New member and my system evolution

[ChrisAZ]

Hello, my name is Chris and I live in Phoenix AZ. I started collecting vintage audio a few years ago and I’ve recently begun a journey into DIY audio. I learned how to restore speakers with a ton of research and started looking for good deals locally. Everything I bought and restored was with the intention of keeping it but I kept finding new stuff that was one step better and learning more. I’m sure many here know how these things keep progressing. I’m currently working on two nice vintage Sony turntables and building a tube driven system composed of a of restored/upgraded vintage and DIY stuff with the guidance of a very helpful member of DIYaudio. I’m focused on building a set of custom Altec 2ways and while researching found this forum, so glad I did! Here’s a bunch of pictures of some of the evolution.

 

[marantzfan]

Welcome to the Haven Chris, you've got some nice equipment! There are quite a few of us here that have Altec 2 way systems in one form or another, what are you looking at putting together?

 

[Tsingtao_1903]

Welcome to the Haven. You are among like-minded folks here.

 

[ChrisAZ]

Thank you marantzfan. The room they will go in isn’t very big, 13.5’ x 17.5’ with 9’ ceiling, so it was suggested that I use a 12” driver for the low end instead of a 15”. With that being the case I discovered JELabs 2 way and then found a thread here showcasing several iterations of his design! I saw yours in that thread and they look very nice! I’m an artist and craftsman and much of my enthusiasm is in designing the cabinets. I really like the look of many of the 50’s/60’s and 70’s era cabs and can’t wait to build something. I love learning about all this stuff and I have tons of questions.

 

[J. Frum]

Great-looking TTS-3000, Chris! I picked one up recently to restore, and will no doubt be picking your brain.

 

[Audionut]

Welcome to the Haven!

 

[ChrisAZ]

Welcome to the Haven. You are among like-minded folks here.

Thank you Tsingtao, and if there are unlike minds here I’m open to learning something new.

 

[ChrisAZ]

Great-looking TTS-3000, Chris! I picked one up recently to restore, and will no doubt be picking your brain.

Awesome, I have a Sony ps-2250 without an arm or plinth yet too, for yet another project. I’m happy to help you with yours however I can. I’m not a long term guru but will share my knowledge and experience.

 

[MrEd]

Welcome !
Very nice collection of gear, pretty impressive.
I have about the same size room and have had various 15" bass drivers work well.
Currently 416 8A in 825 cabinets and a sub with 2 15 's
So you can go big with out issues if you want.

 

[ChrisAZ]

Welcome !
Very nice collection of gear, pretty impressive.
I have about the same size room and have had various 15" bass drivers work well.
Currently 416 8A in 825 cabinets and a sub with 2 15 's
So you can go big with out issues if you want.

That’s good to hear, 15’s may be back on the table!

 

[je2a3]

Awesome, I have a Sony ps-2250 without an arm or plinth yet too, for yet another project.

I’m a long time 301/TD124 user but I also enjoy my TTS 2500 which is the JDM version.

Welcome to HFH!

 

[ChrisAZ]

Welcome to the Haven Chris, you've got some nice equipment! There are quite a few of us here that have Altec 2 way systems in one form or another, what are you looking at putting together?

I forgot to reply directly to your post so wasn’t sure if you’d see it. Anyway, it’s the one below Tsingtao_1903’s greeting. I will have some questions for you about your Altecs for sure.

 

[ChrisAZ]

I’m a long time 301/TD124 user but I also enjoy my TTS 2500 which is the JDM version.

Welcome to HFH!

Thanks and I’m trying to remember the difference between a TTS 2500 and PS 2250. Wasn’t it just with or without a factory plinth or was it that the name was different over seas? JDM?...Japanese Distribution Model? Did I guess right?

 

[je2a3]

Yup, almost, D = domestic
TTS2500 = motor unit

I use it with a 120>100V step down transformer

 

[ChrisAZ]

Yup, almost, D = domestic
TTS2500 = motor unit

I use it with a 120>100V step down transformer

So maybe I should refer to mine as a TTS2500 because it didn’t come in a plinth, but I don’t know it’s history. The paperwork it came with lists both models.

 

[ChrisAZ]

Regardless of model number, I’m looking forward to experimenting with it and comparing it to the earlier belt driven TTS3000.

 

[airdronian]

Welcome aboard ! Nice gear. You should know that a predilection for fancy knobs and crochet goes a long way around here.

 

[Kpatch]

Welcome aboard ! Nice gear. You should know that a predilection for fancy knobs and crochet goes a long way around here.

And glowy things. We like glowy things too.

Welcome Chris. Looks like you have a lot of fun ahead. Enjoy.

 

[ChrisAZ]

Welcome aboard ! Nice gear. You should know that a predilection for fancy knobs and crochet goes a long way around here.

My love for this stuff runs deep! Not just the aesthetic but I want to learn more about manipulating sound.

 

[marantzfan]

Thank you marantzfan. The room they will go in isn’t very big, 13.5’ x 17.5’ with 9’ ceiling, so it was suggested that I use a 12” driver for the low end instead of a 15”. With that being the case I discovered JELabs 2 way and then found a thread here showcasing several iterations of his design! I saw yours in that thread and they look very nice! I’m an artist and craftsman and much of my enthusiasm is in designing the cabinets. I really like the look of many of the 50’s/60’s and 70’s era cabs and can’t wait to build something. I love learning about all this stuff and I have tons of questions.

I am far, far, far from being anything near a craftsman or artist so you get what you get with my build projects. Really interested to see what you put together. I had alot of ideas but the execution was limited to my tools/skills.

With that said, I am quite happy with those speakers. They currently reside in my living room driven by a McIntosh MX110 and MC240 that I restored a few years ago.

I also have a pair of 604-8G's and am working on a set of Onken cabinets with 416-8a/MK1005b/288-8K. The aforementioned horns are held up in customs in NY, but hopefully I get them sometime relatively soon...