Up for sale is a legendary and very rare meticulously restored 1962 Altec 250SU 12x3x2 tube recording console. Considered by many to be the "holy grail" of vintage tube recording consoles the original Altec 250SU consoles are almost impossible to find, let alone in such excellent functional condition. This beautiful console has been fully refurbished by a qualified technician and is ready to install in your studio.
Included:
Original Altec 250SU frame
11 - Altec 458A Tube Preamplifiers (8 preamps 40 dB gain w/switchable direct outs, 3 buss amplifiers, Peerless I/O transformers)
2 - Altec 459A Tube Program Amplifiers (56 dB gain, Peerless I/O transformers)
1 - Altec 535A Power supply
Stepped Daven and Altec attenuators throughout.
Canare I/O wiring terminated to XLR: 8 preamp inputs, 8 preamp outputs, 4 line inputs, 3 buss outputs, 2 program outputs, and 2 monitor outputs. Additional I/O: stereo headphone output (on front panel), 2 DI inputs (on front panel).
Original Altec 250SU owner's manual and schematics.
In 2013 this Altec 250SU was completely rebuilt with receipts that totaled $5,658. The comprehensive and highly skilled restoration included:
-Testing of all the original Peerless input and output transformers to assure they met the original published specifications.
-Replacement of all high voltage resistors and recapping of all electrolytic capacitors in the modules and power supply. These resistors deal with filtering the high voltage, and should be replaced, they have a finite life. Replaced the main signal path caps in the program amps with a matched quad of NOS caps. Checked and labeled all tubes. Replaced power supply cable. -Rewired most the frame's internal wiring. In the back, redid all the high voltage, tube check return wire, as well as most of the module audio connections. Also added a tube check/filament voltage meter.
-Rebuilt the front panel.
-Mix buss resistor networks and LCR switching is totally redone, was able to use the original buss wire. All new carbon comp resistors for the network build out.
-All main/monitor inputs and outputs were rebuilt and rewired.
-Monitor section was returned to original, added stereo head phone jack.
-Center split and output pad section was rebuilt, center now also conforms with -3DB center standard. -Moved one of the 3 stereo Daven attenuators to be a stereo master output after the program amps, before the monitor section. This was an option on the original. Replaced it in the channel it came from with an original Altec attenuator. -Turned channels 9 and 10 into stereo line level inputs using the utc transformers and 2 remaining stereo Daven attenuators that came with the console. Channel 9 has lower gain (different transformers) than channel 10.
-Rebuilt the VU light wiring.
A few minor modifications were made to increase the functionality of the console: -Added direct outs on channels 1-8. Switch is attached to each attenuator inside the console. Towards the front panel is direct out. -Added two Jensen DI transformers to front panel. Jacks are in the center section. These feed channel 1 and 2 respectively through the two rotary switches on the upper left hand side of he front panel. "M" is mic input. "DI" is DI jack on front panel middle section," P" is DI jack with a -15db pad added. The toggle switch in between them is a ground lift for the DI's. Up is lifted, middle or down is grounded.
I am selling this console for a client who has used this console in his professional home studio daily for the past two years. The console is currently located in Los Angeles, CA and can be picked up locally or freight shipped internationally. Due to the high value shipping will have to be via an insured carrier and payment is via wire transfer only. Please feel free to ask any and all questions prior to purchase.
Included:
Original Altec 250SU frame
11 - Altec 458A Tube Preamplifiers (8 preamps 40 dB gain w/switchable direct outs, 3 buss amplifiers, Peerless I/O transformers)
2 - Altec 459A Tube Program Amplifiers (56 dB gain, Peerless I/O transformers)
1 - Altec 535A Power supply
Stepped Daven and Altec attenuators throughout.
Canare I/O wiring terminated to XLR: 8 preamp inputs, 8 preamp outputs, 4 line inputs, 3 buss outputs, 2 program outputs, and 2 monitor outputs. Additional I/O: stereo headphone output (on front panel), 2 DI inputs (on front panel).
Original Altec 250SU owner's manual and schematics.
In 2013 this Altec 250SU was completely rebuilt with receipts that totaled $5,658. The comprehensive and highly skilled restoration included:
-Testing of all the original Peerless input and output transformers to assure they met the original published specifications.
-Replacement of all high voltage resistors and recapping of all electrolytic capacitors in the modules and power supply. These resistors deal with filtering the high voltage, and should be replaced, they have a finite life. Replaced the main signal path caps in the program amps with a matched quad of NOS caps. Checked and labeled all tubes. Replaced power supply cable. -Rewired most the frame's internal wiring. In the back, redid all the high voltage, tube check return wire, as well as most of the module audio connections. Also added a tube check/filament voltage meter.
-Rebuilt the front panel.
-Mix buss resistor networks and LCR switching is totally redone, was able to use the original buss wire. All new carbon comp resistors for the network build out.
-All main/monitor inputs and outputs were rebuilt and rewired.
-Monitor section was returned to original, added stereo head phone jack.
-Center split and output pad section was rebuilt, center now also conforms with -3DB center standard. -Moved one of the 3 stereo Daven attenuators to be a stereo master output after the program amps, before the monitor section. This was an option on the original. Replaced it in the channel it came from with an original Altec attenuator. -Turned channels 9 and 10 into stereo line level inputs using the utc transformers and 2 remaining stereo Daven attenuators that came with the console. Channel 9 has lower gain (different transformers) than channel 10.
-Rebuilt the VU light wiring.
A few minor modifications were made to increase the functionality of the console: -Added direct outs on channels 1-8. Switch is attached to each attenuator inside the console. Towards the front panel is direct out. -Added two Jensen DI transformers to front panel. Jacks are in the center section. These feed channel 1 and 2 respectively through the two rotary switches on the upper left hand side of he front panel. "M" is mic input. "DI" is DI jack on front panel middle section," P" is DI jack with a -15db pad added. The toggle switch in between them is a ground lift for the DI's. Up is lifted, middle or down is grounded.
I am selling this console for a client who has used this console in his professional home studio daily for the past two years. The console is currently located in Los Angeles, CA and can be picked up locally or freight shipped internationally. Due to the high value shipping will have to be via an insured carrier and payment is via wire transfer only. Please feel free to ask any and all questions prior to purchase.
This item is sold As-Described
This item is sold As-Described and cannot be returned unless it arrives in a condition different from how it was described or photographed. Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging.Learn More.
| Listed | 11 years ago |
|---|---|
| Condition | Mint (Used) Mint items are in essentially new original condition but have been opened or played.Learn more |
| Brand | |
| Model |
|
| Finish |
|
| Categories | |
| Year |
|
| Made In |
|
Product safety information may be available here.













