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Message |
    
Legend
Member
Username: Legend
Post Number: 52
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, May 30, 2004 - 8:25 am: | 
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Hello...
I am considering buying a new KLV-1000. Can any of you relay your own experience with this amp? I can't afford to throw away 600 bucks plus shipping on a lemon. In fact, I just threw away about 440 bucks on TWO totally lemon (used) tube amps. So, needless to say, I want to get it right this time. So I am buying NEW, which (of course) doesn't mean diddly as to whether or not it is a good value.
I want something with as low of TVI/RFI problems as possible, and also tubes that are still readily available at a reasonable price. It must be able to be driven with a low power radio (Lincoln in this case). That is why I am looking at the KLV-1000.
In Lon's review of this amp, he said that it sounded "distorted" and "pinched up" when driven with 4 watts, or even 3 and 1/2. I find that rather pathetic for an amp rated at 1-10 input. I myself, would probably drive it with 2 and 1/2 ANYWAY, but I still find that to be rather pathetic, and a hallmark of CHEAP CONSTRUCTION.
What about you... what are YOUR experiences with this amplifier? And also, does anybody know of any other (new tube amp) alternatives? They must fit the criteria I listed above.
Thanks!
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 2533
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, May 30, 2004 - 10:40 am: |
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Legand,
Go to the Search box under Utilities to the left of the forum here and Type in the word's KLV 1000
There you will see:
1 - 15 of 471 total results are now displayed.
Out of 471 Result's they shoud answer all of your question's.
Or in Short, in well over 30+ Year's in Radio the KLV 1000 is the BEST AMPLIFIER I have Ever Owned or Used and Less than $100 dollar's to replace all 5 tubes.
And with all the Report's I have received from other CEF Member's on the Net's and everywhere else they have ALL BEEN THE EXACT SAME, VERY LOUD AND VERY CLEAR!
Not bad for a $600.00 Dollar Amplifier.
To me It is NOT Pathetic but AN EXCELLENT OUTSTANDING PERFORMING AMPLIFIER. 
Just my thought's.
Lon
Tech808 |
Cm3885
Intermediate Member
Username: Cm3885
Post Number: 436
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 31, 2004 - 11:16 am: |
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I used to own the 1000P high drive amp and it was AWESOME!!
1400 watts PEP on AM and SSB and it was clean!!!!
I drove it with my RCI 2995 and my AR ranger 3500 100 watter... What an amp!!!!!
Had to sell it for $$$ for a vacation me and my G/F went on and i sold it to a local why had it for a while.. he said it was a better amop than his old Heathkit SB 220. i guess that says something when it goes up against the 220 and the guy liked it better!!! |
Legend
Member
Username: Legend
Post Number: 54
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 01, 2004 - 2:03 am: |
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Hi Cm3885...
Thanx for the input. You soud like you really like this amp. Just out of curiosity... you don't work for Copper Electronics... do you? I'm looking for totally unbiased opinions from people that don't have any special interests in mind. Ultimately, they are the only ones that have any real value to me.
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Sparkomatic
Intermediate Member
Username: Sparkomatic
Post Number: 321
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 01, 2004 - 2:27 pm: |
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If you are looking for a base amp buy an XFORCE, the KLVs are grossly overated. The XFORCE bases will do exactly what they are rated at. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 2548
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 01, 2004 - 5:50 pm: |
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Sparkomatic,
I have never owned an XFORCE mainly because they are 3 to 4 time's the price or more of a KLV Amplifier that's meet's & exceed's all of my need's.
I have owned and used the KL-40, KL-60, KL-300P, KL-400 and the KLV-1000 .
All have performed as per Advertised and at 1/4 to 1/3 less than an XFORCE Amplifier.
While the XFORCE may be a good amplifier's, only roughy one in 600 people who buy amplifier's would spend the extra money for one.
However, I am very curious as to what KLV Amplifier's you have owned and used that makes you feel they are over rated?
Lon
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Sparkomatic
Intermediate Member
Username: Sparkomatic
Post Number: 323
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 01, 2004 - 7:49 pm: |
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808..........my opinion is based on the KLV mobile units. I bought a KL500 for my wifes car and it was rated at 500 peak and it barely did 300 peak dosy watts. The KLV1000 sells for $600 and I bought my 2x4 Xforce for $675 plus shipping which wasn't cheap. There only appears to be $75 difference. My XT-40012 will swing 1500 watts dosy or 1300 watts Bird 43P. For the price difference of $75.....well, I made my choice.
I am not knocking the KLV Base amps but with the comp amps you actually get more watts per dollar spent. |
Aircop12
New member
Username: Aircop12
Post Number: 1
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 01, 2004 - 7:54 pm: |
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Tech 808
I am interested in purchasing a KLV amp and have a question. I have a 2995DX that dead keys 50 watts, I was curious if the KLV would handle that kind of input power. I don't want to have to turn the radio down to 2 or 3 watts to use the amp.
Thanks: |
Allagator
Intermediate Member
Username: Allagator
Post Number: 301
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 01, 2004 - 7:55 pm: |
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over rated humm i guess that is how you tune them and drive them cause i have no problem out of my KLV1000P and this year im getting the KLV1000 just for my other radios !!! one thing i have found is the 1200 they show isnt rite cause i can get almost 1300 deadkey then i turn it back down !!! so how is it over rated ???
and by the way i love the ajustable preamp !!!!
but i guess its just my opion of this amp !!
Allagator CEF# 115
P.S. dont do like Lon and grab the end of the coax when someone keys the mic !!! LOL |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 2552
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 01, 2004 - 8:10 pm: |
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Aircop12,
WELCOME TO THE COPPER FORUM!
You can get the KLV-1000P,
http://www.copperelectronics.com/cgi-bin/checkitout/checkitout.cgi?catalogSTORE:CKIE:prodW90-00110+
It take's 60 to 100 Watt's
Allagator CEF115 in the Above post Run's one with his 2995DX also.
Hope this help's.
Lon
Tech808 |
Allagator
Intermediate Member
Username: Allagator
Post Number: 302
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 01, 2004 - 8:16 pm: |
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Aircop12 I have the RCI 2995 DX and the KLV1000P and it work great !!!! but i only drive it with about 40 to 55 watt drive and it sings for me !!!!
Just make sure you get the 1000p not the 1000
for your 2995 !!! |
Cm3885
Intermediate Member
Username: Cm3885
Post Number: 439
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 02, 2004 - 1:17 am: |
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Legend.
No I do not work for Copper.
All I was doing was giving you my honest 100% opinion from hands on experience with the KLV 1000P amp I used to own..
And, if i did work for Copper id still give you my unbiased 100% opinion. I dont believe in sales pitches, C' mons and gimmicks and such just to get another customer for Copper whenever someone comes on the forum asking about a product they stock... Im just an ordinary joe, middle class, blue collar worker that enjoys radio that at at one time had the KLV 1000P and i liked it a lot!!! |
Pig040
Intermediate Member
Username: Pig040
Post Number: 436
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 02, 2004 - 9:23 am: |
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I too, have had horrible luck with the KLV mobiles, I am not a tech, and if I was I might feel secure about buying them, otherwise I wouldnt touch one of their products. Better to spend a little more money and get an amp that will last. I know I only had the mobiles, but to me quality control is quality control, and it was certainly lacking on the mobiles. But that is just one man's opinion.
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409
Member
Username: 409
Post Number: 63
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 02, 2004 - 2:03 pm: |
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The KLV line does seem to be overated and very litely conctructed. I know many operators who have had trouble with the base units because of this. I have yet to see one with output that equals the advertised rating. |
Legend
Member
Username: Legend
Post Number: 55
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 03, 2004 - 1:11 am: |
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Well, I would be willing to buy an Ameritron or Heathkit (with 10 meters) if only it weren't for having to use a darn relay footswitch with it.
Does anybody know a relatively simple way to key one using a Lincoln, without having to use a footswitch? Can something be easily built and installed in my radio or mic to key an Ameritron, which utilizes a relay input to key it? I would love to get hold of this information.
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Cm3885
Intermediate Member
Username: Cm3885
Post Number: 441
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, June 03, 2004 - 3:37 am: |
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I know a guy that sometimes comes on here from time to time that goes by "2600" or "Nomadradio" that has a small board that fits inside a radio like the 2995 or the 2990 or any export base for that matter. The small board is an internal keyer built for the Ameritrons and other amps that need an external keyer.. If you run a big radio like the 2995 or a 2990 you wont need a driver for the amp but if you run a regular radio like the 2517 or the 2980 or your Lincoln you'll need a small driver amp to key the big amp.. |
Samkeefer
New member
Username: Samkeefer
Post Number: 2
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 04, 2004 - 2:27 pm: |
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I own a klv- 1000 and it is a good amp and what do some of you mean poor product It is a soild base amp. I can drive mine with 2-10 watts from my 2950 and still have great audio |
Cm3885
Intermediate Member
Username: Cm3885
Post Number: 445
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, June 05, 2004 - 2:04 am: |
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Heck yeah its a good amp its a GREAT amp!!!!!
For the $$$ it cant be beat IMHO..
A solid KW for $600.00 is pretty good to me..
Yeah you can get a better amp like an Ameritron or the like but boy, oh boy, get ready to shell out the buckage!!! Some of us are on a limited budget and not all of us can afford to shell out $1500.00 or 2 grand for am amp and the KLV line is the best you can buy for the $$$$. Besides the tubes for the KLV 1000/1000P are not that expensive either!!!!! :-) |
oklshobo (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Saturday, June 05, 2004 - 1:28 pm: |
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ok, ive read alot on the klv line of amps here???
in my station, and in my opinion, for the money there hard to beat?? i have had at one time or another, all of the klv line of amps, both mobil and base, in the mobil, i now use a megaforce because of the wattage i want!! lol. now as far as the base units, im down to the 1000 5 tube, and the 1000p 4 tube, being as these fit were the others were!! i use a 2995 on the 4 tube, and a 2985 on the 5 tube, when these amps were in there stock tubes, and on a diamond sx 1000 swr and power meter, i got the advertize wattage and some??,. now ive got the russian selveta tubes in them, and ive seen more then advertized wattage by some!! this is on a flat 4 ele. beam and a imax 2000, both 60 feet in the air!! swrs are less then 1,2 to 1 from 40 down to the 10 meter start!! beam is also somewhat modded?? now, also have an 2x6 xforce, and althou its a good turn on and use type amp, ive been told i sound better on the klvs!! these amps have been in use for 31/2 years and within a month of getting them, switched to the selvita tubes, they are still doing above there rated power, in my station!! and i think the sx100 meter is fairly close to those more expenceve types?? lol. hope this helps someone alittle, as i donot post alot, but i do like my klvs!! thanks.. |
Cm3885
Intermediate Member
Username: Cm3885
Post Number: 446
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, June 05, 2004 - 3:16 pm: |
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Now you are the 3rd person ive heard that uses the "Russkie" tubes and has high wattage with them.
Were did you get those bad boy "vodka viles" from? When i still had my 1000P i was very seriously thinking of getting some Svetlana tubes to replace the stock tubes for more watts but alas, i sold off the amp and never did. |
Waverider
Junior Member
Username: Waverider
Post Number: 22
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, June 05, 2004 - 3:32 pm: |
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I don't have the need for the KLV1000 but I have run the KLV200 single tuber for over a year now with no problems. Have been in CB since 1975 and have seen the good, the bad and the ugly in amps. The 200 is clean & works well on AM & SSB. I usually run it on low side which gives about 60 watts dead key which is just right for making the signel a little louder for those late nights with good ground wave conditions. The 100 watts I get on high side suits me well for DX contacts, the antenna does the rest of the work. I just put a kl60 in my better halfs truck in front of a stock radio. It sounds very good, time will tell how it holds up. Just my opnion but dollar for watt value it's hard to beat the KLV's. Just don't hit the input side too hard and I think most folks would be pleased.
73's |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 2590
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, June 05, 2004 - 6:35 pm: |
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I am not sure on the Russian Selveta Tube's but I just re-tubed our KLV1000 with the American 6KG6A Re-placement tube's from Copper and have noticed a Big increase in output power on both AM and SSB.
At under $100.00 for the set of 5 it was a GREAT DEAL!
Lon
Tech808
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Cuddlebear
Intermediate Member
Username: Cuddlebear
Post Number: 177
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, June 05, 2004 - 9:33 pm: |
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I prefer my X-Force X80.
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oklahobo (Unregistered Guest)
Unregistered guest
| | Posted on Saturday, June 05, 2004 - 9:50 pm: |
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as 808 said, the 6kg6a tubes are an improvement over the stock tubes?? my one 5 tuber came with the 6kg6as in it, but i still put in the selvitas because of the bigger plates and grids in the tubes!! the one thing you have to watch is the russian tubes have a slightly bigger pin patteren and you have to open up the pin sockets to accept the russian tubes!! if not they will crack, and there not cheap?? lol. i think 156 + shipping for 5 matched tubes!! so for the small extra gain, is it worth it to you in your mind to go the extra dollars, and the gain is not that much other then the tubes being heavier built?? its your decicion
as stated i use them because of the stated facts!!
ive had the tubes in over 3 years and there still above and beond what i personally expected of them
hope this helps some of you that have asked the ?s |
Purplehaze
Junior Member
Username: Purplehaze
Post Number: 14
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 4:57 pm: |
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make a key switch out of a aq5 tube on the health |
