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REVIEW: Dynaco ST-120 Kit: Wired & Tested Amplifier (Tube)

50.139.137.183
Posted on April 9, 2016 at 06:37:57
Keith R.
Audiophile

Posts: 1
Location: NYC Tri State Area
Joined: April 9, 2016
Model: ST-120 Kit: Wired & Tested
Category: Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price: $995.00
Description: Bob Latino built 60 wpc kit: wired and tested
Manufacturer URL: Dynaco

Review by keith R. on April 09, 2016 at 06:37:57
IP Address: 50.139.137.183		Add Your Review
for the ST-120 Kit: Wired & Tested

What a great product & experience! Bob is absolutely fantastic from sale to start up! This is the first kit I have ever built! I am an accountant with moderate mechanical ability. Have never soldered anything in my life. Took my time read instructions over and over on a couple parts, contacted Bob here and there (great responsiveness). When complete amp fired right up and sounds great! This amp replaced a jbl urei, and have a bob carver sunfire in my main system. Speakers it's running are B&W 603's can't say enough about the sound, as other folks have said can really pick out/hear the instruments when listening and the warmth. Only negative I want to build another one and my wife wants it moved out of man cave up to main system!

Product Weakness: Wife can clearly hear difference between solid stare which means there is another build in my future.
Product Strengths: Sound, support & build quality!

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Dynamo st 120
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Aric Audio Custom Tube Pre
Sources (CDP/Turntable): iPad
Speakers: B&W 603's
Cables/Interconnects: Off the shelf
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Classic Rock
Room Size (LxWxH): 16 x 13 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: 13 X 16
Time Period/Length of Audition: 15 hours
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition): My system

 

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I have Bob's ST-70 kit with Gold Lion KT66 output tubes, posted on April 9, 2016 at 09:46:52
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 I'm sorry to tell you this but Ain't NOTHING gonna be an upgrade to that amp!!!! So looks like you're outta the audio game.

After you built it and turned it on to adjust the bias, for just a few seconds didn't you think the amp wasn't even on. It was dead - and I mean DEAD silent!!!!

I have the 70 kit from VTA and I quickly realized this IS the best piece of audio I will ever own. Sure you can get some stuff to fool around with. but in the end you and I both know you're never going to surpass that amp.

I'm kind of at the point now that I just want to buy something - just to buy it. I don't need it but that is what the audio bug is all about. Buying more stuff.
A true classic. Enjoy the amp.

And BTW isn't Bob a wonderful guy to deal with.

 

RE: REVIEW: Dynaco ST-120 Kit: Wired & Tested Amplifier (Tube), posted on April 9, 2016 at 11:45:46
SgreenP@MSN.com
Audiophile

Posts: 3537
Joined: April 23, 2007
 I remember clearly when I built mine and it didn't work...2 cold solder connections.....but then I built the preamp pas2, and FM tuner without a hitch. Enjoy...

 

I can't believe no one else seems interested in this amp considering how good it is, posted on April 12, 2016 at 06:03:25
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 I've had a LOT LOT LOT of gear. And the VTA amps clearly, and I mean by a mile, SMOKE them.

To quote today's society "I've got mine and that's all that counts".

Keep posting your reviews as the amp breaks in. At least I'm interested in hearing about it.

charles

 

RE: I can't believe no one else seems interested in this amp considering how good it is, posted on April 13, 2016 at 05:21:06
wgallupe
Audiophile

Posts: 610
Location: Central Massachusetts
Joined: November 7, 2002
 I own one and love it. It smokes all the amps I have owned over the years including Krell, Conrad Johnson (solid state), McCormack, Threshold, Nakamichi, Yamaha, Adcom, Crown (DC300A not the pro stuff)...

 

Got that right, posted on April 13, 2016 at 13:26:12
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 I have the ST-70 with the upgrade caps and Gold Lion KT66's

It's about as good as it gets when it comes to amps!!!!

 

Oh, I'm interested. You betcha., posted on April 15, 2016 at 16:36:41
olddude55
 60wpc isn't enough for Maggies in my opinion, but should be plenty for Fried Model R/IIs.
Got the tubes4hifi website all bookmarked.

 

Also interested, posted on April 16, 2016 at 09:18:04
M3 lover
Audiophile

Posts: 6601
Location: SW Mich
Joined: May 29, 2005
Contributor
  Since: July 4, 2007
 In the ST-70 that is.

I just received upgraded tweeters for my Dyna A-25 speakers which I expect to set up in the den/office after I move. I have to believe the ST-70 would be a very good match with those. Sort of a retro system as my first stereo included the Dyna St-70 with AR-4 speakers.

"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made." Groucho

 

RE: REVIEW: Dynaco ST-120 Kit: Wired & Tested Amplifier (Tube), posted on April 21, 2016 at 15:00:22
monkuboy
Audiophile

Posts: 3
Location: So Cal
Joined: April 21, 2016
 Congrats on your amp build! I just finished building the same kit last weekend (and had to redo some solder joints as well). I haven't had a chance to do extensive listening but this amp sounds incredibly good. It is my first tube amp and I am still skeptical, thinking that maybe my ears and mind are playing tricks on me because it definitely is a step up from the solid state amps I've had.

Previously I've never really heard any difference among the solid state amps but with the ST-120, right away I noticed a difference, so I kept listening to confirm it actually existed and it wasn't a placebo effect. So far, so good but I'm waiting for the weekend so I can really spend a lot of time with it.

Anyway, this is my first post in the Asylum so I thought it would be fitting to do it here, talking about this wonderful amp. I am wowed.

 

RE: Oh, I'm interested. You betcha., posted on June 27, 2021 at 15:07:42
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 Hear 'ya about 60 a side and Maggies......
But WHAT IF I found a high sensitiity speaker I liked as well?
I'm going to audition the KLIPSCH FORTE IV, about as far from a panel as you can get!
Too much is never enough

 

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