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recommendation

97.127.206.165
Posted on November 8, 2014 at 07:42:34
rws
Audiophile

Posts: 303
Location: Minnesota
Joined: September 7, 2004
 I am looking to buy a integrated amp. Does anyone have experience with the latest Van Alstine. I also thought about hybrid or tube, but am open to anything for a reasonable cost. I am using Klipsch CF-3 speakers about 98db.




"Sometime I will have to give account of myself. How would the Father in heaven judge me if I followed others and not Him", Anton Bruckner

 

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RE: recommendation, posted on November 8, 2014 at 09:19:21
Mr Peabody
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Posts: 1109
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
Joined: August 14, 2010
 You didn't mention a price range. If I were looking a couple that would be on my list.
The Peachtree Audio 220
Vincent Audio's hybrid (sorry forgot model#)
& Line Magnetic, LM has been getting good press and comments. They make a low power single end or a powerful amp with KT120's.
Also, depending on power and price NAD was on many of the audio rags best choice lists.

If you have the budget Pass has a pure Class A integrated the Int 30 or a 150 wpc A/B integrated. In my opinion would be a step up from any of the mentioned.

 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 8, 2014 at 09:33:17
BCR
Audiophile

Posts: 2444
Location: connecticut
Joined: April 7, 2009
 Check out Croft Acoustics.

 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 8, 2014 at 09:33:52
rws
Audiophile

Posts: 303
Location: Minnesota
Joined: September 7, 2004
 price range $2000.00 or less




"Sometime I will have to give account of myself. How would the Father in heaven judge me if I followed others and not Him", Anton Bruckner

 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 8, 2014 at 09:46:51
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 Those are pretty sensitive speakers. So you could look into low powered tube integrates.

If you're up to it, look into a try one of these with just a simple passive volume pot. Or go for a one of these as the passive preamp.

http://www.placetteaudio.com/remote_control.htm

Honestly, nothing sounds as good as tubes! And Still inside your budget.

charles

 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 8, 2014 at 10:28:10
AbeCollins
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Posts: 46278
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
My pick would be the Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum with KT120 tubes at $2295 MSRP, or under $2K from just about any dealer unless he's a hardass. ;-)





 

Dynakitparts SCA-35, posted on November 8, 2014 at 12:27:01
petercapo
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Posts: 665
Joined: December 29, 2012
 Available fully assembled and within your budget.

 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 8, 2014 at 12:29:36
Mick Wolfe
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Posts: 3364
Location: AZ
Joined: October 10, 1999
Contributor
  Since: September 4, 2000
 The Line Magnetic 211IA is in the $1700 range I believe.

 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 8, 2014 at 13:22:22
AbeCollins
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Posts: 46278
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
Is there a manufacturer or dealer website with comprehensive pricing (USD $) for the Line Magnetic product line? I've found bits and pieces here and there via online reviews but not in one convenient location. Thanks.



 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 8, 2014 at 14:39:31
Mick Wolfe
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Posts: 3364
Location: AZ
Joined: October 10, 1999
Contributor
  Since: September 4, 2000
 I believe there was a time when the prices were stated on the Tone Imports website. That's not the case anymore. Although I don't believe the prices have changed that much, best bet would be to call a Tone dealer to get a quote.

 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 8, 2014 at 14:42:19
Mr Peabody
Audiophile

Posts: 1109
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
Joined: August 14, 2010
 The NAD, Vincent & Peachtree are in the $2k range, NAD begins way below that. A really decent deal I remembered is Musicdirect has the Krell s300i for under $1800.00 with a 30 day return if not happy. Krell would be very powerful and controlled sound, strong bass with a tight grip and good transient response. It's not going to sweeten the sound or make it sound warm though if that's what you are into. The Peachtree has a switchable tube buffer to allow for two different type presentations, if memory serves I believe it also has a built in DAC. NAD has integrated with built in DAC as well, some with a digital amp section for cool running, little power consumption and typically good sound with ample power.

 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 8, 2014 at 14:49:49
Mr Peabody
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Posts: 1109
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
Joined: August 14, 2010
 Here's a dealer website, one may have to contact them for price and I'm not sure if selling territory is limited in any way.

 

RE: Dynakitparts SCA-35, posted on November 8, 2014 at 14:50:55
rws
Audiophile

Posts: 303
Location: Minnesota
Joined: September 7, 2004
 the dyna sc35 is a interesting idea, if I find a original about how much to have it rebuilt would you guess?





"Sometime I will have to give account of myself. How would the Father in heaven judge me if I followed others and not Him", Anton Bruckner

 

RE: Dynakitparts SCA-35, posted on November 8, 2014 at 15:14:41
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 the 35 is actually a very nice little amp. It uses one of the sweetest and best sounding output tubes. The humble for great sounding EL84. I'm a big fan of those tubes.

The amp/preamp is basically a very simple unit. All you would need to do is replace a few capacitors and upgrade a few coupling caps. Also I would replace some of the power resistors. Otherwise a VERY simple and easy rebuild.

If you want to start ripping into it and modding it, there are plenty of kits and boards available. However I would be VERYYYYY careful not to upgrade it to death. If you get my point.

And if you go this route you can post over at the tube forum. A fun and great bunch of guys.

charles

 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 8, 2014 at 15:36:05
Uncle Mike
 Van Alstine gets overlooked here, I don't know why as his line up is first rate and priced reasonably. Frank started modding ST70's, Just as ARC did and grew from there. Take a look at his Ultravalve amp.
His designs are evolved so there are no sudden changes in line up, in fact if you have an older amp of his chances are he can use the case to upgrade to one of his new offerings.
I have a 400r fet valve amp that I am quite pleased with. It is the only Solid State (sort of) piece in my collection.

 

RE: Dynakitparts SCA-35, posted on November 8, 2014 at 15:41:32
petercapo
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Posts: 665
Joined: December 29, 2012
 A used one will go for something like $150 to around $400 depending on condition. A rebuild, which may likely be needed for it to meet its potential, would cost, I don't know, maybe a few hundred more depending on what you have done and the quality of the parts.

Though it is an option, it might or might not make financial sense to buy an original and then send it out to get rebuilt. If you rebuild it yourself, that's another matter, I suppose. Last I knew, I think you can get a brand new one for around $1,000. I have a Stereo 35, which is basically the same power amp section as the SCA-35, and it sounds great.

I suggest inquiring with different places. For example, you could ask Joe Curcio for a price to rebuild an original. Or, you could contact Sal Brisindi, who builds the new Dynakit. There is also Roy Mottram at tubes4hifi, who I think sells a fully assembled, new SCA-35. Either way, as long as it is up and running properly, it should be a great-sounding little integrated on a par with most anything else near that price range and higher. Not a lot of power, but your speakers are efficient.

Another great thing about the Dynacos is that there is a ton of support and documentation available.

 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 8, 2014 at 16:41:55
rws
Audiophile

Posts: 303
Location: Minnesota
Joined: September 7, 2004
 Actually if I was going to spend more the Cary integrated looks interesting good or if I could find a CJ cav-50. But is the bass not as tight and controlled with tubes or is just my pre-conceived idea?




"Sometime I will have to give account of myself. How would the Father in heaven judge me if I followed others and not Him", Anton Bruckner

 

RE: Dynakitparts SCA-35, posted on November 8, 2014 at 18:39:48
rws
Audiophile

Posts: 303
Location: Minnesota
Joined: September 7, 2004
 Thanks, I will check into that




"Sometime I will have to give account of myself. How would the Father in heaven judge me if I followed others and not Him", Anton Bruckner

 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 8, 2014 at 18:56:34
petercapo
Audiophile

Posts: 665
Joined: December 29, 2012
 "But is the bass not as tight and controlled with tubes or is just my pre-conceived idea?"

As a generalization, there is some truth to it, but I think it can vary from one tube amp to another. It's a question of degrees. There might be a degree of bass control loss, but is it worth it to gain the other, positive qualities of a tube amp? I think it is, but that's just me.

Which used Cary integrated are you thinking of? I also have an SLI-80 Signature. It's a great-sounding amp, but if you ever need service from Cary, they're expensive. And, Cary does not make a schematic available.

I should also mention that my SLI-80 has had major QC/reliability problems. One of the items on my list of things to do is to reverse engineer a schematic for it so I can work on it without being dependent upon Cary.

 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 8, 2014 at 19:08:43
pictureguy
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Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 I dont' have a suggestion other than the Pass INT30 series.
With such sensitive speakers, you simply do NOT need lots of power. or more than the Pass would provide.

The 30 a side with nearly 6db of A/B headroom of the Pass will simply knock it out of the park.
Too much is never enough

 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 9, 2014 at 04:46:33
rws
Audiophile

Posts: 303
Location: Minnesota
Joined: September 7, 2004
 I was thinking more of the 300SEI, has Cary gotten any better with QC? That is a concern




"Sometime I will have to give account of myself. How would the Father in heaven judge me if I followed others and not Him", Anton Bruckner

 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 9, 2014 at 05:25:42
rmyauck
Audiophile

Posts: 230
Location: Northern Manitoba
Joined: August 23, 2009
 For the SCA-35/ST-35 check this site out. Also check out diytube. Triode Electronics sells kits with the diytube PCB that you can add a volume control to and the EFB mod.



Triode's reproduction Z-565 and Magnequest's copy of the original are said to be among the best out there besides the original.

The ST-35 version gets past the negatives of tone controls in the circuit and uses in production tubes.

If you want a copy of the original chassis and tube layout Dynakit Parts sells everything you need.

Anyway the EFB mod takes these units to another level as members on diytube and Audiokarma have all positives on it.

 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 9, 2014 at 11:25:47
petercapo
Audiophile

Posts: 665
Joined: December 29, 2012
 I can tell you that I have had three pieces of Cary gear purchased brand new and have had QC/reliability issues with all of them at one time or another, multiple times with the SLI-80. The problems occurred either within or shortly after the warranty period. I heard (and have good reason to believe) a similar Cary QC problem report from someone else in my area.

I put up with it because in the Cary products, Dennis Had designed superb-sounding gear, at least according to my taste. Too bad Dennis isn't there anymore. But, I mainly put up with the QC issues because I have some technical background and I'm a DIYer, so I can likely fix any problems myself going forward. Obtaining warranty support from Cary has been difficult. I'd never consider them for a customer satisfaction award.

In any case, I would think that a properly functioning 300SEI would sound really nice with your Klipsch speakers. I suggest considering two things: 1) the cost of replacement tubes - you might want to look up the cost of a pair of 300B tubes, 2) how you'll handle any service needs that might come up, again, to the best of my knowledge, Cary service can be expensive.

The SCA-35 is likely a much more practical choice.

 

Maybe I'm missing it, posted on November 9, 2014 at 11:29:32
1973shovel
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Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 But I didn't see the SCA-35 available "fully assembled" (or even as a kit) from either Dynakitparts or Tubes4hifi. I'm not suggesting you're wrong, simply that I couldn't find one.

One word of caution to the original poster. I agree with Petercapo that an SCA-35 might be an amp to consider, albeit with two caveats. The first, and most important one, is that nobody produces the 7199 input tube any longer, and replacements can be very expensive. That's the reason I searched for the fully assembled SCA-35 link. I wanted to see what input tubes they were using now.

The second is that if you do decide to go with a SCA-35 (or ST-35), I'd consider Dave Gillespie's EFB modification mandatory. Not only does it run the output tubes much easier, it also made a rather substantial improvement to the sound of my SCA-35. For about $5 in parts, it transformed what I always considered Dynaco's worst sounding tube amp, to a very musical contender.

 

RE: Maybe I'm missing it, posted on November 9, 2014 at 12:16:14
petercapo
Audiophile

Posts: 665
Joined: December 29, 2012
 To obtain a brand new, fully assembled SCA-35, one would need to ask Sal Brisindi, who is listed as an authorized service provider on the Dynakitparts website. If by chance Sal is not building them, you could also contact Roy Mottram at tubes4hifi, who I understood offers them. AFAIK, I think one or both of them should be willing to provide a fully assembled SCA-35, unless they have decided not to do them, after all. Here are links that would be worth reading through and might be of help:

http://www.dynakitparts.com/links

http://www.tubes4hifi.com/SCA35-2014.htm

As far as the 7199 driver tube, yes, it is worth asking about. 7199s can still be obtained and the prices are getting higher I'm sure. But, given that an SCA-35 is well within the OPs budget, the 7199 board is a viable option. NOS 7199 are not nearly as expensive as the 300B tubes in the Cary integrated the OP is also considering.

But, I think some of the boards available in the new reissue SCA-35 might use a substitute tube that is less expensive and more readily available than the 7199 – you'd need to inquire with Sal or Roy. You could also ask Kevin Devaney about it, who owns Dynakitparts.

With regard to the EFB, it is a very popular option, and I think Roy Mottram builds them into his new SCA-35. As far as the EFB being mandatory, this is something I will respectfully disagree with. 1973shovel, I don't know what the situation might have been with your SCA-35 before the EFB mod, but I have the Dynakitparts Stereo 35 that is the same power amp as in the SCA-35, and it sounds really good even without the EFB. I've read many commentaries over the years by folks who think the Stereo 35/SCA-35 is actually the best sounding amp Dynaco ever made. I suspect that in many cases where I read folks saying they think their original Dynaco sounds bad might just mean that it isn't in peak operating condition – remember that originals have a lot of years on them.

That being said, Dave Gillespie seems like a great guy and along with accomplishing the EFB for the ST35/SCA-35, he has written an unbiased vindication of the classic Stereo 70, as well:

http://www.audioregenesis.com/documents/ST-70%20Base%20Line%20Testing.pdf

Yes, the EFB is very popular and certainly worth looking into, but IMO not "mandatory."

 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 9, 2014 at 13:19:50
rws
Audiophile

Posts: 303
Location: Minnesota
Joined: September 7, 2004
 I am strongly considering the sca-35. I assume I would use the 6GH8A as the 7199 are hard to find? I would find one and have it rebuilt or buy a rebuilt, since I don't have proper test equip. How is the bass in the sca-35?
Part of the intrigue with the Cary and some others was the SET.

Thanks




"Sometime I will have to give account of myself. How would the Father in heaven judge me if I followed others and not Him", Anton Bruckner

 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 9, 2014 at 13:56:12
petercapo
Audiophile

Posts: 665
Joined: December 29, 2012
 I can speak to the bass performance of my Stereo 35, as it has been a long time since I've heard an SCA-35, though the SCA-35 power amp section is almost the same as the Stereo 35.

Like the SCA35, the Stereo 35 is an EL84 amp, sounds sweet and even has some "snap" that I do not often read is associated with vintage tube amp designs. I find the bass to be not as deep as with other amps. However, it can also be sonically interpreted as the bass being tighter and more controlled than might be expected from a vintage tube amplifier design.

Remember, though, that you’re probably not going to get the powerfully deep bass and dynamic yet controlled overall sound that you’d get from a solid state amp. Generally, you’d be trading those things (along with solid state sterility) away for tube lushness, sweetness, palpable tone and in-the-room presence, all in a reasonably dynamic presentation.

Though I find the bass performance of my Stereo 35 a little short but still satisfactory, I understand the EFB improves the bass response further.

 

They make a 7199 adaptor to a 6GH8A, posted on November 9, 2014 at 15:14:26
airtime
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Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
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 Both tubes are identical except for the pin out.

 

RE: They make a 7199 adaptor to a 6GH8A, posted on November 9, 2014 at 15:24:32
petercapo
Audiophile

Posts: 665
Joined: December 29, 2012
 Thanks for reminding us of this, airtime. I had forgotten. I believe it is available from other sources as well, such as Kevin at Dynakitparts.

 

Another thought came to mind, posted on November 9, 2014 at 17:27:28
petercapo
Audiophile

Posts: 665
Joined: December 29, 2012
 Dennis Had, founder and former president of Cary Audio, now sells some single-ended amps on ebay. Might be worth looking at. His ebay ID is radioman731.

 

RE: "the Stereo 35/SCA-35 is actually the best sounding amp Dynaco ever made", posted on November 9, 2014 at 19:10:25
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 I have read similar reports about the ST-35 being Dynaco's best sounding amp, and I agree with that opinion. I'd attribute that to the 7247 input stage, along with the excellent Z-565 output transformers. I have never read the same thing said about the sound quality of SCA-35 though. Again, I'm not saying it has never been said, only that I've never read or heard that.

"I have the Dynakitparts Stereo 35 that is the same power amp as in the SCA-35"

I think this is where I will also respectfully disagree with you. The two amps use the same output tubes, and output transformers, but that is where the similarity ends. The ST-35 uses the very good sounding 7247 tube, while the SCA-35 uses the 7199 in a different circuit topology, as you know.

If I went to the Dynaco Forum and told Roy and Bob that their VTA ST-70 was the same amp as a stock 1965 Dynaco ST-70 because it uses the same output tubes and output transformers, do you think they'd agree with me? The VTA (which I own) uses 12AU7s with a different circuit than a ST-70 with 7199s, and sounds quite different.

My point is that your ST-35 is an excellent sounding amp (yes, even without the EFB) but the SCA-35 was not to my liking at all.

As to the condition of my SCA-35, it was bench tested to spec prior to me buying it from a friend of mine, who had two of them. We tried both of them on a variety of speakers, including Altec 604s, original Quads, Advents, NHT SuperZeros, etc. Our consensus was that using either SCA-35 sounded like a wet blanket had been thrown over the speakers.

I tried many mods, including disconnecting the tone controls, upgrading the coupling caps, upgrading the power supply caps, etc. Nothing I did made me like the amp any better, and I put it on a shelf for many years. If anyone's curious why I bought it in the first place, it was for the output transformers. I always intended to turn it into a ST-35 eventually, but found another pair of Z-565 transformers to use for that project.

I started reading about the EFB mod, and figured I had nothing to lose, given that it was about $5 worth of parts to try it. I've posted elsewhere that the EFB took the SCA-35 from boring to musical. I now rotate it into my system on a regular basis. That's why I said the EFB was "mandatory". Given that it offers longer output tube life and greatly improved sound for a few dollars, why not?

My intent in posting certainly wasn't to disagree with you. It was with the concern that the original poster might not be aware that the 7199 tube is rather scarce and getting expensive. So is the 7247, for that matter. The difference being, the 7247s are worth it!



 

RE: "the Stereo 35/SCA-35 is actually the best sounding amp Dynaco ever made", posted on November 9, 2014 at 19:23:25
petercapo
Audiophile

Posts: 665
Joined: December 29, 2012
 That is all perfectly fine. Disagreements are okay, too.

I remember reading some of your posts related to your SCA-35. I was and am still kind of surprised that in spite of everything you did it still didn't sound good (until you added the EFB). I rebuilt one a long time ago (no EFB) and remember it sounding transparent enough. Go figure.

In any case, I had suggested to the OP that if he buys an old one that it would likely need rebuilding. I am sure if he sends it to Sal or Roy that he would get back a pretty good sounding amp, hopefully something in line with his taste.

 

"...folks who think the Stereo 35/SCA-35 is actually the best sounding amp Dynaco ever made.", posted on November 9, 2014 at 21:32:17
petercapo
Audiophile

Posts: 665
Joined: December 29, 2012
 You piqued my curiosity, so I pulled up the schematics for the Stereo 35 and the SCA-35. The power amp sections seem pretty similar between the two, with the phase inverter topology the same as far as I can see – a form of cathodyne phase inverter in both cases, correct?

A difference is that the first section of the 7247 uses a straight triode that I believe is for some voltage gain (or is it more of a buffering role?), while the first section of the 7199 is a pentode used for the same purpose, though in the SCA-35 schematic it looks like the 7199 is hooked up in a way that does not use all five electrodes, rather, it looks like it is running in some sort of triode mode(?) with the screen grid connected in some kind of feedback, no?

So, the first section of the 7199 has some differences in the associated circuitry, but this looks to be just what was needed to accommodate the inherent operating characteristics of the first section of the 7199 vs. the first section of the 7247. There are also some differences in the feedback schemes, but the distortion specs are very close – I don't think I could tell the difference between 0.1% and 0.2% IMD "at average listening levels."

I confess that I am not an engineer, but these two circuits look far closer to each other than the difference between the original Stereo 70 two-tube gain plus cathodyne phase inverter vs. the three-tube gain plus long tail inverter Roy uses in his Stereo 70 circuit.

 

I looked at some of them a while back, posted on November 10, 2014 at 02:23:56
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 My concern was the overall height of some of them, and whether or not they would fit under the SCA-35s cage. This wouldn't be an issue in a stock Stereo 70, but could be with a lower cage. I did contact an ebay seller, who said he could make a lower version, should I need it.

There are those who claim the sound of the 6GH8A doesn't match the 7199, but since I've never heard an amp that used them, I can't comment.

Thanks for the reminder about the adapters.

 

RE: "I confess that I am not an engineer.", posted on November 10, 2014 at 02:48:09
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 Nor am I, not even close.

Now is as good a time as any to say that I follow your posts, both here on the Dynaco Asylum, and at the Dynaco tube audio forum. I always enjoy reading what you write. My point being, you seem to know your way around a tube amp, and are willing to help others.

That being said, and admitting once again that I'm not an engineer, I'm going to switch to subjectivity here. It has been my experience that a ST-35 is a better sounding amplifier than a SCA-35. As to the "why" of that, I'll leave up to those more technically qualified to explain. I've always been told (and read) that it was due to the 7247 being a better sounding tube than the 7199.

I wish the original poster good luck in finding what you are looking for. I didn't intend to take your post off topic.





 

RE: "I confess that I am not an engineer.", posted on November 10, 2014 at 05:53:34
petercapo
Audiophile

Posts: 665
Joined: December 29, 2012
 Thank you, and I appreciate the discussion.

Best regards,
Peter

 

Mike found a youtube video comparing the 7199 vs 6Bg8 , posted on November 10, 2014 at 06:13:23
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 I think its over on the vintage or tube posting group.

seems ok to me

charles

 

A stepo back to the original post, posted on November 10, 2014 at 06:20:02
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 The SCA-35 was a nice little integrated amp. Cost and budget conscience kit for those that wanted a little tube amp, but didn't want to spend a bundle.

But in the big picture the SCA-35 was simply a nice, not great, but fair amp. If the original poster is going to spend a grand on this, I think he would get a much bigger bang for the buck by stepping up to the (new) ST-70 kit.

If he wants to at a later date he can find or build a PAS. I don't remember if he needs vinyl? But the PAS properly upgraded was a very nice preamp.

And besides, the ST-70 sounds just great with a passive attenuator. I used one for years. Lordy I miss that amp!!!!!!!!!!!!!

charles

 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 10, 2014 at 07:53:27
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 I use my EL84 with a subwoofer and Zaph Audio SR-71 speakers. Simply perfect and I have NOOO problems with bass. I'm using a Mike Samra restored Sherwood S-5000. Perhaps one of the best pieces of small-ish audio ever made.

charles

 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 10, 2014 at 08:44:52
petercapo
Audiophile

Posts: 665
Joined: December 29, 2012
 That's a really nice amp. I remember hearing one some years ago. Talk about palpable, it was even tactile.

 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 10, 2014 at 09:31:50
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 Yeah, kinda ruined me for wanting more gear. I actually have a stereo fund that I don't want/or need anything to spend it on.

I have actually hit the end of the audio road. I'm beyond happy with the Sherwood. I am impressed every time I turn that little thing on. And I've had A LOTTTT of gear!!!!

I was actually thinking of getting a ST-70 kit. Just for fun obviously. And I keep coming back to - why?

 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 10, 2014 at 11:53:43
abs1
 I owned a pair of Klipsch CF-4's (your CF-3's bigger brothers) for about five years. Klipsch was kind of optimistic with the efficiency ratings of the whole CF line up in my experience. They're just not as efficient as they're cracked up to be.

I think that either of the Dynaco 35 series might not be powerful enough for your CF-3's, especially if you have a large room and/or like to crank up the volume.

I would have to second Abe's recommendation for the Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum integrated, but if that's not feasible for you a Bob Latino ST70 will be just fine.

Cheers,
Al

 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 10, 2014 at 15:53:58
rws
Audiophile

Posts: 303
Location: Minnesota
Joined: September 7, 2004
 I have heard the efficiency is over rated as well, Klipsch says they are 100db< I believe I said 98db. What do you think they are realistically?




"Sometime I will have to give account of myself. How would the Father in heaven judge me if I followed others and not Him", Anton Bruckner

 

Just remembered..., posted on November 10, 2014 at 19:16:10
petercapo
Audiophile

Posts: 665
Joined: December 29, 2012
 If you decide to buy an original SCA-35, please be aware that the original output transformers have 8 and 16 ohm taps. The Dynakitparts reissue transformers have 4 and 8 ohm taps.

Regards,
Peter

 

So what-cha using the amp for?, posted on November 11, 2014 at 06:10:27
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 98,96, 100, what ever. You're still in a pretty efficient range. One or two db's either way are not going to make that much of a difference. As long as you're not using something like a 3 watt SET, or something like that.

You know what we never asked? What ARE you needs and what are you listening too with this amp?

charles

 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 11, 2014 at 10:36:07
abs1
 rws,

I don't have an exact figure on the CF-3 efficiency, but I remember hearing that it was about 92-93dB somewhere on the Klipsch owners forum back around 1995.

I know that my CF-4's started to run into distortion when I really cranked them up listening to some heavy rock'n'roll when I had them hooked up to an Adcom GFA 535 Series II or an Onkyo AVS 810 (65wpc) integrated.

But that's just my experience. I'm really not trying to sway your opinion about either of the Dyna 35's.

Cheers,
Al

 

RE: So what-cha using the amp for?, posted on November 11, 2014 at 16:56:25
rws
Audiophile

Posts: 303
Location: Minnesota
Joined: September 7, 2004
 I listen classical, chamber and orchestral. I have a medium size listening room 12'x15', but I don't need it to be super loud.
I think I would be ok with SET or another tube amp but would like the simplicity of integrated, I even thought of hybrid like Pathos. I would be nice to find a CJ cav-50. Have you heard the VTL integrated from around 2000, I listened at a hi-fi shop by me but had questions about power.

Thanks Bob




"Sometime I will have to give account of myself. How would the Father in heaven judge me if I followed others and not Him", Anton Bruckner

 

With your efficient speakers, posted on November 12, 2014 at 04:52:36
jsm71
Audiophile

Posts: 1123
Location: Cincinnati OH
Joined: June 16, 2011
 I would check out Decware's SET amps. Decware lives in the HE realm.

 

RE: So what-cha using the amp for?, posted on November 12, 2014 at 10:36:16
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 If your tastes go to classical, as do mine, then stick with a tube option. Nothing makes classical music come alive like a tube stereo.

Start posting over at the tube forum. I think you narrowed it down to tubes. Now you have to narrow it down to

New vs. old
Integrated vs. amp with passive
output tubes eg, SET vs EL84 or EL34
etc....

My setup is a vintage Sherwood S-5000 that was rebuilt and upgraded by Mike Samra. For a remote volume control I use a Bent audio IR module in line with my source. It works very well. and is also an option if you just go with an amp. If you want to know how to make one just email.

http://www.bentaudio.com/index2.html
charles

 

RE: Dynakitparts SCA-35, posted on November 13, 2014 at 07:03:16
Brian Levy
Audiophile

Posts: 2438
Location: Toronto
Joined: June 5, 2000
 Years, actually decades ago when I had my Dynaco collection, I had both a nib factory built and kit versions of the SCA35. I had the factory one checked by a tech who tested and confirmed it easily met and exceeded the published specs. Sound wise it was quite decent. I preferred it to my bone stock ST70 and PAS3x combo.

I took the kit and decided to strip the boards and while using the unit upgrade items like the controls and I also built discrete circuits of each PEC. I subbed in metal film 1-5% resistors, each 1 higher wattage rating than the original and new and better caps. In the past I increased the filter caps but not by much. I replaced the original bass, treble and volume controls with new more closely matched ganged controls. The tone controls were individually tested until I found ones that at the null point, both gangs were at about +- .1 db. The originals though in theory were supposed to null were so far off they did not. Same with the volume control where I used a ganged but separated inner and outer shafts, eliminating the need for the balance control which I bypassed. I do hate balance controls.

The selector switch was left stock, at the time I could not find a decent replacement. All wiring was mylar coated silverplated either single strand or multi. From the jack set to the selector all wires were shielded and run through a copper flexitube. The power transformer was encased in what I called a poor man's Faraday case. The jacket was replaced with better jacks, not gold as at the time these were not in vogue. The loudness contour circuit was eliminated as I never use it.

The tone controls were checked through a scope and the null points were marked on the faceplate.

The amp was checked by the same tech who did the factory unit using the same equipment and tests. The resulting specs were far better. Both units had the original nib tubeset. We then tested them on an agreed to set of speakers, My back then fairly new W70D Wharfedales. We used the same input source, a Crown HS 2-track deck and Garrard 301, can not remember the arm or cartridge.

After a number of good between the amp's using a patch cord switcher but no blind testing we both decided the kit as updated clearly sounded very noticeably better. It was the tech who laid the seeds of the idea of using a separate chassis for the power supply but, I never got to it. As it was, this SCA was the last tube amp I kept long after disposing of all my tube units around 2000. I finally sold it a couple of years ago. I had a couple of thousand hours on it and the original tubes were still huffing and puffing away nicely.

I think the biggest failings of the Dynaco products their choice of components. They invested in the opts and circuit design but then cut the corners everywhere else to meet their targeted pricepoint. Sadly, this seemed to be David's failing in all his products throughout his career.
Don Brian Levy, J.D.
Toronto ON Canada

 

RE: Dynakitparts SCA-35, posted on November 13, 2014 at 07:15:42
petercapo
Audiophile

Posts: 665
Joined: December 29, 2012
 Fortunately, today better quality parts are readily available, and in use, that bring out the potential of the SCA-35 - or so I would expect, based upon my experiences with other classic Dynaco circuits as well as from my acquaintance with an extensive Dynaco support network.

 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 15, 2014 at 07:46:35
petercapo
Audiophile

Posts: 665
Joined: December 29, 2012
 rws, when you get a chance, please let us know what you decide and how it turns out.

Thanks.
Peter

 

RE: recommendation, posted on November 15, 2014 at 09:36:35
rws
Audiophile

Posts: 303
Location: Minnesota
Joined: September 7, 2004
 Yes, I will I have alot of things I am thinking about to sum it up.
1)I think I want to stay with a integrated.
2)Probably stay tube.
3)Maybe SET, but want enough power for classical orchestral
4)I want a good match to my Klipsch CF3's

It may take awhile before I decide




"Sometime I will have to give account of myself. How would the Father in heaven judge me if I followed others and not Him", Anton Bruckner

 

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