richieb Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 There are beautifully re-stored ST-70 and Mk.lll and IV on Agon and if one can find a nice 299A/B and then let NOS do his magic, which provide the best overall sound vs. value. Would the added expense of a pre for the Dynaco make the Scott more appealing. I could see a like new Dynaco paired with a Merlin making great sound for around $1500 vs. the re-stored Scott for around $700. Worth the difference? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lindsey Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Well, I have a modified Scott 299 by Craig and I can say it sounds great, but I would think a modified Dynaco ST-70 w/Merlin would be in a different stratosphere. If it were me, and I had the extra $800 laying around I would definitely opt for the separates. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rplace Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 In the grand scheme of things $800 is pretty small. I bet you have 800 bucks worth of CDs that have not been played in the last 3 years. [] If you have the cash handy I would go the separate pre and amp route. However, The two Scotts I have heard that were reworked by Craig at NOSValves are pretty darn nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meagain Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Well, I have a modified Scott 299 by Craig and I can say it sounds great, but I would think a modified Dynaco ST-70 w/Merlin would be in a different stratosphere. Hmmmmm...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lindsey Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Well... that's my story and I'm sticking to it. LOL Got the VRD's and the BlueBerry X, and am trying to hook it up as we speak. Will post pics and my impressions soon. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjgeraci Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Well, I have a modified Scott 299 by Craig and I can say it sounds great, but I would think a modified Dynaco ST-70 w/Merlin would be in a different stratosphere. If it were me, and I had the extra $800 laying around I would definitely opt for the separates. Mike Yes, I agree. While I have heard some nice Scotts integrateds, a JuicyMusic preamp is what takes it to another level (I own a Peach and have listened to a number of Merlins and Blueberries). And the Merlin is the incredible buy in the JuicyMusic arsenal. I also own a modded Dynaco ST-70 that I run with my rear Altecs (and have owned Mark IIIs). A nicely rebuilt St-70 is the bang for the buck champ of tube amps. Hard to substantially improve in quality without taking the next step up on the tube amp hierachy (and spending more than $1200). Spend the extra $800. Carl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwhaples Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 My start was with a Fisher then a NOS worked Scott,then a Dynaco ST70. And another ST70 when the first died while waiting for Craig to work over the Dynaco MKIII's .With a Blueberry for a pre I think I'm set for awhile. But all said, I enjoyed the ride hearing the different amps. Love the seperates! Good Luck! Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meagain Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Thanks for starting this thread. It's been helpful to me. Can anyone tell me why these Dynacos are so popular? I'm seeing alot of people with them. Is an ST-160 any good? Or is the 70 better for some reason? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
126mhz Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 I have both a Scott 299D and a Dynaco ST70, they have both been completely redone with news caps and a matched Quad of JJ valves. I have played them on two different systems, one driving a Pair of Mint 1983 LaScalas with new AA crossovers and the other driving a pair of Audio Physic Yara loudspeakers. For me it's way too close to call. Right now I have the ST70 driving the LaScalas and a Carver true sub with a McIntosh C11 tube pre amp and that's the way it will stay until I get another itch for a change. The Scott is driving a pair of Paradigm V3 Legends in a very small study, so small there's no way to get the maxium benefit from any single component, but I do love the Scott. If I could only have one,...well I guess it would have to be the Scott. It's an integrated unit that in my opinion can sound every bit as good as the Dynaco ST70. Now that I've gone to the trouble of having each one, (as well as the McIntosh C11) completely redone I never want to have to part with any of them. Yes, recently I heard a better sounding system in the huge loft room of the guy I bought the Audio Physic Yaras from. He and I added up the rough retail cost of his entire system and it was about twenty five thousand bucks. No doubt to either of us that his large room with twenty foot ceilings played a big part in how good his system sounds. It was really cool to see this guy's reaction to all of my vintage equipment. (you can read his feedback about me on Audiogon, my "Handle" there is 126mhz) P.S. The ST160 Dynaco is a solid state amp and I'm not too impressed with them. ( I got rid of one and still have two ST120's on ice as reserves because they are so inexpensive and perform half decent) PS Craig at NOS Valves went through my McIntosh C11 and I wish I had known about him when I had the Dynaco and Scott redone. His attention to detail, quality of work, and service is second to none that I have dealt with. ANY other audio electronic work I need done will be by no one other than him. Craig is a class act. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Bill, You finally put that C-11 back in your system cool! Thanks for the great comments. Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audio Flynn Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 I have both a Scott 299D and a Dynaco ST70, they have both been completely redone with news caps and a matched Quad of JJ valves. I have played them on two different systems, one driving a Pair of Mint 1983 LaScalas with new AA crossovers and the other driving a pair of Audio Physic Yara loudspeakers. For me it's way too close to call. Right now I have the ST70 driving the LaScalas and a Carver true sub with a McIntosh C11 tube pre amp and that's the way it will stay until I get another itch for a change. The Scott is driving a pair of Paradigm V3 Legends in a very small study, so small there's no way to get the maxium benefit from any single component, but I do love the Scott. If I could only have one,...well I guess it would have to be the Scott. It's an integrated unit that in my opinion can sound every bit as good as the Dynaco ST70. Now that I've gone to the trouble of having each one, (as well as the McIntosh C11) completely redone I never want to have to part with any of them. Yes, recently I heard a better sounding system in the huge loft room of the guy I bought the Audio Physic Yaras from. He and I added up the rough retail cost of his entire system and it was about twenty five thousand bucks. No doubt to either of us that his large room with twenty foot ceilings played a big part in how good his system sounds. It was really cool to see this guy's reaction to all of my vintage equipment. (you can read his feedback about me on Audiogon, my "Handle" there is 126mhz) P.S. The ST160 Dynaco is a solid state amp and I'm not too impressed with them. ( I got rid of one and still have two ST120's on ice as reserves because they are so inexpensive and perform half decent) PS Craig at NOS Valves went through my McIntosh C11 and I wish I had known about him when I had the Dynaco and Scott redone. His attention to detail, quality of work, and service is second to none that I have dealt with. ANY other audio electronic work I need done will be by no one other than him. Craig is a class act. So I do not want to seem like a butt kisser; I refrain from Craig testamonials. Having the good fortune to live in Michigan about an hour and 15 from Craig he has worked on my equipment and taught me allot for several years now. Perhaps i have taught him a thing or 2 in the process. I second the "second to none" comment. [<)] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshnich Posted February 18, 2006 Share Posted February 18, 2006 I must be the odd man out. I have a NOS Valves 299d as well as a NOS Valves ST 70 and I happen to prefer the Scott. Now I havent run the Dynaco with anything but a PAS 2 so maybe that's the issue. Or maybe I just have a preference for 7591 based amps. So to each his own! Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnysal Posted February 18, 2006 Share Posted February 18, 2006 a good rebuilt st-70 (or better yet the mkIV) is hard to beat in terms of sound for the dollar, paired with a great preamp, like marks, you should be in great shape. the dynacos had clever circuits and very nice trannies... getting a really nice 299 (the el84 versions) that has best tubes and best upgraded caps is still a nice rig... great and great, nice choices to have.... tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audio Flynn Posted February 18, 2006 Share Posted February 18, 2006 I must be the odd man out. I have a NOS Valves 299d as well as a NOS Valves ST 70 and I happen to prefer the Scott. Now I havent run the Dynaco with anything but a PAS 2 so maybe that's the issue. Or maybe I just have a preference for 7591 based amps. So to each his own! Josh The PAS 2 I borrowed for a couple of months was a pretty good line stage for digital. Phono for Dynaco seemed quiet but rolled of a bit on both ends, not to my taste. The one I heard was bone stock as I recall. Nice bass weight on the 299D due to the trannies and 7591s... and the circuit of course. Only Scott I ever heard that seemed challenged is my own LK-48. After about a year of use the power transformer gave out most likely to abuse and poor bias from past owner. The new power trannie makes the LK-48 sing. I have it in the bedroom with my KSB 3.1s; an older unapreciated bookshlef model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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