Home > Studio Recording DIY Projects> Altec 1599A Upgrade
I found an Altec 1599A 6 channel mixer on eBay. Here's a picture of the unit. I bought the unit and think this will be a cool modding/restoration project.
As you can see, it's very retro looking. Six (6) big knobs, and pad switches for 0, -10dB, and -20dB attenuation. Also, something I've never seen before... Purple metal cans at the back of the unit, just below the XLR jacks. Reading the labels on the cans, it says Transistor Mic Preamp with Transformer Isolated Inputs. They're basically discrete plug-in type transistor opamps. If a channel goes bad, just unplug the can and plug in a new one.
The power transformer is located outside the chassis box, instead of inside the box. Helps ventilation and reduce hum induced by the power transformer from affecting the signal quality.
More shots of the unit...
Power transformer is shown on the right.
If there's a power failure, the unit can be powered by a battery. Neato!
I don't have a need for this, so on my modifications, I'll remove this
feature.
The transistor preamp cans, below the Switchcraft XLR
jacks.
Another view
of the transistor preamp cans.
Front view of the unit... it really looks nice, not beatup like an old gear.
