Quote Originally Posted by Elitopus1 View Post
I just finished reading the long thread on AK about the TD15M builds. Unfortunately, all the pics are gone. I started a new thread about AE users and their setups.

I was also curious about GPA woofer prices, since the 416B were so reasonable. I asked Bill about his 515C drivers, and he came back with a price of 550$ each. Still not bad when you look at how much original 515C cost, and the benefits of having woofers with all new parts.
Well this thread has led us/me to the real question. Along the path of trying to get these going in an acceptable fashion, I asked myself: why not pop the extra bucks and get the GPA 515-16C (that's the Alnico/Classic, right?)? That led to issue: is it a good fit with the current horn setup I have? But the real question for me is: what's the best sounding driver (and eventually, driver set) for an 828?- and that I should start on the path of discovering that. I worry that the answer is a "vintage". I am commited to owning sooner or later an optimum A7 set. But what are my target components? Other than some indications of hefty prices on vintage 515 variants, there's not too much of a financial barrier to a commited bachelor with building and repair skills- and some credit cards that are still on their feet. As far as the cabinet goes, to me the answer at this point is relatively clear: 828 in plywood. The drivers? That's where gets hairy- mostly in the woofer considerations. I'm very impressed with these horns at this point just the way they are. Some talk of how "back in the day" when the company was in it's prime, there was a bit of magic that's hard to reproduce now. I would love some feed back from anyone who has experience with the GPA 416B or GPA 515C Alnicos. GPA will be putting my 416-16B set together- I don't think he would mind if I switched the order up to the 515-16Cs.

You guys are a lot further down this path than I am. So, if you have a moment: for you guys that think you have some woofers you feel are optimum- or close to optimum, what are they?

For those who are working towards getting some woofers you feel would be optimum, what is your target?

Thanks, Kip.......

BTW, the horns are sounding so good with the Russiam MBG PIOs in the XOs, I put some FT-3 teflon 0.1uF 630V Russian coupling caps in my 300B monoblock amps. Not even broken in, they were a huge improvement- and really starting to romp now. Never knew how much of a difference these could make. Why did I wait so long to try this? Much thanks to forums for these tips........