New Amplifier

**Altec Best** · October 26th, 2011, 01:32 AM

Originally Posted by VolvoHeretic

I don't have to go to the gym because I have to jump up and adjust the EQ for every album/CD change and volume change and mulitiple times after for fine tweeking.

I used to do that a long,long time ago.I wised up and got myself a remote !And now do it from the couch.

**Panomaniac** · October 26th, 2011, 09:45 AM

And my "No EQ, Same Volume" system is making me fat and lazy. Damn!

**voice of the theater** · October 26th, 2011, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by Panomaniac

And my "No EQ, Same Volume" system is making me fat and lazy. Damn!

Typical fat and lazy American! In some overseas countries, the children can set three separate EQ curves per minute on a graphic and/or parametric equalizer by age two and if they don't wear out a pair of (sweatshop) sneakers by the end of the day from getting up running over to the equalizer all day, then they're sent home from preschool in disgrace......

**voice of the theater** · October 26th, 2011, 11:09 AM

It seems that most people here are either using tone controls, loudness buttons, graphic and/or parametric equalizers, or (fine tuned) digital, active, or passive crossovers to get that lifelike sound that we love to hear from our Altecs.....

**gvasale** · October 26th, 2011, 12:46 PM

seldom if ever, but I do have a couple of Acousta-Voicetts not yet in use. But largely satisfied with many CDs as opposed to LPs as I have said before. Maybe when I really retire I'll have time to mess with them.

**Altec Best** · October 26th, 2011, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by Panomaniac

And my "No EQ, Same Volume" system is making me fat and lazy. Damn!

I'm neither fat nor lazy,when I get home from work I just seem to want to sit on the couch with a cold brew in one hand and a remote controlling my tunes in the other !!

Originally Posted by voice of the theater

It seems that most people here are either using tone controls, loudness buttons, graphic and/or parametric equalizers, or (fine tuned) digital, active, or passive crossovers to get that lifelike sound that we love to hear from our Altecs.....

I started using an EQ for vinyl LP's that I have that were old/rare and may have had some surface grime that crackles in the HF range,sounds like static.And I have had one in my system ever since.As I have some old/rare hard to find recordings that were a little beat up to say the least.EQ works well to take out some of the noise.As far as the loudness button goes.It is fine at low volumes but I never use it. I feel that it just adds rumble,boom, and is disproportionate to the Mid-HF's so don't like how it sounds.I love bass,don't get me wrong I just don't like the way the loudness sounds IMHO !

**Conrad55** · October 26th, 2011, 03:28 PM

While I am refinishing my Altecs, I just purchased a Crown microtech 600 amp to drive them
coupled with Behringer FBQ 3102 dual 31 band equalizer
connected to a Pyle PYD 1270 2 bus mixing board.
And a QSC 1400 amp to run my old 18" Bullfrog sub.

I cant wait to hear hear them run through this setup.

So far I have only run mine through a Peavey 400 mono mixing amp, and am totally impressed with the sound.

**gearfreak** · October 26th, 2011, 05:53 PM

So it's the ~<$500 range and 50-75wpc still, right?

For power amps:

Perhaps look around for a used Bryston 2b (or 2blp?) 60wpc. 20y warranty. Piece of mind for you, given the scenario presented.
Get the serial, call bryston, see how many years are left on it (and that it is a valid serial etc.). On some of the newer stuff, they are wanting to see receipts iirc (to ensure bought from a proper reseller) - so check out that situation before commiting as well.

Note there are 2 or 3 (2 original, and 1 of the new model?) versions of the 2B.
Look at the rear connections and for presence (or not) of front volume controls, in order to know what you are looking at. (though, seems they will mod them if you send them in).

Were you in NY? If so, may even be able to drive/drop for service. I think their US service center is up there.

Crown D45, D60, D75a et al could also be considered, and (I think) still bought new... but I think they hiked the prices way up when Harman (harmen, whatever... ) bought them out. Maybe trying to kill off crown that way.

* Personally, ~8w from a 6BQ5 Almarro A205 I got in trade, is too much for me. If considering modern tubes, you could also have a look at them.

**Panomaniac** · October 26th, 2011, 08:09 PM

Just FYI for anyone. 6BQ5=EL84 A great output tube.

**westend9** · October 29th, 2011, 04:10 AM

Guess I should break out the two old EV/tapco's I have on a shelf and see if I like 'em. Yikes, more cables!

Originally Posted by voice of the theater

Nice, but probably a little out of my price range. I use an Alesis MEQ 230 (30 bands per channel stereo equalizer) with my current main setup. Do most people who use these Mac's listen flat or do they use an equalizer? I can't imagine listening to vinyl or CD's with no EQ whatsoever but I think there are "purists" out there that believe you should listen with no EQ--totally flat. I know I'm hijacking my own thread here, but just wondering -- does anyone here listen to their Altecs with no EQ whatsoever? I don't care what brand the speakers are, I've always felt that some EQ is needed to really get that sweet lifelike sound that you want to hear.......