1971. A coworker's dad had bought it in Japan on furlough while serving in Vietnam.

Everything has needed work- some I've done or will do and some I've left for the pros. For example:
Sansui had a left channel that was blowing fuses- took to my local TV repair shop for repair and they also replaced a bunch of bulbs that were out.

Dual TT didn't work when I got it. I've gone through it and cleaned out all the old, hardened grease and re-lubricated the mechanisms and cleaned and replaced the oil in the motor bearings. I also hope to remove the previous owner's paint job on the plinth and bring back to the natural wood grain.

KLH speakers have cloth surrounds that need to be re-doped with a special compound (which I have) and I need to build new speaker grills and strip and refinish the wood.

Aesthetics aside, it's a wonderful and warm sounding system...even without tubes! I've been working from home since the start of Covid and getting great enjoyment from playing all my old albums and even more from hunting for and buying new/ used records.

[TC Chris]

Two comments. First, be very careful with the paint removal; the base of the TT is likely veneered and some of the veneers are very thin. Don't get too enthusiastic with sanding. Second, tell me more about the KLH surround dope you've got. I've read about the problem--KLH used a cloth surround (yay!) but the dope they used tended to evaporate with age (boo) and the formula was a secret (boo). There were several different approaches that folks were recommending or trying a few years back. What did you settle n?

Chris Campbell

[William]

That is a nice looking set up, and I'm sure it sounds great. I wish there was an easy way we could pop into each others homes and see/hear what everyone has. Where is "BEAM ME UP SCOTTIE", when you need him.

Bill

[Firedome]

This product has been used by some to restore speaker surrounds, many of which were rubber impregnated cloth or rubber coating on the cloth. Have not tried it myself, but looks promising:

https://www.amazon.com/MG-Chemicals-Rej ... 7421&psc=1

[aclarke207]

Two comments. First, be very careful with the paint removal; the base of the TT is likely veneered and some of the veneers are very thin. Don't get too enthusiastic with sanding. Second, tell me more about the KLH surround dope you've got. I've read about the problem--KLH used a cloth surround (yay!) but the dope they used tended to evaporate with age (boo) and the formula was a secret (boo). There were several different approaches that folks were recommending or trying a few years back. What did you settle n?

Chris Campbell

Hi Chris- For the TT and speakers I'll be using a paint stripper, paint thinner and and sanding will be done carefully and by hand.

KLH and Acoustic Research each have made speakers with cloth surrounds. The general consensus on other audio forums (audiokarma, etc) that are dedicated to KHL and AR speakers is that a product sold on eBay by a seller that goes by vintage-ar is very close to the original formula but with less toxicity. That is what I chose, based on an almost unanimous chorus of people singing its praises. I've been holding off until I can completely refinish the speakers and grill cloths. Mine are first generation and do not have removable grill clothes so I'll be fabricating my own- I just don't want to remove the old grill covers until I'm ready to do everything at the same time.