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15.252.48.166
A pair of ALTEC Model 19s.
Drivers re-coned and re-diaphramed at GPA.
New ICONIC crossovers.
Cabinets fully restored/refinished with a red oak finish.
Reproduction foam around the horn.
New grills.
They look good.
DAMN these sound GOOD!
There were things in recordings that I hadn't heard even over my AKG K701 headphones. They sounded new and fresh -like remixes.
I've wanted a pair for 30 years.
I just had to share.
-Steve
No pictures? :)
Glad you're happy, I wish I could say the same about the time I heard Altec 19's...granted it wasn't in the best of conditions, but I wasn't too impressed with them. A Harmon Kardon tubed integrated was driving them, and it just sounded like they were too much of a load for the poor little amp. Surprising considering the efficiency I thought they were.
Jim---Not to dispute your experience or preference but the worst amp I ever heard was an HK tube receiver, I gave the thing away. And it was working properly and had been gone over by a noted tube tech I bought it from. Sounded worse than a old Peavey PA amp I used to have.
Like a damned fool I figured it HAD to sound good, tubes, right? ;-)
Nah, I don't mind, wasn't my amp anyway :)
We should have put the Altecs on my SV811 monos, maybe next time.
nt
Patience.
I've seen them on Ebay for a couple of years in many degrees of condition. I found these on my local Craig's list.
Local pickup was important for me. As well as being able to see the speakers first hand.
Now for things to consider.
Look over the general condition of the speakers. Do they look like they are a match? If in original condition, do they look like 30 year old speakers with a patina that shows pride of ownership, or do they appear beat to s**t like they were used in the assault against Manuel Noriega?
Make sure the drivers are original or have been reconed with genuine ALTEC or GPA cone. Look for the ALTEC dust cap vent and goopy accordian surround. Beware of solid dust caps and/or rubber or foam surrounds.
Ask if the crossover has been modified (monkeyed with). Unless you are familiar with these, I'd shy away.
One note on drivers... early 19s had ALTEC 416-8B alnico woofers. Later ones had 416-8C ferrite woofers. Supposedly the 19s BR box was sized for the 416-8B, and is too large for the 416-8C. In the coming weeks I'll get mine tested (with the GPA cones) and calculate out what size box "my" woofers need. If I need a smaller box volume, I'll try blocking off the upper section, and try to retune the port without doing anything irreversible.
Ask to hook them up and listen for balance and a central image between the pair. Listen for warts, they should sound GOOD.
I'm sure there are alot more points that other may pitch in with.
In my case I lucked out (big time), as the pair I bought were 100% restored to at least as good as new condition. Poor guy got married and his wife put her foot down to get rid of them.
So look and look some more, and be sure and grab a pair if you run across the right ones for you.
-Steve
Greets!
Note that if losing ~2 dB of efficiency is OK, then you can add 1 ohm series resistance to get the -8C to 'fill' the cab, then reduce the vent area to ~18.1"^2 to flatten it out and shelve the HF horn to match it.
If you're a DIYer, building your own cabs and buying new components except for the 811 horn is the most cost efficient in the long run IMO and it allows you to shape the cab for better performance without adding on stands or taller bases and making them one piece rather than the leaky, bass degrading three tier assembly of the original.
Or if you're not into woodworking, a dude on the Altec forum is getting ready to offer some repro cabs as well as complete speakers:
GM
Loud is Beautiful if it's Clean!
Hi GM,
Thanks for the info. I'll try that 1 ohm series resistor. Is it OK to simply wire it in series at the binding posts, or do I have to go in to the crossover and wire it in series with the woofer circuit?
New boxes and clones. Of course there are more modern ways to skin the Altec cat. The Model 19 is not magic, but simply a damn good turn-key speaker.
Finding a pair in this shape after lusting for them for 30 years, is like running into your high school homecomimg queen at a reunion. And finding out she's an aerobic instructor, recently divorced, and just had a boob job.
Too much for me to pass up. ;-)
Cheers,
-Steve
Greets!
You're welcome! Yes, no need to do it at the XO. Understood, though the M19s never impressed me, I just added the other info for any interested folks.
GM
Loud is Beautiful if it's Clean!
Hi GM,
Makes sense, as when I auditioned the 19s the owner was using a tubed MacIntosh amp with high output impedance and I'm using solid state chipamp with low output impedance.
I'll try a tube amp with variable NFB to dial in speaker dampening.
Thanks,
-Steve
Good for you!!! Glad you are enjoying them so much
:> )
Best turnkey, all-in-one-box speaker ever IMO.
Yup Tom, they do sound really good.
I've still got to get them dialed in to the room and toed-in for proper soundstage. Until then I'll defer to your more experienced opinion. ;-)
I'm using an Altmann Attraction DAC and BYOB amp that runs off of a car battery. Good for 8 maybe 10 watts at 8ohms. A nice pairing with the 19s for at home listening. No hiss or any noise at all except music from the speakers. Very analog sounding. I'll try out a T-Amp and tube amp soon.
I do miss abit of upper HF "air", but ALTECs aren't known for that anyway. My Boleros are even more rolled off on top, but do sound natural none the less. I'll pull the bugscreens and see if that helps any.
-Steve
fountek ribbon supertweeter modified by Tonian Labs. I think effic is around 98 dont know if that will work for you.
Might be a little shy on sensitivity, though.
The 19s are rated at 99dB/watt@4feet.
Thanks for the tip.
-Steve
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