I have an original unmodified Altec 1570b 150 watt tube amplifier for sale. These amps are acclaimed for their power and sound after they have been updated e.g. Arthur Salvatore.
"This "vintage" Altec is a fantastic amplifier. It could be the "dream" amplifier for many audiophiles...
This amplifier, after it is fully modified, can compete with virtually any push-pull amplifier in the world. It uses only two 811A direct heated triode output tubes, but it can still generate over 150 watts per channel. It has a very high quality power supply with chokes, tube rectification, separate input and output supplies etc. The end result is a combination of tremendous power along with a lot, but not all, of the purity and transparency of the single-ended designs.
Other "high-power" tube amplifiers, that use multiple output tubes (8, 12, 16, or 20 per channel-especially pentodes) to create their power, can not compete with this simpler (and much less expensive) design. As usual, it is at its best with high-impedance loads, but it can still sound excellent in normal impedance loads as well, though it is not recommended with very low impedances.
Now for the inevitable "hurdles":
1. The original Altec 1570 series of amplifiers were designed and built for "commercial" and "industrial" applications; The U.S. military, sports stadiums, factories, auditoriums etc. They are very reliable of course, and are also downright ugly in appearance. There may have been many made 40 years ago, but now they are difficult to find. Their sonics, stock, are simply horrible. They sound "dirty" and have no bass. So they must also be modified.
2. There are very few people who can modify these amplifiers. The person who has, by far, the most experience, and has achieved the finest results we've heard, is Tom Tutay, a talented engineer who lives and works in Florida (Go to the "Links" section to contact him).
So after a pair of these are found in good condition, they must be sent to Tutay for his (very extensive) update. I don't know the most recent cost, and there are some options, but it will cost at least $ 3,000, or more. Considering the enormous amount of work involved, this is a very fair price. The total cost, including the amplifiers themselves and all the shipping, will be in the $ 5,000 range, unless you can "score" on the Altecs.
To put things in perspective, if such an amplifier were built in North America and marketed new in today's market, it would sell for a minimum of $ 10,000 and probably around $ 15,000 or more..."
The magic behind these amps are hidden in their massive transformers and chokes. However, most Altecs that are offered for sale have not been tested. This amp's transformers and chokes have been tested by Tom Tutay.
Mr. Tutay is widely recognized as the premier modder of the Altec. I sent the amp to Tom to be modded but I've turned my attention to SET amps.
This amp comes with the front plate, cage, tested transformers and chokes and if you want the original non-functioning tubes that came with it.
The amp is heavy (60 lbs pre-packed) and I'll have to charge extra to box it.
Most of the Altecs on Ebay are selling for $575 - $800. My amp has been tested and if you want Tom to mod it there won't be a shipping charge because he already has it.
I am asking $625 plus shipping. I accept PayPal but the buyer has to pay the 3.5% fee. I also accept Visa and checks.
