Marvel

I didn't care that it wasn't going to be a "Dynaco". It does sound great, or did until one of the old EL34s bit the dust this week. A new set is on order, and gives me time to swap out the transformer and choke. Some people get all bent out of shape with having it still look like an original. Doesn't really matter to me, since the circuit is no longer a Hafler design. Such a sweet sound. The EL34s are plenty of power for my listening levels, and not overkill. I am tempted to build one from scratch the next go 'round. I almost did that instead of fixing this first, but knew it would be good to follow something I basically understood first. Maybe I'll rip apart the little Knight amp I have... Marvel

I can't help you out with the crossovers. I know that John Albright or his brother built the one set DHA2, and said they sounded really good. The automotive light bulb that is in the tweeter circuit is for tweeter protection. The schematics were just what I had filed away. Marvel

Dr. Bill, Why don't you contact Manley Labs and see what they would charge for the KT-90. Might be a little higher, but I'll bet they will be good. One of their monoblock amps uses 10 KT-90s, for 275 watts in triode mode! ================= FAQ #16p. Can I call in my spare tubes order? Sure. Give a call to the factory (909) 627-4256 and ask for Manny in the parts department if you already know what you need. FAQ #17. Do you accept credit cards? Yes we do: Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. But don't be emailing those numbers. Call or FAX them in. ================== They might not sell you tubes since you don't have a Manley amp. Or try Kevin at Upscale Audio, as they test their tubes, and have KT-90s and KT-88s: http://www.upscaleaudio.com/view_category.asp?cat=39 Cheers, Marvel

This is one of those philosophical things. How much can you replace before it isn't what the name says? I have had an ST-70, since the early '70s, but it really needed some work. I have replaced the power supply and the driver board. I don't really consider this a Dynaco anymore, since all the main circuitry is different. But, the power transformer was running really hot (thanks to Mark for helping me through some of the diagnostics). Secondaries were running very high. Putting it on the variac, I cranked down the ouputs to where they were the correct values (360-360, etc.). Then I measured the primary and it was sitting right on 110 volts. Hmmmm, it's supposed to be a 117V tranny, but who knows, this was one of the later versions where the transformers were made in Japan. I ordered a new power tranny from Ned, and it arrived today. His ads say it has a 120 v primary, which would fit where I live just fine. Supposed to run cooler at full load as well. This thing is HUGE! The laminations are stacked 2 3/8" compared to the original's 1 3/8". The other physical dimensions are the same so that you can drop it into place. (carefully). I'll get some pictures of the two together. I won't have time to swap it out until later in the week. While I was at it, I went ahead and got the replacement choke. So it won't be a Dynaco at all when I am done, other than the chassis and the output transformers. I guess that a new chassis may not be too far behind. Whew! The ST-70 chassis doesn't give you a lot of room to work in. Marvel

Kinda cool that the schematic is actually posted there too.

I really kinda liked the old site where the drop down/pop out the side, menus listed everything. Classic, Heritage, etc. If that had been tied into price ranges it would have been nice, although they don't have the list price posted anyway. Marvel

Dean, Referring back to page one of this lengthy discourse. You mentioned the difficulty of removing solder from the boards. I have found it useful, on occasion, to put more back on. Use some cheap stuff with a lot of rosin in it. It will flow easily, and mix with the original, and then be easier to remove. Marvel

Here are schematics for crossovers. The DHA2 is from John Albright. Take your pick. Marvel

This catalog has lots of high quality, machined knobs: Machined knobs Marvel

The last edition of the website was far easier to navigate and find products. Sometimes I just don't understand. Marvel

Attached is a zip file with the two plans sheets for the LS, and a txt file with notes from Andy (HDBRBuilder) a former Klipsch employee. He made corrections, an as far as I know, these are about as close as they will get. He tells you how many pieces of a given size you need, etc., and the order of assembly. It might help you out. Marvel

Have any of you guys ever used Lundahl transformers? I know their line stage and mic input models are pretty highly rated. I was looking at a pair for EL34 PP OPTs and they were about $115 each (U.S. dollars). Not to badly priced. I would give the Hammonds a decent rating. At least they are consistent and available, at a quite reasonable price. Most DIYers can't run with the big dogs. Marvel

Tom, I am willing to bet that most have never heard the old soundtracks in their proper setting. Like hearing or seeing South Pacific after it was in the theaters and before HT was out. Then you were stuck with a (maybe) 19 inch TV with built in speakers. And most TV stations left the color burst on when showing Black and White films. A less than optimal viewing. And most of the soundtrack albums at the time were played back on those fold down turntable stereos with a six inch speaker. That's all we had while I was growing up. The old B&W films projected with a carbon arc lamp are simply stunning in appearance. As for LOTR, CAS misses the point. Go back fifty years and you didn't have Dungeons and Dragons per se. LOTR was written as quite the Christian epic, good against evil, doing the right thing even when there is no hope. There is a lot of subtlety in the three books, more of which comes out in the extended films, only available on the DVDs. I love them. However, there were cinematic gaffes. Most of the images of the trolls and orcs, were taken from Tolkien's own sketches. Real Tolkien junkies have trashed the films pretty soundly, but I think they also miss the point. The movies (LOTR) are far from perfect. If you ever read Dr. Zhivago, you would wonder that they were ever able to make a movie out of it, and it was only one volume. My home theater viewing takes place on a 13 inch tv. The audio is so so. Marvel

Thanks Jim. I may just have to send him an email when I get some cash in hand. Marvel

Tom, Are you living in Chi town now or down South? You've mentioned both. Hope the married life is agreeing with you. You'll probably start putting on weight. Marvel

I can't find any of his amps on ebay right now. Was that a current item he had listed? Marvel

The one thing I could dig in Australia is opals! Since most of the U.S. got hit with a huge smowstorm this past week I could enjoy some heat. How about that huge earthquake? Looks awful, withgreat loss of life. Marvel

And classier too Jim. It would just be nice to get one from someone IN the U.S. Unless I lived in Australia. I know the BEZ stuff gets pretty good reviews, and you have been satisfied with yours. Marvel

It does say no units available on the page. Still, the price is lower than a lot of those Chinese/HK EL34 amps. I may give them a call just to see what's up. Not that I have the money right now. The Dynaco was sounding sweet, but one of the output tubes (all original EL34) dropped dead over the past week. I have more on order, but they won't arrive for a while yet. Back to SS. Marvel

Greg, If the guy you bought them from built them, does he have the original plans for them. If so, you could use those to se how big the horn is for calculationg what you need. Looks like he squeezed a long horn into that box for sure. I would try the Fostex drivers before I spent any money on Lowthers. Marvel

This may be old hat for everyone here, but I stumbled on this yesterday. NOT affiliated with "Handwound". They have a 2A3 amp for $625 (stereo!!). Has amyone had any experience with these guys? 2A3 amp Oh, Merry Christmas to all! Marvel

Chris, They use the term 'integrated' rather loosely. Since it has volume controls, you can go with what you've got. This way you eliminate another set of electronics from the signal path. If you would want to add other sources (DVD player audio, cassette deck, mini disk, iPod), you would need either a switch box to pick your source, or a preamp/linestage, that would have control over the various inputs, and usually give you a single volume control and perhaps a balance control. Some of the preamps will also add tone controls, covering bass boost and cut and treble boost and cut. Might even have a mid control but that wouldn't be as common. It's up to you and your wallet. You are going the more purist approach. ...and welcome to the forum. Most of us are nuts here. Be prepared.

There is abolutely zip/nada on their website. Is this stealth marketing or what? Marvel

007, Hang in there. Do what you need to do. -- I got a Day Timer for Christmas. Now all the family but the youngest has one. I now just have to use it. And a remastered CD of Eric Clapton's Slow Hand. It sounds really good on my not-so-stellar system. Actually playing it through the pc into my ST-70, which really needs new output tubes (they have been ordered). We're having present giving with other family on Monday evening. Best of all, is everyone is healthy here. Merry Christmas everyone! Marvel

As Dr. Who says, the hum could be from the new outlets being on a different 120V leg than the old ones. When you have 240 come into a building, it gets split into two 120 volt sides. Depending on the load on each side, there can be a difference in ground potential. Have a look at this article on the Peavey website, covering AC power distribution: http://www.peavey.com/support/technotes/soundsystems/acpowerdist.cfm Marvel