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Preamp choice for a Dynaco ST-35 amp

Hi all,

I am new to the forum and just getting into hifi gear. I have Dynaco ST-35 amp freshly restored by Blackie Pagano in NYC, and I am wondering what preamp to pair it with.

I am considering the Dynaco PAS 3X tube preamp (around $500), but also am tempted by a Mcintosh C32 solid state preamp going for around $1000. Generally I'm wondering if anyone has experience with using tube / ss preamps in combo with a tube power amp and any thoughts about these specific preamps or others...

Also, I plan on using the setup with my turntable and some sort of aux input for an iPhone / Mac... Do I also need some sort of a DAC for the aux stuff? I am new to all this TBH.

Any advice would be much appreciated... Thanks!
128x128wesleysmyth
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,468 posts
 
I built my PAS 3X and am pretty sure it had a phono section...(this was many years ago and I might have misremembered)
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,671 posts
 
You best off stickin’ with a tube preamp. There is a nice Conrad-Johnson PV-12A listed here for $995. It has a phono section included!
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
best sound quality for your computer files will be with a separate DAC, some are built into modern pre-amps

a good SS pre-amp will be just fine (I say that as a guy with 2 tube pre-amps)

you could use the DACs built into your iphone or mac at least for a while

you say 500/1,000 but what is your total budget?

speakers are the most critical thing to spend $$ on...
wesleysmyth's avatar
wesleysmyth OP
2 posts
 
Thanks a bunch for all the advice!

@randy-11 My total budget prob tops out around $1000 for the preamp...

Also, I don't have the speakers yet, but am planning on picking up some klipsch heresy's when I find the right used pair.
bpoletti
1,552 posts
 
The Dyna is a good choice.  But make sure the preamp is fully warmed-up, a full minute or more, BEFORE you power up the amp.  And make sure you power down the amp and wait 30 seconds or so BEFORE you power down the preamp.  The PAS 3X can shoot some stupid voltages downstream during the power up / power down process. 

The PAS 3X has a rather decent phono stage.  It can be further improved with a swap out of higher quality caps and resistors. 

The PAS 3X / ST 35 combo can be nicely musically satisfying. 
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