Information on Acoustat 2plus2 speaker upgrades.


I have Acoustat 2plus2 speakers and have really enjoyed them. Ive has Sound Lab M1 and A3s, Martin Logan CLSs, Quest, Magnepan TYmpanis and alot of other planar and electrostatic speakers. Presently I have the 2plus2s and Yankee planars. My listening room is 20x30x12 and I have a wonderful wife and son who doesnt mind my speaker systems. I want to know if anybody does upgrade work on the 2plus2s. Also does anybody know how to make them look better than they do. Such as bases or wood rails,etc. Im using Threshold SA-2 monoblocks, the FET-9 preamp. I have a Roksan Radius 5 table and a Esoteric transport with a Meridian DAC.
jimikoby
Jimikobi said, "Also does anybody know how to make them look better than they do."

Turning off the lights is probably the only thing you can do.

Bob
I'd start by upgrading the capacitors in the signal path. The electrolytics they used from the factory were really bad. Follow that with some wiring and connector upgrades and you have a great sounding speaker! Shoot me a line if you'd like more details or advice on any DIY upgrades... or I can do the mods for you if you wish.
The only true authority on restoring Acoustats
and a member of Dr.Strickland's original Design Team
Roy A. Esposito @ soundslikenew

[email protected]
I have a set of Acoustat 2+2's and obtained beneficial results from replacing the three electrolytics in their input section with North Creek Zen capacitors. The huge Zens barely fit and are now, sadly, discontinued, but you could probably find similar replacements. I've read that the blue and red medallion upgrades -- assuming you can even round up the parts these days -- don't yield noticeable results.

Amplifier-wise, I've run mine on a McIntosh MC7300, an Acoustat TNT-200 (modded), and a Hafler 9505, but what bested them all in my setup was a PS Audio HCA-2. These class D amps are selling used on Audiogon for less than $600 these days.. a steal, and imho, a fine match for Acoustat speakers. Research the HCA-2's SDAT output section and its 'high damping factor load invariant power' to get more insight into why this is so.

You may want to visit this website

http://www.integracoustics.com/MUG/MUG/tweaks/acoustat/
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my question. I was thinking on sending the electronics to a man in Ohio and have the upgrades done. He said I could have alot of upgrades for around 1000.00. Copper caps, new ac sockets, new wire, remove fuses new speaker post. Jim
Check out this web site. The discussions are by the designer of Acoustat speakers.

INFO available at www.audiocircuit.com manufacturer list Acoustat

I replaced the speaker post with Cardas CPBP CRS
and the AC inlet with a filtered IEC inlet.
Have a look at mracoustat 1+1 s in the members systems in the community section. Is that the kind of improvement you are looking for ?

The same gentleman who did this job is actually rebuilding my Acoustat 3s into 2+2 s and I saw the new woodframe this last weekend. Astounding ! Layers of thicker plywood in replacement of original press wood. Much heavier for optimum rigidity. A shame to cover them with the sox. As per previous posts, the electronics can be rehauled and replaced with better parts, wire changed for silver or better quality, the membranes soaked and cleaned to renew their flexibility. Cell heads wiring stripped and soldiered for better dynamics. Heard the results of the process on his own pair of 6's. Oooooooohhhhhh my ......
Quote: The only true authority on restoring Acoustats
and a member of Dr.Strickland's original Design Team
Roy A. Esposito @ soundslikenew

I will not dispute this but there is a gentleman here in Quebec Canada by the name of Jocelyn Jeanson that as been doing mods on Acoustat's for a very very long time only you will decide where it stops it's only money you can see is Spectra 6600s and my 1+1s in Canuck Audio Mart ( Members Gallery )