[Wayner]

I've been thinking of a speaker project for my U70, along the lines of single driver/high efficiency such as a Fostex in a tuned column type design. Something with about 96 db efficiency and  no cross-over network is the goal. That will turn the U70 into a powerhouse.

I've been eyeing up several Fostex drivers and of course, the enclosure will be the bugger. Dig deeper I will.

Waynererer 

[Brett Buck]

Futher to Larry's U70 parts list, you might consider this chassis, with a more modern front and back panel, all set for AVA's jack set.
http://store.triodestore.com/st70chassisnew.html

Ian

  It's not clear to me that the AVA jack sets will  fit that chassis without modification.

   Brett

[avahifi_lj]

Hi:

From the description Triode has, it appears that they already have configured the chassis for the speaker jacks.  If that is the case, there is no need for the jack set.  What I don't see is where they have the bias check points?  If you use the original Dyna board you could possibly use the holes next to the bias pots, but with the Ultimate 70 board you would have to drill a couple of holes.

Larry

[Dmason]

Wayne

I suggest you look into building a folded pipe/horn for the 70, using the Fostex FE208E-Sigma, and one of their tweeters. This is a very full range speaker with 97db sensitivity, and a whole lot of acoustic gain from the mouth, like 10 db. If your room is big enough, these are scary good speakers. The sensitive 208 can also sink about 175 watts, so you would never, ever blow them up. I built a pair, and they were staggering, but overloaded my condo living room as I expected them to.

wwwzillaspeak.com/bib.asp   Click on the Fostex Logo.

[simon wagstaff]

I just have to chime in. I have a U70 that I bought on audiogon for $900. You can find them there, gee, I dunno, once a year?



This really is the finest amp I have every heard, not that I am an expert or anything. In terms of speakers, I use Infinity Intermezzo 4.1s. Maybe not the most efficient but they have a built in sub on each side that has an 850 watt amp crossed over at 80 hz. I get ALL the volume I want in my 16X18 room though I have 8 foot ceilings.  OMG, as far as I am concerned a match made in heaven. the IM 4.1's don't seem to be all that well regarded, you can pick up a pair for $1750 or so used every now and then but as far as I am concerned, the last of the big time Infinities, Harmon or not.

I just wish they could be bi-amped. Then I would get a U70 for each side and vertically bi-amp. I think that might be a little bit of a way around the expense of going with the bridging kit. I toyed with the idea of a VMPS RM40 with a u70 for each side for the ribbons and tweeters and a Parasound amp (input level control) to drive the bass and getting the ones with the digital crossover, but ultimately decided that what I had was damn fine for the money. Got my IM 4.1s on E-bay a couple of years ago for $1,550.00, the u70 for $900, I drive them with a Pioneer VSX 59i and 79i universal player hooked up via firewire. Honestly, I think I would have drop some serious coin to do better.

And my audio buddies all agree, it is the U70 that made the REAL difference.



Glad to see this thread, I LOVE mine.

[Dynakitguy]

Hi:

For those interested in the individual Dynakit parts you will need to build an Ultimate 70, here is the list:

Chassis  - $120
Cover - $85
Dyankit label - $7.50
Transformer set (speaker and power) - $285
Transformer bushing set - $1.50
Choke - $11.50
Tube sockets (NOS) - $33.25 ($4.75 x 7)
Bias pots - $13 ($6.50 x 2)
Bias resistors - $7.50 ($3.75 x 2)
Power cord - $7.00
Power switch - $2.25
Fuse holder - $3.75
Five terminal lug strip (replaces the long bias lug strip) - $1.00
Bypass capacitors (for the five terminal lug strip) - $1.50 ($.75 x 2)
Hardware kit – $9.50
Feet - $2.00 (note that we don’t recommend using the original Dyna feet – we have replacements available)
Dyankit baseball cap – Free!

Total cost of the above parts: $591.25

Note that the above list assumes you will be purchasing the Ultimate 70 kit with the jack set.  If you want the original jack set from Dyankit add a several more dollars to the amount listed above.  Also, note that this amount does NOT include the tubes.

The Ultimate 70 upgrade prices are as follows:
The base kit that includes the Ultimate 70 audio board with an improved power supply (including bias supply), two 6GH8 tubes, and the wire you will need to connect the audio board to the other components:  $449

Output tube set (four matched EL34 output tubes):  $93

Rectifier tube: $20

Jack set (covers the stereo/mono switch hole, improves the RCA jack spacing, and includes 5-way binding posts for the speaker connections): $65

One final thing:  For those that don’t want to mess with building the kit, we can also do the entire build of your Dyankit and our Ultimate 70 for $1049. You supply the kit, and we build it!  Our factory wired price “includes” the output tubes, rectifier tube, feet, and jack set.  If you decide on this option, make sure to call Frank a call at 651-330-9871 before ordering the Dyankit.