Stereodiver
Well-Known Member
I’ve always wanted to try a tube amp. I just haven’t found one I was willing to afford. Until now.
A few weeks ago a friend of mine turned me onto a Craig’s list listing for this amp. It happened to be at a local used record store. I used my iPod and a pair of medium sized Kef speakers that the store had to test it before purchasing. With the limited volume the iPod was capable of supplying it passed a signal with seemingly equal loudness from both channels. I couldn’t detect any hum. It seemed to be very quiet. A deal was struck, not a score, a fair price, and I brought it home.
After removing the tube cage and finding it had all Dynaco branded tubes I knew they would need to be tested before any serious listening could be done. The top of the glass bottle on one of the EL 34’s has a milky white coating inside. I didn’t think that was a good thing.
I decided to clean it up and do some research before plugging it in. I found dcgillespie’s excellent write up and read all 36 pages of it. Along with the assembly manual and much more that is pretty easily accessible in this day and age.
Taking to heart dcgillespie’s thoughts, I’d like to do a ”Restoration”. Not necessarily any “Modification’s”, other than replacing any parts deemed to be tired after the 60 or so years of this amps life.
After completing the cleaning/detailing this is what I’m starting with.
In the coming days/weeks I’ll be posting questions about the specific things that need to be addressed. Tubes, caps, and resistors. Im hoping all who have experience with this amp will guide me and share the things they’ve learned.
I’m looking at this as a journey. Much like a good motorcycle ride. The fun is the ride, not necessarily the destination. Besides, this is supposed to be something to get me through the dark days of winter. Although, I’m not sure I can wait that long.
Thanks to all in advance, Mark
A few weeks ago a friend of mine turned me onto a Craig’s list listing for this amp. It happened to be at a local used record store. I used my iPod and a pair of medium sized Kef speakers that the store had to test it before purchasing. With the limited volume the iPod was capable of supplying it passed a signal with seemingly equal loudness from both channels. I couldn’t detect any hum. It seemed to be very quiet. A deal was struck, not a score, a fair price, and I brought it home.
After removing the tube cage and finding it had all Dynaco branded tubes I knew they would need to be tested before any serious listening could be done. The top of the glass bottle on one of the EL 34’s has a milky white coating inside. I didn’t think that was a good thing.
I decided to clean it up and do some research before plugging it in. I found dcgillespie’s excellent write up and read all 36 pages of it. Along with the assembly manual and much more that is pretty easily accessible in this day and age.
Taking to heart dcgillespie’s thoughts, I’d like to do a ”Restoration”. Not necessarily any “Modification’s”, other than replacing any parts deemed to be tired after the 60 or so years of this amps life.
After completing the cleaning/detailing this is what I’m starting with.
In the coming days/weeks I’ll be posting questions about the specific things that need to be addressed. Tubes, caps, and resistors. Im hoping all who have experience with this amp will guide me and share the things they’ve learned.
I’m looking at this as a journey. Much like a good motorcycle ride. The fun is the ride, not necessarily the destination. Besides, this is supposed to be something to get me through the dark days of winter. Although, I’m not sure I can wait that long.
Thanks to all in advance, Mark
