Holy transformer, Batman! Altec Lansing 9442A/SA

[Gnesen]

I recently picked up this Altec 9442A/SA amp to drive my lower sensitivity speakers. It was just recapped, but the right channel was occasionally cutting out. I opened it to check it out and found one of the molex connectors was loose -- that fixed the problem.

While I was in there I noticed the size of the transformer and thought some of you might appreciate a photo. In fact, I couldn't find any photos of the inside of one of these amps online. It's rated at 100 wpc continuous into 8 ohms, 150 wpc into 4 ohms (0.1% THD).

My dog's chewed up tennis ball inserted for scale. It's actually more impressive in person (the transformer, not the ball).

 

[ivandezande]

I recognize that amp.... nice to see you're a AK member! Glad you found the problem on it, sorry that happened! Enjoy it.

 

[Gnesen]

I recognize that amp.... nice to see you're a AK member! Glad you found the problem on it, sorry that happened! Enjoy it.

No problem! It was an easy fix and it gave me a good excuse to take a few photos of the innards. My guess is the Deoxit you applied may have lubed up the connection and a few good bumps on the road loosened it just enough to cause a problem. Nice job on the solder connections.

The amp sounds great and drives my speakers with plenty of authority. I just saw an old thread by AKer Sam Cogley who wondered why these were never mass marketed. Given the performance and price point, I have to agree.

 

[nj pheonix]

Transformer looks like the one in a Gas son of ampzilla. Power is similar so no surprise.

 

[nttrbl]

I own. A 9446a top of that line, awesome amp, mine is 380watts/ch, @8ohms!

Would love to try the one you own with mine in a biamp system.

 

[Gnesen]

I own. A 9446a top of that line, awesome amp, mine is 380watts/ch, @8ohms!

Would love to try the one you own with mine in a biamp system.

After hearing the 9442A, I'd like to try the 9446a too. Though, my listening space isn't all that large, 12' x 20', so it may be overkill.

I also once had a Crown XLS1000 power amp, which is rated at 215 wpc into 8 ohms, but it didn't seem to have the same oomph as the 9442A. Though, that may have something to do with different input sensitivities.

 

[ivandezande]

After hearing the 9442A, I'd like to try he 9446a too. Though, my listening space isn't all that large, 12' x 20', so it may be overkill.

I also once had a Crown XLS1000 power amp, which is rated at 215 wpc into 8 ohms, but it didn't seem to have the same oomph as the 9442A. Though, that may have something to do with different input sensitivities.

There was one hanging around at Axe Man Surplus for $70 when I picked up the other, as-is. That store has some surprises.

 

[loudnoises]

After hearing the 9442A, I'd like to try the 9446a too. Though, my listening space isn't all that large, 12' x 20', so it may be overkill.

I also once had a Crown XLS1000 power amp, which is rated at 215 wpc into 8 ohms, but it didn't seem to have the same oomph as the 9442A. Though, that may have something to do with different input sensitivities.

I'll put 100 1979 watts up against 215 2010 watts any day.

 

[Gnesen]

I'll put 100 1979 watts up against 215 2010 watts any day.

Me too. Though, this amp was born on Sept. 13, 1991, according to a sticker on the back.

 

[Sam Cogley]

That series of Altec amps are seriously underrated. It's amazing how cheaply you can buy such high-quality amplification.

 

[podbaydoors]

Got mine for $43.00 on the auction site.
Holy schnaboley, $.021 per watt!
It did work, but did benefit from new electrolytics.
Running it now with a Carver C-3, seems to be a nice match.

 

[Northwinds]

This is the tranny in my CV-A2200, talk about beefy also, the power caps are the size of beer cans for comparison

I used to use an Altec mean greenie in my guitar rig, huge power, they made great amps

 

[podbaydoors]

This is the tranny in my CV-A2200, talk about beefy also, the power caps are the size of beer cans for comparison

I used to use an Altec mean greenie in my guitar rig, huge power, they made great amps

Ok, the 9442 just has ps cans maybe Red Bull size. And the tranny?.... not even close!

 

[Northwinds]

^^^^ The CV is a good amp also, 375wpc @ 4ohms and never needs fans, rarely gets warm as the entire chassis acts as a heatsink, it's dual mono also. I would not mind finding a 9442, the inner heat sinks look a lot like the ones in the Onkyo M-504 I used to have

 

[SoCal Sam]

The kind of amp I like.

 

[whoaru99]

After hearing the 9442A, I'd like to try the 9446a too. Though, my listening space isn't all that large, 12' x 20', so it may be overkill.

I also once had a Crown XLS1000 power amp, which is rated at 215 wpc into 8 ohms, but it didn't seem to have the same oomph as the 9442A. Though, that may have something to do with different input sensitivities.

They are a bit different ~28.5dB vs. 30dB. Might be enough to detect some difference?

I've measured the Crown, not in a pure technical sense as in trying to validate all mfg. specs, but simply in terms of power it does appear to produce its number. I got 41Vrms into 7.4 ohms at the verge of clipping which is about 227wpc. If you figure that back to 8 ohms it at least passes the red-face test that the rating isn't bogus.

 

[Gnesen]

They are a bit different ~28.5dB vs. 30dB. Might be enough to detect some difference?

I've measured the Crown, not in a pure technical sense as in trying to validate all mfg. specs, but simply in terms of power it does appear to produce its number. I got 41Vrms into 7.4 ohms at the verge of clipping which is about 227wpc. If you figure that back to 8 ohms it at least passes the red-face test that the rating isn't bogus.

That’s great information to have on the Crown. I liked mine and would consider getting another. Good, clean, cheap power.

 

[BabySam]

Recently picked one up. Great sound! I opened it up to clean out yesterday, huge transformer and caps. The right XLR input cuts out sometimes, but the cables been sticking a little better since I cleaned it out.