[Mark Korda]

Dear Frank,
   Absolute Sound came out with a review on the Dynaco ST-70 Series 3 tube amp in the latest issue. Dick Olsher gave a great history on the ST-70 I thought. He was the same guy who reviewed the UltraValve. Absolute Sound gave the Dynaco tube amp of the year. The cost was 3000 dollars.
   In the review Olsher told of the inner guts in great detail and that solid state rectification was used. He stated how certain amps have limitations and should be suited with the right speaker ect. But even with a so called (rave review),hence amp of the year, he mentioned some weak areas in the bass and it's trouble with powering the Quad electrostatics.
   I never heard any of these things about the UlraValve, only the opposite and it is a lot  less costly. Then in an ad further in the mag Dynaco said while they last the 3000 dollar price tag will be 1.499 dollars.
    Maybe I've been watching too much Columbo but when has an audio product which has won an (audio product of the year) been offered at 1/2 price or below cost before?
   I didn't notice a letter from the manufacturer in comments near the end of Absolute Sound. I'm smelling something rotten in Denmark. What's your take?...Mark Korda
   P.S. I saw your amp and preamp in that issue get a fantastic write up...congrats!

[mick wolfe]

With modern, well reviewed versions of the ST70 already out there at around the $1500 mark or less, ( Ultravalve, Latino, etc.)  I'm wondering what these guys were thinking....other than profit margin. Perhaps they were counting on review hype to sell a $1500 amp for $3K. When I first saw ads for this amp a year or so back, (at the $3K price point) my thought was "good luck with that".

[avahifi]

Hi Mark,

Which issue of TAS did you see the reviews of our SET 120 and T10 RB units appear?

Frank

[Mark Korda]

Hi Frank,
    It's the January 2019 issue of Absolute Sound. I got mine in the mailbox just a day ago. You got a kick ass great review with the 10RB and 120 preamp and amp just to ruin the fun of waiting to read it yourself.
   Thanks for the info too Mick.....Mark K.

[Whitestix]

I am intrigued with this amp while I have the Carver Crimson 275 amp on order.  Can any of you make provide a comparison between the ST-70 Series 3 and the Ultravalve amp?  They seem quite similar.  Thanks for any insights you can provide. 

[avahifi]

Comparing our Ultravalve to the Dyna Series 3 is not something I can do as I have never heard the series 3.  However, evidently Dick Olscher seem to have forgotten all about the Ultravalve.

One difference of course is that our Ultravalve is the only tube amp with multiple regulated power supplies and that normally makes a big improvement in transient response, bass definition, transparency, and sound stage reality.

And, of course the Ultravalve is abut half the price of the the Dyna Series 3 amp for the same power and certainly better looks.

Frank

[Whitestix]

Avahifi,
Thanks for the response.  Smart money might be inclined to opt for the Ultravalve.  I think I will order one to compare it to the Crimson 275.