Heath AS-101 history timeline, (HeathKit Altec Valencia internals in kit form)

[adnick]

As the title says, looking for information about the HeathKit AS-101 production timeline

Came across some historical data in Stereo & Hi-Fi Times winter 1974 magazine:

Altec 846B $399.00 each, weight 99 lbs also available in sanded unfinished Birch w/ cloth grill for $349 each

Heath AS-101 $269 each weight 101lbs the finish was called Walnut, however Audio magazine October 1974 listed them as Pecan finish $319.95 as a kit…

My AS-101s have a Bi-amp post option, and are a bit dark green color than I’ve seen in earlier models which are more gray/green

The most recent add I’ve found is from 1976, (see below) anyone have a more recent or a very early version?




Here’s a 1970 add a member from another website posted. Note the weight listed, assume this is for the internals or cabinet alone?



1976 Add curiosity of https://worldradiohistory.com/Archi...hkit-Spring-1976.pdf#search="heathkit as-101"

Andy

 

[bowtie427ss]

Note the weight listed, assume this is for the internals or cabinet alone?

Just the components less cabinet.

... and that's shipping weight, not net weight.

 

[hjames]

All of the Heath AS-101s had the biamp option ...
It just depends on how you wire it from the rear-panel of the crossover.
Here's the page from the assembly manual.

 

[OBMG74]

Interesting:
No crossover components on the woofer?

 

[adnick]

All of the Heath AS-101s had the biamp option ...
It just depends on how you wire it from the rear-panel of the crossover.
Here's the page from the assembly manual.


View attachment 2929960

Thanks for the input and yeah I’m aware of the diagram.

I’ve found several pictures of older Heath AS-101s with single binding posts, believe @BillWojo may have a set?

The first add I’ve found “so far“ that mentions bi-amp is 1975, one can compare the 1970 add & 1975 add above….believe bi-amp binding posts are a later addition but not sure of their first applicatio.

VR
Andy

 

[adnick]

Now we have an add from 1972 that mentions bi-amp

 

[adnick]

Interesting:
No crossover components on the woofer?

That originally caught my eye as well, was gong to investigate a bit more because my original intent was to bi-amp but that thought passed away

Andy

 

[elitopus]

According to the description you use an active crossover when you biamp. They keep the high pass passive network as extra protection it says.

 

[bowtie427ss]

According to the description you use an active crossover when you biamp.

Interesting:
No crossover components on the woofer?

It's pretty clearly implied in the diagram.

High Frequency Amplifier

Low Frequency Amplifier

 

[OBMG74]

Yes, I can read a schematic.
Just pointed it out as being interesting.

 

[seacliffe301]

As the title says, looking for information about the HeathKit AS-101 production timeline

Came across some historical data in Stereo & Hi-Fi Times winter 1974 magazine:

Altec 846B $399.00 each, weight 99 lbs also available in sanded unfinished Birch w/ cloth grill for $349 each

Heath AS-101 $269 each weight 101lbs the finish was called Walnut, however Audio magazine October 1974 listed them as Pecan finish $319.95 as a kit…

My AS-101s have a Bi-amp post option, and are a bit dark green color than I’ve seen in earlier models which are more gray/green

The most recent add I’ve found is from 1976, (see below) anyone have a more recent or a very early version?
View attachment 2929907
View attachment 2929906
View attachment 2929909

Here’s a 1970 add a member from another website posted. Note the weight listed, assume this is for the internals or cabinet alone?View attachment 2929911



1976 Add curiosity of https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Catalogs/Heathkit-Catalogs/Heathkit-Spring-1976.pdf#search="heathkit as-101"View attachment 2929917

Andy

I purchased a walnut pair of these new in '76, right off the floor of my local Heathkit store. IIRC, they were a little bit less in price, like maybe $600 for the pair. I only kept them about 2 years and sold them to a friend when I came across a mint, one owner pair of Altec Flamenco's circa 1968 that I had to have. Still have them to this day.
Regrettably the AS101's didn't survive college/bachelor pad years with my buddy. The cabinets sadly ended up trashed.