I believe the Altec 17 is an Altec 604 which is an entirely different speaker than the Valencia or the Model 19.
I have not heard a 604. From my research, I gather that, for my needs, with a Cortese, I am better of with a Valencia or Model 19 than a 604-based Altec. I understand that, if not careful, the 604 can take your head off, harshness-wise. In the words of Steve Hoffman, the 604 helped deafen a lot of studio engineers.
This would i imagine not hold true if we are talking about a Shindo-modified 604, but, rather, a 604 in stock form.
I am happy with my stock Valencias.
Tom Brennan, a poster on Audioasylum, and apparent Altec maven, feels the Model 19 is even better than the Valencias.
I have not had the pleasure of hearing the Model 19 bit would like to someday.
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