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Need Some Answers Building My First Home Audio System, and using Cornwalls

I have a few questions for you audiophiles out there. I am new to this forum, and I am a music hound and vinyl collector, but as yet not exactly an audiophile, and I definitely lack much knowledge.


I just moved into my first/new home and, in a stroke of luck way beyond my wildest dreams, my new neighbor - in order to "empty out his garage" - gave me two very old, 60's looking 100-watt Klipsch Cornwalls (floor speakers) from their Heritage line (see pic). These are the ones that are 35.75" H x 25.25" w (15.5" deep) and have a titanium tweeter, 1.75" titanium squawker, a woofer and a front-ported cabinet.


My living room’s dimensions are very large, as we blended our kitchen and dining room into it, and took down all non-structural partitions - about 60 feet in length by 35 feet at its widest point.


First I wanted to check on a few things, such as whether these speakers work at all, and I can do that only once I get a receiver (right?). I also need new, less dated grill cloth - I did locate a guy/make a call about that, but I am holding off until I know whether/how I can remove the frame from the front of the speakers. The frames appear nailed in at the front, but the back looks screwed in.

*My turntable (technics 1200-MK2) will be going through this pre-amp (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007DB5IDS/ref=ya_st_dp_summary)

*It’s important you know a.) I don't yet want a tube amp and b.) what besides the speakers will need to be powered through the receiver:

-4K TV

-1 Turntable/Pre-Amp (mentioned above)

-4K Ultra HD bluray

-cable box

-iPhone lightning cable and 3.5 mm adaptor for phone/other sources

-2 Klipsch Cornwall speakers


Questions:


A.) I don't need tons of power. All floors are hardwood, with some rugs here and there but can anyone recommend something around 100 W? (I called Klipsch to ask their tech specialist about my speaker details, and the guy said staying at the speaker wattage will be smart, so as not to blow them out) and he said they are 100w. Would like to stay between $200-$500 and get something like a Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha... I suppose it could be used...I obviously want to optimize sound quality. Perhaps your suggestions are contingent on my remaining questions:


B.) Recommendations on a particular Bluetooth-enabled AVR? As much as I love hifi sound from a record on the turntable, there are times when I want to walk In the room and play a recent track from my phone. Also, this is not my private set up - it’s for the whole family, so needs to allow for a range of things, as well as efficiency/convenience. However, I don't use Spotify, Airplay, Sirius, XM, Pandora, DLNA, TuneIn, Tidal, etc. I would only play from actual files on my phone or laptop. (as noted, I will also have a jack coming out of one of the AVR inputs to for my phone to hardwire it sometimes also (in fact, 75% of the time, unless I'm not home for long between work/errands. If you have recommendations on those cables, please let me know.


C) My wife and I got an Alexa for Xmas. Any AVR's work with them? I've read about Smart Home automation and will eventually do the whole thing, but for now it's just music and movies.


D.) i - How do I remove the frame from the front of the speaker in order to replace the cloth? The guy I called about the speaker cloth (Bob Crites, got his name from the Klipsch forum) could tell from the pics that somebody custom made them.


ii- Does anyone recommend removing the cloth altogether and not replacing?


E.) i- Are XLR jacks better connections than just regular wire, or did I misread this?


ii- If so, would the difference in sound be negligible to average ears, or substantial? FYI, I did buy 16awg copper flat wire from Monoprice (pictured) and I imagine that can be connected to XLR's by myself, yes?


iii- speaking of which, how do I actually connect the wires to the Cornwalls? It's a very basic question, but I've never had proper speakers like this, and I don't want to screw it up. Is there a particular technique or nuance?


F.) We may eventually buy a whole-home bluetooth and/or wifi speaker system to bring to our master bedroom and two other bedrooms, so it will have to allow for that.


I think that's all. Sorry if I've overwhelmed anyone.

Thanks in advance and happy new year.


128x128djniteline
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
3,018 posts
 
Very well said @mesch . 
As mesch stated, Bluetooth is convenient, but not the highest quality. Hardwiring components, eg, USB, provides higher SQ.

Good luck with your speakers.
djniteline's avatar
djniteline OP
20 posts
 
I won't be using CD. Stopped doing that a while ago. 

https://imgur.com/user/djix
djniteline's avatar
djniteline OP
20 posts
 
Oops, meant to add this:

so, it seems that you are saying the quality of the digital audio is dependent on the Bluetooth source?

Is there a recommended USB hub with a small screen that people use for home entertainment? This way I won't have to dedicate a computer. 

Thanks again. 
Ag insider logo xs@2x
mesch
1,679 posts
 
Lowrider, thanks for the kind words.

Djniteline, regarding bluetooth, the aptX codex as provided by the Audioengine B1( not the only one having this codex) recommended by lowrider provides, as I understand it, the best audio from bluetooth devices. That said, wireless signal transfer is not at the same quality as cable transfer.

The best digital performance from your system (NAD + Cornwall) would be obtained from playing CDs direct, or playing the AIFF files from computer or server via a DAC. 

I use a Macbook Pro to play AIFF files and find it to have very good sound quality using itunes. The sound quality can be improved by using an after market playback program such as Pure Music which overlaps with itunes (I also use this program). My Macbook is not dedicated to music use only. 

Once a system is in place one can always fine tune it for increased performance. Take things one step at a time. Lets get your TT/phonostage, cable box, and BlueRay player playing music through NAD/Cornwalls first and see how that sounds to you. Though it can at times seem frustrating, keep in mind it is all about plain ol' fun. 
elevick
2,439 posts
 
I just posted in another thread about the audioengine bluetooth.  You can get quite good sound out if it if done right.  My phone (HTC One) streaming Tidal to the audioengine to a Chord Hugo was spectacular.  Yes, the Chord is a bit more expensive but the difference was clearly noticeable.  Can't hurt to try it?
My current DAC's:  Schiit Bifrost, Emotiva UMC 200 pre with DAC and Oppo 105.  I like the Schiit and Oppo, emotiva is just for movies.  I think a Chordette is in my near future.
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