I had owned one of these units and sold it to my brother N' law to get him started on a somewhat higher end journey, connected to his Klipsch Forte III's he absolutely loves it. Compared to a original restored unit I also owned I felt it was leaps ahead in sound compared to the original design. Unfortunately do to some JADED reviewer which potential customers were swayed by this little gem never had the chance to take off. I regret selling mine but at least I know it is still in the family. If given the oppurtunity I suggest you snatch it!
I looked at the series 3 before I bought my VTA ST 120 (kit). The price was about the same as VTA’s 105 watt monoblocks. I have a 40x40’ listening space ( my shop) and thought 35 watts might be minimal. I believe Hafler’s tube designs are the best value in tube audio, and it appears you scored on that series 3. I also have a Dynaco Stereo 400, which I completely rebuilt, and a Hafler DH 500 (future rebuild). That MC 2105 is another classic… a friend had one in the mid 70s. Nice video!
@@briansilcox5720 in my living room I went back to solid state. A Schiit Vidar 2 to drive power hungry Polk SDA 2.3’s my son-in-law gave to me. The Dynaco now in my office driving a pair of infinity bookshelf speakers. At one time I had a Hafler DH101 preamp. Developed issues due to age. Are you happy with the VTA’s?
I'm in a similar boat, being a long time owner of a Dynaco Series II amp. It didn't take off in popularity due to a really evil review done by a bitter audio magazine at the time. We all know now that it's a fantastic improvement on the original design, but it was too late and now they're extraordinarily rare with very little information available.
Thanks for making this video! I also have this amplifier and was lucky enough to get it when it was on close out for 1500.00 as well. It is my favorite amp. It sounds better than other EL34 amps I compared it to and it looks amazing. I was sad to hear it was discontinued. Guess it was just too expensive at 3000.
I am still using the original JJ E34L output tubes. I tried some current production Mullards (Russian) but the JJs sounded much better to me. What are you using? Really loving this amp btw. Hard to believe there were only 50 made. What a shame. Such a beauty!
I’m using a vintage pair of Polk RTA 12B’s. I also tried a friend’s vintage Genesis Model 2+. Both are efficient speakers. What are you using and why do you say “unlucky?”
@@LeeBergerMediaProd , I'm using a vintage pair of dahlquist dq-20 (perhaps a little bit power hungry) , sounds ok , but bass is a bit lacking , and the amp probably is not powerful enough to control the speakers - "unlucky" only in that the company got sold, and the product got discontinued. :) - looking to try other speakers with the amp and see-
@@daveybro Quick Google search shows between 50-250 watts . I'd be interested to hear your opinion with more efficient speakers. Yes, too bad Radial got bought and discontinued the amp. Probably couldn't compete with inexpensive Chinese amps of similar output.
Stumbled across this video. I have been using the amp in a second/office system I have found solid performed with JBL 4319s. No issues since the 2019 purchase with many hours on the original tubes.
The ST 70 Series 3 isn’t really a classic amp as it was manufactured in 2018. It’s a modern take on the classic ST70. While the ST70 is a power amp, the R8 is an integrated amplifier with a preamplifier section. Check out the Skunkie Designs RU-vid channel. She has an excellent series on repairing and improving the R8 which gives insight into its build quality and design.
