Altec 604's and Solid State!!!

[Shelby1420]

Yup, you read right!!! Thought I would post some thoughts about my Great Plains Audio 604 8H II now that I have a little over 65 hours of break in on them....I have been playing one album over and over for 10 hours for one day and then another album for another 10 hours the next day ( and so on and so on) . Last night I had the occasion to have about 3 hours of listening to both vinyl and digital , no interruptions or interference of any kind and thus far, overall, my Marantz PM 15S2 B Limited SS integrated amplifier, IMO sounding better than my Almarro A205a EL84 integrated tube amplifier!!! While I might get a wee bit ( and I mean it is negligible really) better mids from the Almarro ( with a very small select set of recordings), the Marantz presents a better overall presentation to the music!!!! It's fuller, richer, more dynamic, and a life to the music being played by the Marantz that is really kinda scary good!!! ...... Bass control is much greater and has more depth and realism as well as highs ( this last one shocked the hell outta me) lots of information up top but not ear splitting, they just kind of drift up and every so gently disappear.........I kinda get the feeling that with the Marantz I just get soooooooooooooo much more control of the music, like it takes those big 15's and asserts total control over them!!!! Anyhoo, just thought I would give an update as to the progress of my new babies!!!

 

[prime minister]

Not surprised at all. The Marantz is a sweetheart of an amp. Solid state has come a long way.

 

[billfort]

Glad to hear they are working out for you Rick!

 

[Andyman]

Interesting! I too have the Almarro and find it does a VERY nice jobs with my A-7s, but I don't have any really nice SS amps to compare to. I did get to borrow a very nice 2A3 amp from a local SMAC member for a while and while it did better the Almarro, I didn't find the improvement substantial enough to justify the added expenditure to buy/build one and replace the Almarro.

Have you modded yours at all?? I did some modes to the coils and added some Russian PIO caps I got from Kegger and that sweetened it a bit too. The improved bass isn't that big of a surprise as better bass seems to be a SS hallmark, but the mids and highs are a bit surprising. Then again, the Marantz is a nice unit and built to a much higher price point. The Altecs should have no issue with the added power as mine were movie theater speakers run on 100 wpc SS amps; the 4.8 watt Almarro doesn't come close to pushing them hard; even when I cranked it to about 100+ dB last week when my wife was out.

Keep us posted n your adventures; they certainly are interesting!

 

[Shelby1420]

Hey Andy, it's not that the Almarro sounds poorly, opposite of that actually......it's just the Marantz thus far( think I am still hearing break in on the speakers.....Bill from GPA states about 80-100 hours) sounds better from top to bottom!!! What this has done is expand the possibilities to mate with this set of speakers, which is brilliant in my opinion!!!!

 

[TubeHiFiNut]

Good comparison, Rick. Sounds like you have found the best match for your 604s.

This is a good example of why listening for an extended period is the best way to evaluate audio components. It really lets you focus in on your preferences to get the most synergistic match.

 

[Andyman]

This is a good example of why listening for an extended period is the best way to evaluate audio components. It really lets you focus in on your preferences to get the most synergistic match.

Agreed! I've been trying to find something to downsize from my A7s, and while some speakers strike me as possibilites initially, prolonged listening has me yearning for the Altecs. They always seem to win when I go back to them.

Maybe they're just those old shoes that I've grown accustomed to

 

[Shelby1420]

Good comparison, Rick. Sounds like you have found the best match for your 604s.

This is a good example of why listening for an extended period is the best way to evaluate audio components. It really lets you focus in on your preferences to get the most synergistic match.

Yup, and in a few weeks after extended listening to this Almarro ( back in for now).... I will also have another amp ( a 6V6/27 ) amp down at Billfort's place I want to throw in( actually it was what I had in mind when the thought came into my mind re these Altecs) I figured at the time they would make a wonderful match!!! Hoping my good ole buddy Erik will swing by Bill's and pick it up for me and then meet with me for a drop off.....................................

 

[Shelby1420]

Well, the Marantz is back in and I gotta say I really really like what I am hearing!!! There is just such a fullness and richness in sound with the big SS power......Funny thing is that the Almarro does not sound bad, opposite actually, just not as good as the Marantz...........thus far anyways!!!

 

[prime minister]

Glad to hear it's working out. That Marantz is a very nice amp!

 

[JohnVF]

I'm not at all surprised, that's an EXCELLENT amplifier. The last time I heard one it was driving a pair of $12,000 Sonus Faber Cremona towers, and really doing well by them. Excellent from top to bottom. I'm all-in on my tube gear these days but if I was looking to land on a SS integrated and just call it a day, that amp would be high on the list.

 

[Shelby1420]

I'm not at all surprised, that's an EXCELLENT amplifier. The last time I heard one it was driving a pair of $12,000 Sonus Faber Cremona towers, and really doing well by them. Excellent from top to bottom. I'm all-in on my tube gear these days but if I was looking to land on a SS integrated and just call it a day, that amp would be high on the list.

Hey John, I would be all in with that amp you have also!!! I bet it sounds bloody amazing with the Harbeths!!! For now, I really am enjoying the music, things are coming together very nicely!!