Upgrades to do next

OverAnalyst · 1219

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Offline OverAnalyst

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on: July 03, 2021, 03:59:31 PM
Curious what you guys think. What is the weakest link in my setup? And/or, what upgrades/changes would you suggest? I thought about getting some "higher quality" RCA cables as I just use ones I have around the house, but not sure if that'll make a difference on my setup? Or would they? Anything outside of this list would be appreciated as well. I should also mention I'm not willing to spend thousands of dollars. Trying to make a lot from a little.

TT: Rega RP1 with upgrade package (Bias2 cartridge)
Phono Preamp: BH Reduction w/upgrade
Preamp: Dynaco PAT4 (w/most upgrades from Upgrademydynaco.com)
Amp: Dynaco ST80 (w/amp upgrade from Upgrademydynaco.com)
Speakers: Energy EXL16


Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #1 on: July 03, 2021, 04:21:51 PM
The biggest weakness in most people's systems is an utter lack of treating the room. 

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man

Offline Tubegopher

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Reply #2 on: July 03, 2021, 05:03:18 PM
OK, don't judge me for this but I think your weakest link is the Dynaco SS Pat 4 preamp. and next is the Dynaco SS amplifier. Even the Dynaco PAS tube preamp is significantly better that the PAT4. You could start there and move to a tube amplifier from there. Just my opinion.

300B amps with 6SJ7 in Triode mode, dc fil. volt. for 300Bs. BeePre with Bill Milosz built Eros Phono. Teres Turntable, Pete Riggle "12 inch Woody Tonearm" Grace F9  with Soundsmith ruby cantilever stylus.Cambridge Audio CD with MHDT Labs Orchid DAC Rega NAOS Spkrs, Atelier Rullit super tweeters

Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #3 on: July 03, 2021, 07:00:37 PM
The Updatemydynaco.com kit for the ST-80 pretty much guts everything in the amp other than the power transformer and turns it into a gainclone.  This is a great idea! 


Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man

Offline Tubegopher

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Reply #4 on: July 03, 2021, 07:30:42 PM
OK, Paul, please give me some more detail on this comment. I can't tell what you are thinking.

300B amps with 6SJ7 in Triode mode, dc fil. volt. for 300Bs. BeePre with Bill Milosz built Eros Phono. Teres Turntable, Pete Riggle "12 inch Woody Tonearm" Grace F9  with Soundsmith ruby cantilever stylus.Cambridge Audio CD with MHDT Labs Orchid DAC Rega NAOS Spkrs, Atelier Rullit super tweeters

Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #5 on: July 03, 2021, 07:50:13 PM

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man

Offline OverAnalyst

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Reply #6 on: July 04, 2021, 07:16:55 AM
Quote from: Paul Birkeland on July 03, 2021, 04:21:51 PM
The biggest weakness in most people's systems is an utter lack of treating the room.

I have to admit, I haven't gave room treatment the attention it deserves. It may be that time now. Looks like plenty of material out there on this one too. Thank you.


Offline OverAnalyst

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Reply #7 on: July 04, 2021, 07:22:24 AM
Quote from: Tubegopher on July 03, 2021, 05:03:18 PM
OK, don't judge me for this but I think your weakest link is the Dynaco SS Pat 4 preamp. and next is the Dynaco SS amplifier. Even the Dynaco PAS tube preamp is significantly better that the PAT4. You could start there and move to a tube amplifier from there. Just my opinion.

Thanks for the recommendation. I've only heard about the PAS tube preamp, but don't know much about them. I'll have to explore that one. I am considering a Dynaco/Dynakit St35, mainly because I want to hear the difference between SS and tube. But for the ST80 (upgrade), I'm actually quite pleased with it so far. But then again, I also haven't heard many amps out there.


Offline OverAnalyst

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Reply #8 on: July 04, 2021, 07:34:44 AM
Quote from: Paul Birkeland on July 03, 2021, 07:00:37 PM
The Updatemydynaco.com kit for the ST-80 pretty much guts everything in the amp other than the power transformer and turns it into a gainclone.  This is a great idea!

Hmmmm, had to lookup gainclone. I'm not tech savvy in the audio/electrical world to understand this one. But I can say this upgrade did provide for a tighter low end with added clarity.


Offline Tubegopher

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Reply #9 on: July 04, 2021, 09:18:29 AM
I am quite familiar with the PAS preamp, I have used one in the past as has my son, but I convinced him to build a Moreplay preamp from Bottlehead and he loves it! That would be taking two steps ahead instead of one.

300B amps with 6SJ7 in Triode mode, dc fil. volt. for 300Bs. BeePre with Bill Milosz built Eros Phono. Teres Turntable, Pete Riggle "12 inch Woody Tonearm" Grace F9  with Soundsmith ruby cantilever stylus.Cambridge Audio CD with MHDT Labs Orchid DAC Rega NAOS Spkrs, Atelier Rullit super tweeters

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