Altec A256C Amplifier

**Hotwheelsfan** · January 21st, 2011, 02:07 AM

Hello,

I am new to the board and joined because I have a few Altec items.

I was looking for some info on my 256 amp and found this site.

AltecA256Cfront

My amp had the T1 transformer knocked off and may need another.

it is a 16187-Q

AltecA256Cdamage

I may also need a pair of the 807 tubes.

This amp sure seems to be a monster and I don't know much more about it.

The amp seems pretty clean, but I only have one...

I was wondering if this could be used a a guitar amp or would I need another 256 amp to be able to put this to good use?

Bob

**bfish** · January 21st, 2011, 07:48 PM

Welcome Bob!

Nice find! It would certainly make a fine guitar amp, but you could probably sell it for enough as-is to buy a really nice old Fender or such. The transformer that's whacked is merely a step-up (impedance matching) input level job to allow low Z line inputs, so for guitar (or other Hi-Z apps) you could likely bypass it altogether. An exact replacement will be very pricey if you find one, but there are many others that would fill the bill, including other Altecs if "stock" isn't required.

One precaution; unless you know it was in use within the last year or two, the first time power-up should be done slowly and incrementally with a Variac to re-form the electrolytic caps that are well beyond their expected lifespan. Replacing them (the round, metal cans topside) would be my preference.

If you're gonna sell it, sell it as-is. If you're gonna use it, restore it.

**Altec Best** · January 21st, 2011, 08:16 PM

Hey Bob :welcome: to the board. That's what I figured you just did a search and found that thread,otherwise you would have had to do a whole lot of reading to go back that far.Nice clean amp you got there! :2thumbsup:

Again welcome !

**Hotwheelsfan** · January 25th, 2011, 12:06 PM

Thanks for the welcomes,

I appriciate the info on my amp. I have learned about using a variac to fire up old equipment and have a nice one to use. I am new to repairing or working on amps, so I really value the information.

I have a feeling this amp may be in a better home if I sell it. I know its not a very common amp and may be hard to sell, but I'd hate to start molesting it if it should'nt be altered.
(At least by me, if I don't need the amp)

Once again,
I thank you for the valuable info, bfish, and to the others from the site.
I have 2 other Altec amps, 9940A's, and found some posts here about those.

Bob