Best Affordable Vintage Amplifier: DYNACO ST70!

[@glenjo0]

ST70s are good. I had two of them. You're right, they are a bit of an acquired taste. Mine were still using 7199s, but all of the caps in the signal path had been replaced. And good output transformers are real important. Once you have all that - very good amps.

[@julesl6910]

Just bought two of these, thanks for the recommendation. Not too many on the market anymore glad I bought the dip before they get insanely expensive / unobtanium!

[@DaleCrommie]

Oh Steve, that Dick Evan’s album is one of my favorites for the same reason. The Upright Bass recording is truly 3D, being able to feel and see his fingers go up and down the fret board is a thrill.👍🎃👍

[@jamesdoranto9013]

I wish I had known about this amp before spending thousands on my Mcintosh mc275, in a sense the 275 was an end goal so I would have gotten it anyways. But, I put more hours on the ST70 I picked up last year. Maybe it's because i'm trying to preserve the Mc's tubes but truthfully the ST70 and it's little brother the SCA35 have such an amazingly full dynamic tube sound. I really recommend pairing the 70 with the dynaco pre PAS series for it's stellar passive and active eq section. Worth every penny folks! get one before they dry up, I was lucky to buy them during the dip. Thanks alot Steve lol

[@julesl6910]

Pas 3x is a perfect pairing nice one. They'll all be gone soon

[@jamesdoranto9013]

@@julesl6910 That's the model I have. If i'm correct, when the bass/treble tone knobs are in center position the pre goes into passive mode. Attenuating in either direction of center actives the eq.

[@iampryso9548]

Steve, as I commented to your previous mention of this amp, I built a Dynakit ST70 for my first stereo system in 1966. True that was a huge step up from what I'd been hearing at the time, but it included a certain musical magic that was planted in my audio memory. I've churned through countless systems since then but some elements of that sonic pleasure remain as my standard. Still, it would be interesting for you to now compare yours with one which had a few more common "updates" -- speaker terminals, power cord, rectifier upgrade, 7199 upgrade, etc.

[@fletchermunson6225]

Biggest screw up of my audio career was letting go a pair of Dynamo MkIII mono amplifiers that had the caps and resistors upgraded. They were glorious but I blew it and sold them off. One of my few audio regrets.

[@richardelliott8352]

my first attempt at hi fi was buying a later version of a used pair of the ST 70's. The first time I used them , I was playing records for a friend and it started to smoke. A service tech said he had never seen so many cold solder joints before. not an auspicious start, but the neighborhood photo shop took it back with apologies.

[@chrisblock6697]

Yep, they knew how to make great sound in '59... Kind of Blue & Time Out are two examples from '59 that come to mind.

[@marks89m3]

@@chrisblock6697 and “Take 5” i think also

[@mcgjohn22]

A great amp. and you are right, not the most resolution available, but has that ability to hold you in the listening seat much longer than many. Have had 4 of them over the years. For those on a budget a great preamp to match up with the dynaco is the Marantz 7 clone from China.

[@tmdillon1969]

US3?! That brings back some college memories. Now I have to hop on eBay/Discogs.

[@chrish.4067]

I've had a ST-70, ST-35, and SCA-35. Good stuff, but i like more modern amps now.

[@keplermission]

You know ST-70 etc don't suit many modern speakers? If you have modern speakers and discover that modern amplifiers sound better with them, then if you have a 1960 year amplifier, try some 1960 speakers. The older it is the more it needs a specially made partnering speaker and inputs.

[@christianbolt5761]

Have a pair of MK IIIs still great sound

[@marks89m3]

Man, no kidding!!!!

[@rab33]

Marquee Moon!

[@billywe331a]

Think that picture was Avery Fisher. And a Stephens Coax.

[@garyalexander5686]

Great review, Steve. I thought "barrier strip" terminals had pieces of plastic between the connectors to prevent shorts? I don't see those in your photos.

[@keplermission]

No Steve you know ... Barrier strips ... Terminal strips ... wire = wire and all that.

[@SteveG325]

Great video, love the aMp. Did I miss it or did you not say what preamp you were using for this?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Holo Audio Serene

[@SteveG325]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac thanks! I’ve heard people say that original dynaco PAS preamps didn’t sound that great and that modern preamps pair better.

[@keplermission]

@@SteveG325 Yeah the modern ones better suit modern inputs because the Far Eastern Audio standard uses a different electrical strength. The old ones are better with old inputs.

[@keithhepworth3355]

What pre amp were you using ?

[@lawrencesommaesq.9944]

I am aware that there are several dealers selling updated/restored ST70s. Anyone have a recommendation for which of these builders is best?

[@julesl6910]

Buy one in good condition and take it to an audio technician shop. They'll know the options, these are the most famous tube amps ever made

[@MasterofPlay7]

audio phallic?

[@duaneipock9518]

Well thanks ill never afford to buy one now..

[@julesl6910]

Buy in the next 24 hours before sells get wise

[@drwatson32bit]

lol yes, these were always on my radar for making rounds, but the right (cheap) basket case project never popped up. Oh well.