2. amps-preamps
  3. 1301002577

A good Preamp for ST70

Hello. I recently bought a Will Vincent ST 70 and I am wanting some advice on a good preamp. Built in phono is not a must but I would like to stick with tubes. This particular St70 has an interesting retro look to it with the meter on the front and of course the exposed tubes. As such I would really like to find a preamp that not only sounds good but has a similar look. As a contrast I would use the CJ PV 14 I have now. I hope that makes sense. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Tracy
kollert
ts0711
91 posts
 
I used an inexpensive passive (Luminous Audio Axiom) with a set of Will's rebuilt MKIII mono blocks. The sound was just incredible. Single source only, but it sounded f-ing great. I still have the pre in my closet as a backup.
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hoopster
184 posts
 
Atmasphere,

What is the ball park cost of a rebuild/update on a Dyanco tubed pre? That is something I may want to consider at some point. Seems it might be difficult to find one original cheap enough to make this work if you are paying to have the work done. I found my ST70 already rebuilt/updated fortunately for a good price.
kollert OP
13 posts
 
Atmasphere, I was gooing to ask the same question. Do you still do this work and what would a good budget price be?
gopher
499 posts
 
I used an Eastern Electric Minimax preamplifier with Tom Tutay mods when I had my lightly upgraded Dynaco ST-70 and it was a super musical combination. I have upgraded my components significantly since then and I'm not sure its more musical than what I used to experience with that pairing. Would love to try my current Shindo pre with an ST70 for grins.
trelja
3,223 posts
 
Hoopster, your opinion is at least as valid as anyone else's.

I also like the suggestion from Gopher regarding the EE Minimax.

Personally, I even get great results using a CD player (including my Dynaco CDV-2) going straight into my ST70. In my second system with either the Merlin VSM or Fried A/6 loudspeakers that the Dynaco pairs so well with, I feel far more than satisfied on a late night.
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