Voice Of The Theatre, There's nothing, even remotely lame about being curious of older Altec history.
I was 19 when I first started working there as a shipping clerk. I didn't even know what they did there.
I recall a "buzz", but as an employee, it wasn't about the many new products that were introduced. It was always expected, and business as usual.
Personally, the buzz came when I would spot a VOTT A7, or other Altec product in a movie, or TV show, Saturday Night Fever, Woodstock, and many others. Or, the many venues, Astrodome, LA Coloseum, Rose Bowl, Hollywood Bowl, Greek Theater, all of Disneyland, etc. I used to look behind everything during all the Disney rides to spot the 604's, or A7's, etc. There was a circular movie theatre in Orange county called Century 21. I spotted two Magnificents behind curtains in the rear. VOTT's, 1202's, 1203's, 1204's & 5's were everywhere, in every club back then.
Many thanks to the emense technical knowledge of the members here, to Bill & Steve at GPA, and especially to Todd. It's a fountain of youth for all the old vintage equipment.

By the way, VOTT, I see your in upstate. I was born in Niagara Falls, NY.