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I noticed something about audio I had never considered before after changing my setup around. I moved most of the equipment to a cabinet next to my chair which is about 8’ from the speakers. I bought a TV to try my cheap HT setup on. So all that’s on the shelf where you see the equipment in the picture is a TV. What I noticed was that without the equipment to look at when playing music it was harder to get drawn into the music. This tells me that seeing is a part of the whole experience. At least for me it is. I was tempted to switch everything back last night. However, I stuck it out and now the convenience of having things at fingertip control outweighs the loss of visual satisfaction. Looking at the damned TV (which I don’t watch other than a movie now and then) just doesn’t make it. Maybe I should just buy some old lava lamps and be happy  Has anyone besides me noticed a similar phenomenon or am I just dreaming?
MWG; those are Altec's under the shelf? If so I have mine in the living room and do a lot of listening in the kitchen. One of the best things about them for me is they still sound good; like music even in the other room. Thats why I am surprised at the post; I always thought the big horn loaded two ways did that very well. One of the reason's I like them. Maybe it is the location in the room itself? Is that a Mac amp and KLH's on top?
We are visual creatures, after all. Maybe that's one of the attractions of tube amps. They are interesting and attractive, warm glow and chrome, etc. So maybe you have a point.
Wayne; I don't see a tube amp in the picture??
You're right, my bad. How 'bout this:
That'll do. When did you get that one?
I don't have one of those, but I do think it's groovy.
If you look closely on the extreme right side of the bench you'll see a MC-275 with the tube cover on. Now that it's sitting at my side it keeps me warm I took the tube cover off to help it stay a little cooler in the cabinet.
What a nice looking amp that is. I can just tell by looking I cannot afford it
Yes they are 846A's I bought in 1968. They sound pretty good to me. My point originally was that at least for me sight and the mind play almost as big a part in music enjoyment as the quality of the equipment and I was wondering if anyone else was similarly affected. There is a MC-2505 and a MC-275. I bought the 2505 in 1971 and the 275 was a gift from a friend. It belonged to his Dad. One of the reasons the sound isn't as full to begin with is the speakers way too close together. Mine need to be around 10-12' apart to image and produce a full soundstage. If I'm using those words correctly
To answer all your questions. Must be Oldtimer's catching up with me. The bookshelp speakers are indeed KLH 17's. One of three pair I bought. I love the sound of them and I figure someday my boys will tire of the "thump, thump" horse manure and want a decent sounding system. So I have been acquiring some decent vintage gear to keep them out of the BPC camp
Geez; that sounds like a real nice combo. Is the 275 restored to original specifications?
Check this one out. I think it's reeeeaaally sweet, and doesn't cost much at all. Stock parts are pretty good, but you can also upgrade with better resistors, caps and tubes. Looks great and sounds great too. Heart Audio Stoetkit Mk. II
I hope so but have my doubts. I took it to the authorized Mac repair shop and asked them to fix it and they did but I didn't see where they did anything like replacing any caps. It sounds good to me but what do I know One thing I've noticed with the tube amp is I can have the volume louder without the sound being annoying. I wonder why that is? The sound is hardly different between the 275 & 2505 as that was a design goal of the 2505 & 2105. I'd like somebody to listen and compare some day and see what they think. I've lived with this stuff since 1971 so I doubt I would notice a slow degradation in sound quality. One thing I do know is when I play a well mastered CD it'll put goose bumps on my arm. The sound is that good to me. Most of the sound is because of the Altecs. Today's modern speakers while technically superior sound clinical and strident to me. I guess I'm just used to the Altec distortion
Gee, I thought they said "a price anyone could afford" I'm trying to save up for a newer preamplifier. I'd like one with a remote and a better noise floor on the phono than my C-26. Just out of curiousity what do those beautiful amps you posted before go for? If that little one is 5-750.00 then the other must be 2500 or so? Maybe even more
You might want to give Terry DeWick a call about your Mac gear. He seems to be the man for Mac rebuilds, but I'm sure you know that. I would hate to see a cap let go and toast the amp. Now that would be 'spensive! Glad to hear you like the Altec gear as well. I got my first Altec's about 6 months ago. They are A7s with redone GP drivers. Very nice sound. Also, just got a beautiful pair of Altec Magnificents (A7s in furniture-grade walnut cabinets with wood grill) this weekend - thanks Zincman! Not quite showroom condition (an honest 9/10), but pretty damn nice. Hope to have pics up in a few days.....Colin
The Stoetkit is $750.00, the Sapphire dials in at 10x that.
The Mac Solid State amps use an autoformer as a coupling device. I always felt it slowed and softened the music somewhat. That might explain your dissatisfaction with the sound from the 2505. Without getting into a long equipment list allow me to humbly state that I use the same 846B's you do and I did try them with the mac once. Great combo. There are many who say the drivers in the Altecs need to be re-magnetised and the crossover caps replaced. I don't notice any difference with those speakers that have had that done. I would suspect that your stuff sounds just fine and would not benefit much from a lot of changes. The only thing I would offer is raising my 846B's about 6" gave me a lot more high's and better definition and prescence. Also seperating them from the stuff around them would help. If you want you could try the speakers one at a time and listen to see if there is any difference. That might tell you if they need attention. When was the last time you changed out the tubes on the Mac?
I'm not disappointed in the 2505 it's just that I had heard the talk surrounding the different sound between tube vs SS and just didn't hear much difference. Then I heard about Mac's design and figured that was the reason I didn't hear much difference. Maybe I should compare the 275 against my SX 950 The Mac had the tubes tested in November at the shop and they changed out a pair of the driver tubes. I've read about the AlNico magnets losing some charge over time but I measured my speakers a while back and they put out 104db@ 10'w\ 3 \5 watts which is more than adequate for my needs. The wattmeter on the amp said 3 1\2 but how accurate is it? The 846A's have the bass reflex slots on each end of the horn which doesn't help the sound all that much. The 846B's have the tube or hole.
KLH17's! My very first speakers were 17's. Bought them in what? 1965? Built a Heathkit to drive them and a Dual turntable. All of that stuff eventually disappeared while I was running around the world with the Air Force. The sure sounded good at the time. I wonder how thy would sound beside my current Lowther homegrowns and 6BX7 p-p amp. Oh, well. I also had a 1966 Mustang GT Fastback. Green, thank you. But that got left on Guam during the Viet Nam unpleasantness. Bob
I've debated on sending it in to Terry but it weighs 68lbs and all the weight is on one side. I'm just scared to ship it. I'm probably going to have to bite the bullet and send it off though. I'd love to see the A-7's. I'll bet they look great. My Vals have cabinets that are awful looking after 20+ moves and being handled by people that didn't care a few times. I'm looking forward to the pictures. I read over at the Altec forum and have seen pictures of A-7's.
I guess I'll be content to dial in on the picture of it The Sapphire is something to look at for sure though. If it sounds as good as it looks it ought to be wonderful to listen to.
I'll relate a story behind a pair of 17's. A friend picked up the second pair for me in Seattle and hooked them up next to his AR 9's. He isn't given to hyperbole but he said "these are the first speakers I've ever hooked up alongside my 9's that didn't make me want to instantly switch back to the 9's" So I've been looking for another pair with good cabinets to give him someday