Altec 250A
A rare 1950s mixing console from Altec Lansing, inspired by the Western Electric 25B and equipped with 428B microphone preamplifiers and Peerless transformers.
Overview
The Altec 250A is a mixing console manufactured by Altec Lansing. Active during the 1950s, it was designed as a successor to the Western Electric 25B Mixing Console. The unit is rare and was used in professional broadcast and recording environments, with one documented example operating at Eldorado Radio Station in São Paulo, Brazil, since 1958. Though visually similar to the Western Electric 25B, its sound differs, with a broader frequency response both above and below that of the Western Electric design.
Design
The console uses the Altec 428B amplifier module as its microphone preamplifier and features a Peerless 4629 transformer for input and a Peerless 16267 transformer for output. It includes two output channels and integrates a power supply, monitor amplifier, reverb unit, patchbay, and talkback system. The equalizer is described as "very simple." While inspired by the Western Electric 25B in appearance, the internal design and sonic characteristics are distinct.
Context
The Altec 250A replaced the Western Electric 25B Mixing Console and was in use during the 1950s. A specific unit was documented at Eldorado Radio Station in São Paulo, Brazil, from 1958 onward. The console has been associated with professional recordings, including Vincent Gallo's "When," though that recording used the related Altec 250SU model with 458A preamps.
Market
The Altec 250A is considered very rare. One known unit is incomplete, missing the power supply, monitor amplifier, reverb unit, patchbay, and talkback system.
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