The Dynaco VTA ST-70 Review. My First Proper Tube Amplifier.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ค. 2024
- Pardon the the pun in the title. This is an epic, extended-length video! I bought a proper light, so it looks a bit better, I think. Also, AMIR FROM ASR CAN GO JUMP IN A LAKE!
Link to previous related Dynaco video: • I Screwed Up Buying a ...
The Tubes 4 HiFi website link: www.tubes4hifi.com
Link to the Flux Condenser channel: / fluxcondenser
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Hey there MOD-ers...This video took a couple of months to make.
I'm not going to put a link to GIK Acoustics here...Just Google them.
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Dave, great presentation and you did a superb job with the historical background. So glad you got things sorted out and you’re enjoying going tubular. I do hope to have a follow up video showing the build process at some point. I documented everything, but the video clips are all on my computer back in America. And, as you mentioned, that’s a place where I’m decidedly not. Yes, I left for Russia shortly after I built the amp, but war broke out and I then left for Turkey where I’ve been since and will probably remain for some time. It’s some story, too, and I hope one day to tell it. All I can say to my viewers and yours is to stay tuned. Once I get settled, I may just sit down with the camera running and pour my heart out. It’ll make for a very different kind of Flux Condenser video, but one many people may just enjoy hearing.
Looking forward to the story. I was hard on you in your community post (that you have since deleted) you put up while you were in Russia. The _invasion_ of Ukraine was something that was not surprising to those who had been watching closely the situation. Also, I do not think this war of Russia's is something that will be easily swept away, and if I am correct in that then tubes from Russia may be a long term problem for audiophiles. Other manufacturers may make up the difference, in time.
I'm happy this setup makes you happier to listen to your music! That's a success! I never thought of listening to such lovely gear and music at a computer desk. I need to hook up my Mac Mini to my Adcom gear and Design Acoustics speakers and try it in your configuration! Mahalo for this video; I found it inspiring as well as enjoyable.
Very nice review. I've owned this Tubes4hifi version and the Dynaco Doctor one (you showed that website earlier) My Tubes4hifi was all new like yours and the other one an upgrade from an amp I picked up way back in college. Both sound great. Sold the Tubes4Hifi one during Covid because I didn't need two but it is a great amp. As is the Dynaco Doctor one, but the nice thing about the Tubes4hifi version is that it has a support forum.
Dave, I've never commented and I don't usually comment on videos, but I just wanted to let you know I really enjoy your videos and appreciate your opinions. Thanks for all the great content.
Thanks for an interesting video! I really enjoyed all of your old images detailing the history!
Thanks for the review Dave.
Love your videos Dave. Keep up the good work
Nice video, lots of passion. Glad you have found some fun with tube amps.
Thanks Thomas. Obviously you know what I’m talking about. Isn’t fun the whole point of this?
Awesome, nice review! I jumped into the tube world with PrimaLuna. Started with an EVO300 Tube Integrated Amp, then a year later added an EVO100 Tube DAC ... couldn't be happier with the gear! Thanks again.
Thanks for the Dynaco history, that was really educational- I didn't even know tube 'kit' amplifiers were a thing back in the day. I've been hesitant but am now looking more closely at these 'DIY' options.
Growing up in the 70's my dad had an original one. It lasted more then 20 years. I wish I had kept it when it had died. It had great sound and power. It did have a metal cage around it. And yes it was a kit that someone had built for him. You could fry an egg on the top of it.
Great video Dave. I’ve been thinking a lot about tube amps especially dynaco and I am looking at some mono block Dynakit MKiis this week
Looks like you upgraded your center driver tube to an Amperex Bugle Boy - very nice. I have been running an ST-120 with Magnepan LRS speakers for about a year now. Trying out different 12au7 tubes has been like a little treasure hunt.
Thanks, for your video and thoughts! I was hankering to hear what all the fuss was regarding tube amps, too, and bought a Japanese Luxkit A3600 (MQ3600 was fully built export model) power amp with a similar tube complement - 4 x KT88 power tubes, a pair of 6FQ7 driver tubes, and a 6AQ8 input tube. It turned out the output transformers have ultralinear connections and these were wired up to the screen grid pins of the KT88s. Ultralinear mode is a compromise between triode and pentode modes. If it is a compromise, it is a very fortunate one because it provides extra oomph to bass frequencies you might lack while retaining some of the triode sweetness. I recently upgraded the power tubes from KT88s to KT120s and they really make this amp sing! I'm not going back to solid state and I doubt I will ever part with this amp!
Very nice unit you have there Dave…
Good choice.
I have 3 ST-70's, two are vintage units with chrome chassis and one is a late model kit with its stainless steel chassis. I've restored the two vintage amps with new caps, fresh balanced tubes, and grounded power cords (I upgrade to grounded cords on all my vintage gear) and adding NTC surge resistors to compensate for the 124vac power in my area. I've replaced the 7199's with 6U8's and an adapter and am pleased with the sound. The recent kit version of the ST-70 has been a bit of trouble. there are multiple issues with the quality of the assembly, poor solder joints, and some intermittent issues that has that amp in the que for my service bench. Currently my vintage ST-70 is driving a pair of vintage - restored Fisher STV-667 speakers, rated at 100w RMS that I regularly utilize to enjoy the clean and warm sound in the upper power reaches of the ST-70. Like you, I mostly run digital music formats through any one of several different preamps, among them the venerable Dynaco PAS-2 and PAS-3, also vintage - restored units. In my view the Dynaco line was the poor man's McIntosh. I also have a few Heathkit W5M's that I've restored and enjoy. As an aside, I heat part of my basement workshop with my ST-70. I hope you keep working with your Dynaco.
Sir you made me very happy with your review of the dyanco 70.i have a dyanco 70 with and pas 3 three I still love them wonderful sound I hope you will love them.i also own a a25 old and wonderful sound very underated.try them in you new amp you will not need heat during winter if you have the amp in a small room true statement.thank you.
Thanks for being a friend to all of us !
It’s my privilege!
Very good video. Very informative. I have this same Amp and it is really good, and hight quality. You def8made the right choice going with the solid state rectifier. I run mine with KT77 tubes and in the center position I use a JJ ECC99 and it brings the Amp to another level. I also run the bias a little higher than what the instructions say. Great buy.
Thanks for watching!
Greetings. Awesome! I have three ST-70s two Kenny Russell kit-builds and one that I built myself. They are all in the same system. I'm absolutely in love with the sound. Just a note: You definitely do need a pre-amp with your VTA ST-70. The volume control that was added does not make it an integrated amp. There is no pre or OP Amp in the ST-70. Maybe your DAC can run as a preamp as well. If so, then disregard that statement. If you Get yourself a tube preamp and your sound will improve greatly. You wont believe the difference. DAC (not in preamp mode) --> Tube pre --> ST-70. Thanks for all you do. I really enjoy your channel. :)
Thanks for your comment. I had been using the volume control from the SMSL DAC. I took out my Schiit Valhalla 2 tube preamp/headphone amp and put it between the DAC and ST-70. Big improvement! I appreciate your suggestion.
When I was growing up in the 70's my dad had one. It had a separate Dyna Pre Amp. Evan back then the face of the pre amp had a very modern brushed metal look to it. I have seen the exact one on sale for well over $1k. It also had a matching FM receiver. I wish I had kept the amplifier after it died. With my knowledge today I think I could have easily fixed it, if I could get the right parts. Just seeing these things brings back great memories listening to music with my dad.
Great review
Interesting journey! I'm looking into building my own vacuum tube phono preamp that's the EAR834 clone as built by Shunkie Designs and shown how to build it step-by-step. I'm looking at a tube amp, but nothing near that cost. I'm hoping maybe someday I can afford the Rockville BluTube, which is a hybrid, but I don't have big speakers to push. I watched all 3 videos including the build by Flux Condenser and it was quite the build. Glad it turned out great!
Real nice piece there brotha! Surprised no one you went to recommended 86'ing that power cord for a standard triple prong connector. Ive yet to delve into full tube amplification, im pretty sure im gonna go DIY when I do though. Theres alotta cool clone boards to be gotten off ebay, and if your not one who can afford multi-thousand dollar tube amps, Custom DIY is the best bet, possibly even a better bet : D
Been Waiting for this update video as I have two little cheaper Valve Amps that I bought for my channel and was wondering what you thought of your more expensive one. Seems your very pleased.
Nice review! This was one of my first tube kits a few years ago. If you know how to solder well and can follow the instructions, it's certainly a fun project. Otherwise...have someone build it for you. I've since upgraded the all the coupling capacitors to VCap ODAM and the sound took a massive leap over the Russian caps (don't bother with the standard ones, sounded awful IMHO). I've moved on to building many other tube audio devices and designing my own. If you can check our a nice singled ended amp, I find them to be truly next level in tube sound.
Nice video.
i tried a magnat tube amplifier some years ago but i was amazed with it´s sound for a new tune amplifier ,normally they are hybrid, regards
Funny you mentioned the heat. I’m in S Florida so I really don’t run mine much in the summer. It does heat up my stereo/office/man cave nicely in the winter however. Mine is an original Dyna version. I keep the cage on most of the time. Not because of children but due to an inquisitive cat. I noticed that you have one of them also. Enjoy.
I think if you are on a budget as most of us are then "hybrid" amps are the route to take. Usually this means tubes on the pre-amp stage and solid state on the output stage! This is a great combination because you can get the tube sound but still retain the power on the output stage . My present hybrid amp has an output rating of 130w per channel into 8 ohms. Plenty of power for my floor standing speakers but still with the ability to roll the tubes on the preamp stage!! :)
I may go that way in the future, but I’m enjoying this one right now.
Nice!! Been looking forward to this review. I've been contemplating tubes, but its rather expensive, as you know...and with only my Maggie's for speakers right now, tubes are not an option. They need too much power. We will see what happens in the future! Thanks for this!
Tubes are certainly still an option. You just need one with more power.
@@MODAC Nd LOTS more money. Lol
I would love to try a tube amp to experience that sound you talk about. But that might get a little expensive for me. I built my rig so I could tri-amp my speakers with an electronic crossover network.All early 1970s electronics and speakers, many of which I bought when they were introduced in 1972. I love this channel.
There was a time when having two Dyna ST 70’s was the hot ticket. In a bi amp or tri amp set up. A solid state amp for bass. Two ST 70’s for mids and above. I tried it for a while and I didn’t think it did much but others swore by it or at it, I can’t remember which (insert sarcasm here). We did all sorts of crazy things in the late 60’s and early 70’s.
@@TheDecguy I do remember. I was there. Bought my first stereo system in ‘69. Thanks for the information (inset sarcasm here. 😎) Cheers, J
Everyone has an opinion on sound reproduction....even the recording engineers! Thanks Dave for taking the time to help us navigate the trip!
And yet, science exists. If you like 2nd order harmonic distortion thats great but some people prefer transparency over distortion and noise.
Congratz. You must be in 7th Heaven getting what you have been dreaming of. I have also reached that level of Nirvana were the upgrade bug has faded into a distant memory.
Upgrade bug has not diminished. Thanks.
@@MODAC So sorry.
Very nice Amp. Im using 6L6
Beautiful looking amp. If you do manage to get another GZ34 rectifier you can install it with protection diodes (2 x 1N4007's) which should stop the valve blowing up. You will then get the sonic tube sag benefits - yes benefits. Another benefit is as follows, when you apply high voltage on cold tubes, as in your case with the solid state rectifier, in those first 11 second when the filaments warm up, the tube cathodes can 'strip'. The K thermionic chemical coatings can dissipate too quickly. A GZ34 / 5AR4 tube rectifier heats up too and all valves come on together thus preventing the stripping of the cathodes. This saves the EL34's which are pricey.
Nice job Chris! Dave, your video makes me yearn for a tube amp! Side note - Russia hasn’t been “The Soviet Union” since Mr. Gorbachev “tore down that wall” in 1991…. Cheers
You know that remark was tongue in cheek...Right?
I owned the m125s Monoblock now for since 2015 and so far no issues.
I’ve got 7 dynaco st70’s and 8 of the mono blocks that I’m hoping to use again someday with the massive horns that I modified into a synergy horn type arrangement triampped between 4 12s per side all actively crossed over. Nothing sounds like tubes and the dynaco gives it to you for a nice price
Because of yours video I end up with China's made Cayin MT-35 same as ST70-EL34 tube design (used /originally plan for ST-70 but couldn't afford and lack of using experience) and bestvox LS3/5A(new) , it 's been a wide ride... 👍👍👍👍Thank you
el84 amplifiers are very clean i agree, many companies used these or their American counterpart 6bq5
Amazing video buddy if I wanted to get the same setup you have about how much would it be. Now I would want it to be assemble.
Thanks for any advice and help.
17:05 The whole video is this part. Great line for doctors, lawyers, pilots and any kind of employment involving trust!
Super sir
I have just discovered your channel. It's very interesting.
Thanks. Over 90 videos to explore.
I really enjoyed your report. I go back to 1970 it the Dyna gear.
This is a hi fi cast. What's with the tinny microphone for the first most of the cast.
Maybe don't ever do one again till you've taken to very simple steps to match I phone headphone mics.
Am I being hard? Yes!
Again, thanks, I really enjoyed this.
You have me thinking about a trip back to Dynaco.
Video needs more Jim. He was awesome!
Have a VTA ST70. Good amp; easy build. Look at the M125 mono block. Great unit for the $. Straightforward build. I opted to hard wire it to ultra linear mode. Bob Latino wasn't too happy with me for doing so.
Very good. It seems getting a bad tube is common with these new production tubes. I have had that happen to me also. I'm glad to hear your positive review. Great job
I have a multitone M250 amp (4 times EL34) and the sound is absolutely incredible it doesn't matter what speaker I hook it uo to the currents are wharfedale 515's with replaced tweeters but that doesn't matter at all. sounds becomes like physic objects in the room you can instantly hear how good it sounds. I can imagine this dynaco thing sound just this good. good lord the sound coming from a good tube amp is just divine jou have to really hear it to believe it. all the sounds are 'physical'.. they are there in the room like physical objects
just.. just fucking incredible
MULTITONE
hifi power amplifier
2 x 50/75 watt type M250
that's what it say's on the label the thing is absolute beast if you can get one of those then you've got a REAL ampfier and I mean REAL. absolutely ridiculous how good that thing sounds...
I bought it directly from the guy that made them in the city of arnhem I looked trough the window "that's the amplifier I want" it's not the usual tube amp it's just a rectangular metal box. when I bougt it he said something about the transformes they were apparently important. They are kind of professional there are ohm setting at the end you can set it to 4/8/16 ohms or 50/100/200 volts distance settings they are kind of semi-professional. I guess the guy is dead by now those amplifiers are not mass produced. it's difficult to get one but if you have one holy f... I can't get over how good this amplifier sounds all the sounds are so 'real' an absolute 'beast' of an amplifier.
Very nice amplifier. What is the Weber solid state rectifier model did you use. Thank you
17:18 What did he use the Aiwa amp for? My dad had that model, or similar, in the 80s. I later had it, and loved its sound. Not particularly dynamic, but had some weight and top-sizzle to it.
A suggestion on the technical problems experienced- an infant mortality of one of the powertubes (internal shorting) would cause excess current to be drawn through the choke and rectifier tube, and both of these parts usually run very close to their maximum ratings in these amps, so close that they would be damaged before the mains fuse would blow. An added internal fuse of 1/2Amp placed in line between the rectifier and choke, would be a wise move in these amps.
Very interesting. Thanks Jonathan.
I'd love to hear an in-depth review comparing the VTA ST-70 with a Marantz 8B.
What a awesome channel to discover as a young kid learning about Hifi and especially tube amplifiers , I'm just fascinated by them and really enjoy listening to vinyl . I'm looking into a Dynaco ST-70 I'm also debating perhaps a HH Scott LK-72. Model with a matching Scott 110 tuner . I can't decide 😭 . I had really thought about a Fisher 500c as well . Idk 😐 I think I might go Dynaco I like the vintage ones and I REALLY LIKE Its modifiable
I traded the ST-70 for a Conrad Johnson tube preamp. I now have a Cary tube power amp and an HH Scott 299c.
@@MODAC do you like the Scott ? Do you like it better ?
It’s different, not better.
@@MODAC I just picked up a Conrad Johnson Pv2! For 500.00 local over here on my side of Pacific Northwest ! Following closely love your content man keep it up
I had my Dynaco Stereo 70 back in 1965
Dave, is that a Syracuse University T-shirt you're wearing in this video? Go Orange!
I'm a long time subscriber, and always look forward to your videos, so I don't like to be critical, but feel I need to comment. Any performance specs? I didn't think so. Dr. Placebo definitely has you in his grip. Tube sound? Mid bass boost, rolled off highs, a good deal of 2nd harmonic distortion, low damping factor, and you can sit back in a dark room, with a glass of wine, and be soothed by the warm, enveloping red glow of the output tubes. I'm sure it sounds OK, but the best sound you've had, came from your initial Hafler setup.
Glad you're pleased, as that's all that counts. If it sounds the way you want it to sound, nothing else matters. It's your sound, but it's not HiFi.
Re the issues. It seems that it wasn't tested, before it was sent back to you.
I appreciate your continued interest in my channel. But I’ll take issue with some of your comments. Placebo is a medical term that is often misused, and I don’t believe is the case here. Also, to assume you know how my system sounds and to declare it as “not HiFi” as well, is……ummm…BS. Thanks.
@@MODAC -- HiFi stands for "high fidelity," IOW "great faithfulness" to the source material. An amplifier with as many flaws as this one may have qualified as "HiFi" on some sort of relative scale circa 1970, but it doesn't make the cut 50+ years later. It's no better than the ancient design on which it was based -- in some respects, it's worse -- and, with a four-figure (USD) price tag, it's nothing short of a joke on the folks foolish enough to buy (into) it.
Like Len said, if "you're pleased, as that's all that counts." Life must be very easy if one is so easily "pleased" -- but that fact is I have a few Chinese-made, sub-$100 (USD) "chip amps" that are far better performers. Like vinyl LPs, tube audio amplification is nothing more or other than a nostalgia craze/hobby for people with more disposable wealth than they know what to do with. It may be subjectively enjoyable -- and there's nothing intrinsically wrong with that -- but it's not "HiFi" by any sensible 21st century criteria. It's more like "My Fi."
@@editorjuno so i guess luxmann isnt hifi Audio note isnt hifi Mcintosh isnt hifi Audio Research isnt hifi PrimaLuna isnt hifi LTA isnt hifi Manly Labs isnt hi fi ,,,, ok got it.
@@williamdwyer3856 -- I know nothing about Luxman tube gear. McIntosh tube gear is measurably and audibly better than Dynaco stuff of the same vintage -- I know because I sold both back in the day and attended a few of the late DIck O'Brien's McIntosh clinics in which they would measure all comers, including Dynacos -- as was their solid-state gear compared to their much less expensive Dynaco counterparts. Audio Research tends to also be better, although their famous "Six-Pack" power amp has at least one fundamental design flaw. Interestingly, the much pricier Carver Crimson 275 tube power amp is actually a worse performer in several respects than this overpriced hobby project.
Here's the thing, William -- as with what passes for high performance in automobiles and computers, the criteria for "HiFi" has changed over time, and much of what passed for "HiFi" 50 years ago doesn't clear the bar in 2022, because we can do much better these days as long as we avoid nostalgic attachment to obsolete technology like the vacuum tube and the vinyl LP.
@@MODAC I appreciate your prompt response. It's not HIFI, if it alters the sound. That's the definition of high fidelity. If frequency response is altered, and higher harmonic distortion is allowed, with poor damping? All those things, may present a "pleasant" sound, and may be what you like, but if it's not true to the input, it's not hifi. If that's your preference, since it's your equipment, you are certainly entitled to listen to it the way you like. I'm well aware of the definition of placebo. If you prefer, we can call it confirmation bias.
Post more often, if you can.
Wow that my only dream to have tube amplifier.
Go for it.
You really deserve the holographic (sculptural) sound of this brilliant amp after all the hell you had gone through with it. I hope your Russian tubes last for another 20 years at least...Cheers, great video.
i only know very old material from dynaco but was the best ,normally people don´t even know about dynaco when i refer to it
Hahaha! Amir's music collection is all pink noise and frequency sweeps
The Dynaco amplifiers use a ultralinear output circuit which Keros and Hafler patented in 1955. This circuit has the best features of tetrode and triode tubes, I don't know if the modern versions use the screen taps in the output transformer that are essential for ultralinear operation.
I would say they faithfully copied the original design with a few improvements. Read here: www.tubes4hifi.com/amps.htm
Hi I can connect a Schitt tube amp to my integrated tube amplifier? If so what out put down I use ? Thanks
Have you tried reversing your speakers? I bet when you do that it even sounds more spacious when the tweeters are both on the outside, instead of firing inwards, just a tip...Enjoyed you video very much.
That’s how ProAc says to do it.
@@MODAC Well....please try it reversed...and listen for yourself....then draw your own conclusions...if not tried, you'll never know.;-))....regards from The Netherlands.
@@MODAC Who cares what the speaker manufacturer says, It’s your set-up at home not theirs, right? The Polk lsi9’s are also “Mirror Image” speakers and in the Polk Manual it says try the tweeters in or out to your liking👍 Never be afraid to try something as what a manufacturer suggests IS just that, a Suggestion… SVS says not to put something under their down firing subwoofer too, but I put down a made in Italy Terra-cotta tile and the Bass is much more defined.. Remember the motto “To each his own”.. Best2You… The tweeters on my set of Pinnacle BD-650”s are designed only 1 way.. One inside, one outside👍 So experiment.. Same for speakers that have a bottom tweeter, you can always try it upside down as ZEO’s of ZReviews usually does…
@@arthurspieker1031 they sound great as they are. Never thought they needed switching.
Are there still companies in the UK that make tubes?
I have heard it said and it makes perfect sense to me and correct me if I'm wrong but putting power transformers that close together is a bad Idea because of interference seeing how a transformer operates it make perfect sense to keep them as far apart as possible.
I run RCA tubes in my original amp. Punchy bass is bo problem. Does not sacrifice mid or high detail. Using Amperex drivers with the RCA output tubes. Other than being recapped and 1 replaced resistor about 6 years ago, all other parts are original.
Very nice to se this good old amps, but I would like to hear you unpacking, please not background music.
The best from Sweden.
hi Dave .... I'm with you .. not many friends , hifi addict ... your wife understands you ...Robert..cognac ..france
Seems like you got a unit with a few issues. I woukd hate to purchase one and have the same problems or even worse blow out one of my vintage rectifier tubes. Glad it is working as intended in the end
Issues all from bad tubes. Nothing wrong with the unit itself.
@@MODAC thats great to know because I might be purchasing one in the future. Thanks for the review
I finally bought a vintage Mullard rectifier tube for my VTA 70 and all is good. They are beefy and can handle it. I went through quite a few modern rectifiers until doing that. I do think I got a modern JJ that was pretty stout as well.
@@midwestside1969 i also use the Mullard from upscale audio , no issues at all ,a much better tube !
There are a lot of comments here and I don't know if anyone mentioned using SS rectification with a time delay. I would always want to delay the B+ when using diodes in place of the 5AR4 so that the filaments have time to come up before the plate voltage.
I used a SS Weber.
Yes, but you really should be using the B+ time delay relay with it.
Wonderful amp, wonderful video, wonder where the hell Flux is!
Be wary of installing a solid state rectifier as a substitute for a tube rectifier especially a 5AR4 which uses an indirectly heated cathode. Unless the device has a dropping resistor built into it, the B+ power hits the tubes very hard with very high voltage until the tubes start to conduct and brings it back down. The tube rectifier is a soft start feature which was designed into it. The Tungsol brand of 5AR4 are known to arc and short and I would shy away from those. It is plausible the solid state rectifier was the cause of a tube to fail. (edit: added solid state rectifier to last sentence)
The Weber has a delay thermistor built in.
@@MODAC where did you purchase the Webber ?
@@williamdwyer3856 from the Weber website.
Nice sum up on a Dynaco kit.The only thing you make a wrong assumption on is the tube rectifier that it has no influance on sound.Please try it and switch between SS and Tube rectifier,just use a old used 5ar4 and a new one,and than the SS diode bridge.
Did you try the KT88 power tubes ? It will give you a little more Bass
Planning on it. Thanks
KT150 are a game changer.
Possibly a dumb question, but it wouldn't be the first time I've been called a dummy, but why are there 2 positive speaker posts per side? Can it 2 pairs of speakers?
One + is an 8 Ohm tap, and the other is 4 Ohm.
Someone in the gear biz has GOTTA be rich enough to open up a good tube factory back here in the ole U S of A . We need to ween ourselves off of overseas sourced components, theres no reason why we cant!
Dont believe your ears, Amir measured it and said it wasnt good. :))
His review was so flawed…ridiculous.
Wait...the cat DIDN'T immediately run and jump in the box? I need to now why.
I wish everyone wrapped a shipped tube amp this way
How would you compare the sound of this compared to a nice Marantz receiver? Specifically, playing vinyl.
This amp does not have a phono preamp, so it's not comparable in that regard. In terms of sound, I MUCH prefer this tube amp. I sold the Marantz 2270.
@@MODAC Would a tube amp such as the one you made have an input jack that I could use my Schit Mani with?
@@JohnW335andTele I would look for a tube integrated amp with several inputs and a volume control. The mani would connect to one of the inputs.
@@MODAC thanks!
8:00 "departing ... Soviet Union" - are you saying Flux Condenser time traveled?
It’s possible. You never know with him.
He did a stop in East Germany on the way … maybe. Makes sense that Flux Condensor has access to Flux Capacitors. Quality 1985 engineering.
@@timleelim9930 he’s actually in Turkey now.
Hey where in Florida are you located? I’m in Clermont.
South of Jacksonville.
El-34's are notorious for shy bass... in some circuits.
I have a built kit with a matching preamp in my basement collection .
Wondering what those tube sockets on the front panel are for?
Adjusting tube bias.
In the original Dynaco design, these sockets could be used to provide power to a preamp. This version of the amp doesn’t provide power to the sockets so they’re just used as a convenient place to check bias.
@@FluxCondenser Thanks! Can"t wait for your vid
Do you need a pre-amp with it?
Yes
So you're saying that the Wilsenton R8 is not a proper tube amp?
I think you mis-heard something.
I am glad you like it. I love my ST-35. I would love to see you get one of those to compare, although you would need some more efficient speakers.
So... what happened to Chris? I know he made it back from Russia, but have you heard from him since?
Chris is not back. He is in Turkey currently.
Nostalgia. The thing is not high fidelity compared to today's rigs.
Really? Have you been to my house to listen to it? I don't recall seeing you.
Um...The sliced power cord is a dangling plot twist that's screaming for elucidation. I can see the cord looks cut at 10:58 , directly after your unboxing. Strange because that deep of a cut would take quite a lot of effort.
I did not inspect it, so I never noticed it. Mr condenser and I are very puzzled. He suggested that the very tightly wrapped zip tie may have been the culprit. Who knows.
@@MODAC Thanks for the reply. The best news is that there was only a bit of smoke and no fire.
Expensive hobbies
Need to add 'distorted' to the descriptive terms 😂
Ummm, you have tower speakers in a desktop setup, essentially playing music right in your face. I'd expect any amplifier should surround you with music from that position..?..
High voltage rail is NOT the same with rectifier and semiconductor diodes........so is the sound ......
Highest musical & quality amplifiers are Full tubes.. with high sensitivity speakers made for being driven by those amps...
But indeed diodes have also some advantages........today modern loudspeakers , (low impedance, low sensitivity , compressed dynamics needing amplifiers with HIGH damping factor and high current ) which are not designed for tube amplifiers ( quoi qu'on dise 🙃)
Have lot of fun and listening pleasure with your ST70 clone amplifier....😛
A person can here a tube amplifier and it sounds very clear. Very responsive. Run a Hendrix fuzz face into it with a vox wha wha your set.
At the end of the day, you bought a 'kit' to save money, but then needed up having various problems right from the start, then had to have it serviced (by a 3rd party) and even buy new replacement parts before you even got started. Hmmm...
When you change the driver board from the original it's no longer an ST-70 even though it looks basically the same.
Obviously, it's not an actual Dynaco ST-70. It's a new, improved tribute to the ST-70.
Sorry! I miss spelled vynil.
Amp is nice but why are you using solid state pre amp and other solid state signal sources ! Get a nice tube pre amp and a decent turntable and play some venal.
I will never buy one again ,I had 2 of them and both were garbage . The issue these amps have,is that there are tons of garage engineers that put them together. With their own "special modifications"
For anyone trying to buy these, please make sure it's a good one ! Dave clearly has a good one ..