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New or vintage crossover for A5 VOTT

MissionX

MissionX

Keep it Silky
I have a pair of Altec VOTT A5's I pieced together some years ago with 288B and 515B. I have only 1 crossover N-500-C. For the most sonic pleasing display, would you build a pair of crossover networks or get another N-500-C? The Altec networks are available on ebay for $200-$500. I definitely want variable attenuation of the HF as it "takes over" with the increase in volume from Dynaco Mark III being used. Soon I will have a Dynaco ST-70 up and running. Would an electronic crossover be a better option? Thank you
 
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Good. Now do you know of a design that's not terribly difficult for my concrete hands and won't break the bank? Say $500 or less for a pair? I'm looking for seamless integration if possible for a moderate skill level. Are my sights within reason? Is bi-amping more desirable for the best sound?
 
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those 288's don't need much power, Put the Dyna 70 in triode for them,
Or better yet a Maggi el84 amp.you won't be sorry!
and the Mark 3's for the woofers.
If you have the room and ambition, Bi-amp for sure. cheaper older Electronic X-overs with
adjust ability X-over points, and level controls are very plentiful. Rane, Furman, Crown, Ev, just to name a few
 
Nyjblbob said:
Or better yet a Maggi el84 amp.you won't be sorry!
Click to expand...
Are you referring to a Magnavox amp out of a console stereo? I have at least one Magnovox and I have a Fisher tube console I've been wondering what to with. I know the Fisher is worth something. I used to pick these up from estate sales for pennies. I have a few of these old stereo consoles.
 
yes those Magnavox, are wonderful on the horns, they just struggle on Bass
My Kx200 Fisher is a Bass monster, So many different Fisher amps, Most have astounding
Bass , for the power levels they put out.
 
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MissionX said:
I have a pair of Altec VOTT A5's I pieced together some years ago with 288B and 515B. I have only 1 crossover N-500-C. For the most sonic pleasing display, would you build a pair of crossover networks or get another N-500-C? The Altec networks are available on ebay for $200-$500. I definitely want variable attenuation of the HF as it "takes over" with the increase in volume from Dynaco Mark III being used. Soon I will have a Dynaco ST-70 up and running. Would an electronic crossover be a better option? Thank you
Click to expand...

Hello, I still have a pair of A5s after decades and in my opinion the best way is to use a DSP and bi-amp with a preference for tubes or Class-A for the 288. Trying to mount a passive crossover it can end. by being expensive in caps in addition to being more complicated for me maybe others are more comfortable with that. It is the work of adjustments and corrections that will allow you to obtain the best results according to your space.
Anyway great speakers who deserve this job!
 

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After reading This Thread I don't think I am up to the task of refining a DSP system. It seems too arduous as to take the fun out of the hobby(for me).Tell me if I'm wrong. I'm leaning towards bi amping with an electronic crossover. Looking for a good quality unit with RCA jacks seems the way to go. Suggestions?
 
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There’s a Furman Tx4 with RCA jacks on the Bay. No connection to seller
No need for 1/4” to Rca cables
Very flexible and easy to use I used one just like it for years on my K/Horns
 
Nyjblbob said:
There’s a Furman Tx4 with RCA jacks on the Bay. No connection to seller
No need for 1/4” to Rca cables
Very flexible and easy to use I used one just like it for years on my K/Horns
Click to expand...
If this the one you're referring to, it says in the description it is untested. I have a query to the seller as to why it states in the title it was serviced/recapped and untested.
 
MissionX said:
After reading This Thread I don't think I am up to the task of refining a DSP system. It seems too arduous as to take the fun out of the hobby(for me).Tell me if I'm wrong. I'm leaning towards bi amping with an electronic crossover. Looking for a good quality unit with RCA jacks seems the way to go. Suggestions?
Click to expand...

I respect your point of view.
You don't just need a crossover to get the most out of your VOTTs.
It’s a great hobby to play with it and the results are well worth it. Obviously it all depends on the budget and the goal, there are a lot of possibilities and you don't have to be a pro.
Why not check out this video
But above all have fun :)
 
You really want to raise the crossover frequency to around 770 hz if the speaker is being used in the home. This will allow the horn to be able to take more more power with out tearing the surround apart on the diaphragm which was a big problem when using the 500 C crossover. That was an answer I got from Don Davis at one of his and Carolyn's seminars at the ranch. He developed Acousta Voicing while working at Altec. 288C diaphragm is only rated at 15 watts RMS with a 500 HZ crossover. I would bi amp myself. Makes life so much easier and really improves the bass performance. You need a great 100 watt amp for the bottom and 40 watt amp for the horn bi-amping. I would use a 24/db octave crossover from Rane or Ashly. That will protect the 288c even more.

Or you can use a newer diaphragm which will take more power. If they were available i would use the 291B diaphragm and add two MR902- 16 HF and make it a 3 way system.
 
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They are pretty well built
The fact that it was recapped
And that it has RCA jacks instead of 1/4”
Sort of rules out hard pa duty
Also untested is a good way for a much
lower offer
 
Here's what I have. I use the A6's for high power solid state duty. I consider the A5's as a more musical speaker. Ann Wilson's voice is perfectly matched to an A5 IMO. I challenge you to crank up "Crazy On You" and see how it fares.

A5

A5

  • Media owner MissionX
  • Date added
A6

A6

  • Media owner MissionX
  • Date added
 
MacSic said:
I respect your point of view.
You don't just need a crossover to get the most out of your VOTTs.
It’s a great hobby to play with it and the results are well worth it. Obviously it all depends on the budget and the goal, there are a lot of possibilities and you don't have to be a pro.
Why not check out this video
But above all have fun :)
Click to expand...

I respect yours as well.
That is not beyond my capabilities. Reading the thread I referred to was wearing me out just reading it. I think my best approach right now is to bi amp with a crossover. Once I get that dialed in, I could explore DSP's. Baby steps so to speak.
 
I am not talking about 10 watts Full range through a passive Xover
I mean actively bi-amped on just the horns alone
 
Nyjblbob said:
At 10 watts on 288’s with any decent Altec horn
I doubt you could even stay in the same room with them for more than song
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Agree!
My best results with the 288c (Altec original dia 16ohms) are with tubes amp like SE300B or PP2A3, the 300B give 8 watts and it's enough. Classe A amp is good too.


twiiii said:
You really want to raise the crossover frequency to around 770 hz if the speaker is being used in the home. This will allow the horn to be able to take more more power with out tearing the surround apart on the diaphragm which was a big problem when using the 500 C crossover.....
Click to expand...

Yes! the crossover set above 650Hz at least and my favorite setting was around 750
 
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