Final Chapter. Forty-Plus-Year Adventures with Vintage Dynaco Stereo Equipment and More!

July 22, 2018

#263

Gentle reader,

Well, this is it: The final chapter showcasing the crazy ride I've been on. I am have striven to show that acquiring components and speakers is a good thing. In my case, I never collected just to amass a collection. I don't have the room and feel that thing which were made to DO something should be employed as such. While stacks of speakers are impressive, listening to them is more so. I was often trying new things to see/hear if they improved the sound. If they did, I kept them and enjoyed them. The rest went to new homes. 

For those readers new to blogger.com, when viewing on a PC or MAC, clicking on any photo will open a window in front of this page. One can stroll through the photos either by clicking or the left/right arrow keys.

Here is a link to the previous chapter:

Forty-Plus-Year Adventures with Vintage Dynaco Stereo Equipment and More! PART FOUR


And here is a link to a list of EVERY article I have written of all-matters related to listening to music. Each article is listed like these links. Oldest at the top and newest at the bottom. Thus, the links are easy to read to help you decide which you will enjoy next.

EVERY Blog Article I Have Ever Written and Illustrated About Stereo Equipment and Speakers Galore!

Have I regretted passing things on to the next guy? Absolutely. In fact, the resurgence of interest in things analog has fueled a price increase on things I had sold for far less money back then. Thus, I can no longer afford what I once owned. Not just stereo equipment, but film cameras and lenses and more. There ought to be a book......

Speaking of analog...I found this image on the web. I have been enjoying reading it. A great read, there is a lot more "analog" things than I would have thought of. This is an excellent book.

Below, is what the room looked like in July, 2017:  

The ONLY change from a few days earlier, is a significant one. I finally found a PROTON preamplifier! It is the 1100 model, and I got it for a great price. Below is the front of it:

No shortage of inputs, it has the ability to record one thing while listening to another. Has a rumble (infrasonic) filter and even bass equalization. The last only for use with speakers with small woofers. On the back are switches for MM or MC cartridges and three choices of capacitance too! Plus a second pair of outputs marked "High Level". Since I could never find a manual, that one's exact purpose remains unknown.

 Then, these happened: Klipsch KG4 speakers! $9.99!

The came with risers on them, one of which had some veneer missing. Plus, the glue had failed on one and the base was no longer attached to the plastic brackets. I used those loose brackets mounted under the front to tilt the speakers upward and then sought a better solution. An extensive search led me to these bamboo step stools, seen below. Made for kids, they seemed ideal to get those horn tweeters nearer to ear level when I sat in my chair.

Another significant change occurred. See silver things above? Yep, this photo shows my first attempt to recreate my first stereo from 1976. I wrote all about that. A Dynaco PAT-5 preamp and all the SWTPC Tiger .01 mono power amps that I was finding did not work, I found a stereo version of them in the form of a 35 WPC amp all in the same size and type of chassis the Tiger 60 watt mono amp resides. Above the right speaker is a folding wooden shelf I put a LUXMAN turntable on for the 1976 stereo. Better, by far, than the B.I.C 940 unit I originally had, there was no room for it and the components.

But, I still needed Dynaco speakers. eBay had many A25 models, but they were all more than I wanted to spend. But there was a pair of A25XLs at $99. and no one was bidding on them! I bid and won! Sadly, one of the tweeters separated during transit......

Some rearranging moved the PAT-5 down and the SWTPC up next to the ST-200. The shelf and turntable was moved to the front wall.

A search on line found me one A25XL tweeter in Poland, of all places! It cost me and took a while to get here, but it works and was worth it.

Sonic totem poles.

I forgot to mention, I had bought ONE A25 speaker, a vinyl veneered version, but all the other solo models were still expensive. I decided to make a MONO system with it. I used my spare PROTON D540 as the amplifier for it. Look closely, it's beneath the ST-200 and to the left of the chrome faced SWTPC amp. Getting a bit crowded now.

WOW! What happened? An experiment in simplicity. Note how suddenly empty the shelves are. One of PROTON's most expensive components was their AI-3000 all-in-one-receiver-CD-cassette player. Retailed for $1,300 when it came out. VERY heavy unit. This one like so many was missing the fold-down door at the bottom that covered the less-used controls. 
My Denon turntable was the only external source for the PROTON. The LUXMAN turntable and JVC cassette were sources for the Dynaco, since CDs were far from being invented in 1976. 
PROTON had a whopping 22.5 WPC, which was plenty for the Klipsch KG4 speakers, being so efficient. Dynaco speakers were still attached to the Dynaco vintage system. Another whole article covered this HUGE change.

Halloween, 2017 coincided with the disassembly of the mono system AND the 1976 system, too. The PROTON is now being used with the LUXMAN turntable and powers the A25XLs while the rest of the stereo components are back, playing through the Klipsch KG4s.

Ten days later, the original system has been restored to it's places. To switch turntables, I unplugged one and plugged in the other. Kind of silly. The A25 is just a space filler now.

Here is the back, where I can use them, I have PANGEA power cables. I was still using both sets of BLE Design speaker cables. The only Liberty Cables cable that remains is for the Denon turntable. All the rest of the interconnects are high quality ones, mainly top of the Monster Cable line.

A random search on eBay for Panor-era Dynaco products revealed someone was selling their QD-2! The only "modern" Dynaco product that I could afford new was their updated version of the 1973 Dynaquad. The QD-1 Series II added a center channel and one could switch it out, listen to just the fronts or just the rear speakers. The QD-2 was their ultimate version with proper 3-way binding/banana posts on it. It sits right between the preamp and power amp.

The Dynaco A25XLs serve as the surround channels and face both sides of my chair. This was taken April 2nd, 2018. We're almost done!

Young grandkids are spending more time here lately, so all speaker grilles (8 total) are back in place for good. The flash washes out the color of my old Barcalounger wingback recliner. Now, you can see the overall picture of the room and surround speakers placement.

Because I'd expanded via the QD-2, all the BLE Design speakers cables were too short. So, I sadly passed them on to others. At this point, I had to move the Monster Cable Z-Series from upper to lower or vice versa with the front speakers. 

Also, note the Advent Baby Advent II speakers that I renovated are shown in situ for the first time in the photo above.

Most important and I believe, the FINAL change, is I finally scored a Panor-era Dynaco PAT-6 preamplifier-tuner. 
The PAT-5 Series II preamp they teased us with was never offered for sale. This beauty was their top-of-the-line and a SCORE at $89.00 from the original owner. I even have the manual and remote! So, that top row is ALL black Dynaco! The sound is SUPERB! 

The Baby Advents, which I replaced the cheap crossovers with not-cheap ones from Parts Express and replaced the spring terminals with 3-way binding/banana terminal, as well as their new foam kit   have   brought   those   long-throw   woofers   to   life!   I   never   would have thought these Latter-Day-Advent speakers would have been capable of such dynamic music. But they are.

The Babies being less efficient than the A25XLs means I can now hear the surround speakers better. The Klipsch KG4s serve as the "B" speakers. Below is the latest photo of the room, to avoid flash glare, I took the shot from an angle. I was using a camera I don't often try. So the flash was quite bright on the picture above the rifle's stock.
I now have two pair of Monster Cable Z-Series speaker cables for the front speakers. The "umbilical cord" cables serve well for the surround speakers.

I know I've said it many times, but I believe that I am finally done!  

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my humble blog. Keep on listening! 

Scott

July 22, 2018
#263
  
   
    

   

Forty-Plus-Year Adventures with Vintage Dynaco Stereo Equipment and More! PART FOUR

July 20, 2018

#262

Gentle reader,

I continue on with my ever expanding saga covering my forty-plus years pursuit of Audio Nirvana. I do so on a budget. Mostly previously enjoyed components. I buy locally and sell on eBay. My eBay funds get put back into my hobby. Now that I'm retired, even less is changing.  The last chapter can be found here:

Forty-Plus-Year Adventures with Vintage Dynaco Stereo Equipment and More! PART THREE.  

When we left off, I had completely disassembled both the stereo and six-channel systems with the eye towards simplifying. Here was the last photo from part three:

As you may recall, I had my nice glass and steel component shelve on my left with originally nothing on the front wall except the speakers. As time went by, more and more things started filling the room, even between the speakers. Then the six-channel system was added and more and more. Oh, and mostly unseen is all the artworks, many Asian that were filling the walls and shelves. And, of course LP shelves and numerous CD racks, even a cassette tape collection. When will it all end? By the way we are up to October, 2015, now.

First off, the Kenwood THX Certified power amp has gone to a new home because, I FINALLY scored a Panro-era Dynaco component: ST-200 power amplifier. There it is on the bottom, left. The two speakers on the outside up on the wall stands are AR 215 PS units. The modified Minimus 11s are on the inside. On the floor stands are iconic Radio Shack Optimus LX-5II with the legendary Linaeum ribbon tweeters. One can also clearly see my "bass traps" in the corners.

Here is the "dirty side" AKA: the back. I have been replacing the Liberty Cable interconnects with top-of-the-line Monster Cable ones. Some Liberty models remain. It take great pains to keep the AC cables and cords separate from the music carrying cables. Even though they are SO well made, it is unlikely any 60 Hertz hum could enter them.

The C-V LS-12s are back and the first appearance of my soon-to-be-restomodded Radio Shack Minimus 7W speakers. They are the tiny ones atop the C-Vs.

Stereo-200 has moved to the top left for ease of attaching/removing the speaker cable's banana plugs.  Also new is a TDK two-drawer CD-recorder. I sold the Pioneer single disc one when this TDK came along.   

Pushing the limits of these shelves. I had some 1/4 thick Lexan sheets, AKA: bullet-proof glass. Seriously,  this stuff it TOUGH! On the left, the Acoustic Research PS 215s, then the modded Minumus 11s, the LX-5II ribbon speakers and the Minumus 7 now sporting woven Kevlar (speaking of bullet-proof) from another form of the Optimus speakers which have a cult following. I'd have to go back and read my many-chapter coverage of the modding of these 7W speakers to see which ones they came from. Anyway, they are the first step in the long process.

What follows are three photos over a few weeks where I abandoned all other speakers (save the needed 12" sub) in order to fully test my completed Minimus 7W speakers. Look closely and you will see they now sport the same FMT ribbon tweeters their big brothers 11s have.

I could not decide where to put the massive  C-V LS12 speakers.

 OR the subwoofer! Also, the components had been rearranged. Again.

Note, also I have changed speaker cables. I have tried numerous models from several companies. In this photo, you can see some snaking up the left corner to the terminal plate in the ceiling.

Ah! The significance of this photo was lost on me for a minute. BTW, were up to the end of 2016 now. 
I bought a Yamaha C45 preamplifier and passed on the Adcom. The last surviving Adcom component is the ACE-515 power conditioner. 

Now, this photo shows the C-Vs back AND speaker cable changes, again. Note the "umbilical cord" cables now going up the corner? The black ones are Monster Cable Z-Series. The thick gray ones are M-C M-Series. The lighter color gray ones were crap. I read the reviews after installing them and sure enough, the bass was MIA.

A lovely pair of Philips speakers, also sporting ribbon tweeters have joined the fray. Model number is MCD-908. They were part of a Philips kit that included a hybrid tube/digital integrated amp and these speakers. I've read the amp was crap, but these speakers are not. They have curved sides and a nice glossy piano-like finish. Should have kept them.

Again, I had to study the photo closely to see the difference. Yamaha C45 preamp was moved out of service and my FIRST PROTON component took it's place. The legendary D540 integrated amp with DPD circuity. In essence it is Class A up to 40 watts. At that point a second transformer and power transistors cut in and provide more than enough power to handle ANY crescendo. I bought it to use as a preamp since the two sections can be separated electrically by pulling the two "U" pins.

Near the end of February, 2017, I have removed the Dynaco ST-200 and moved the PROTON to the top to try out the DPD circuitry. The blue stuff under the speaker switch is Blu-Tak reusable adhesive. The speaker cables are heavy and make the switch do a "wheelie". So it keeps the switch in place. I wrote several articles praising the PROTON DPD circuitry and could I afford a PROTON power amplifier, I would have one! It's THAT good.

Another close look was required. First, I saw the Yamaha and Dynaco stacked on the lower left. Looking around, I spied the BLE Design multi-strand speaker cables. A seller on eBay hand braids top-quality OFC thin cables in order to create budget versions of Kimber Kables. I tried a pair of his least expensive, liked them, reviewed them and he gave me a discount on his thicker ones. So, I used them too. The subwoofer is still for the wee Minimus 7W but I wasn't using them much at this time.

This photo shows the Dynaco is back and both sets of BLE Design cables in place. At some point, I'd upgraded from the silver OPPO to an all-black one, as well.

This is a good place to stop. Another major change is about to happen on or about July 20th, 2017. One that pleased me too. Nope, I am not going to give you a hint. Come to think of it, that was ONE YEAR ago. PART FIVE will be the LAST.

Thank you again for your generous time spent reading my humble blog. 

Scott 

July 20, 2018
#262 

Forty-Plus-Year Adventures with Vintage Dynaco Stereo Equipment and More! PART THREE.

July 19, 2018

#261

Gentle reader, 

Third in the continuing saga of seemingly constant changes I managed to achieve over more than forty years seeking "Audio Nirvana". Previous chapter is here:

Forty-Plus-Year Adventures with Vintage Dynaco Stereo Equipment and More! PART TWO.

What is missing above? A power amplifier, that's what.

And here it is. But wait, what else do we have here? It is the first iteration of a SEPARATE SIX-CHANNEL system to play SACDs in all their multi-channel splendor. SONY H-T receiver and OPPO universal player are the ticket to ride. The Kenwood THX Certified amp on the left is for the stereo system.

I picked up this teak shelf and decided to put it to use. I've found, bought and tried out numerous home theater receivers over the years. In fact, my latest find, a Pioneer VSX-971V, sits inches from me with a Denon universal player so that I can enjoy FM, CDs and SACDs in the home office.

Placement of that 12" sub was a problem as you can see below. 

First go-round with this new challenge. I found that single POLK Audio speaker in the center and came up with that contrived post/platform to put it on. The BOSE 301s are now the front speakers of the six channel kit. At first, I used two of the tiny Infinity speakers for the rears from the living room system. Oh, of course, the "home theater" in the living room was ALSO going through changes. Drove my wife nuts.

Extra speakers have found new homes. Much cleaner look now. Note, below, the addition of convoluted foam mounted on corrugated board behind the oak speakers, below. Bass traps?

Now, we are getting somewhere. I found a matching pair of POLK Audio speakers and stood them all upright. I read in one of the many books on speakers that they should never lay down. The author explained why, but that was an old book.

DAT's it! Yes, someone donated a Digital Audio Tape machine and I bought it. Turns out something was off because the tape speed was wrong. I sold it on.

Other finds, above, a Nakamichi CDC-200 changer which remains a permanent part of the stereo. The SONY DVP-S9000ES DVD-SACD player mentioned in the last chapter is at the bottom.

No longer had I a tuner in the stereo. That Floor Radio I wrote about previously did and still does nicely for FM in the listening room. JVC 3-head cassette is also a permanent part.

The OPPO was moved to the stereo because......

A SONY SACD changer took it's place. Who better than SONY to make a SACD player. They and Philips co-created both music disc formats.

New additions include a pair of Axiom Millennia M3Ti speakers atop the stands. AND a pair of DCM Timeframe 275 speakers. For a while, they were in the office doing duty.

Much to see hear and below. Get it? Anyway, I found a second subwoofer, don't recall who made it, both attached to the six-channel system. Found and installed a proper TV shelf for the center channel speaker. I do not recall the maker of that speaker either. Turns out, the woofer of the original Polk Audio had stopped working. Can't have that.

And speaking of POLK Audio, I found this center channel at a thrift store and ordered brand new POLK Audio speakers to match. Yes, the tweeters ARE supposed to be at the bottom. Axiom grilles are off here. They were my first speakers with non-parallel sides to the cabinets.

Now showing....Acutex MTS/3 speakers. The ones with fake midrange drivers. I decided to make them mirror-images by flipping one tweeter/fake over. I also refinished the cabinets. I love working with wood.

Don't know that it really made any difference. Here's the backs of them with sheets attached explaining.

I chose "Full size" for this image above, how big it is on whatever you are viewing this on, I have no idea. But I can read it right now. I replaced the cheap terminals as I often did with three-way binding/banana terminals.

Cerwin-Vega! That is how the badges read on my new-to-me LS-12s. My first and probably last pair of the American legends. They AND the BOSE 301s are now in this room, the office. They are driven by the Pioneer receiver in tandem. The BOSE are mounted near the ceiling directly above the LS-12s. They are eight feet apart. Literal wall of sound.

The second subwoofer has found a new home. Check out that big dragon on the old one!

White Van Speakers! I could not resist buying these Digital 2000 speakers. I bought them the same time as the C-Vs. I eventually took the components out and sold them, trashing the cabinets. 

They actually seem to be well made.

 Someone bought them.

Hopefully enjoying their sound.

This is the first appearance of my restomodded Radio Shack Minimus 11 diecast aluminum speakers, sitting in front of the C-Vs. I replaced everything which includes FMT ribbon tweeters from Parts Express. Now horn loaded.

I fully documented and presented a step-by-step article outlining all the changes I made to these wee speakers. Their sound was amazing. My wife, who is not into all this that I do, but being a collector as well, understands, sat through song after song as these played. She admitted they do sound amazing. She does not do that. Maybe a, "Mm-huh, that sound's nice."

Wiring and cables, there has been much written and argued about regarding this subject. I found a seller on eBay who was a home theater installer. He had dozens of Liberty Cable cables available, used, for a fraction of new cost. All top-of-the-line Z500s. I bought many and outfitted the system with them. They are the blue ones. Grey, or is it gray, ones are Monster Cable.

And then, it all came apart. Well, not by itself, I decided having TWO complete systems in one room was silly. Plus, the SACD surround sound to me was not that much of an improvement. As you can see, here are all the parts including speakers. Note the Radio Shack models with the Linaeum ribbon tweeters. Not previously seen here.   

This is a good stopping point in the saga. I hope you are enjoying these articles. I'm having a ball putting them together.

Thanks once again for looking. I really appreciate it.

Scott
July 19, 2018
#261