Figure 1

SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Power Amplifier Controls: Front Panel — Volume Control,
Continuously variable composition,
Gain: 64 db
Power and Meter Selection Switch
Input Sensitivity: 0.9 volt rms
Chassis — Line Voltage Selection Switch
Power Output: 40 watts at less than 2 THD, and High Pass Filter Switch, both
30-20,000 cps with locking plates

Frequency Response: ±1 db 3-30,000 cps Power Supply: 105/125 volts, 50/60 cps, 125 watts
Tubes: 2 — 6CG7, 2 — 6CA7/EL34, 1 — 5AR4
Input Impedance: 100,000 ohm potentiometer
Dimensions: 8 3 / 4 " High, 19" Wide, 7" Deep
Source Impedance: 150 and 600 ohms with 15095 Plug-In
Color: Dark Green
Line Transformer
Weight: 27 lbs.
Load Impedance: 4 (12.6v.), 8 (18 V.), 16 (25 v.),
125 (70 v.) ohms ungrounded. Special Features: High Pass Filter for protection of
horn-loaded drivers
Output Impedance: Less than 17% of nominal load
impedance. Power Transformer thermally protected
("Thermeguard") against overload or
Noise Level: 85 db below rated output. high ambient temperatures.

DESCRIPTION PROTECTIVE FEATURES

The 128B Altec Power Amplifier is a rack-mounted AC-operated power The power transformer of the 128B Amplifier is equipped with an
amplifier designed for professional recording, sound reinforcing, and automatic re-setting thermal-type circuit breaker. This device is
all public address applications that require low distortion over a located within the windings of the power transformer. It will sense
wide frequency range. The 128B is the deluxe counterpart of the excessive rise of temperature due to tube malfunction, component
popular 1568A and utilizes tube metering circuits, transformer thermal failure, excessively high ambient temperature due to inadequate
protection ("Thermeguard"), and low residual distortion over a wide ventilation or the presence of other heat-producing apparatus. Should
frequency range. In addition to thermal protection, the power trans- the thermostat operate, the illuminated meter will darken and the
former is fitted with a heavy copper flux shield which reduces the red over-temperature indicator directly above the meter will illumin-
AC field, allowing operation in closer proximity to low-level equip- ate (Figure 1). The amplifier will then automatically recycle into
ment without inducing hum that would otherwise be possible. Meter operation as soon as safe temperatures have been re-established.
illumination, over-temperature warning indicator, switch selected
power line setting, switch controlled high pass filter, plug-in line HIGH PASS FILTER
transformer, and speaker impedance load taps as well as the 70
Horn-loaded driver loudspeakers are used in paging or voice rein-
volt line connection are features of the 128B design.
forcing systems where excellent intelligibility is required in the
presence of high noise levels, the effects of wind and other disturb-
METERING CIRCUITS ances. This type of loudspeaker is limited in power handling capa-
Each of the four amplifier tubes in the 128B can be checked for space bility below the cut-off frequency of the horn and must be protected
current by means of the front panel meter (Figure 1). The right-hand against excitation in this frequency range. The 128B Amplifier is
selector switch on the front panel connects the meter to the appropri- equipped with a two-section high-pass filter of the resistance capaci-
ate meter shunt in turn as indicated by the panel marking. Meter tance type. The "High Pass Filter" provides attenuation of approxi-
indication within the green area is considered satisfactory. Output mately 8 db at 250 cps. The filter is inserted in the circuit by placing
tubes, V3 and V4, conduct more current when the amplifier is driven the switch labeled "High Pass Filter" to the "In" position. The switch
to full output than they do in the idle condition. The meter shunts is located on the chassis surface adjacent to vacuum tube V1 (Figure
for these stages have been selected so that the meter normally rests 2). To change the switch setting, remove the screw holding the lock-
at the 100% point in the absence of signal. Although normal pro- ing plate so that the switch may be operated. The locking plate
gram material raises the average current flow only a small amount, should be re-assembled on the switch to prevent unauthorized or
it would be possible with high-level sustained tones such as from inadvertent changing of the switch position. The locking plate is
organ reproduction to cause the meter to be pegged if the switch is used to hold the switch in either position by inverting the part as
left in the V3-V4 position. It is therefore recommended that the required. The characteristic of the high-pass filter is shown on the
normal rest position be at V1 or V2. accompanying frequency response chart (Figure 4).
POWER LINE VOLTAGE SELECTOR OUTPUT CONNECTIONS
The 128B Power Amplifier is equipped with two line voltage taps Connections for speakers of 4, 8, and 16 ohms are provided on the
so that it may be operated at the most optimum setting in relation to output terminal strip (Figure 2). The 124 ohm tap provided is the
the supply line. Selection of the tap is by means of a switch labeled nominal 70 volt line connection. In matching speakers to the ampli-
"Line" located on the chassis surface adjacent to the power trans- fier, use the output tap which most nearly equals the speaker im-
former (Figure 2). As shipped, the switch is in the 117 volt to 125 pedance. If the load impedance falls between two output terminal
volt position and secured with a locking plate. Unless measurements values, use the terminal of lower impedance.
indicate conclusively that the power line voltage at the installation 70 volt line: The 70 volt distribution system permits connection of a
runs below 117 volts, the line connection should not be changed. The large number of speakers, each operating at a selected power level
line switch is secured in the same manner as described in the high without the necessity for computing load and amplifier impedances.
pass filter paragraph. It is recommended that the apparatus always In this system, each speaker is equipped with a transformer (Altec
be operated with the locking plate in place. 15000 series transformers) having a number of taps rated in terms
of power. The tap is selected which gives the power desired for the
MECHANICAL INSTALLATION individual speaker. The total of the power settings for all speakers
should be equal to, or less than, the amplifier power rating. The
The cabinet or other enclosure in which the 128B Amplifier is mounted 128B Amplifier is equipped with outputs to drive either a 70 volt
should have adequate provisions for air entry and exit. The amplifier line or a 25 volt line. The output windings are ungrounded and may,
is constructed with a low top silhouette that provides a minimum of therefore, be used to run balanced lines if required. Care should be
impediment to the flow of air around the vacuum tubes and other exercised in the wiring of the rack to isolate speaker lines from
components. The shield which separates the power tubes from each input lines since they both appear on the same end of the amplifier.
other and the power transformer is heated by radiation and in turn
provides a large area in the air stream with which to give up this
heat. When the amplifier is placed immediately above other heat- TEST AND SERVICING
producing apparatus, the ambient temperature of its immediate
environment is increased and can result in reduced component life. Should the amplifier become inoperative, it should first be deter-
Should this occur, and the thermal circuit breaker becomes operative, mined that the power supply line is continuing to deliver current. If
provisions should be made to reduce the temperature in the general the thermal breaker within the transformer has operated, the meter
area. This can be done by spacing the amplifier away from other heat- illumination will have darkened and the red warning light on the
producing apparatus by inserting the Altec 10399 1 3 / 4 " perforated front panel (Figure 1) will be illuminated. Returning the amplifier
panel above and below the 128B. to normal temperature will correct this problem. If the meter is
illuminated but the amplifier fails to pass signal, the panel meter
INPUT CONNECTIONS may be used to determine which tube or stage has failed. Vacuum
tube V1 is a dual triode unit. If the first section of this tube becomes
Two pairs of input connections are provided on the 128B Amplifier inoperative, the meter placed in the V1 position will read full scale.
(Figure 2) Terminals 1 and 2, which connect directly to the input Should the second section of V1 fail, the meter will read zero. V2
potentiometer, are provided for unbalanced high impedance sources, is likewise a dual triode. Should only one section of this tube fail,
and to bridge unbalanced low impedance lines having signal voltage the meter will read about half scale. Should both sections fail, the
of .9 or higher. Terminal 2 is grounded. Terminals 3 and 4 connect meter will read zero. In positions V3 and V4, zero meter indication
to a standard octal socket into which an Altec 15095 line matching will result from an inoperative tube and full scale indication will
transformer can be inserted. The 15095 transformer provides isolated result from a tube having a shorted element. Failure of the meter
source impedances of 150 and 600 ohms and accommodates levels to indicate in any of the tube positions at the same time that the
up to +15 dbm. When the unit is shipped, the 600 ohm connection is meter is illuminated would indicate failure of the rectifier V5. In
available at Terminals 3 and 4. Straps on the octal socket must be conducting tests in order to determine conformance of the amplifier
changed in order to make use of the 150 ohm impedance. Strapping to the performance specifications, the exact line voltage for the line
information is shown on the schematic diagram (Figure 5). switch setting must be used. In the 117 to 125 volt position, the
exact line voltage is 125 volts, and in the 105 to 117 volt setting,
the exact line voltage is 117 volts.

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 128B PARTS LIST

C1 .005 mfd ±20% Disc Erie Type 801 R10 47,000 ohms ±10% 1.0 watt
C2 .001 mfd ±10% Disc Erie Type 831 R11 18,000 ohms ±10% 1.0 watt
C3 .0022 mfd ±10% Disc Erie Type 801 R12 82,000 ohms ±1% 1/2 watt Deposited Carbon
C4 .5 mfd 400 v. Tubular Paper Pyramid Imp. R13, 21 10,000 ohms ±10% 1/2 watt
C5 47 mmf ±10% Disc Erie Type 831 R14 27.4 ohms ±1% 1/2 watt, Deposited Carbon
C6A, 6B, 40-40 mfd 500 v. Mallory FP288-85° C. R15, 16 47,000 ohms ±1% 1.0 watt Deposited Carbon
11A, 11B R17, 18 220,000 ohms ±10% 1/2 watt
C7 20 mmf ±10% Disc Erie Type 831 R19, 20 100 ohms ±10% 1/2 watt
C8, 9 .1 mfd 400 v. Tubular Paper-Micramold Tropicap R22, 23 3.3 ohms ±3% 1.0 watt — Dalohm RLS-1A
C10 100 mfd 50 v. Mallory WP 064-85° C. R24 600 ohms ±5% 3 watt, Ohmite Axial Lead
J1 Tube Socket, Octal, Cinch 12543 R25 4700 ohms ±10% 1.0 watt
M1 Meter, 0-200 Micro Amp. — Altec 5981 R26 50 ohms ±10% 10 watt, (RW20G500,
P1 Potentiometer 100K ±20% Type "J" A Taper Commercial Grade)
Dim. B 3/8", Dim. A 5/8" Plain Round Shaft S1 Slide Switch, Stackpole SS-50
PL1, 2 Lamps—1847 S2 Slide Switch, Stackpole SS-36-1
PL3 Pilot Light Assembly — Eldema BG3-RC-S-2H-35K S3 AC & Meter Switch — Altec 13717
R1 470,000 ohms ±10% 1/2 watt SR1 Silicon Rectifier-Altec 13871
R2 4700 ohms ±10% 1/2 watt T1 Output Transformer — Altec 16615
R3 1800 ohms ±1% 1/2 watt Deposited Carbon T2 Power Transformer — Altec 6716
R4 100,000 ohms ±10% 1.0 watt Deposited Carbon V1, 2 6CG7, Vacuum Tube (RCA)
R5, 7 68,000 ohms ±1% 1/2 watt Deposited Carbon V3, 4 6CA7/EL34 Vacuum Tube (Amperex, Mullard)
R6 113 ohms ±1% 1/2 watt Deposited Carbon V5 5AR4 Vacuum Tube (GE, Amperex)
R8 2.2 M ohms ±10% 1/2 watt
R9 100,000 ohms ±10% 1/2 watt

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