Jump to content

What Dynaco Equipment Do You Use?


jwjensen356

Recommended Posts

This Dynaco forum is dedicated to Dynaco speakers (which I use) but I think it would be of interest for our members to list what other Dynaco equipment (electronics) are used. As for me:

Amplifiers (two monoblocks) - Home-brew Ultra-linear Williamsons with Dynaco 430 output transformers

Preamp - Dynaco PAT-5 (BiFET version)

Equalizer - Dynaco SE-10

Also, a 'retired'' (but functioning) PAS-3X

Other components are non-Dynaco.

John

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This Dynaco forum is dedicated to Dynaco speakers (which I use) but I think it would be of interest for our members to list what other Dynaco equipment (electronics) are used. As for me:

Amplifiers (two monoblocks) - Home-brew Ultra-linear Williamsons with Dynaco 430 output transformers

Preamp - Dynaco PAT-5 (BiFET version)

Equalizer - Dynaco SE-10

Also, a 'retired'' (but functioning) PAS-3X

Other components are non-Dynaco.

John

Hi John;

I use a Double Dyna 400 once in a while when I am tired of my Crown DC300A. LOL

I also have a PAT-5 BiFet as a spare for my Crown IC-150 pre-amp.

An AR fm tuner is my main music source but I also have a Dynaco FM-5 and AF-6 for backups.

My AR turntable w/Rabco SL-8E arm w/Stanton 681 EE cartridge, is not my original purchase and a Marantz 63SE supplies the cd music.

It appears that with my hearing loss, I could get by with a lot of less expensive low fi equipment and without tweeters too. LOL

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It appears that with my hearing loss, I could get by with a lot of less expensive low fi equipment and without tweeters too. LOL

My wife has been nagging me to have my ears checked (and to get hearing aids). After reading the thread that you started about hearing loss, I will take it seriously. Using a test tape I was able to barely hear 8K and things were about right at 5K and on down. Well into my 30s I was able hear the 15,750 Hz whistle from TV flyback transformers. Those days are long gone.

John

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
This Dynaco forum is dedicated to Dynaco speakers (which I use) but I think it would be of interest for our members to list what other Dynaco equipment (electronics) are used. As for me:

Amplifiers (two monoblocks) - Home-brew Ultra-linear Williamsons with Dynaco 430 output transformers

Preamp - Dynaco PAT-5 (BiFET version)

Equalizer - Dynaco SE-10

Also, a 'retired'' (but functioning) PAS-3X

Other components are non-Dynaco.

John

I should also mention that I used a Dynaco B&O cartridge back then (during the 70s).

JJ

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
Guest Sal Brisindi

My current system I am using is a restored Dynaco ST-70 amplifier, Dynaco PAS-3 preamp, Dynaco AF-6 tuner (I know, its solid state, I didn't restore my FM-5 tube tuner yet) and Dynaco A-25 Speakers.

Merry Christmas to all,

Sal

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My current system I am using is a restored Dynaco ST-70 amplifier, Dynaco PAS-3 preamp, Dynaco AF-6 tuner (I know, its solid state, I didn't restore my FM-5 tube tuner yet) and Dynaco A-25 Speakers.

Merry Christmas to all,

Sal

Hi Sal;

Nice system.

If you bought every when they were new you bought very good value equipment.

There is also help for restoring your FM-3 tube tuner to near new specs.

A few pages of tips, not mine either, which holds your hand to eliminate the worry of failure.

Due to it's current website location, I cannot download it here but I can tell you where to go later.

As a warning, do not ship an FM-3 tube tuner, as the transit shock changes some of the settings, unavoidably.

Do you have all of the Dynaco manuals, particulary the FM-3 tuner?

There again, some are available free.

Which version of Dynaco A-25's do you have?

Scan, with the vent above the tweeter or Seas, with the vent below the woofer?

If you were to ever remove the grille cloths of the A-25's, you must unscrew the Dynaco logos CCW first, to remove them, othewise you will break the bond with the plate and the screw.

That screw penetrates the front baffle board also.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I currently only have a pair of Dynaco A-35 speakers. I have tried them and they sound fine, but I am probably going to sell them as I need the storage space and am not currently using them.

Bo

Link to comment
Share on other sites

While I have a couple of ST-70's a Pas-3, PAS-2x and an FM-3 that I am trying to find the time to do some upgrades/modifications to, the gear I use the most is surprisingly a ST-120/PAT-4 with a Technics ST-7300 tuner running through a stacked pair of A-25/A-10's. Usually plays quietly in the background while I am online or trying to lie quietly in the dark with a migraine. Stays tuned to my local college jazz station.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

While I have a couple of ST-70's a Pas-3, PAS-2x and an FM-3 that I am trying to find the time to do some upgrades/modifications to, the gear I use the most is surprisingly a ST-120/PAT-4 with a Technics ST-7300 tuner running through a stacked pair of A-25/A-10's. Usually plays quietly in the background while I am online or trying to lie quietly in the dark with a migraine. Stays tuned to my local college jazz station.

Hi James;

I have mentioned here before that I dine with a friend who was the service manager of the local Dynaco warantee station, every month or so.

He was saying recently that the Stereo 120 was the most popular amplifier ever sold with the Pat-4 pre-amp.

I do not remember the rock bottom prices they went for at the 2 local price killer stores but they sold them by the semi-trailer load, along with the A-25's.

In my years of reading, I have seen the stock Stereo 70 and PAS-3X combination written as a combination to die for, so to speak.

There is numerous modifications published which changes the sound and value of them.

I have never heard this set.

Obviously the speaker system would also be very important due to the low damping factor and power output.

Perhaps 8 ohm Larger Advents might be a good match rather than 4 ohm AR-3A's.

It will be interesting to read others comments in this regards.

I mentioned earlier about not shipping an aligned FM-3 tuner, as the settings change with transit vibrations.

This message is from the AVA website.

The Stereo 120 has the TIP mods.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello all...my first post. I stumbled onto this site while trying to identify some Dynaco's currently on eBay. One of the drivers appears on that auction to have been glued in and doesn't match the other....hmmm...anyway to the point. I have 3 pairs of A25's and one pair of A35's that I run off a Marantz 4240 receiver. I bought the receiver and my first pair of A25's in 1971 or 72 and have had them since. As you can see I have been so happy with this kit that I've trolled ebay a bit over the past few years to fill up the speaker outputs on the back of the Marantz :D . Obviously I'm not pushing a lot of wattage through them but the rooms I have are small and my wife and I enjoy a very warm Marantz sound out of these boys. I'm very happy to have found such an informative forum. Don't know that I'll be able to answer any questions though.

Cheers

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...
Guest SpruceMoose

i have just ressurected my analog rig, a PAS and ST70, both stock, except for a diode in place of the selenium stack in the ST70. all original tubes. they are feeding my pair of double advents, when the HT rig is not in use.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
Guest SpruceMoose

recently added to my analog rig (see post, above), is a Dynaco FM-1. it doesn't work very well, but i just bought it to match the look of the brass-faced PAS preamp. the PAS and FM-1 are mounted in a 1919 Edison phonograph cabinet, with my Dual 1245 on top. the ST-70 is sitting on top of the right-hand double advent.

post-100436-1213445374.jpg

post-100436-1213445527.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

I currently have two pair of A-25s, one Scanspeak and one SEAS, and a pair of A-10s. I've also had several pair of A-35s pass through here. My parents had a Dynaco SCA-80 solid state integrated driving a pair of AR2axs (and an AR 'table with Shure M-91E) and the sound was great, but I've never had Dynaco electronics until recently. I just received a Dynaco Stereo 120 power amplifier from a friend but haven't had the chance to hook it up yet.

Has anyone listened to the A-25s AND A-25XLs? For some reason, I've never come across a pair of XLs. I enjoy the sound of the Scanspeak and SEAS Dynacos and wonder if the XL version is "better" or if some of the Dynaco magic is lost.

This Dynaco forum is dedicated to Dynaco speakers (which I use) but I think it would be of interest for our members to list what other Dynaco equipment (electronics) are used. As for me:

Amplifiers (two monoblocks) - Home-brew Ultra-linear Williamsons with Dynaco 430 output transformers

Preamp - Dynaco PAT-5 (BiFET version)

Equalizer - Dynaco SE-10

Also, a 'retired'' (but functioning) PAS-3X

Other components are non-Dynaco.

John

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

My first stereo was a kit-built dynaco ST-35 amp, a KLH tuner and some 'phones. Later added a PAT-4 and ST-120, along with AR TT and AR4x. I still have the speakers, TT and tuner. The 'phones were discarded and all the dynaco stuff went on ebay. Made a few bucks on the ST-35 :rolleyes:

Last week I bought a dead ST-120 on ebay to practice my electronics skills (limited) on. I've ordered the 5 big "can" capacitors--they cost more than I spent on the amp! :angry: We'll see how it goes. If successful, the amp may replace the AR amp in my vintage system.

Kent

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest DynaKita

Hi...

I found this site quite by accident...and as a user of Dynaco A25 speakers I felt I should at least say hello...and admit to having used these "same" four A25 speakers since I got them in 1970...same is in quotes as I had the tweeters updated sometime in the 80's by a fella who worked at Madisound...

I used to use the unamplified Dynaco quad box to hook them up but I gave it to my brother (who lives in a mobile home where I thought it would work great...)

but now I just hook the rear pair to the rear/side inputs of my basic Pioneer 5.1 A/V unit...

In addition to the original 4 A25, I've picked up a more modern pair with dark brown/modern plug in front cloth frames, and a couple of other pair that I just sold on Ebay as I wasn't using them and felt I should give others a chance to enjoy them (and really, how many backups does a guy need :rolleyes: )...

Anyway...glad to know that this forum exists and long live the A25!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
Guest PeterW

Hmmm...

Lemme see:

Solid-State: ST-80, ST-120, PAT-4, PAT-5 BiFet, FM-5 (W/Factory-installed Dolby Boards (!!)), AF-6 (basket-case scrounged from dumpster), another FM-5, early version. I traded my ST-416 for a pristine Citation 16, I have not regretted it, but I would not turn down another 416 were I to find one in good condition.

Tube: PAS-3, ST-70, ST-35, FM-1(W/MPX board) FM-3 x 2

I have vast quantities of AR speakers as well as Maggies and a set of Revox Piccolo speakers. While Dynaco speakers are fine beasts and worth front-line attention, they would be redundant in our household. Not that I would turn down a pair were I to trip over them, but I do not seek them out. 5 pair have crossed my path over time, several are with friends even now, one pair I sold.

Whoops - forgot the QD-1 (original) Hafler-Circuit adaptor.

Peter Wieck

Melrose Park, PA

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
Guest fourwheels0

i just picked up a dynaco 120 amp and a dynaco pat-4 preamp. i've never had any dynaco stuff before these are neat little units. anything i should be aware of on these?. these are factory built units and not the kits. what is the easiest way to clean the chrome on the amp. thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
Guest Chet6119

In my living room which is all vintage Danish modern except for the Victrola and Edison Gramophone I am using a PAS3 and ST70 both of which my dad built in the early '60s. I recently had them refurbished to stock (I am a purist.) They mainly get used for listening to LPs and 78s. I run a parametric EQ between them to EQ 78s, since there was no standard until RIAA in the 50's.

I also have a SCA35 and 2 FM3s, also built by dad, they all work but need to be refurbished at some point.

I have never had an opportunity to hear any Dynaco speakers. I have had KLH 20s since I was a kid and just bought a pair of KLH 23s.

My thought process is: I want to hear John Coltrane or the Beatles the way I would have heard them if I had been alive to buy the records when they came out. SS is great for the home theater and modern music but IMO "A Love Supreme" through all vintage gear is a whole different experience.

The next project is to get the Gramophone working.

Glad I found this Forum, it has been very helpful.

Tim

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 1 year later...
  • 1 year later...

i just picked up a dynaco 120 amp and a dynaco pat-4 preamp. i've never had any dynaco stuff before these are neat little units. anything i should be aware of on these?. these are factory built units and not the kits. what is the easiest way to clean the chrome on the amp. thanks.

Hi there

The one issue that I am aware of is, the, "ST-120 TIP mod".

The earliest units and onward, were updated with newer transistors, etc.

The TIP mod is a list of the various parts and in some cases a drawing is included.

Search the net for, "ST-120 TIP MOD".

Normally, I would say, if it's not broken, don't fix it.

If you or any owner of the ST-120 amp decides not to modify their amp, fuse your speakers.

After reading about some amp's taking out speakers when the amp goes bad, fusing is a good idea.

My friend, Tony, was the western Canadian Dynaco, AR, etc, etc, service rep back in the '60's and '70's.

This is who I volunteered to, helpng him service AR, Dynaco, etc, etc, back in the early '70's.

He would say do the mod irregardless if you are having problems or not.

He also suggested to me to really scrutinize the wiring solder connections, particularily the board connections, even for factory wired units.

Particularly look for poor or cold solder joints.

That is all I can think of at the moment.

The Audio Amatuer magazine had numerous, actually, hundreds of mods for various electronic Dynaco products.

I computerized a list of mods by brandname back in the mid '90's, of AR, Dynaco, Crown and anything else that I had an interest in.

The list was way over 1,500+ listings, a lot of one fingered typing, some were ads or just references to, not necessarily mods.

I noted real briefly what the listing was for and I had lot's of time on my hands then.

I was a long time subscriber of TAA and I quite enjoyed reading them over the many decades that I subscribed to it.

I sent an email to, Mr Edward Dell, the owner and publisher, a few years ago asking if I could quote from some back issues and possibly

share pictures from them to this site, not for profit.

I did not ask to pay for them, but I did say I would credit TAA when quoted.

Never received a response from him.

I cannot with good conscience post any of The Audio Amatuer, Speaker Builder or Glass Audio artcles, without his permission.

You have the stereo pair that I highly recommended to my friends back in those day's.

Enjoy

Vern

dynaco_dan2@yahoo.ca

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 years later...

I am new to this site and a first time responder. I am set up to power my AR 3a's with a Dynakit PAS 2 tube preamp into a Hafler DH 200 SS amplifier. (Tube sound with sufficient amp power to handle the AR 3a's) I have been advised by others that this is not a good combination due to 'impedance matching' issues. Upon trial I have found this to be true in that the bass is definitely 'muddy' and the preamp is delivering too much power to the amp instead of 'just signal'. My solution to this problem will be to install a 'ballast' resistor of 500K in each (L & R) signal lines into the Hafler DH 200.

The PAS 2 likes 500K and higher as an amp input resistance and the Hafler is listed at 22K. So with the 500K added to the 22K makes 522K. Sounds simple. Haven't done it yet. Has anyone else tried this?

35 Rich

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

I finally hooked up my Dynaco Stereo 120 and it sounds fine to me, not THAT different from my conrad-johnson MF-80. No, it doesn't sound tubey, but it doesn't sound hard or bright as some writers led me to believe it would. Admittedly, this 120 has some upgrades, but I think they're just new capacitors. The previous owner told me that no "mods" were done that would make it sound different from an all-new 120. By the way, my tubed Fisher X-100B sounds best with my Marantz Imperial 6s.The Dynaco Stereo 120 sounds best with my DCM Time Windows. Other speakers I've been playing with lately include Dynaco A-25s (always), KLH 6s, and AR-2axs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...