Altec 344A “Quartet” (1958)
Little is documented about the Altec 344A beyond its period advertising and a single product test. The 344A was a monaural amplifier marketed by Altec under the name “Quartet.” It was positioned as a building block for stereo systems. Altec's own advertising in Audio (September 1958, p.45) said the owner could convert to stereo later by adding a second 344A and Altec's Master Stereo Control, a plug-in unit priced at $12.00.
The most concrete specifications come from a “Tested in the Home” column in High Fidelity (September 1958, p.120). That source reported a frequency response of ±1.5 dB from 20 to 22,000 cps through the high-level inputs and a damping factor of approximately 5. Hum and noise were 74 dB below 20 watts output on high-level inputs (52 dB below 10 mV on phono). Outputs included high impedance for tape recorder and 4-, 8-, and 16-ohm speaker taps. Width was listed as 13½ inches. The full depth and height are unrecorded in the material that survives.
Almost nothing else is confirmed. No power output figure appears in the period sources found, and neither does a weight, a circuit topology or a production run length. The “Quartet” name and the stereo-upgrade path suggest Altec was aiming at the home market with a modestly priced, upgradeable component.
- Type: Monaural amplifier
- Frequency response: ±1.5 dB, 20–22,000 cps (high-level inputs)
- Damping factor: approx. 5
- Hum & noise: 74 dB below 20 W (high-level); 52 dB below 10 mV (phono)
- Outputs: High impedance to tape recorder; 4, 8, 16 Ω to speaker
- Dimensions: 13½" wide (depth and height unknown)
- Accessory: Master Stereo Control (plugs in, $12.00)
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