Dynaco ST-70 totally restored vs Dynaco ST-70 Kit

hi jeff:

i too have restored quads,namely, quads unlimited esls.

i am looking forward to auditioning the stereo 70.
so you use mullard el34s, some other nos tubes, or some current production tubes ??

yes. mullard el34s -- from the blackburn factory.

I too use Mullard El-34's/6CA7's. I have accumulated 3 pairs all NOS and should be enough. Took me a while to shop, test, and burn in to see if it holds bias current to arrived at my "set". I never had any luck with the metal base ones though (Noisy and un-stable). Oh, btw, I highly recommend to have a reliable tester when buying NOS EL-34's.

FWIW, I never considered my power tranny as "very hot" when operating. I just got lucky perhaps because my unit is pristine (you can tell signs of burning looking at the original enamel paint of the power transformer and also how the original paper base input board looks like inside). I bought mine for $295 way back with original cage, Mullard 5AR4 rectifier, RCA 7199 drivers and Mullard El-34's and all test great.

You can see my unit on my system page here (Winged-C Output tubes) with the Curcio input board with Yageo metal film resistors, Orange Drop caps, and 6922 driver/splitter tubes. I was thinking of replacing the input board caps (from Orange drops to PIO's) but really like what I am hearing so I kept it as it is.

I tried my amp on Magnepan(1.6), Bozaks, Fostex base MLTL, and now my Altec 604's in OB and sounds really nice (except on MG 1.6 where I can only listen at low levels).
I have a friend who has a Polk Audio Vintage speaker (big ones with 4 woofers and 4 HF drivers) and so happened to try the ST-70 there, it sounds pretty nice. My friend wants to buy my amp on the spot. I replied by saying to give me a couple of weeks (I want to shop for a comparable unit to replace the one I have but all I saw during that time are not as mint). That was almost three years ago. I still have my amp.

One other thing, in mono mode (using mono cartridge, and phono preamp), the ST-70 will surprised you thinking that you bought a mega-dollar amp even if you use Winged-C (highly recommended provided that you burn it in for about 12 hours before critical listening)instead of the Mullard 6CA7's.

So in retrospect, give me an Original ST-70 or give me a different amp. Life is too short to waste time on copycat's.

Oh, with regards to "whatever his name" selling kits for the ST-70, follow the link below. If this is not "self promoting" post, I do not know what it is.

[url]http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=tubes&n=208085&highlight=bob+latino&r=[/url]

In a public forum, is it wrong to post something good about what you are currently selling? I do not know.

I have to disagree with Rodman on the Prima Luna. here is a write up of the components that are used with the Dialogue integrated,which is the same throughout their line.

"ALPS volume control. Nichicon and Realcap capacitors. Gold plated heavy duty speaker terminals and gold plated input jacks."

These are not cheap Chinese components.Yes it is assembled in China, but if you look at the point to point wiring you will see that it is very well done indeed.
Also the entire design is done in the Netherlands,and these components are all european.So what you are getting is a Euro design,assembled in China to keep costs down(and margins up).

It does however come with Chinese tubes,but tube rolling is what this thing does best,since it can use EL34,KT88,and 6550s with auto biasing taking care of itself.

I am also curious about the auto biasing in respect of tube life. If the cirucits are always in perfect bias does this help keep the tubes in better shape longer? Also does this mean they sound better longer?

That said, I am very interested in a Dynaco St70.Since these beautys are quite "vintage",doesn't it stand to reason that the caps MUST be replaced? Also I understand that the original rectifier is downright dangerous and also must be replaced with a diode/solid state version?

I have also seen full Triode versions of the Dynaco,how does it sound and what are the specs?

What I am very curious about is the cloth lead transformers sounding better than the new and sometimes more powerful replacements. When looking at ads on Agon and Ebay, the cloth lead originals are always stated as desirable.Is this true? Also,are the new boards available the same circuit,recreated or are they tweeking the sound? Which one sounds better, and why?

curious mind needs to know

e

Out of curiousity -- Has anyone out there built a Triode Electronics or Bob Latino kit , listend to it long enough to a "fix" on the sonics and replaced the output transformers with oridinal Dynaco's ?