Western Electric theater amplifiers; how to hook them up?

Micah McDowell · 23rd October 2011, 12:16 AM

Hello all, new here.

I just came across a pair of IPC (Western Electric design) AM-1001 power amps. They've been dormant since the mid 1980s and I'm itching to give them a try. However, all my experience with tube amps has been with guitar gear and these are a different animal. It's a bit over my head to wire them up.

Each amp has a terminal strip with these positions:
Input
GND
RVC (four terminals)
FIL (two terminals)
OUTPUT
PLATE
MON+

In addition, they have the AC/common power leads. How would one wire this to a modern preamp output and a loudspeaker? I have the matching crossover network but I'll probably just hook to a modern full range speaker for now. Thanks all!

Micah McDowell · 24th October 2011, 02:57 PM

Here's some pictures of what I'm talking about if that helps...

Pano · 24th October 2011, 03:06 PM

Thanks for the pic. Those amps are highly coveted, you have a nice find!
There should be someone here who can help. You'll want to power those up slowly, like with a variac or light bulb in series trick.

I'm very curious as to why the plate and filament are brought out to panel connections. Perhaps to power the preamp?

Micah McDowell · 24th October 2011, 03:11 PM

Yep, was planning on using a Variac... these were in a theater that closed in 1986, so they've been sitting at least that long.

I was wondering if those plate/fil connections were for the preamp. Maybe they are superfluous for using the amps by themselves? A bit out of my realm of experience. Thanks!

Pano · 24th October 2011, 03:21 PM

You're welcome. If you don't get an answer here (not likely) then we can try over on the Altec forum.
It's a little scary to think that the B+ voltage could be sitting there on the a screw terminal.

martyh · 24th October 2011, 03:41 PM

RVC is remote volume control, jumper 1-2 and 3-4
Connect input + to input and – to ground
Connect speaker between output and ground
Mon + and plate are DC and Fil is 6.3Vac for other parts of the system

Look here for the manual and schematic under C60 sound system
Film-Tech
Note the networks on the feedback loop for adjusting HF and LF

Trout · 24th October 2011, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micah McDowell

Here's some pictures of what I'm talking about if that helps...

I hope you are going to replace that gassed tube before powering up.

Pano · 24th October 2011, 03:55 PM

Excellent! Here is a direct link to the manual:
http://www.film-tech.com/warehouse/m...SIMPLEXC60.pdf
The schematic appears on page 35.

Zen Mod · 24th October 2011, 04:00 PM

yup - that most left tube is dude

Pano · 24th October 2011, 04:02 PM

What's new set of matched 6L6? About $50?

23rd October 2011, 12:16 AM	#1
Micah McDowell diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2011	Western Electric theater amplifiers; how to hook them up? Hello all, new here. I just came across a pair of IPC (Western Electric design) AM-1001 power amps. They've been dormant since the mid 1980s and I'm itching to give them a try. However, all my experience with tube amps has been with guitar gear and these are a different animal. It's a bit over my head to wire them up. Each amp has a terminal strip with these positions: Input GND RVC (four terminals) FIL (two terminals) OUTPUT PLATE MON+ In addition, they have the AC/common power leads. How would one wire this to a modern preamp output and a loudspeaker? I have the matching crossover network but I'll probably just hook to a modern full range speaker for now. Thanks all!

24th October 2011, 03:06 PM	#3
Pano diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina Blog Entries: 4	Thanks for the pic. Those amps are highly coveted, you have a nice find! There should be someone here who can help. You'll want to power those up slowly, like with a variac or light bulb in series trick. I'm very curious as to why the plate and filament are brought out to panel connections. Perhaps to power the preamp? __________________ Take the Speaker Voltage Test!

24th October 2011, 04:00 PM	#9
Zen Mod diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: ancient Batsch , behind Iron Curtain	yup - that most left tube is dude __________________ my Papa is smarter than your Nelson ! tnx to clean thread ; Cook Book ; PSM LS Cook Book ; Baby Diyaudio FORUM ; BAF Forum & Gallery;I'm dumb

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24th October 2011, 02:57 PM	#2
Micah McDowell diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2011	Here's some pictures of what I'm talking about if that helps...

24th October 2011, 03:11 PM	#4
Micah McDowell diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2011	Yep, was planning on using a Variac... these were in a theater that closed in 1986, so they've been sitting at least that long. I was wondering if those plate/fil connections were for the preamp. Maybe they are superfluous for using the amps by themselves? A bit out of my realm of experience. Thanks!

24th October 2011, 03:21 PM	#5
Pano diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina Blog Entries: 4	You're welcome. If you don't get an answer here (not likely) then we can try over on the Altec forum. It's a little scary to think that the B+ voltage could be sitting there on the a screw terminal.

24th October 2011, 03:41 PM	#6
martyh diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wisconsin	RVC is remote volume control, jumper 1-2 and 3-4 Connect input + to input and – to ground Connect speaker between output and ground Mon + and plate are DC and Fil is 6.3Vac for other parts of the system Look here for the manual and schematic under C60 sound system Film-Tech Note the networks on the feedback loop for adjusting HF and LF

24th October 2011, 03:55 PM	#8
Pano diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina Blog Entries: 4	Excellent! Here is a direct link to the manual: http://www.film-tech.com/warehouse/m...SIMPLEXC60.pdf The schematic appears on page 35.

24th October 2011, 04:02 PM	#10
Pano diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina Blog Entries: 4	What's new set of matched 6L6? About $50?

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