Model 19 Crossover Replacement

[voice of the theater]

Has anyone out there ever heard one of these model 19 crossover replacements ("Crossover Upgrade Model For Altec Model 19")? Is this company affiliated with GPA or the original Altec/Iconic? Anyone ever seen any specs or photos of these?
Iconic Speaker Manufacturing - Speaker Crossovers

"...To assure proper performance of the Iconic DN19-8U
Replacement Crossover, the values of the original
components of the factory-supplied crossover for the
Model were carefully measured and duplicated. Modern
parts with identical values were then selected to be used
in the Model DN19-8U, to assure proper audio
performance - metallized polypropylene capacitors, noninductive
wire-wound resistors, air-core inductors, highquality
wire of sufficient gauge to connect the crossover
to the loudspeaker components, and meticulous hand
assembly combine to produce an excellent
upgrade/replacement for the original crossover supplied
with the Model 19...."

I notice they also offer "Stonehenge" and "Magnificent" speaker systems and that some of their drivers have the "Tangerine radial phasing system", "mantaray horn"? They have links to GPA on their site--I'm wondering if they're affiliated or are they "horning in" on GPA's turf (what a terrible pun)? BTW, I'm loyal to GPA if they're a competitor.....

[magnarc]

AFAIK there are strong links between GPA and Iconic.

A couple of board members can elaborate as they are in the thick of these fine companies.

On a similar note, are there GPA M19 crossovers? Or ones for older 604s, esp the E?

[Todd W. White]

Iconic gets their speaker components from GPA, but that's the extent of their cooperation.

Iconic has their own methods of utilizing those parts, and builds their version of the Model 19 crossover themselves, by hand, on a per-order basis. Reports are that they work well, but they are expensive. As far as I know, Iconic has slowed down their marketing efforts, while GPA has and is increasing it's marketing efforts, and has and is introducing new products, crossovers, and complete systems.

[Altec Best]

Yes I agree with Todd I tried to contact them awhile back took 3 weeks for a reply,in the beginning I think they was alittle more cooperation.Jim Dickinson I spoke with a nice guy from what I can tell, but way overpriced.Stick with GPA :2thumbsup:

[ALTECjones]

I purchased a pair of ALTEC Model 19s (later production with 416-8C/902) a few years ago with Iconic crossovers installed. Sounded good, but I prefer the sound when I rewired with the stock crossovers.

The caps in the Iconic are nothing special, just closely matched Daytons. The resistors are similar to the stock ALTEC sand cast. The inductors are decent looking with the woofer coils being big gauge air core and the one for the 902 being a steel laminate core. The wiring used to connect to the speaker terminals looks similar to multicolored 12Ga Romex although I'm sure it has some justification for being so massively overdesigned for a high efficiency speaker. Just not what I would have done.

IMO the stock crossover with the stock speakers just sounds more "right" in comparison with the Iconic version. YMMV.

Lately I've been modding the stock crossover with Dueland resistors and charged coupled Carli mylar caps -with the stock inductors. Bi-passed the HF level pot & MF pot is still used to dial things in. Internally wired with Evidence Audio cable. So far- I like this *alot*. Disclaimer: My speakers are no longer original M19s as I've replaced the 902s with TAD 2001s, so again YMMV.