Tubes Asylum: REVIEW: Dynaco Dynaco ST-70 KIT Amplifier (Tube) by chlewinski@hotmail.com

Model:	Dynaco ST-70 KIT
Category:	Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price:	$695
Description:	An upgraded Dynaco ST-70 in KIT form
Manufacturer URL:	Dynaco
Model Picture:	View

Review by chlewinski@hotmail.com on April 01, 2010 at 08:45:59
IP Address: 217.228.210.72 Add Your Review
for the Dynaco ST-70 KIT

I bought the kit in summer last year. Wanted to have an affordable tube power amp and came across Bob Latino´s site. He is a frindly person and easy to deal with. He made me a good offer including PIO and power caps upgrade a Euro transformer (240VAC) and shipment. I supplied the tubes locally - no big deal - everthing went fine. Assembly was easy - some practice in "how to make a propper solder joint" are very helpful. It took me something like 30 hours to put all parts together - I´ m a slow person and I enjoyed the long evenings ;> ) I must admit that I was a bit nervous when I switch it on for the first time. Puuh... no problem here - it worked well from the very fist second. After adjustment of the bias current (I started with 40ma for a set of KT-66) I sent the following mail to Bob:

*************************
Bob, I finished the kit last night and took it in operation very carefully. I must admit that I was a little bit nervous. Made some checks and adjusted the bias. Went to bed and started again at 5 pm today. The amp is running for 5 ours now without any problems and giving me the sweetest performance! Just listening to the Chesky Records “Woman of Song” CD – it´ s amazing – so beautiful – what a soundstage… Thank you for this great amp – you´ re doing a great job on putting this kit together – I´ m very, very happy ;> )

Alfred
******************

And that´s it - after 7 month and several hundert hours of joyful moments the magic is still there - I´ m simply happy ;> )

Alfred Chlewinski-Herget

Product Weakness:	none
Product Strengths:	... clean, smooth and with noteable low end - "right in your face" in pentode mode - sweet and warm in triode

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Bob Latino ST-70 KIT
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): T+A P 1220 R
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Marantz CD7200 and Fisher turntable with Benz Micro MC
Speakers: ELAC BS204.2 and open baffle with Visaton B200
Cables/Interconnects: oehlbach
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Classical, Jazz and Blues
Room Size (LxWxH): 20 x 17 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments: bright room
Time Period/Length of Audition: 7 month
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): none
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):

Amplifier:	Bob Latino ST-70 KIT
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	T+A P 1220 R
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Marantz CD7200 and Fisher turntable with Benz Micro MC
Speakers:	ELAC BS204.2 and open baffle with Visaton B200
Cables/Interconnects:	oehlbach
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical, Jazz and Blues
Room Size (LxWxH):	20 x 17 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	bright room
Time Period/Length of Audition:	7 month
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	none
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):