Altec Hollywood 604 Conundrum
- Thread starter lofiluther
- Start date
Beautiful. A bloody time capsule you have there....:thmbsp:
Very nice.
lofiluther
New Member
Hello forum! It's been a while since I posted about my Hollywood 604 conundrum, and I thought I'd post an update. After considering your thoughtful input, I decided to try bypassing the original N-1000B crossovers to see if they were the culprit in the uneven stereo response.
In order to accomplish this, I was tempted to just purchase a pair of GPA 16 ohm crossovers, but thought I'd try bi-amping the speakers for test purposes before taking the plunge.
Because I already own a multi-channel AD/DA (RME Fireface UFX), I discovered a high resolution audio playback solution for Mac with built-in digital -- and highly tweakable -- crossover software. So I downloaded a trial of Channel D Pure Music and set it to output my iTunes library to 4 channels of my RME -- 2 for the woofers and 2 for the tweets.
Just using what I had on hand (a halfler power amp for the woofers and a new NAD 315bee for the tweeters) I started out by creating a digital version of Jeff Markwart's enhanced 604b crossover.
And I gotta tell you . . . it was magical. The 20% separation with butterworth 2nd-order HP and LPs was smooooooth. I did some tweaking and found out a 0.2mS delay for the low frequencies sounded great for the time alignment of the HF and LF drivers.
I'm still thinking of getting the GPA crossovers -- especially now that I know the original, late-production 604 and the early-production 604B are likely identical except for the printing on the cone and the stickers on the magnets.
Another nice feature in Pure Music allows you to fold the stereo signal down to mono, or switch L-R, so I could easily compare the frequency response of program material.
The only bummer about Pure Music is that I can't find a way for it to be used during mixing out of Pro Tools. Hence, my consideration of the GPA 16 ohm crosses (and perhaps a decware low-wattage tube amp).
Now I'm just hoping the GPA crossovers will sound as good as bi-amping with the amazingly sweet sounding and flexible digital crossover in Pure Music!
Anyone else here have any experience with the GPA 16 ohm crossovers or bi-amping solutions?
Thanks again for all your ideas, and for helping me figure out I really basically had what I needed already.
In order to accomplish this, I was tempted to just purchase a pair of GPA 16 ohm crossovers, but thought I'd try bi-amping the speakers for test purposes before taking the plunge.
Because I already own a multi-channel AD/DA (RME Fireface UFX), I discovered a high resolution audio playback solution for Mac with built-in digital -- and highly tweakable -- crossover software. So I downloaded a trial of Channel D Pure Music and set it to output my iTunes library to 4 channels of my RME -- 2 for the woofers and 2 for the tweets.
Just using what I had on hand (a halfler power amp for the woofers and a new NAD 315bee for the tweeters) I started out by creating a digital version of Jeff Markwart's enhanced 604b crossover.
And I gotta tell you . . . it was magical. The 20% separation with butterworth 2nd-order HP and LPs was smooooooth. I did some tweaking and found out a 0.2mS delay for the low frequencies sounded great for the time alignment of the HF and LF drivers.
I'm still thinking of getting the GPA crossovers -- especially now that I know the original, late-production 604 and the early-production 604B are likely identical except for the printing on the cone and the stickers on the magnets.
Another nice feature in Pure Music allows you to fold the stereo signal down to mono, or switch L-R, so I could easily compare the frequency response of program material.
The only bummer about Pure Music is that I can't find a way for it to be used during mixing out of Pro Tools. Hence, my consideration of the GPA 16 ohm crosses (and perhaps a decware low-wattage tube amp).
Now I'm just hoping the GPA crossovers will sound as good as bi-amping with the amazingly sweet sounding and flexible digital crossover in Pure Music!
Anyone else here have any experience with the GPA 16 ohm crossovers or bi-amping solutions?
Thanks again for all your ideas, and for helping me figure out I really basically had what I needed already.
Altec Best
Well-Known Member
Glad you like them ! :yes: That's why they are so desirable these days as they sound super sweet. Glad to see you back.
lofiluther
New Member
Love them! Had some friends over and put on "Burn Down the Mission" from Elton John's Tumbleweed Connection (Mobile Fidelity CD) and the midrange was so detailed and life-like that my friend said it was like having headphones on. I thought that was a pretty great way to describe the sense of intimacy those vintage Altecs give the listener!
Altec Best
Well-Known Member
Not to mention they worth some very nice coin ! :yes: :thmbsp:
Lofiluther
If you have a oscope, you can check the time delay using the test signal from my web site.
http://web.me.com/donaldpatten
Click on the left end of copy below the schematic.
Don
If you have a oscope, you can check the time delay using the test signal from my web site.
http://web.me.com/donaldpatten
Click on the left end of copy below the schematic.
Don
cradeldorf
Mr. Lucky
I'm happy with my GPA N1600-16 crossovers. Of course I haven't tried any others to compare them to nor do I use tubes but I have run them with several different receivers. I'm powering them with a marantz 2216 right now. I'm happy with the sound I'm getting....and the compliments. 
lofiluther
New Member
Reviving this old thread for a couple reasons.
1. Thanks to all of you who gave insights here almost 10 years ago on my conundrum! I did end up purchasing the GPA 16 ohm crossovers not long after my bi-amping experiment. The crossovers sound fantastic. I also bought a 6 watt tube amp from Decware to power them. So for the past 8 years or so, they have become the out-of-body-listening-experience speakers. I'm so grateful for the advice I got here.
2. It looks like we're moving soon, and it's going to be a very expensive move (from Northern California to the US Virgin Islands), and I may have to part with my beloved Hollywood 604 beauties.
But before I do, I'm wondering if anyone here can tell me how these old Altecs handle high ambient humidity? These speakers were born in the late 1940s, and have never left California! I'm still considering shipping them over, but I'm concerned that it may be the death of them. Certain electronics apparently don't fare too well in the humidity and salty Caribbean air.
Does anyone here live in a humid, coastal environment that can talk me out of getting rid of these??? Also, fully realizing it might just be time to have them go to a new home and be enjoyed for another lifetime.
1. Thanks to all of you who gave insights here almost 10 years ago on my conundrum! I did end up purchasing the GPA 16 ohm crossovers not long after my bi-amping experiment. The crossovers sound fantastic. I also bought a 6 watt tube amp from Decware to power them. So for the past 8 years or so, they have become the out-of-body-listening-experience speakers. I'm so grateful for the advice I got here.
2. It looks like we're moving soon, and it's going to be a very expensive move (from Northern California to the US Virgin Islands), and I may have to part with my beloved Hollywood 604 beauties.
But before I do, I'm wondering if anyone here can tell me how these old Altecs handle high ambient humidity? These speakers were born in the late 1940s, and have never left California! I'm still considering shipping them over, but I'm concerned that it may be the death of them. Certain electronics apparently don't fare too well in the humidity and salty Caribbean air.
Does anyone here live in a humid, coastal environment that can talk me out of getting rid of these??? Also, fully realizing it might just be time to have them go to a new home and be enjoyed for another lifetime.
Redboy
a few good watts
Man, oh man. It's great to see this thread again and those old Altec beauties, but you @lofiluther are the King of Conundrums!
I don't know the definitive answer to your humidity question but I'm sure those gorgeous drivers deserve museum quality climate control! Many of our best USA audio treasures were shipped to various corners of Asia in the last thirty years, and I have seen some sad examples resurface on the auction sites. Oxidation and mold/mildew stuff...
I don't know the definitive answer to your humidity question but I'm sure those gorgeous drivers deserve museum quality climate control! Many of our best USA audio treasures were shipped to various corners of Asia in the last thirty years, and I have seen some sad examples resurface on the auction sites. Oxidation and mold/mildew stuff...
setup1
Super Member
After 8 years in Manila, I had to partially repaint my Garrard 301. However my Altec 414As and 802Ds held up better. Acoustically, they perform as well as ever, but the paint job dulled slightly. Cleaning couldn't revive the original green hammer tone luster. I think these components would've fared better if my listening room had air-conditioning 24/7.
At any rate, I have lots of friends there who've been using vintage Altecs and JBLs for over 20 years.
At any rate, I have lots of friends there who've been using vintage Altecs and JBLs for over 20 years.
lofiluther
New Member
After much thought and weighing the input here and elsewhere, I'm coming to the very sad conclusion that bringing these time capsules to an environment like that wouldn't be good for either me or the speakers. I know one of the reasons they've lasted and remained in this condition for so long is the fact that they've never left the West Coast, and to bring them and see them slowly diminish would be worse than knowing they were in someone else's listening room, being heard, and remaining in the pristine condition they're currently in.
Now I have yet another conundrum: how to approach the next step and pass these on to the next owner. Is Ebay even the best place to do that these days? It seems so anonymous, and I don't know these are the kind of thing I would even feel comfortable shipping.
Open to suggestions.
Now I have yet another conundrum: how to approach the next step and pass these on to the next owner. Is Ebay even the best place to do that these days? It seems so anonymous, and I don't know these are the kind of thing I would even feel comfortable shipping.
Open to suggestions.
eBay is heavily tilted towards the buyer, and eBay seems to find disputes in favor of the buyer if there is a dispute. Still the best place to get something valuable in front of the most buyers. And if you sell them, you don't know that they'll remain in pristine, cherished condition. They buyer may have a winter place in the Caribbean and is looking for some speakers for there.
I'd take 'em with me, listen to them - you don't know they'll rot away.
I'd take 'em with me, listen to them - you don't know they'll rot away.
lofiluther
New Member
End-of-year greetings to you all. After a 10-year odyssey with the Hollywood 604s + one of the most tumultuous years of my life, I've decided it's time for these to begin a new chapter in their story, just like I'm doing with my move to St. John.
They're up now on eBay if any of you are interested. Including the N1000B Dividing Networks as well as the mammoth 16-ohm GPA x-overs.
Thank you all so much for your ideas, knowledge and time. Y'all helped me get the best out of these things while I was lucky enough to have 'em.
Happy 2021 to you!
They're up now on eBay if any of you are interested. Including the N1000B Dividing Networks as well as the mammoth 16-ohm GPA x-overs.
Thank you all so much for your ideas, knowledge and time. Y'all helped me get the best out of these things while I was lucky enough to have 'em.
Happy 2021 to you!