Altec santana 879A -Europe

[Francois]

Hi all,

I'm posting that thread from Belgium, Europe, where altec information are hard to find.
I own altec 879A speakers, in orginal condition. Original means sometimes bad condition. In my case, i would like to repare used elements by more decent ones.
Could someone help me by giving me all possible information about those speakers: orginal brochure, technical specs, catalogue, article, comments, spare parts information,...

Thanks a lot for the support you will give me.

François

Appologies for my language style, but my mother language is french.

[Don McRitchie]

The Santana is described in a number the early 70's catalogs here:

http://www.lansingheritage.org/html/.../altec-cat.htm

The detailed parts numbers can be found here:

http://www.lansingheritage.org/image...ers/page07.jpg

The 420 bass driver used in that system cannot be repaired so the only option is to find a used replacement.

[legacysound]

Would you please elaborate on why the 420's cannot be repaired? Are these on 416 frames? Will a 416 or 421 kit work?

The Santana is described in a number the early 70's catalogs here:

http://www.lansingheritage.org/html/.../altec-cat.htm

The detailed parts numbers can be found here:

http://www.lansingheritage.org/image...ers/page07.jpg

The 420 bass driver used in that system cannot be repaired so the only option is to find a used replacement.

[jvan]

well, Don McRitchie's & CONVERGENCE's posts have not only given me valuable technical info but I would really like to hear some of you long time ALTEC affectionatos opinions on a near mint set of 879A Santana I's and a 890C Bolero first edition set that I inherited last year from my father - in - law for the price of moving them out of his basement. I am also waiting to get the Altec Power Amp that drove his quadraphonic system from 1975 and a nice Otari reel to reel 1/4 inch machine. Any idea on how versital these would be if amped correctly for a digital recording studio from a high end pre amp settup to a Mac? Any info is appreciated and any value on such a quartet of speakers is cool too!
I dig this board very much.
jvan

[scorpio]

Hi Francois, I'm in Belgium too, precious few sources of this stuff here, I would be interested to know where you got these from. I only know one source for Lansing stuff, but he's clearly a JBL guy, much less Altec (I have JBL).

[Francois]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the information Don McRitchie, it's already a good begining.

Scorpio, I sent you a reply by mail

François

[scott fitlin]

The first thing i will say is the 420 bi flex cones are no longer available, but these do pop up on Ebay, there is one right now I think!

Most likely this will be your only option if you have a blown 420, buy from Ebay, have it shipped to you, and hope it is packed properly!

And then, there is the possibility of emailing Bill Hanuschak at Great Plains Audio, and finding out if another Altec 15in woofer would be suitable in your cabinet!

[Don McRitchie]

Bill can recone the 420 as a 416 as an option. However, you will then have to look into another driver to handle the mids since the small CTS tweeter will not go low enough to meet the 416.

P.S. Scott - Look's like you've made a new friend on the Altec Board. Some idiots, no matter how long you club them over the head with a 2x4, never see the light.

[scott fitlin]

I just got going, and then it didnt stop! I was having a bit of fun beating on him too!

[CONVERGENCE]

Bonjour Francois

Please Find Attachment Specs.