justrideit
Busy, busy, busy
About 2 years ago I bought a Dynaco ST70 at a garage sale for next to nothing. I bought some new tubes for it but there was a problem I could not figure out.
Over a period of about a year I had someone make a few sputtering attempts to diagnose and repair the amp. After that episode it sat for awhile.
By then I had been to several SMAC meetings where I saw and heard tube equipment. I also came into possession of a pair of Altec Model Nineteens. This prompted me to make the decision to attempt another run at the amp.
This time I pulled out all the stops and hired the big guns. I called The Kegman and asked him if he could build an ST on steroids. At one point in the conversation I asked about the potential wattage the amp would have in triod mode. Big mistake. Paul flew into a mini tirade about people using the term “triod” to describe the “ultralinear” circuit. OK, I told myself, the guy is passionate about his work. That’s exactly the kind of person I want building my amp!
Short story long, I delivered the sickly EL34, fuse popping rig to Paul a while back. Paul rattled off the options and possibilitiesplus a bunch of stuff I had no clue about.
He let me take his modified ST as a loaner and told me he would be in touch. I thought that was a sweet deal!:thmbsp:
We corresponded through e-mail, met at SMAC meetings and time passed. I was in no hurry; I had his amp kickin’ out tunes on my 19’s and my electrostats.
About 6 weeks ago he sent me a note saying what he had done…
New beefier power tranny, new input/driver board tweaked for best performance, all new driver tubes, all new output tubes, new rectifier tube, new heavy duty speaker binding posts, new RCA inputs, redone/Keggafied and increased capacitance power supply, new power cord, Triode/UL switch and adjustable bias on all 4 output tubes.
Ain’t that a mouthful!!
Then he sends me a picture of the completed amp. First thing I notice is KT88 outputs. SWEET! This amp is gonna be awesome! I’m pumped!
I picked up the amp last month at Keggers. He demo’d it with a pair of JBL L26’s (I think). It sounded real nice. The build quality is superb. He supplied the amp with a pair of alternate driver tubes and a rectifier tube. I can’t read the numbers on the tubes so Paul, if your reading this, chime in and tell us what your scheming mind cooked up for options on this amp.
Paul said he could tell the difference in the sound when rolling the tubes. I asked which tube combination sounded better and he said “I’m not telling. You’ll have to experiment and decide for yourself”. Fair enough I thought, that will be fun!
I got the amp at about the same time I sold the 19’s and picked up a pair of Triangle ESW’s. I was told Triangles are designed for tubes. I must admit, I do like the combination.
First thing I noticed was the bass “punch” this amp has. This baby has all kinds of clean sounding power.
And it’s a real beauty too.
I haven’t had a chance to roll the tubes and decide which combination I prefer. It’s hard sitting in the house listening to music in the summertime. Especially the short Michigan summertime. More to come later.
All I can say is that I am one happy camper. Thanks Kegman! Thanks a bunch.
Now I need to host a SMAC. :yes:
Over a period of about a year I had someone make a few sputtering attempts to diagnose and repair the amp. After that episode it sat for awhile.
By then I had been to several SMAC meetings where I saw and heard tube equipment. I also came into possession of a pair of Altec Model Nineteens. This prompted me to make the decision to attempt another run at the amp.
This time I pulled out all the stops and hired the big guns. I called The Kegman and asked him if he could build an ST on steroids. At one point in the conversation I asked about the potential wattage the amp would have in triod mode. Big mistake. Paul flew into a mini tirade about people using the term “triod” to describe the “ultralinear” circuit. OK, I told myself, the guy is passionate about his work. That’s exactly the kind of person I want building my amp!
Short story long, I delivered the sickly EL34, fuse popping rig to Paul a while back. Paul rattled off the options and possibilitiesplus a bunch of stuff I had no clue about.
He let me take his modified ST as a loaner and told me he would be in touch. I thought that was a sweet deal!:thmbsp:
We corresponded through e-mail, met at SMAC meetings and time passed. I was in no hurry; I had his amp kickin’ out tunes on my 19’s and my electrostats.
About 6 weeks ago he sent me a note saying what he had done…
New beefier power tranny, new input/driver board tweaked for best performance, all new driver tubes, all new output tubes, new rectifier tube, new heavy duty speaker binding posts, new RCA inputs, redone/Keggafied and increased capacitance power supply, new power cord, Triode/UL switch and adjustable bias on all 4 output tubes.
Ain’t that a mouthful!!
Then he sends me a picture of the completed amp. First thing I notice is KT88 outputs. SWEET! This amp is gonna be awesome! I’m pumped!
I picked up the amp last month at Keggers. He demo’d it with a pair of JBL L26’s (I think). It sounded real nice. The build quality is superb. He supplied the amp with a pair of alternate driver tubes and a rectifier tube. I can’t read the numbers on the tubes so Paul, if your reading this, chime in and tell us what your scheming mind cooked up for options on this amp.
Paul said he could tell the difference in the sound when rolling the tubes. I asked which tube combination sounded better and he said “I’m not telling. You’ll have to experiment and decide for yourself”. Fair enough I thought, that will be fun!
I got the amp at about the same time I sold the 19’s and picked up a pair of Triangle ESW’s. I was told Triangles are designed for tubes. I must admit, I do like the combination.
First thing I noticed was the bass “punch” this amp has. This baby has all kinds of clean sounding power.
And it’s a real beauty too.
I haven’t had a chance to roll the tubes and decide which combination I prefer. It’s hard sitting in the house listening to music in the summertime. Especially the short Michigan summertime. More to come later.
All I can say is that I am one happy camper. Thanks Kegman! Thanks a bunch.
Now I need to host a SMAC. :yes:
