2.06.2004
ST-35 Upgrade tips
From: http://www.audioreview.com/Amplifiers/Dynaco,Stereo,35/PRD_115773_1583crx.aspx
If you do have or get one of these amps, you might want to try the following: change out the cheapy bluish-green coupling caps to some better caps. If I was doing this today, I would look into the inexpensive Chinese paper-in-oil caps that Steve sells at Angela Instruments (www.angela.com) as my first choice. Otherwise, try some film caps that are not too expensive. When I did this six years ago, there wasn't the proliferation of good caps like there is today. I had a choice between MIT and Wondercap. I got some Wondercaps. I didn't want to spend too much modding this amp because it's a very good amp, but not a great amp. I feel even more strongly today. You can do what you want, but I wouldn't go putting Audio Note/Jensen oil caps or Hovland Musicaps in this amp. It's just not worth it.
Also, you can change the resistors to Roederstein or Beyschlag or Dale metal film. Some people say don't change out the old carbon resistors in the ST-70 or ST-35 or the amp will sound mechanical. It's a matter of taste, I suppose. I thought it sounded more open and dynamic when I changed to good audiophile grade metal film. Even so, I still think the sound is too smooth. Don't use Holco for this, as they tend to fail more frequently when used with more than 100v through them, so I hear. Again, I wouldn't use anything too expensive, like Caddock, Vishay, or exotic carbon or tantalum films...not worth it, in my book. Also, change out the two old rectifier diodes to some ultra-fast soft recovery units.
If you do have or get one of these amps, you might want to try the following: change out the cheapy bluish-green coupling caps to some better caps. If I was doing this today, I would look into the inexpensive Chinese paper-in-oil caps that Steve sells at Angela Instruments (www.angela.com) as my first choice. Otherwise, try some film caps that are not too expensive. When I did this six years ago, there wasn't the proliferation of good caps like there is today. I had a choice between MIT and Wondercap. I got some Wondercaps. I didn't want to spend too much modding this amp because it's a very good amp, but not a great amp. I feel even more strongly today. You can do what you want, but I wouldn't go putting Audio Note/Jensen oil caps or Hovland Musicaps in this amp. It's just not worth it.
Also, you can change the resistors to Roederstein or Beyschlag or Dale metal film. Some people say don't change out the old carbon resistors in the ST-70 or ST-35 or the amp will sound mechanical. It's a matter of taste, I suppose. I thought it sounded more open and dynamic when I changed to good audiophile grade metal film. Even so, I still think the sound is too smooth. Don't use Holco for this, as they tend to fail more frequently when used with more than 100v through them, so I hear. Again, I wouldn't use anything too expensive, like Caddock, Vishay, or exotic carbon or tantalum films...not worth it, in my book. Also, change out the two old rectifier diodes to some ultra-fast soft recovery units.
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.