what is driving your altecs?

[timp]

I want to ask, 1. what amps are you using to drive your precious speakers? 2. What altec systems do you have? and 3 why did you chose the particular amp?

Tim

<font color="#FFFFFF" size="1">[ May 18, 2008 10:19 PM: Message edited by: timp ]</font>

[aeyb701]

Right now I'm using a C-J PV-7 tube pre with McIntosh MC2002- the nicest high power (200 wpc-no autoformers) SS amp I've had.
BTW I'm driving a pair of 802-8G/811b/416-8B/828's.

In the wings is a refurbed Marantz 2270 from ebay I have yet to hear, but have read mostly good things about.

Also good with the VOTT's:
Dyna ST-70 (EL-34)
Scott LK-48B (EL-84)
Scott 299C (7591)
MC2100 (Mac with autoformers)
Audio Research D-70-II (6550)...among others.

Pre's:
Mac C28
AR sp9-III
Eico HF-85 (way too much gain, but nice)
PAS-2
Fisher 400c...among others.
In short too many combinations to sit very long with one setup.

One thing I've learned is that the Altecs seem at home with either good SS or tubes.

Jon Archibald

[notloudenough]

timp, I have a new pioneer vsx-1017txv receiver, three 1208 cabinets across the front (802 dia. with loading caps) two 605's reconed and rediaphragmed 8 ohms for the side surround and a pair of 600b's for the rear surround. I chose the pioneer for the seven channels and power for the price. Its loud but i can get the receiver to shut down on a long listening sessions. Oh! and i have four selenium 18sws800 with 750 watt per channel American Audio amp for subs. Some people like front row center, I like being on stage. how about you ?

[Steve Mac]

main stereo each channel...
Odyssey Audio Stratos->511b->altec 808a mid range
Stratos->2-gpa515 mid bass horn
Stratos->1-jbl2242 bass horn

The stratos amps are 150wpc class A/AB
reason for amp selection
-sufficient power for dynamics
-class A hi-fi amp for detail
-all amps have the same gain staging(simplicity)
-consistency across the board for sound "coherency"
-keeping the price within bounds

The mid range stratos is upgraded.
I still have one more mod in mind and that is to upgrade the power transformers to the german symphonic line.

[selmerdave]

At the moment my 604E's are biamped.

Zen SE84CS 2-watt SET on the highs
Radio Craftsmen RC-2 monoblocks (10W PP 6V6's) on the lows.

I used to run them full-range with the Zen amp, which worked very well but I had the RC-2 lying around and while they are not quite as pure they do fare better in the low bass and provide enough power that it is never an issue for me. 2W was enough 98% of the time.

http://www.davesmithtrumpet.com/imag...ing-room-2.jpg

Dave

[amandarae]

604-8G's in OB with JM XO.





Dynaco ST-70 with Curcio Mods for rock and 80's music

2A3/45 for Jazz and Classical

300B for Jazz as well but my unit have a hum that I hope I can troubleshoot soon.



regards,

abe

<font color="#FFFFFF" size="1">[ May 19, 2008 03:57 AM: Message edited by: amandarae ]</font>

[Old Guy]

Originally posted by amandarae:
[QB]604-8G's in OB with JM XO.


]

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Downright purty, as we say in these parts.

My only concern would be aren't the baffles a bit small?

[amandarae]

Originally posted by O G:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by amandarae:
[QB]604-8G's in OB with JM XO.


]

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Downright purty, as we say in these parts.

My only concern would be aren't the baffles a bit small?</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hello OG,

I do not find the size of the baffle insufficient for its purpose. I went to audition a 604 set up in 620 cabs hoping that my "OB accustomed" ears will like it but as they say, if there is a box, you will hear it.

In my room, if I placed the OB 3 feet to the front wall, the bass is so potent and the Lpad for the tweeter needs to be adjusted a bit. Five to 6 feet away plus about 7 to 8 feet center to center and the bass, the detail, and the soundstage is just right for me.

I hope I can explain it easier on how the set up sounds very well but I can't. All I can say is that I have an Linkwitz Orion Plus (research this speaker in terms of bass and imaging if you will) and I have not fired it up for almost three months since I acquired this set up.

regards,

Abe

[MERDY]

on my system right now it has become a 4 way system the 806 in a seirra baby grand horn is being driven by a 6s4a triode ,i got design from gary kaufmans site
the 288g is driven by welborne drd 300b ,the 515b are driven by altec 1569a, the sub horns i put a old kinergetics ss amp,
i also use a dynaco st 35 driving a 416a in a 816 cab, and a diy 45 amp with different horns including a jbl 2480 driver(can i say that)
the 4 biflex drivers i have are going through their experiment stages and i will report later on them
i am thinking of installing some altecs in my old car the shelf behind the back seat is 20 inchdeep and the trunk is at least 25 cu/ft
any ideas ???

[drummerwill]

I've got 3 Altec systems basically. A set of modified Altec Valencia's in my upstairs system ( Recone 421's to 416 cone kit,811's with vanes cut out and a N-801-8A ) these speakers have a DIY 417A IT couple to 45PP with silver OPT's. Usually source by my Squezzebox 3

The second Altec system is a pair of 604-8K's I recently had reconed with factory cones in a 42"X19"X22" BR MDF cabinet.

The third is my A-7 system pair of plywood 828 cabinets and 515G's, expanded foam in the Horn cavities and modified vent, with a 803B Multicells with 299-8A drivers.

Both the 604's and the A-7 systems are usually driven by SQ3, Phillips 212 TT, or a Denon DVD/CD source to a DIY 26 choke loaded OPT drive preamp,
Or a 6SN7 WOT and 6SL7 phono section preamp:

to an Rane parameteric EQ then to :

Pair of rebuilt 1937 Wurlitzer Jukebox monoblock amps with Electra-Print IT's and PSS OPT's
A Stereo DIY 417A IT coupled to 2A3/300B parafeed Silver OPT's
A stereo DIY 6SN7 RC to 45 IT coupled to 845 with E-P PSS OPT's (Low Power 500vdc)
A stereo DIY Universal DHTSET amp 6SN7 IT coupled to ( 45, 50, 300B, 183, SV-811-3,10 and VT-52) DHT output tube to UBT-2 OPT's
A pair of Dynaco Mark III's with Curio premium driver board and Oil caps in the PS.
A rebuilt Fisher 500C with full recap, and rebuilt PS board
A rebuilt Scott 299B with new caps and PS caps

Lately I just got the new UBT-2 for my Universal amp, so all weekend I've been listening to different 45's, 50's and 10's trying to hear differences.

What Fun!