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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 donmiller714@gmail.com on September 26, 2015 at 08:31:35 IP Address: 24.253.13.212 | Add Your Review for the ST-120 Kit: Wired & Tested |
Bought the VTA ST-120 kit with attenuator and Russian cap upgrade. The assembly instructions are very comprehensive, complete and easy to understand. This was only my second kit and I had no trouble putting it together from the instructions. The parts were all very high quality (vs. the first kit I bought online) and the parts layout was easy to understand. But that's not the best part of this kit.
The best part was the service after the sale. You see, I didn't exactly put my kit together correctly despite the instructions (follow them to the letter and in sequence is my advice there). It turns out that I'd soldered one wire to the wrong lead, causing a loud hum in one channel and some real smoke during the "smoke test". I spent a Sunday online during Labor Day weekend with Bob Latino trying to diagnose the problem. We exchanged over a dozen emails with pictures and videos. At every step Bob was gracious and informative in helping a newbie (me) get my project working. When it was clear that I needed to get someone to physically look at the amp, Bob referred me to Troy Madden for repair. There again, Troy found the problem quickly and turned the job around within a day or so of receiving my amp. The repair service was much less expensive than if I'd taken it locally too. In addition, Troy added a mod to help protect the rectifier.
When I got my amp back it worked perfectly. The amp itself sounds amazing! Super quiet with zero hum/hiss. Definitely worth every penny! I highly recommend this kit not only for its quality but for the people that stand behind their product. Thanks Guys!!!
Product Weakness: | None I'm aware of |
Product Strengths: | Sound, parts, ease of construction |
Amplifier: | VTA ST-120 |
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | None |
Sources (CDP/Turntable): | IPhone 6 |
Speakers: | Polk RTi A9 |
Cables/Interconnects: | wired |
Music Used (Genre/Selections): | Jazz, vocals, rock |
Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
"I didn't exactly put my kit together correctly despite the instructions"
Huh?
"You won't come back from Fletcher-Munson curve"-Jan and Dean
At least he manned up to it! I give him credit for that.
Most of us would use denial - Well if Bob didn't use such clear instructions I wouldn't have gotten so confused in the first place.
That could happen to anybody.
I was commenting on the conflicting comments in his "review".
For example, if I said:
"The service at the new restaurant was excellent. The waiter forgot my wife's appetizer and charged us for a bottle of wine we never ordered."
You wouldn't question that dichotomy?
"You won't come back from Fletcher-Munson curve"-Jan and Dean
Ok fair enough
If the original poster had put up a regular post about his experiences, I'd never have commented. But he chose to write a review , which I think deserves more attention to details, clarity, etc. than a standard post. For example, it's too bad the review didn't contain a link to the VTA Dynaco site where he apparently purchased the amp, instead of a Dynaco history site. Again, details.
That said, I'm glad he got his kit working, and think it's great that Bob Latino went the extra mile to help out a customer. I hope the amp meets his every expectation, and gives him a long, trouble free experience.
"You won't come back from Fletcher-Munson curve"-Jan and Dean
Having just finished the VTA ST-70 myself I can attest that Bob Latino puts out a TOTL kit product. The parts are all high quality and the engineering design I believe takes this amp far beyond it's original potential.I also wish that the OP review would have mentioned that these amps are NOT their fathers old Dynaco amps. They are what I would consider some of the best tube amps available. Regardless of it's kit status.
I plan on posting my review of my VTA ST-70 in about a week or two. I want to edit it with the due respect the amp/kit deserves.
Edits: 09/29/15
His mono bloc's look interesting ...
Good Stuff Don,
Nice you eventually got it all sorted, by the way, i noticed no multiple taps for impedance on the back, how are you selecting amplifier load ..?
regards.
The output transformers on all the VTA amps have multiple secondary taps for 4, 8 or 16 ohms. When you build the amp you just connect either the 4 or 8 or 16 ohm tap to the red binding post depending on the impedance of the speakers you intend to use with the amp. If you do need multiple taps, like BOTH 4 and 8 ohm, they are available (at extra cost).
Bob
New issue comes with a 'triple' for each speaker.....so you can wire 4/8 or whatever you desire.....
Too much is never enough
Thanks Bob ....
Great.. Always a deep feeling of Accomplishment.
Although to be fair your current ancillary Gear; Ain't much of a 'test' for the things' Sound qualities/goodness though.
And you are correct in everything you mentioned.
The instructions really are laid out well and easy to follow. You must have been just a BITTTTTT to excited there!
One thing that did shock me was how darn quiet those amps are. I mean DEAD quite!!!
And the sound - well - I'm done! I can't imagine finding a better amp. I'm trying to cobble together a review for my build.
Enjoy and post your findings in a week or two when it breaks in.
charles
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