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And the $1500 amp winner IS

73.199.242.168
Posted on May 14, 2015 at 06:16:57
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 The Latino ST-70 kit.

This is a future project for NEXT year. There are several reasons for choosing the 70. One - I LIKE tubes and enjoy tube rolling. Two - I get to build it an tinker away until my hearts content (or I blow it up). Three - and this is a biggie, finding a BETTER new solid state amp in the $1500 range isn't really going to happen.

The NAD is quite good and would be a very hard act to replace or even step up from. Why make a complete lateral or even inferior move.

Besides this is going to be a rotation amp between my NAD anyway.

Thanks for all your advice and time spend with my audio OCD's.

charles

 

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RE: And the $1500 amp winner IS, posted on May 14, 2015 at 06:45:41
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46297
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
 Isn't the ST-70 well below $1500? I see on their website $1225 + shipping WIRED with ALL tubes & KT88 output tubes (even less in KIT form).

I'd also be curious about the larger ST-120.

Let us know what you think of the amp once you have it up and running! I've been thinking of getting one myself for the past few years but never have. I need to set up a decent workbench first.



 

RE: And the $1500 amp winner IS, posted on May 14, 2015 at 06:53:03
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 Sure will. Again this project is for next year. Also I would like to reemphasize that I do like the NAD. But you know how it is with this hobby. The next project is always sweeter ;-)

I like to tinker and what better than an amp built on then old Dynaco model. I used one for years. I regretted ever selling it ever since.

I also had the MKiii with KT88s. I liked them a lot. But in my setup the heat generated was overwhelming. An unusual reason to unload an amp but it is an honest one. Sound wise I liked them a lot.

 

RE: And the $1500 amp winner IS, posted on May 14, 2015 at 08:07:05
AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46297
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
  Since: February 2, 2002
Excess heat in your listening setup is a perfectly legit reason for letting an amp go. I've been there too as have others.

I owned a pair of large Manley Neo-Classic 250 monoblocks each with 10 power output tubes. Talk about heat! Fortunately when I had these my listening room was down in a large finished basement which was cool in the summer and cold in the winter.

My listening room is now a 10x12 home office that gets warm with just me in it and some small audio gear.

Congrats on your decision. I know it will be a while before you build the ST-70 but please post your thoughts on it when you're done.


 

RE: And the $1500 amp winner IS, posted on May 14, 2015 at 09:03:43
daleda
Audiophile

Posts: 741
Joined: March 6, 2002
 Excellent choice - I restored my ST70 - was a super fun project and wonderful learning curve! It is a gem! I recently bought a quad of Tung Sol 6L6 GC coke bottles and GE 5U4GB rectifier and they are sweet. I love my set of Svetlana "Winged C" EL34's as well. My amp does not run hot but I keep bias at 1.32V rather than 1.6V recommended which I find too high. Fun, fun project for sure!

 

I have that mod in my St70, posted on May 14, 2015 at 09:26:34
fin1bxn@msn.com
Audiophile

Posts: 2215
Location: new jersey
Joined: November 15, 2005
 I found a good st70 for about 300 10 years ago and then
bought the same board he uses. the only thing I didn't do is upgrade the power transformer.

I can say without doubt its an excellent amp. Bass is outstanding. Get some good EL34's

I used this amp with Klipsh Lascalas, Cornwalls, Spender SP1/2e, and now Quads.

I love this amp. I once tried a Rogue Tempest II integrated rated at 100 watts and the bass on the ST70 was much better.

Great choice.

 

RE: And the $1500 amp winner IS, posted on May 14, 2015 at 12:03:58
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 Might be YOUR 'best amp' or even 'amp of the century'.

Too bad my speakers are massively insensitive. maybe a PAIR of 'em running as biamp would get me off the ground.
But I suspect insufficient power for REALLY annoying the neighbors.

And yes, the ST-70 is a landmark amp. The fact that it is still going strong is proof enough.
Too much is never enough

 

If I had the Latino ST-70, posted on May 14, 2015 at 16:08:58
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 I would (could really) no longer listen to the NAD and would sell it immediately. And its only $719 in kit form to as much as $1225 built w/KT-88's


E
T

ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

RE: And the $1500 amp winner IS, posted on May 14, 2015 at 18:14:07
hahax@verizon.net
Audiophile

Posts: 4309
Location: New Jersey
Joined: March 22, 2006
 It's not really correct to call this amp a version of the Dynaco Stereo 70. The circuitry is very different up to the output stage and the transformers are, I believe, bigger also with different output tubes. I suspect David Hafler wouldn't recognize it from a circuit drawing.

 

RE: And the $1500 amp winner IS, posted on May 14, 2015 at 19:57:28
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 My Bad.

I was fooled by the Latino Site referring to the Dynaco amp a couple times when going thru the features / upgrades to his amp.

Kind of makes me wish I owned a higher sensitivity speaker which was 'tube friendly'.
Too much is never enough

 

This is the board used (at least used to be), posted on May 15, 2015 at 05:09:07
fin1bxn@msn.com
Audiophile

Posts: 2215
Location: new jersey
Joined: November 15, 2005
 I put this VTA board in my st70, The ST 70 has excellent output transfromers already. The pwer transformer is what Bob upgrades too.

I also updated the Quad Cap


http://www.tubes4hifi.com/ST70.htm

 

RE: And the $1500 amp winner IS, posted on May 15, 2015 at 08:19:13
daleda
Audiophile

Posts: 741
Joined: March 6, 2002
 Exactly, that is why I "restored" mine - original circuit is a thing of beauty.

 

RE: And the $1500 amp winner IS, posted on May 15, 2015 at 11:46:27
mrdavis842
Audiophile

Posts: 274
Joined: February 22, 2013
 I also like NAD amps, probably one of the best value amps around.

I modded my Dynaco ST-70 about 15 years ago using the original Triode Electronics [Triode, USA] kit driver board (EF86's) and a capacitor board that I bought elsewhere. Left the power transformer stock. These are great little amps, everyone should have one.

Another sweet little tube integrated amp is the EICO HF-81 (EL84's) which I rebuilt but left stock.

 

RE: And the $1500 amp winner IS, posted on May 15, 2015 at 14:26:40
Mick Wolfe
Audiophile

Posts: 3365
Location: AZ
Joined: October 10, 1999
Contributor
  Since: September 4, 2000
 Solid choice . I've had a Latino ST 70 for years.( factory wired) Sent my CJ MV 75A1 pack'in once I dialed it in.

 

I like the looks of this company..., posted on May 16, 2015 at 08:14:02
Vinyl Valet
Audiophile

Posts: 1346
Location: Tempe, Arizona
Joined: November 13, 2003
 At some point, planning to build either his ST120 or M-125 monos. I love small operations like this.
Open up your mind, in pours the trash. - Meat Puppets, 1987

 

RE: Need workbench! , posted on May 16, 2015 at 14:36:14
mr.bear
Audiophile

Posts: 4167
Joined: November 13, 2001
 The best thing about moving off my boat into a stationary land-based house has been my workbench. We live in an "artists loft," at the insistence of the Bearette, who's an actual artist. That means paintings and stuff of every imaginable description in her "corner" so in my corner I bolted a 6ft. slab of Ikea countertop to the top of my Craftsman rolling tool-chest and added a hefty Tripp-Lite electrical panel and an RJ45 ethernet extension to the side. It's at the perfect height and my tools are all RIGHT HERE, jumping into my hand. A big magnifier fluorescent lamp completes the rig. It rolls where I want it and is just steps from the hi-fi and music PC so experimentation, tweaking, of just f*ing around is easy.

 

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