GPA 399's

[SOOTSHE]

Well I've finally finished my Elliptracs built up from a kit supplied by Dave Harris. Took a lot of work, but I'm pretty pleased with the result.

I've wanted these to mate with some of the GPA 399 drivers. These babies are nearly 8" in diameter & weigh nearly 10kgs.

So , to cut to the chase, first the Elliptracs. Compared to the ALK Martinelli Trachorn that I was using, I would say that they are different, rather than better, having said that, I prefer the sound of these to the Trachorn. They are much less directional, the sound doesn't come from the speakers anymore & produces a very wide soundfield.

The GPA's - everything is better, the detail, the contrasts between instruments, the timbre of the instruments, the ability to pick out individual instruments. They have a dimension that the 1" drivers just cannot produce, no matter their quality. They have a much fuller sound & an effortlessness that has to be heard. For the first time in a long time, I find myself listening to the music & not to the equipment & that's probably the highest compliment I can give them.

Finally I have some Altecs in my system again!

[Earl K]

You did a great job on those ellipticals, as well as their casing ( the horn shape looks like spitting image of my H5038 horns ) .

That's a beautifully smooth finish on the inside of the flair ( that must of been a lot of work ) .

Yeh, Altec 288s walk all over 802s ( IME ) from all the perspectives that you've mentioned .


<>

[SOOTSHE]

Thanks Earl,
Makes you wonder why we muck around with other drivers at all.
Should have just got the best ones from the start!!

[Kenny Brant]

I bought a pair of GPA 416-8C's and GPA 399A's from Bill and Steve a couple of weeks ago. I am building the cabinets now. I am going to use Faital Pro LTH142 horns that I adapted to the 399A's.

Makes me feel better to hear you like your 399's.

Kenny

[Alien_Shore]

As beautiful as those are to look at, I bet the listening is just over the top! Congrats and nice job!!

[SOOTSHE]

I bought a pair of GPA 416-8C's and GPA 399A's from Bill and Steve a couple of weeks ago. I am building the cabinets now. I am going to use Faital Pro LTH142 horns that I adapted to the 399A's.

Makes me feel better to hear you like your 399's.

Kenny

You won't be disappointed!!!

[SOOTSHE]

Thanks. Yes, they sound just superb!

[cradeldorf]

Excellent looking work Sootshe.

[Kenny Brant]

Thanks. Yes, they sound just superb!

Thanks, SOOTSHE, a few more days and I will have the enclosures done. I am going to play them and get everything ironed out before I veneer them. I am building 5.65 cu. ft. enclosures tuned to 35 hz. I used 13 ply Baltic Birch and build a seperate enclosure for the 416-8c by putting a divider between the woofer and 399. I also bought a pair of B & C ME10 horns for the highs and am going to use Altec 902T's that I already have that I have taken the loading caps off and felt lined. If I don't like the 902's for tweeters I will go another route. I may not even have to use any tweeters at all, but have the option to.

I am going to triamp using either tube or T-amps. I know I am pretty sure I will use SE tube amp for the 399's. I already have the amps and active crossovers.

I wanted a system to listen to at lower levels and have good detail. A lot of systems when you turn down the volume you just get a flat sound but when turned up sounds good.

Thanks for your reply, Kenny

[SOOTSHE]

Thanks, SOOTSHE, a few more days and I will have the enclosures done. I am going to play them and get everything ironed out before I veneer them. I am building 5.65 cu. ft. enclosures tuned to 35 hz. I used 13 ply Baltic Birch and build a seperate enclosure for the 416-8c by putting a divider between the woofer and 399. I also bought a pair of B & C ME10 horns for the highs and am going to use Altec 902T's that I already have that I have taken the loading caps off and felt lined. If I don't like the 902's for tweeters I will go another route. I may not even have to use any tweeters at all, but have the option to.

I am going to triamp using either tube or T-amps. I know I am pretty sure I will use SE tube amp for the 399's. I already have the amps and active crossovers.

I wanted a system to listen to at lower levels and have good detail. A lot of systems when you turn down the volume you just get a flat sound but when turned up sounds good.

Thanks for your reply, Kenny

I'm running mine passive with a Conrad Johnson valve pre & power combo.

I find the nature of the sound doesn't change at all whether listening at whisper levels or up higher.

It will be interesting to get your impressions on running them 2 way. Whan I build my new crossovers I'm going to experiment with the 2 way set up just for the heck of it. Currently I cross the GPA's over at 6K to some JBL 2404's.

Cheers,
John