Heads up - 19's for sale

**Altec Best** · August 11th, 2010, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by J Henry

I figured they shouldn't deteriorate with age, although I'm prepared to be corrected by anyone with more experience with this.

Well John 2 of the 4 resistors were out of spec on mine one of the 3.9 ohms and the 3 ohm needed to be replaced so I went ahead and changed them all.They are fairly cheap.

**SOOTSHE** · August 12th, 2010, 02:13 AM

Originally Posted by Altec Best

Well John 2 of the 4 resistors were out of spec on mine one of the 3.9 ohms and the 3 ohm needed to be replaced so I went ahead and changed them all.They are fairly cheap.

Good info...thanks John.
I'll go ahead & replace them when I get a chance.

**rontec** · August 13th, 2010, 03:20 PM

AB and John, I noticed that Parts E. doesn't have exact values for all of the capacitors in the Solen brand. Do you mind stating again exact values you have used? Thanks.
I have tried some other caps that I didn't quite care for but now would like to try the Solens. So far the biggest improvement was connecting the ground lugs together. Now I think it would be a good experiment to try the Solens. I need some for another project as well.
It seems that many of the original Altec caps have degraded. Has anybody actually measured a bad original Altec cap?

**Cal Weldon** · August 13th, 2010, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by rontec

Has anybody actually measured a bad original Altec cap?

I have measured old Altec caps and have yet to find one that was out more than 10% which I am guessing is the rated tolerance anyhoo. This includes a set of XO's that came with the 604's that had all been recapped (with nice big shiny yellow ones) without removing the old caps. So was it a waste? Dunno, to me it seems like I have an extra set of caps now.

**Altec Best** · August 13th, 2010, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by rontec

AB and John, I noticed that Parts E. doesn't have exact values for all of the capacitors in the Solen brand. Do you mind stating again exact values you have used? Thanks.
I have tried some other caps that I didn't quite care for but now would like to try the Solens. So far the biggest improvement was connecting the ground lugs together. Now I think it would be a good experiment to try the Solens. I need some for another project as well.
It seems that many of the original Altec caps have degraded. Has anybody actually measured a bad original Altec cap?

IMHO it is preferable to keep the values as close as possible Example: Nobody makes a 21 uF so to keep the values close I would use a 10uF and an 11uF to reach 21uF instead of using a 20uF and a 1uF i think it is best to keep them (Values) close to one another.For the 16uF use two 8uF's and so on.If you can't get a 6uF use two 3uF's and the last one use one 8uF or two 4uF's.

Actually back in the 70's I think the tolerances were +-20% not good and I think they are a much better cap today.How else do you explain the improvement and I'm not talking about slight improvement, leaps and bounds over the old ones.Caps life span is approx. 20 years give or take a year.I'm completely thrilled with the difference this is how Altec intended the 19's to sound "No Doubt" and what a beautiful system they put together in the Model 19 :2thumbsup:

(Parts-Express or Madisound) if I remember correctly I think I had to get a few of the parts at Madisound as PE didn't have all I needed at the time.

Please post back after all upgrades done John and I already know the outcome but would be informative for other folks.

**Panomaniac** · August 14th, 2010, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by Altec Best

IMHO it is preferable to keep the values as close as possible Example: Nobody makes a 21 uF so to keep the values close I would use a 10uF and an 11uF to reach 21uF instead of using a 20uF and a 1uF i think it is best to keep them (Values) close to one another.

Many cap fanatics would disagree with the above. Use 1 big value and 1 or 2 smaller ones. Try to keep close to 10:1 ratio or better.

No idea if it makes a bit of difference, but it's what I generally do. Often cheaper and smaller that way, too. That's what I like about it.

**Altec Best** · August 14th, 2010, 04:22 PM

[quote=Panomaniac;1832481]

Many cap fanatics would disagree with the above.

I think that line says it all.

I'm very happy with the result in 19 X-over upgrade.

One other thing John in my X-over upgrade I actually used a 12uF and a 9 uF to reach the 21 uF value.See this is what happens when you get someone else to build them for you.You can't remember crap !!!

Mine were built by member "Dgwojo" Dave did a fantastic job on them I might add.

I'm just the guy who paid for all the parts and labor and gratuities quite Happily I might add as well !!!

**westend9** · August 14th, 2010, 05:37 PM

I'm probably giving away the ranch on this but Parts Connexion has Axon True Caps on sale, 50% off. They are made by the same Mfg. that makes the Solen film caps. I have used them in crossover networks and a DIY preamp. They worked well for me:Axon true Cap Good luck with the 19 upgrades!

**Altec Best** · August 15th, 2010, 12:52 AM

Originally Posted by Panomaniac

Many cap fanatics would disagree with the above. Use 1 big value and 1 or 2 smaller ones. Try to keep close to 10:1 ratio or better.

No idea if it makes a bit of difference, but it's what I generally do. Often cheaper and smaller that way, too. That's what I like about it.

One other thing Pano I spoke to Dave today about it as he explained to me and said this is how it was explained to him by Madisound.

Madisound said they were against large differences in values,I think they claimed that it caused different signal paths which meant the signal wasn't getting through the caps at the same time.They also advised against small value bypass caps for the same reason.Dave said he has the email at work that he can retrieve for me from work this week coming up.

I don't know but they sure sound good to me.(19 X-over)