David_NC
Super Member
I don't think I'd come across any MC's for $249 at a Goodwill like I did this ST-70 (in working condition with good tubes)!
Nyjblbob
Hooked on Horn's and Tubes. Go big or go home
Hey it’s all good!
I’m not really Not knocking Mc 40’s
Just saying Imho a side by side shoot out with a properly updated 8b with some really good high end Speakers you will hear it
Btw what speakers are you using with the Macs?
Btw A pair of Fisher 55a’s beats both.
I don’t have any macs or Marantz amps
SETriode has all PP amps beat
adnick
Addicted Member
The history behind the design and development of the ST 70 is just as, or maybe even more impressive, than the amp itself.
Plus the cost benefit analysis, dollars for quality of sound produced , is very, very difficult to beat!
That statement is not just my opinion, it was shared by around 400,000 individuals before the amp went out of production. That doesn’t even take into account all the “clones” that have been produced since.....makes one wonder how many “ST 70” types are in the world today.
ST 70’s are just simply outstanding for the money spent, and it’s very hard to prove that an amp that costs 4 to 10 times more, sounds 4 to 10 times better (-;
They are truly in a class of their own!
With respect,
Andy
Plus the cost benefit analysis, dollars for quality of sound produced , is very, very difficult to beat!
That statement is not just my opinion, it was shared by around 400,000 individuals before the amp went out of production. That doesn’t even take into account all the “clones” that have been produced since.....makes one wonder how many “ST 70” types are in the world today.
ST 70’s are just simply outstanding for the money spent, and it’s very hard to prove that an amp that costs 4 to 10 times more, sounds 4 to 10 times better (-;
They are truly in a class of their own!
With respect,
Andy
Last edited:
Wow, that's a heck of a ST70!
Lavane
Lunatic Member
I've heard both and own a VTA kit. Using the same output tubes they sound pretty much the same. Not much difference. The bigger differences in sound come with using different driver tubes in the VTA ST-70. 12au7's, 12BH7's, E80CC's and ECC99's. Some like the 12BH7 in the center socket. I like the old stock E80CC with 12BH7's in the other two sockets. The center tube will change the sound the most and is more important as it is the voltage gain tube. Playing with the other two can get you just that last little bit. Are you going to use the EH 6CA7's for outputs that Bob sells? They are supposed to be a nice sounding tube for the money.
Yes, we went ahead and ordered it with the supplied tubes for now.
I had no idea running different tubes in different sockets of the driver board made a difference. I thought they all did the same thing. Shows you what I know. And good Lord vintage tubes are pricey!
Lavane
Lunatic Member
You can get a slightly different tone for a better word. Output tubes can make a difference too. It can turn into an expensive thing rolling tubes.
You have to be careful if your using the VTA board in an original ST-70 with the smaller power transformer, as the other driver tubes I mentioned draw more heater current.
You can get a slightly different tone for a better word. Output tubes can make a difference too. It can turn into an expensive thing rolling tubes.
Good point. My output transformer was upgraded by the previous owner, so I should be good to go if decided to roll the driver tubes. But I’ve dumped enough money into audio stuff recently.
sKiZo
Hates received: 92644 43.20°N 85.50°W
Add the 6SN7 to the list ... I've been using one here for some time as the center driver with the help of a handy dandy fleabay conversion socket ...
(and yes, that IS a Latino ST120 ... sort of ...)
adnick
Addicted Member
Add the 6SN7 to the list ... I've been using one here for some time as the center driver with the help of a handy dandy fleabay conversion socket ...
(and yes, that IS a Latino ST120 ... sort of ...)
Really like the look...
sKiZo
Hates received: 92644 43.20°N 85.50°W
Turned out right nice I thought. Plan was to space out the tubes more for cooling and stash a lot of the fiddly bits under chassis for a cleaner look. The larger case also allowed me to go with extra capacitance and larger chokes which just wouldn't have fit in the stock chassis. Was also a priority to make the tuning a bit easier, using more accessible pots and test points. The meters started out as just some bling, but are quite handy for doing quickie spot checks when firing it up.
Besides, it was way more fun building it my way ... <G>
Lavane
Lunatic Member
I forgot that one. I have one in an adaptor socket too. I didn't leave it in too long though.Add the 6SN7 to the list ... I've been using one here for some time as the center driver with the help of a handy dandy fleabay conversion socket ...
(and yes, that IS a Latino ST120 ... sort of ...)
It takes some hours to burn in the Tung Sols.
I should swap it with one in my preamp to burn it in.
I’m a pretty simple man. Just put the 6ca7EH outputs in and this amp sounds very good. Gonna just listen to some music.
David_NC
Super Member
I'd be curious to know how the new ST-70 compares to the old amp.
I'm biamping a pair of ADS M12's now. The ST-70 handles the mids and highs, and a Parasound HCA-1000A supplies 200 WPC for the woofers with an electronic crossover controlling things.
That looks just like mine, other than the fact that I removed the decal from the cap can. I kept it as original as possible and only replaced caps, a few resistors, and the selenium rectifier. I'm running the Sylvania 6CA7's, US Tung-Sol 7199's, and Dynaco 5AR4 that came with it when purchased. I didn't feel the need to upgrade the driver board or make any other changes.