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bowtie427ss
Lunatic Member
It wouldn't be any more typing than your post. Google is your friend.
https://www.lansingheritage.org/html/altec/catalogs/altec-cat.htm
Try the "pro" catalogs from '75, or '78. '78 probably has cleaner scans.
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Wow, what an amazing resource!
Thank you for the link, as I am sure I will be spending much time enjoying the content.
That said, with regards to my initial query, I am not sure that clicking through non text encoded image file scans of product brochures for each year is much of an improvement.
The amount of information on that site is almost overwhelming, particularly with a search function that dies not seem to work :
(non functional as of 3/28/2023) : https://www.audioheritage.org/search.htm
and quite a few dead links at least regarding Altec Lansing:
Unofficial Altec Homepage : (dead link) http://www.nleinternet.net/alteclansingunofficial/index.html
Altec Resource page : (dead link) http://www.soundpractices.com/altec.html
Classic Altec photos : (dead link) : http://www.leesound.com/bw_photos/index.html
Please do not misconstrue the above as any form of criticism as I know first hand that assembling and maintaining such an archive is project of love usually coupled with limited resources. I fully appreciate all of the time, effort, and care embodied in such a project. I have attempted to build archives myself and my project pale in comparison for sure.
Maybe I am lazy, but I was kinda just hoping the collected knowledge of the folks on this forum might chime in and say something like ...
"If you are looking for a green-faced Altec Lansing power amp in the 100-200 watt range check out the 1234x, 1243B, and ABCD Series 2 models"
Because sometimes asking a human is just better than asking a robot.
GetBusyLivin
Active Member
1594B is the 100 watt version
1590B is the 200 watt version
took <10 seconds to find and agree that google search is a helpful tool.
1590B is the 200 watt version
took <10 seconds to find and agree that google search is a helpful tool.
And there ya go!
A succinct, direct answer , plus a touch of commentary (and no google ads following me around for the next month) !
Take THAT, ChatGPT.
Thanks @GetBusyLivin
A succinct, direct answer , plus a touch of commentary
(and no google ads following me around for the next month) !Take THAT, ChatGPT.
Thanks @GetBusyLivin
twiiii
Lunatic Member
Watch for the 1590 series the early ones had less than 75 db signal to noise. The B model was improved a bit. But none of Altecs stuff ever matched UrEI, JBL, Crown or Mcintosh power amps. The life expectancy of the Altec amps was pretty poor. For foreign stuff I liked professional Yamaha. Thats what Stanel sound used when touring with professionals, like Mac Davis and The blonde kid from Central Colorado John Denver, Ray Charles and the guy who was famous for singing "Coming to America." Neil Diamond. We used Altec 210's with double 288c on 1003B and 288C on 203B for Peter Paul and Mary, Sand Pipers, Letterman, Ray Charles, Al Hirt, Al Capp, Sly and the Family Stone, We helped Tijuana Brass when they blew all their Altec drivers, in rehearsal. We also did the presidential candidates when they came to town in the 60's, 70's and 80's. But I always used Mcintosh amps. 275's, MC 3500's mostly. Close to the end it was MC 2300's. Then we upgraded to multiple 817s and 291 drivers. No one cared above 13,000 HZ any way in large spaces. I preferred JBL Monitor speakers.
twiiii
Lunatic Member
My Stereo speakers loved to be bi-amped. But they didn't like autoformers. So I used a pair of DC 300 A's for over 25 years adding a D 150 A when I added super tweeters to tri amp. Then I switched to MC 7200's and MC 7100 for a much smoother more enjoyable sound. DC 300 A was just to dry from 400 to 9500 HZ for me. Today I use a MC 207 still tri amping and the speakers are the L and R part of the HT system. The second 207 helps power the rest of the speakers in the 7.0 HT system. Oh the center channel is bi-amped with super tweeters added using a passive crossover network.