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Jumping into the pool with you guys

Mr Creosote

Mr Creosote

Super Member
I been pondering this for a while now. Wanting a tube amp. I successfully put together a 5F1 awhile back and I got to thinking I could tackle a kit. After looking at whats out there I saw a lot about the ST70 and a number of kits available. I settled for a VTA ST120. It arrived a few days ago. I've assembled the driver board so far. And started in on the chassis. I have to catch up on chores and honey do's this weekend so I may not get back to it till next week. Seems like a great kit. Excellent instructions. and Bob Latino has been a pleasure to deal with. Here's my progress so far.
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Good choice and following in on the progress. Did you buy the kit with tubes and what upgrades did you also get? Tell us more. I was gonna buy the 120, but funds not available at this time. I got the upgraded caps and volume knob kits so far. So my intentions will be to but the kit next year for sure.
 
I got the kit with his standard tube set. I ordered the upgraded caps with it. I decided not to get the volume kit. The plan is to get it built and up and running with the 6550 tubes. I'm going to use the pre out on my Marantz 2245 to drive it. I listen mostly to vinyl. Once I have it going I'll think about KT88s or KT120s for it. I want to make sure it's going to work first. Then maybe next year getting a dedicated tube preamp for it. VTA has some interesting looking pre and phono amps also.
 
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I hadn't seen that AB kit. VTA offers one I was looking at with a lot of interest and considered it as a later upgrade. Bob Latino suggest if you get one with your kit to not install right away and get the amp tested and functioning first then install it.
 
Great kit - my favorite! Enjoy the build since that is part of the fun. Take your time and read the instructions. Just a little bit of advice from when I built my VTA ST-70. Once you've finished the build - reread the instructions and follow each step as if you were building the kit again.

Make sure the hardware is aligned as instructed.
Make sure the correct parts are in the correct spots on the driver board.
Make sure a wire is coming from and going to the correct connection.

Do this with every step. It should only take you about an hour since you're not actually connecting and soldering anything.

Also consider the KT-66. That seems to be Bob's favorite tube in that amp, as is mine. I also found that using a 12BH7 in the center position sounded much better - more "focused"??? for what that's worth??

The KT88's were nice but had a bit of a bloated midrange.
 
I built the ST-70. I've been thinking about swapping the board out for the octal version, but there are plenty of different tube combo's you can try with the 9 pin board to keep you busy tailoring the sound. Bob's instructions are really good and easy to follow. You should have fun building the ST-120.
 
Brice said:
Nice solder job. Looking good.
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The soldering probably my weak area when I got started. I had to go over a a few after I finished. I watched a few youtube videos and now I have some 99% alcohol to clean the connections. The solder flows much better after cleaning.
 
oh man, have contemplated the VTA kit for a while....so, :lurk:

Can't wait for more updates and pics.
 
airtime said:
Get the kit !!!!
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Wish I could but I had a drunk night of discogs, eBay, Amazon ordering for records (because I had to have that one, and that one, and since I have that one I need to get this other one) and bought like 40 records... it was funny if it wasn't so expensive.

I still have records showing up. wife is sooo pissed. Then I go in Bartertown, and well, we all know what happens in there. I HAVE TO HAVE THIS!!! Then, I started down the Stanton EEE-S and EEE and EE, and rabbit hole... oh lord, what a wonderful mistake that has been. I now have four NOS Stanton Styli's and three Stanton carts...

Then I have a Dyna tuner, PAS 3, And ST70 show up an CL, well... I had to grab that. Too cheap to pass up right??!!

Well, then a Chocolate face Scott LK-72 shows up on Offerup. HAD to grab that. I have a champagne face total restore and always wanted the Choc face. Well, then the Choc face tuner showed up... damn!!!

Then some Klipsch KG4's showed up in pristine shape show up for $80. How can anyone pass that up... There is more but wont go into. All of this has happened in the last two months. I went ape **** crazy...

My wife has put me on restriction. :whip:

So, gotta lay low for awhile. Then... hehehehe the VTA will be next!!
 
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