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Altec Model 19 recap or GPA crossover

LPCOLLECT

LPCOLLECT

New Member
Hello ak community.

the highs my model 19 is starting to sound a little to harsh and out of place.
I do suspect maybe its the crossover as its never been serviced nor recapped. (100% original)

is the GPA 19 crossover a big improvement vs a freshly recapped 19 stock 19 crossovers?

I'm trying to decide if I should try the GPA crossover, if its a nice improvement? (is it a completely different circuit? or just better parts?)

sorry about my ignorance.
 
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I got my 19s about 20 years ago and the caps were grossly out of spec then. I replaced them with decent quality caps of the same value and the change in sound was amazing.
I believe the GPA xovers are just nicer looking and better parts. I have not actually heard them.
There is nothing wrong with the original design and replacing the caps and attaching the grounds with soldered connections will make them like new. The coils are fine and don't wear out so don't replace them and the resistors are likely OK as well.
Look up "ground mod for model 19" for a must do modification. The aluminum rivets used for the ground circuit are oxidized by now and should be replaced.
 
The is also the Z19 network that was designed specifically for the Model 19's. I made a pair and believe they sound better than originals. I've not heard the GPA 19's or comparison.

Z19 Crossover

Express interest in a variant of the Altec Model 19 crossover I developed nearly three years ago has motivated me to build up a pair. It was originally posted on Lansing Heritage Forum here...
audiokarma.org
 
The Model 19 is the culmination of Altec home speaker development and one of the finest turn key speaker systems ever made and I wouldn't do anything that deviated from stock; I think replacing the crossover with another design means the speaker is no longer a proper Model 19. However bringing the speaker back to as new stock condition by replacing caps and doing the ground repair is a good idea.
 
thank you for all for your input here. I'll look into just recapping option instead of swapping the whole crossover. I do wish to retain the original altec sound and keep it that way.

maybe one day, I'll try a 3 way with a supertweeter.
 
I considered the same for my 19s last year. I decided to recap myself. I couldn't justify the cost of the GPA crossovers, and I did not want to change the sound in any way. Made a world of difference.
 
Lucky Pierre said:
I considered the same for my 19s last year. I decided to recap myself. I couldn't justify the cost of the GPA crossovers, and I did not want to change the sound in any way. Made a world of difference.
Click to expand...
thanks for your input. I decided to go with recapping. and pass on the GPA crossovers.

if you don't mind me asking. which caps did you go with? jantzen?
should I also swap all the internal wiring at the same time?
 
Z19. I am biased, but have used it in a few developmental projects and it is a winner. Add the T19 circuit, your 19s will surprise you.
 
I’ve owned my 19’s for 47 years, and last year I updated the capacitor’s on the original crossovers, and there is a significant sound improvement. Some years back, I did the ground upgrade, and I am overall very happy with the original Altec crossover.
 
LoStrings said:
I’ve owned my 19’s for 47 years, and last year I updated the capacitor’s on the original crossovers, and there is a significant sound improvement. Some years back, I did the ground upgrade, and I am overall very happy with the original Altec crossover.
Click to expand...
ground mod was also suggested by kyle. I'll look into this mod as well.

planning to get the recapping and the ground mod done in one go.
 
my 19 also did not come with risers. (or someone removed it perhaps)?

is that also something I should consider?

I also hate the push pin binding posts that's on the bottom. but maybe its better to keep it original.
 
Mine did not have risers, either. They are on furniture dollies right now. I think the risers make enough of a difference to have some made, which I plan to do at some point.

I installed 5 way binding posts in the back of the cabinets. I recommend you do this while they are open. It's super easy. I also had the horns powder coated while everything was apart. I found a custom wheel shop that could powder coat them.
 
Lucky Pierre said:
Mine did not have risers, either. They are on furniture dollies right now. I think the risers make enough of a difference to have some made, which I plan to do at some point.

I installed 5 way binding posts in the back of the cabinets. I recommend you do this while they are open. It's super easy. I also had the horns powder coated while everything was apart. I found a custom wheel shop that could powder coat them.
Click to expand...
mines on a dolly as well with 4 wheels on them.

I'm a bit scared to drill/route holes in the back but I'll see if I have the right tools to do that.

appreciate all the help Pierre!
 
I think you can do it, lpcollect! Just remember: measure thrice, good drill, and sharp bits.

If I recall correctly, I mounted mine about 4-6 inches from the bottom, with about 1" spacing between red and black. I also stapled black speaker cloth over the pink insulation in the lower chamber so you can't see the fiberglass through the port when the grills are off.
 
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