What should i power my Altec Lancing's Manta Rays and Santana II's

[DaCarlson]

I was wondering what you guys think I should power my Altec system with. I currently am running it on a Pioneer SX-750. I don't think my speakers are reaching their full potential. I have a Pair of Altec Santana II's and a pair of Altec Manta Ray's.

I purchased a Marantz 2265b, a Luxman L2. I also have access to a Luxman Lab Reference Series 5L15.

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/8521/mantaraysgo9.jpghttp://img101.imageshack.us/img101/6682/santanaiilu4.jpg


I'd appreciate any feedback on not only my Amplifiers but my speakers in general.

[CONVERGENCE]

It's hard to recommend something with out listening and verifying your system. As far as the Santana the XO could need a retrofit .
Then I would consider changing receivers. Maybe you can give us some clues . Is the sound definition poor?

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[SEAWOLF97]

MantaRay is the name of the tweeter ..the entire speaker is an Altec model 6..I just rebuilt a pair....do not need any special amplification.

[CONVERGENCE]

I was wondering what you guys think I should power my Altec system with. I currently am running it on a Pioneer SX-750. I don't think my speakers are reaching their full potential. I have a Pair of Altec Santana II's and a pair of Altec Manta Ray's.

I purchased a Marantz 2265b, a Luxman L2. I also have access to a Luxman Lab Reference Series 5L15.




I'd appreciate any feedback on not only my Amplifiers but my speakers in general.

Here is a link to model 4,6,8, literature.

http://www.lansingheritage.org/html/altec/specs/home-speakers/model-4-6-8.htm

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[DaCarlson]

Thanks for the link. The best way I can describe the sound is it seems to trail. Or, over exaggerate. As for my Santana’s I don't actually have a tweeter to refurbish. I'd have to get a new one, or a used one.

[CONVERGENCE]

Pioneer made something similar to the tweeters for the Santana, Check EPAY they come up from time to time . Fostex are expensive 70$ each.


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[DaCarlson]

I'd prefer to keep them all Altec, but if I can't find them, I can't find them.

[CONVERGENCE]

I'd prefer to keep them all Altec, but if I can't find them, I can't find them.





Here's a pair on EBAY.MODEL 879A TWEETER PAIR - RARE FIND

http://cgi.ebay.com/ALTEC-SANTANA-MODEL-879A-TWEETER-PAIR-RARE-FIND_W0QQitemZ270195917822QQihZ017QQcategoryZ50597 QQcmdZViewItem

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[DaCarlson]

Are these tweeters better then the stock ones?

[CONVERGENCE]

The one on EBAY look like the original. I hope there not PIoneer in disguise. Know what I mean. The picture is not clear.

But then again it's better than no tweeters at all. Your system should be working not left idle for to long a period.

But that is your decision not mine.

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[DaCarlson]

I have some EPI model 500's I'm running as temps. I like to keep my speakers original. I guess I'll keep watching the bay, i was more or less praying that someone had some kicking around their storage; but i guess that's pretty unlikely.

[JBL 4645]

Pioneer made something similar to the tweeters for the Santana, Check EPAY they come up from time to time . Fostex are expensive 70$ each.


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http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=29988&stc=1&d=1197841188

I could almost swear they looked like a set of Realistic tweeters that I used to, have, wait a moment, I’m not sure if I do still have them around somewhere in the flat, but since I’m moving LOL, I doubt I’ll come across them, I might. I’ll keep you posted.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee15/Evolution3417/MWTMNcolumbo5.jpg (http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee15/Evolution3417/MWTMNcolumbo5.jpg)
Oh, there's just one other thing

They cost around £9.99 or £14.99 each.:)

[boputnam]

I have a Pair of Altec Santana II's ...
I'd appreciate any feedback on my speakers in general.What I'm about to post is not intended to offend, and will not make me popular in some circles.

The Santana II's have, I believe, the same woofs and tweets as the Model Nine's. It sure looks so from your pictures. I had a pair of Alten Nine's - loved them when they were in steady use in the '70's. But, typical of speakers of that vintage with foam surrounds, they didn't stand the test of time - the surrounds on the woofer became decrepit, and needed replacing. Got that done.

What I found is, the Nine's lacked a lot in response - they tended to color the sound and were weak in bass, in particular. Surely, this is an arguable appraisal, but when compared with the 4312, it was not so subjective. And, the 4313B totally blew them (both... :o: ) away.

When refurbishing the Nine's (GordonW (http://audioheritage.csdco.com/vbulletin/member.php?u=161) here :wave: and others were of great resource), I found the workmanship on the transducers was incredibly inferior to that of anything JBL I had worked on. Stamped metal baskets versus cast frames; tweets of the apparently skimpiest construction. This came as a surprise to me.

I had the Nine's, Boleros, and Corona's. I now have none.

I am not saying this because I am on a JBL site; I am here because JBL proved to me, late in life, that their consumer gear was far superior, and the professional line (eg, 43xx-series) are even more impressive. I'd suggest you trial a few JBL of the same vintage, which have been or can be refurbished and compare A/B. I am certain you will be similarly changed.

Now, about them amps... :rotfl:
(ps - I never cared for anything with "Luxman" on it...)

[DaCarlson]

Luxman is my fav. As of now for amplifiers. I would junk any of my old sansuis before my L2, or even my fathers NAD. As for the speakers, I know they're not top of the line, but they're a hell of alot better then any Bose system I've ever heard. What do you expect for a combined total of 50 bucks? (thats what i paid for my Santanas, Model 6's and my Luxman L2. I don't expect KEF clarity.

[boputnam]

What do you expect for a combined total of 50 bucks? (thats what i paid for my Santanas, Model 6's and my Luxman L2)...:dont-know Dunno - you might have overpaid.

:rotfl:

[macaroonie]

Get yourself a pair of 075 bullits and slap em in there. you will have to pad them down somewhat but those santanas would come to life.:)

[DaCarlson]

What is this you speak of? for the santana's

[macaroonie]

The Santana crossover is 2.5 kHz as is the 'domestic use' lower frequency of the JBL 075. I think I am correct in saying that the early JBL domestic kits ( I cant recall the number ) crossed over at that frequency. Only problem is that the 075 is much more efficient than the Altec woofer hence my comment that it would have to be padded down. At a push you could maybe get away with just turning the tweeter control back ( a lot )
As it happens I did a similar conversion to a pair of Santanas with dead tweets only I used a pair of Tannoy ' bullet' horn tweets that I had to hand. It worked great and they are still in use at my buddy Peter's house to this day.

Here are the boys I speak of----- 075 or pro version is 2402