Altec 714A (c. 1971–1972)
The Altec 714A is a stereo receiver from the early 1970s. Altec was far better known for its professional and home loudspeakers, and the 714A was a brief but serious entry into the integrated receiver market. Period sources document the model, but not much information survives beyond contemporary reviews and advertisements.
High Fidelity (August 1971, p.89) reported that the 714A delivered 44 watts per channel RMS from 15 Hz to beyond 20 kHz at under 0.5% distortion. That was a solid power figure for its day. The same review noted two crystal filters and the newest ICs, a step up from the adjustable wire-wound filters common in many competing receivers. Separate illuminated signal-strength and center-tuning meters were included.
Altec’s advertising in HiFI-Stereo (November 1971, p.133) said that test reports in both High Fidelity and Stereo Review proved the 714A “is built a little better.” High Fidelity itself published a detailed two-page test report in its February 1971 issue. Taken together, these suggest the model was on the market from at least early 1971 through mid-1972.
Beyond those period clippings, little else is recorded. No service manual, schematic, or original price is known to survive in common circulation.
- Power: 44 watts per channel RMS, 15 Hz – 20 kHz+ at <0.5% THD
- Filter type: Two crystal filters; IC-based circuitry
- Meters: Separate illuminated signal-strength and center-tuning
- Period reviews: High Fidelity (Feb & Aug 1971), Stereo Review (1971)
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