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Heath AS101 (Altec Valencias)

August 13th, 2021, 4:20 pm

These speakers' first owner was David Nurse, the President of Heathkit. When he passed, his son owned them, and he sold them to me as he downsized later in life. I paid U-ship to deliver them from western Ohio to my home in Fairfax.

I added wheels to the bottom so they can be easily moved. I added (removable) granite tiles on top of the cabinet, and attached tiles to the rear and bottom to give them mass, so they play lower frequencies than other Valencia's do. The woofers have added mass to help them go lower, and the horns are heavily damped to remove potential ringing and shrillness. The cabinet fill is lambswool, and they have a custom crossover network.

These Heath/Altecs are quite efficient and play well with medium power tube gear, or newer transistor amps. Why am I selling them? I love speaker projects and love hearing different gear, but I currently have 4 pairs of large speakers in my living room, and I'd like to declutter and downsize this pair, and some others as I head into retirement.

Complete details on the upgrades and modifications (with notes) can be read here, with internal pictures and more:
https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index ... 01.806226/

Please PM any questions to me ...
Local demo and pickup only (or hire uShip to get them delivered).
Located in Fairfax, VA - near Wash, DC.

AS101-1-Heath-Valencias-NoHeils.jpg
Last edited by hjames on August 11th, 2022, 4:33 pm, edited 5 times in total.

Re: Heath AS101 (Altec Valencias)

August 13th, 2021, 6:10 pm

Hi Heather, I am not a potential buyer, as I just picked up a pair of Valencias myself. Would you please tell me a little about how you implemented the Great Hells? Crossover frequency, slope, attenuation necessary?
Thanks I’m advance, and good luck with the sale!
Pete

Re: Heath AS101 (Altec Valencias)

August 13th, 2021, 7:00 pm

well Pete - I posted a link in the ad that shows great detail in what I did with the speakers ...
Thats the best place to get the details of what I did...
https://www.audiokarma.org/forums/index ... 01.806226/

Re: Heath AS101 (Altec Valencias)

August 13th, 2021, 8:44 pm

Okay, I’ll read through it. Thanks!

Re: Heath AS101 (Altec Valencias)

October 31st, 2022, 9:59 am

Offering my Heath branded Valencias up as 2-way speakers with enhanced bandwidth ...
They are recapped and improved classics.
Looking to downsize my living room- too many pairs of speakers!
Can demo with Qobuz Hires streams or?
Fairfax (city)
Price reduced to $1100/make reasonable offer.

AlS101-1-Altecs-Alone.jpg

Re: Heath AS101 (Altec Valencias)

October 31st, 2022, 11:11 am

pboser wrote:Hi Heather, I am not a potential buyer, as I just picked up a pair of Valencias myself. Would you please tell me a little about how you implemented the Great Hells? Crossover frequency, slope, attenuation necessary?
Thanks I’m advance, and good luck with the sale!
Pete

Heather followed what I did, but since our meet my Altecs have moved along with much more improvement. I've attached some information that can serve your needs. If you're interested you come to Parkville, MD and audition what's possible.
Attachments
Altec Performance Enhancements 2019.pdf
(1.32 MiB) Downloaded 165 times

Re: Heath AS101 (Altec Valencias)

November 1st, 2022, 12:06 pm

Thanks Walt - great work!

Re: Heath AS101 (Altec Valencias)

November 1st, 2022, 12:32 pm

pboser wrote:Thanks Walt - great work!

That white paper was written for publication. The reviewer that it was sent to passed away. :o

Re: Heath AS101 (Altec Valencias)

November 1st, 2022, 2:54 pm

Walt:

Nice piece. You should submit it to audioXpress.

Tom

Re: Heath AS101 (Altec Valencias)

November 1st, 2022, 3:15 pm

tomp wrote:Walt:

Nice piece. You should submit it to audioXpress.

Tom

I didn't think of that. I had an article published in the Audio Amateur years ago. I think i mentioned that when we last met. When the check arrived in the mail it was dated and had Ed Dell's signature, but otherwise it was blank.

OOPS! I called him and I told him it was a blank check dated and signed -- there was a long awkward moment-of-silence on the other end of the phone. :o
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