Recommendation on an integrated tube amp for Altec Lansing Model 14.

[jervz]

I got an Altec Model 14 speakers and currently using solid state equipment at this moment. I'd like to use an integrated tube amp that will best match model 14 and provide a more holographic stereo imaging and sweet soundstage.

Let me know your recommendation and what was you're experience on it. Thanks.

 

[Nyjblbob]

I would look into a Fisher x or Kx200 or 202, Common and very nice sounding, a smaller lower powered Version is x or Kx 100-101
Already rebuilt is better. You can go to the Fisher Forum for some info and really good threads.

 

[twiiii]

I would choose a Mcintosh MA 2275. But they are Rare and hard to find.

 

[damacman]

Sherwood SA5000 II
McIntosh MA230

 

[Nyjblbob]

It would help if you Put your Spending Range. Many here especially, would consider a Pair of 14's a first step up into a Horn System. I had them 25 Yrs ago,
Sorry I sold them ! A kicking Rock speaker that could Crush a pair of JBL Jubals. that cost more.
I was already into the next level L-300's Altec 19's and plenty of pro stuff. thats why I moved them.
If you want Good solid Bass you probably would need a 40 Watt PC Unit getting pricy, You might be better off with separates.

 

[HBTim]

I listened to a pair of 14’s on my Scott LK-72. That was really nice. Scott 299 and LK’s are the way I would go or the Fisher KX200 mentioned above. The 200 is not too spendy. The Scott are also below the 1k watermark typically. I had a Sherwood S5500 IV and was ok. A little bright for tube for me anyway. Scott is on the other side and warm. Fisher seems, to me, to be in the middle of perfection. If you want to really go down the rabbit hole, and if you can find them and have deep pockets, go the Fisher 400CX2 pre amp and an SA-300 or 100 amp. Man, that is a set up. Or, go the McIntosh route. I find them wonderful but a little to laid back for me. I love the Fisher gear.

anyway, as stated before... what kind of money are you wanting to spend?

 

[Nyjblbob]

A nicely Rebuilt Dyna st70, and pas Preamp is in that $1K Window, and have an Oh so sweet sound that does indeed Image.

 

[jervz]

It would help if you Put your Spending Range. Many here especially, would consider a Pair of 14's a first step up into a Horn System. I had them 25 Yrs ago,
Sorry I sold them ! A kicking Rock speaker that could Crush a pair of JBL Jubals. that cost more.
I was already into the next level L-300's Altec 19's and plenty of pro stuff. thats why I moved them.
If you want Good solid Bass you probably would need a 40 Watt PC Unit getting pricy, You might be better off with separates.

Thanks, my budget will around $2K CAD max. Yes, just starting with horns and I've heard that these speakers goes very well with tube amp. Anyone tried some Music Paradise tube amps before?

 

[jervz]

A nicely Rebuilt Dyna st70, and pas Preamp is in that $1K Window, and have an Oh so sweet sound that does indeed Image.

I've heard that Dynaco ST70 and pas pre-amp also matches very well with Model 14. How does this sound with your Model 19 and L300?

What type of restoration or rebuilt should I look for for these amps?

 

[Nyjblbob]

The rebuilds of Dyna 70's are varied, from Stock to slightly modded, to wild. they all sound nice, mainly due to their Well designed Output transformers.
most have great Mids, delightful highs and decent Bass. the best one I recently heard was on a Custom chassis, using just the2 output trans, and using 6B4
triode tubes for 14 watts of the sweetest mids and highs I ever heard this side of a Single Ended Amp. . but I doubt you would be satyisfied with just 14 watts.
My Version only puts out 8 watts per side. But, I have all 15's and big horns in a relatively small room.
for the really custom pieces I would try to Listen before laying down serious money. But to go to the Next level, you would need the proper Preamp, and that is going to double the total.
with the Chi Com tube units, Its hit or miss. i would look for a Restored Fisher X200

 

[HBTim]

The rebuilds of Dyna 70's are varied, from Stock to slightly modded, to wild. they all sound nice, mainly due to their Well designed Output transformers.
most have great Mids, delightful highs and decent Bass. the best one I recently heard was on a Custom chassis, using just the2 output trans, and using 6B4
triode tubes for 14 watts of the sweetest mids and highs I ever heard this side of a Single Ended Amp. . but I doubt you would be satyisfied with just 14 watts.
My Version only puts out 8 watts per side. But, I have all 15's and big horns in a relatively small room.
for the really custom pieces I would try to Listen before laying down serious money. But to go to the Next level, you would need the proper Preamp, and that is going to double the total.
with the Chi Com tube units, Its hit or miss. i would look for a Restored Fisher X200

+1 on what he said... Dyna is a nice set up for sure, but a integrated I think would be a great starting point. All in one and much lees expensive on the pocket. Get into separates and things start getting out of control. double the price of everything. I would also look for one that has already been gone through, restored, or have a good tube tech near by. You will need him/her. You will see ads that say, "works great" and so forth but if they have not been thoroughly inspected and brought up to spec, you could blow some pricey tubes and/or the more dreaded tranny blow. DO NOT attempt to fix yourself unless you know what you are doing. The DC in these kills people.

All in all, Dyna is good, Scott, Fisher KX200 I would look for rather than the X200 but that is just my personal opinion having heard both. With your price range, you could easily get a Dyna ST70 and have it gone though and resto'd . You will need a pre for it though. PAS 3 would be good. I still think integrated is the way to go for you though. Anyway, have fun man. what a sweet ride you are going to get on soon.

 

[jervz]

+1 on what he said... Dyna is a nice set up for sure, but a integrated I think would be a great starting point. All in one and much lees expensive on the pocket. Get into separates and things start getting out of control. double the price of everything. I would also look for one that has already been gone through, restored, or have a good tube tech near by. You will need him/her. You will see ads that say, "works great" and so forth but if they have not been thoroughly inspected and brought up to spec, you could blow some pricey tubes and/or the more dreaded tranny blow. DO NOT attempt to fix yourself unless you know what you are doing. The DC in these kills people.

All in all, Dyna is good, Scott, Fisher KX200 I would look for rather than the X200 but that is just my personal opinion having heard both. With your price range, you could easily get a Dyna ST70 and have it gone though and resto'd . You will need a pre for it though. PAS 3 would be good. I still think integrated is the way to go for you though. Anyway, have fun man. what a sweet ride you are going to get on soon.

Thanks for the advice. This gives me insight and options to go.

 

[Nyjblbob]

BTW how do you position your 14's? hope you at least have them tilted up. or do you prefer them in the corners for Bass support?

 

[LoStrings]

I use a Yaqin MC-100b integrated with my Altec 19's.

 

[Nyjblbob]

And what does the Yaqin add ? Power rating ? output tubes used? Go well with Horns? Aprox cost on the used market?

 

[jervz]

BTW how do you position your 14's? hope you at least have them tilted up. or do you prefer them in the corners for Bass support?

Yes, its tilted up. There is an adjustment leg in front of the cabinet and speaker are toed in. Is there a recommended angle on this?

Then, speakers are probably 7ft apart and back against the wall with little space, probably around 6" only. Do you also put a stand to raise the speaker at ear level?

 

[Nyjblbob]

Speaker set ups are all Room dependent. How far away from the fronts of the speakers do you sit?
Are you happy with the Bass output? Are the Mids and Highs Good? How are the controls set? like I said in an earlier post,
Its elusive if not impossible to get Horns to Image
like real High end speakers. If you ever went to a High end Audio show like Rocky Mountain Audio Fest Or CES in Vegas go into some of the better rooms and you will hear what I mean.
Pics will help a lot .

 

[Coryo]

I tried Altec 1570B,s on my 14,s and it was a cool experience. I usually have a restored Heathkit AA-40 on them. Really nice soundstage and layered. On some recordings its like you can hear how the music was mixed down.
I roll alot of my amps thru the 14,s. The Yaqin MC100-B was ok and then I swapped the 12AX7,s with some old Tele's and that made the most notable difference. More holographic soundstage. Crisp, clean and delicious.
Do the 14,s do everything? Not quite. But what they do, they do well. A fantastic tube speaker system. I think whatever you try will make them sound good. Definitely keepers. Just my opinion of course.

 

[jervz]

Speaker set ups are all Room dependent. How far away from the fronts of the speakers do you sit?
Are you happy with the Bass output? Are the Mids and Highs Good? How are the controls set? like I said in an earlier post,
Its elusive if not impossible to get Horns to Image
like real High end speakers. If you ever went to a High end Audio show like Rocky Mountain Audio Fest Or CES in Vegas go into some of the better rooms and you will hear what I mean.
Pics will help a lot .

It's in the living room and here is a photo. Total room size is 28'x16' and sitting position is 9-10' from the speakers. Then, speakers are 7.5' apart, 9" off the wall and 3'+ on the side walls.
I was also informed that these Model 14's are the 9842-8A version but reconstructed using the Model 14 cabinets specs. The drivers and crossovers are all original.

I'm currently using Sansui 9090 vintage amp (125w), Marantz CD6006 CD player and Fluance RT-85 turntable (w/ Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge's). So far, my volume level is up to 9 'o clock (probably just 25%) for now.

Hope this helps.

 

[Nyjblbob]

Off the Bat, Bring them out about 2' into the room closer to you in 4" Increments, and most importantly don't toe them in!
raise the fronts of the speakers 2-3". As your moving them,Play a Reference track that you know is a great mix. And note the changes you hear. Don't keep changing songs!
write it down and use Cheap masking tape to mark the spots, so that you can keep the Wife happy and put them back against the walls when not listening.
Have fun