Hello,
I joined this forum today after one of your members recommended it. I've been browsing it and it seems the members here really know their classic Altecs. I just bought a pair of Heathkit/Altecs AS-101 speakers in near mint condition from a local classified ad (Altec drivers are mint--cabinet near mint). I'm a long time Altec user--I have a pair of P.A. Voice of the Theater A7 speakers that I use for P.A. with my (rock) band (bought them used over 10 years ago). I also have a pair of Altec Valencia speakers that I use for my "downstairs/basement" home stereo together with a pair of altec model nine speakers (4 speakers sound better than 2!). The AS-101s that I just bought are for my "upstairs" (living room) stereo. I've been looking at the altec library and the AS-101s are most similar to the altec flamenco speakers from 1971 -- identical drivers and cabinet other than the grill. Their cabinet is a little different from the Valencias.--same drivers as the valencias and the A7 voice of the theater. Anyways, I opened them up and took some photos of the drivers, etc. and I have a few questions. I noticed the caps look really bad in the crossovers--there are three caps per speaker (six total) and a couple of them look like they may have leaked oil at one time. 10 I'd like to replace them but I can't find the right value caps. The three that are in there say 8 mfd 50 vdc, 10 mfd 50 vdc, and 11 mfd 50 vdc. The closest I've found are Solen caps at 8.2 uf 400vdc, 10 uf 400 vdc, 12 uf 400 vdc. The original caps say "chicago condensor corp" +/- 10% and the Solen caps are rated at +/- 5%..... QUESTION ONE--Do you think the Solens would be close enough and would result in cleaner crisper sound? Right now one horn seems to be slightly brighter than the other. QUESTION TWO--could that be caused by a bad cap(s)? The woofers and horns both say made for Heathkit by Altec Lansing and have Heathkit part numbers on them. I also noticed there's a number stamped on the outside of the diaphragm for each horn. QUESTION THREE Is this a batch number (GPA didn't think it was a part number they had never heard of it?) 11 One of the horns (in the photo) has 391133 stamped on it and the other one has 391124 stamped on it--are these just different batch numbers or am I dealing with two entirely different diaphragms (QUESTION 4?)? Both 806A horns (heathkit/Altec) have an Altec stamp on the side which seems undisturbed/unmoved which makes it look like they've never been opened (and makes me think the diaphragms are the original altecs from the 70's)--is this a correct assumption (QUESTION 5)? see photo...12I was surprised that even though the Heathkit Altecs have the same drivers as my Valencias, the Heathkits have a SLIGHTLY better sound (warmer/fuller) other than the fact that one horn seems very slightly brighter than the other.....13 left to right--Altec Valencia with model nine on top, heathkit AS-101 (voice of the theater in heathkit cabinet).... Here's the inside of one of the Heathkit As-101 (they look identical inside). 14 Anyways, I would really appreciate anyone who could answer some of these questions for me--it's not easy to find accurate info on vintage Altecs....
Thanks,
Dave