Altec 1570B

[Kenneth Swauger]

Hello,
Well, I'm part of the way to an amplifier change. I was able to buy two classic Altec 1570B vacuum tube amplifiers from a really good source in Western PA. These are amplifiers that were used in theaters/train stations/ air ports/sports arenas where ultra reliable high power was needed. I think the Astrodome used 40 of them for the sound system. They use push-pull triodes for the output stage and class B for long tube life. With some modifications they can be amazing sound and high power 165 or 175 Watts/channel.
I'll be able to use the c-j MV75a as a super tweeter amplifier with Decca ribbon tweeters that I have.
Take care, Ken

[F1nut]

Ken's having fun. :D

[amulford]

I'd like to hear his toys. It makes ya wonder...

[Kenneth Swauger]

Hello,
I tend to keep equipment for a very long time, the c-j is probably over 20 years old. I've replaced the tubes (of course) and some of the parts, binding posts, RCA jacks, coupling caps, etc but for the most part it's fairly stock. Before that I had Audio Research amps (tri-amp Tympani 1D) both tube and solid state. Then before that was Marantz 8B and H-K Citation 12 solid state, Dynaco (still have the 70), Sony mono amps and Luxman. The Altec's should be fun! The plan is to send them to Tom Tutay, in Florida, he's literally written the book (issue 7 of Vacuum Tube Valley) on modifying them. He strips them down to bare chassis and replaces everything, keeping only the chassis and the transformers and chokes. He adds a bronze Plexiglas front plate allowing the output tubes (which glow very bright) to shine through. He's got a six month waiting list for his work, gives me time to save up the money.
I was thinking of trying to place the amps beside each of the speakers, or maybe have a speaker stand that allowed the amps to be underneath, showing the tubes glowing?
Ken

[organ]

Congrats. Sounds like you have an amazing system and a lot of great gear stored away. How about some pics, pretty please:)?

Maurice

[stereo55]

WOW , nice find !

Excuse me if Iam wrong here , but I had a pair mono 1590B's years ago ; ( unfortunately they were stolen out of my storage unit :( ) ; but aren't the B amps solid state (as I had) and the 1570 tube amps are 1570A's (note the A) .

1590B PICTURED :

http://www.gabrielsound.com/ebay/alt1590b.jpg

Either way you have some XINT classic amps there , the fact of which Ive been trying to this day to get my hands on a another pair of either one (preferably tubed version) .

I gotta say , even with the 1590B's being Altec's first solid state amp in this category , they still had a very nice tube quality about them , and at 200watt each (450 peak) class A/B they never even broke a sweat running a set of older Maganepan's .

You should have some fun with those babies . Enjoy your new toys ;) :D
*Iam abit green with envy* :p

[Kenneth Swauger]

Hello Stereo55,
The "A" version of the 1570B came with potted transformers and sold for $284.00 produced in 1956. It was described as producing the most amount of power per pound. In 1958 the "B" version was introduced and sold for $348.00. The overall circuitry was similar except for the use of non- potted transformers and the 900 Volt B+ was disconnected if the cage was removed, also the rectifier tubes were changed and it had an additional 10 watts output. It was also painted the famous "forest green".
For finding old Altec's I can highly recommend Sumner McDanel at sumnermc@earthlink.net he is a very nice guy and can fit you up with Altec amps.
Take care, Ken

[TroyD]

hmmmmm....saw one of them in an audio shop outside McGuire AFB in NJ last winter. High cool factor (and price tag)

BDT

[stereo55]

Originally posted by Kenneth Swauger
For finding old Altec's I can highly recommend Sumner McDanel at sumnermc@earthlink.net he is a very nice guy and can fit you up with Altec amps.
Take care, Ken

Big time "Thank you" Ken , for the e-mail contact . :D

I'll definityly check into this . ;)

[holze66956]

Do you know of anyone looking for a Altec 1590B 200w amp as I have one for sale.

Thanks Bob
holze66956@yahoo.com

http://members.cox.net/rholzer1/Altec%201590B/Altec1.jpg

[avguytx]

Wrong area to post things for sale.