It seemed Altec was in all sorts of places during my youth - schools, houses of worship, etc. Being a techie nerd, I noticed... But it all started with my uncles then lone 820C at my grandmothers house. He bought the 820 new in 1957. It was taller than me! He moved out of state a couple years after he bought it.

Setting the WayBack Machine to Thanksgiving 1976: Drove to LA for the first time, to visit my uncle and his family. It has been at least 15 years since I saw his 820C. By then he had found a second 820 to make a stereo pair. (He also had a smaller Avalon, which he converted to a Carmel, that had served as an interim period. He then used the Carmel in the rear of the room for a L-R 'difference' channel.) We spent hours on end, for days, playing recordings and messing around with his equipment. Many similar visits over the following years. We also attended a number of Stereophile shows together, that were held here in California back in the '90s. He loved talking with the older 'gray beards' about vintage hi-fi gear.

My uncle passed away last year. He really wanted me to give his beloved 820s a good home, and that I have! Currently off getting the cabinets refinished. (One was in poor condition, the other 'ok'. Getting both done so that they finally match.) Can't wait until they are done!