System upgrade

[Maril555]

Decided to post my new (partially) system:
After reading Bonzo’s report on Misho Myronov”s Altec Dual woofer front loaded horns, and doing some research I‘ve decided to commission the same To replace my Avantgarde Duo Omega G2s that i ve been using for a while.
Peter Noerbaek of PBN Audio had gracefully agreed to build Altec 817 replicas and crossovers.
I must state it here, that the quality of his work, customer service and attitude are of the highest order. He is so easy to deal with, it’s been an absolute pleasure.
1505 Altec multicell horns were built by Markus Klug.
Series x-over using Duelund caps were designed by Misho Myronov, who is another gentleman of the audio world.
After some unexpected setbacks everything is finally in place and making music.
While at it, I’ve decided to commission somewhat custom 6CB5 A SE Single ended monoblocks from Thomas MAyer- and he is yet another true gentleman and a great person to do business with.
Thomas Mayer amps replace my Lamm ML2s that I thought I’d never sell.
Its way to early to form an opinion on the sound yet, but it is very promising and I’m convinced Ive made a right move.

 

[Maril555]

 

[Maril555]

Forgot to mention the drivers- LF dual Altec 515 (GPA), HF GPA Altec 288K (8 Ohm)

 

[LL21]

WOW...that is quite a system! From the ground up, every element has been designed to 'interlock' with the other...physically, electrically, and obviously sound-wise. Congrats. Very few will plot such a bold and decisive course.

How does it sound? And apologies for not knowing/remembering...from what system did you move to this? Would be very interested to read about the differences that this system brings you!

 

[Maril555]

WOW...that is quite a system! From the ground up, every element has been designed to 'interlock' with the other...physically, electrically, and obviously sound-wise. Congrats. Very few will plot such a bold and decisive course.

How does it sound? And apologies for not knowing/remembering...from what system did you move to this? Would be very interested to read about the differences that this system brings you!

thank you,
Altecs replaced Avantgarde Duo Omega G2 and Thomas Mayer replaced Lamm ML2

 

[LL21]

thank you,
Altecs replaced Avantgarde Duo Omega G2 and Thomas Mayer replaced Lamm ML2

Got it. Look forward to your listening notes as you start to get to know your new system. Enjoy! It looks like a world class system.

 

[bonzo75]

Congrats, can you post some videos?

Thomas's best products I heard are the 10y preamp, which is my favorite valve preamp, and then the phono. The 46 is the best amp I have heard but not powerful enough for most speakers though the push pull version might work on Altec. Never heard the 6cb5a would love to

 

[Addicted to hifi]

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What an amazing system congratulations.

 

[VinylSavor]

Hi!

Thanks for sharing these pictures and thoughts. I am glad you like the amps

Congrats, can you post some videos?

Thomas's best products I heard are the 10y preamp, which is my favorite valve preamp, and then the phono. The 46 is the best amp I have heard but not powerful enough for most speakers though the push pull version might work on Altec. Never heard the 6cb5a would love to

Just recently did a demo at a customers house comparing the SE46 against my SE300B using the TM300B. The latter was even better than the 46 at 8W per channel. The customer commissioned an amp with the TM300B

 

[kodomo]

Hi!

Thanks for sharing these pictures and thoughts. I am glad you like the amps




Just recently did a demo at a customers house comparing the SE46 against my SE300B using the TM300B. The latter was even better than the 46 at 8W per channel. The customer commissioned an amp with the TM300B

Is that the no caps, fully differential amp? I would be interested in that too!

@Maril555 Congrats on the great setup. A big step up from avantgarde and into the right direction If I may suggest a small thing, I would suggest changing the attenuator on the crossover to a fostex r100t

 

[VinylSavor]

Is that the no caps, fully differential amp? I would be interested in that too!

At that customer demo we compared the single ended versions. Differential can be built with TM300B too. Would be good for about 15W


Thomas

 

[bonzo75]

Hi!

Thanks for sharing these pictures and thoughts. I am glad you like the amps




Just recently did a demo at a customers house comparing the SE46 against my SE300B using the TM300B. The latter was even better than the 46 at 8W per channel. The customer commissioned an amp with the TM300B

Hi, what were the speakers? Sometimes 8w might suit better than 1.25, irrespective of tube

 

[VinylSavor]

Hi, what were the speakers? Sometimes 8w might suit better than 1.25, irrespective of tube

Aries Cerat Symphonia

 

[exupgh12]

Those are some unique speakers, congratulation on the upgrade.
How are those compare to the Duo (only had the pleasure of hearing the Avantgarde TrioXD + Basshron sub)?

 

[bonzo75]

Those are some unique speakers, congratulation on the upgrade.
How are those compare to the Duo (only had the pleasure of hearing the Avantgarde TrioXD + Basshron sub)?

A properly done Altec dual woofer FLH is multiple times superior. On every parameter plus more compared to the duo.

The trio with the bass horn has very good deeper bass integration. An Altec is better than that on being more realistic tones, will have more options with lower watt SETs which are superior. The trio you get what you try, while with Altec each one sounds different so some can be poor while Misho's was better.

 

[Maril555]

Those are some unique speakers, congratulation on the upgrade.
How are those compare to the Duo (only had the pleasure of hearing the Avantgarde TrioXD + Basshron sub)?

Since the system is very new, I think meaningful comparisons will be inaccurate
But, one thing is pretty clear is that the bass is better than the Duos, as well as an integration with HF.
overall Altecs are “bigger” sounding.
Duos had an excellent treble though
It remains to be seen if Altecs can match that.
I have Fostex TA 500. MkIII horn super tweeters that I may try later on, and my crossovers designed to accommodate them.
As Bonzo mentioned in older threads- the other aspect of this system, is that one can use different HF drivers and possibly different horns.
I have Radian 951 waiting to be tried.
Was also looking at some beautiful solid wood bi-radial horns.

 

[Maril555]

Congrats, can you post some videos?

Thomas's best products I heard are the 10y preamp, which is my favorite valve preamp, and then the phono. The 46 is the best amp I have heard but not powerful enough for most speakers though the push pull version might work on Altec. Never heard the 6cb5a would love to

I will post some videos a little later. Still playing with the HF levels now, there is an L-pad in the crossover for that, that will be replaced by a resistor when the correct levels are established.
Also everything is very new and requires more burn-in.

 

[Audiophile Bill]

Congrats, Maril. Looks awesome. Looking forward to your thoughts on sonics in due course.

 

[Maril555]

Congrats, can you post some videos?

Thomas's best products I heard are the 10y preamp, which is my favorite valve preamp, and then the phono. The 46 is the best amp I have heard but not powerful enough for most speakers though the push pull version might work on Altec. Never heard the 6cb5a would love to

I am considering Thomas 10Y line and phono as well for sure.

 

[bonzo75]

Since the system is very new, I think meaningful comparisons will be inaccurate
But, one thing is pretty clear is that the bass is better than the Duos, as well as an integration with HF.
overall Altecs are “bigger” sounding.
Duos had an excellent treble though
It remains to be seen if Altecs can match that.
I have Fostex TA 500. MkIII horn super tweeters that I may try later on, and my crossovers designed to accommodate them.
As Bonzo mentioned in older threads- the other aspect of this system, is that one can use different HF drivers and possibly different horns.
I have Radian 951 waiting to be tried.
Was also looking at some beautiful solid wood bi-radial horns.

Altec 2 way has less extension. The tone at least if well done should be much superior to the duos It needs either a tweeter or another driver for greater extension. TAd 4003 wiil be the best but rare and Radian berylliums will be excellent.

Yes Altecs are very big sounding, and throw the sound out as they were meant for concerts. The 1505 works if you have space, it is not good next to side walls (needs at least 2.5 feet from the walls).