Hi
As the volume potentiometers has a substantial influence on the sound I wonder if it is a good idea to replace these old 20kohm potentiometers with new ones on an Altec 9440A power amp?
Any recommendations for replacement. The same type, Alphs (may not fit) or stepped attenuator ?
Anyone done it ? Any idea for good replacement ?
Not any good idea ! The originals are good enough !
Any input appreciated
If it ain't broke don't fix it. Altec had some of the best brains available, I seriously doubt cut and try is gonna gain much. And likely will make it worse.
Your neighbors called. They like your music.
Keeping physical construction quality aside (which affects the longivity & immunity to being scratchy early), a volume control replacements will affect the sound quality only when one changes the value, otherwise not. Changing the value changes the impedance loading pattern inside, and hence a possibility of FR changes.
But as OG has already suggested, why change it unless it is really damaged ?
Well, many says that for example a stepped attenuator sound s much better than an film potentiometer and Blue Alps potentiometer sounds better than most of the other brands.
Accordingly they recommend to replace with the above to get better sound.
I have not yet put the Altec 9440A into the hifi system, but read that the high frequencies are not as good as the lower frequencies and thought that replacing these could enhance the performance.
A widely held view may be incorrect.
Last edited by mah; July 8th, 2012 at 04:06 AM.
Opinion is only as valid as its verifiable supporting evidence.
Many once thought the world was flat.Originally Posted by mah
Your neighbors called. They like your music.
A good pot can improve over a horrible one. But not much over a good one. The Altec does not have horrible pots unless they are bad. You are thinking of spending money and a lot of work to gain "not much."
Check improving your source signal, clean mains power, and caps in the amp first. Your priorities are off IMHO. Lots of work for small gain, especially if any other issues. Speaker placement will make more difference than the pots will. But the way you are talking your mind was made up before you posted.
Your neighbors called. They like your music.
This post right here Merlin is good advice, no great advice ! I too am from the school of "If It ain't broke DON'T fix it" I could have kicked myself in the A** more times than I care to admit on this.. Messing with something for no other reason than to just mess with it... My thinking well if I replace this it has got to be better.. And 9 times out of 10 I would scramble to try and fix the changes I had done.So now if it has blown up into a million pieces ? It's staying !
I'm exaggerating a bit, but you can understand my point I hope... I mean in Crossovers,amps,etc... that are 30-40 years old and have original capacitors and such should be replaced.No question you can make an improvement there but on the inductors,L-pads,potentiometers,etc,etc.... Most of the time a good cleaning of the pots will suffice..
Or try and contact Iratec . He works on a lot of the Altec electronics..He may have some suggestions or the parts you need..
[email protected]
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