Altec 353A in the house

[Tube Sound]

Just got her home! I'm so excited I'm about to wet myself and at my age that comes easy. Haven't touched it. Pics as she arrived. New 6L6GC's needed, as mismatched Fenders, currently. All 12AX7's are Sylvania. Won't be firing it up. Off to my tech she goes for a check up. Serial #5376. Anyone know what year that might be? Can't wait to run it into my Valencia's. Bought from a wonderful couple in Penticton.

 

[Rod Beauvex]

Hey, look over there, it's the oldest trick in the book!

*grabs and runs away*


But seriously, no one has commented on this excellent piece? How many watts? I see there is no rectifier tube, so I'd guess 61 at the very earliest, and possibly later if it calls for 6L6Gcs.

EDIT: It's advertised in 1961 issue of HiFi stereo review. 100 watts peak program, 50 watts RMS. (I'm assuming that's 25 watts per channel RMS)

This looks like a great unit. Don't even bother half-assing this. All electrolytic caps, coupling caps, diodes and resistors should be replaced. Spend the money and get some good metal film 1%.

 

[s-petersen]

I had one of those,it sounded very nice,It is Heavy! Very well built.Quiet.Yours looks much better than the one I had.I have the sams schematic,made in 1961.Pm me your e-mail address and I can send it to you (2mb)

 

[Rod Beauvex]

Found the SM

http://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/altec-lansing/353a.shtml

Schematic has kind of an Harman Kardon look to it. Did HK and Altec have something going on back then?

Herp a derp, it's the Sams. I swear I get dumber by the day. I guess my avatar is quite fitting.

 

[Dan ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ]

A friend's father had one of those that he bought new in 1962...powered Altec coaxials with it too.

 

[Tube Sound]

Hey, look over there, it's the oldest trick in the book!

*grabs and runs away*

That was good Rod. Cracked me up. They were an older couple. I mailed them a shipping box with cash inside and got back the amp. Really nice folks. Thanks for the SM. I will give your recommendations to my tech. I can't wait to hear it.

 

[Tube Sound]

I had one of those,it sounded very nice,It is Heavy! Very well built.Quiet.Yours looks much better than the one I had.I have the sams schematic,made in 1961.Pm me your e-mail address and I can send it to you (2mb)

Thanks Scott. When I opened the box, inside was a schematic and a 1981 service invoice from Vancouver Audio Clinic. The amp was noisy and all they did was replace the output tubes, $123.74. Thanks again for the kind offer. It's going to be a great amp.

 

[Rod Beauvex]

Was that a Sam's or a schematic from Altec? Always use the manufacturers schematics first. Sam's is sometimes wrong, though I've seen MFGers schematics be wrong too. *coughPioneercough*

 

[Tube Sound]

Was that a Sam's or a schematic from Altec? Always use the manufacturers schematics first. Sam's is sometimes wrong, though I've seen MFGers schematics be wrong too. *coughPioneercough*

It's all from Altec, copies of 5 pages. Two circuit changes, performance specs, maintenance, service, parts list and the schematic.

 

[Rod Beauvex]

Ooh. You're all set then. You or your tech will want to stick to those.

Any chance of getting those scanned?

 

[roberts67]

Nice

That thing looks awesome. Nice scroe.

 

[Tube Sound]

Any chance of getting those scanned?

Definitely. It may take a day or two and I'll post them.

Roberts67, thanks! I'm dying to hear it but will have to be patient.