[d55124]

FS: Van Alstine Ultimate 70 - factory built!  Purchased direct from Frank in June of 2008 - remaining warranty until June, 2011 is transferrable to new owner (receipts will be provided).  Upgraded tubes - Genelex Gold Lion KT77 reissues, Sylvania NOS 6GH8 driver tubes, NOS Mullard 5AR4 (original drivers tubes & 5AR4 rectifier will also be provided).  Unit has exactly 337.5 hours on it!

Sounds wonderful!!   I  just have too many low power (relatively - 32 watts per channel) amps!

$995 plus shipping - will consider possible trade for Van Alstine Ultra 350/550 amplifier


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[DeadFish]

Howdy!

You didn't say much about the condition of your unit, as in how 'travelled' an ST-70 it was before Frank got hold of it; or was it built from the ground up to be an 'Ultimate'.  Pictures?

I figure I'm going to own one of these eventually, having an ST-70 already, but wanting to hear the 'Ultimate', since I like the flavor of my amp already.  I'm just kicking buying one already done, versus doing my own amp and talking out loud.

At any rate, here is a friendly bump!

Regards,
DeadFish

[topround]

I had a ST70 with Frank's Super 70 upgrade, one of the best amps I have heard for its power.
Sold it to a friend, but I know I will have one in my house again, they are very very good.

Mike

[d55124]

pics added!!

[Rob S.]

Another bump for ya'

Mike-  you think a pair of these would work well with a Mapletree linestage pre?  Did you have yours paired with your 4A.

Sorry to steer this off the original post briefly.

Rob S.

[topround]

I did use this with the Mapletree, with great success with my Vienna Acoustics.
My Virgos needed more power , but I often thought about a pair of these bridged in mono, I suspect it would be wonderful.
They have a certain sound, that vintage sound, but the Van Alstine board just takes into the modern sound, a very nice mixture of both, extremely listenable and altogether musical.
Now I had the Super 70 board, the Ultimate is supposed to be even better, but I never heard one.
Dr Lloyd makes a board for the ST 70, and I will try that board when I get my st 70 again!

My friend borrowed my Dynaco ST 70 and Pass 3 pre to use with his Green Mountain Audio Callistos, it was sonic nirvana, the synergy was ridiculous, a very budget system except for the speakers that blew away systems that run into the 10's of thousands.
Given the right speaker this amp will blow your mind.

[d55124]

bump  . . .  still available!

[DeadFish]

Bump back at you, d55124!  Thanks for the pictures!
I'd really like to have the freedom to jump right on this, but my 'better half' wants serious discussion before my next buy.

Seriously now,  is there any hum?  That is one of my biggest gripes with my unit.

I have some Hornshoppe horns that my wife bills as 'the speakers we've been looking for'.
Any idea how she can call this the 'amp we have been looking for'?

Just a thought. 

Thanks!

DeadFish

[d55124]

Deadfish - thanks for the interest.  The U70 is a fabulous sounding amp - no hum through either my Merlin VSMs of SF Auditor M's - sounds great with either.  I have three tubes amps and a ss one, so a few have to go!.  My favorite of them is an 8 watt 300b based SET.  This amp, however, doesn't have the bass drive nor high frequency extension of the U70, but what a wonderful midrange!  I can only use the SET for special purpose listening (with my speakers) - the U70 is definitely a more universal amp.  I have a AVA 70i a few years ago and that too was very nice.

I have not met or talked to anyone that didn't like the AVA tube amps - solid reliability, low tube cost of ownership and a glorious sound (I should actually keep it for future use, but believe this amp needs to find a home that can put it in daily use).

Best Regards and good luck with your decision

Dennis

[DeadFish]

I absolutely understand your relationship with your amps, Dennis, as I come from a similar backround. 
I've a dual-mono 300b that is a 'humming bastard', but it sure makes things like Altec 19's and Horns make music.  But then again, so do the ST's!   And I've lost count of the great recommendations on your flavor, that is why I'll have to try one. Eventually. 

Best Regards,
DF

[dB Cooper]

Will AVA still honor their warranty on an amp that has been "modded" with an IEC interchangeable power cord socket (presumably to allow connecting one of those inch-thick power cables that this 32wpc amp so badly needs)? It does look very clean, but that IEC power connector is not "factory" AFAIK. No offense intended, but I'd want some clarity from AVA on this if I was in the market for such an amp, since it is being offered as still under warranty.

[d55124]

Hi - the IEC connector and the different on/off switched was not modded by me, but by the previous owner of the Dyna 70 before Frank Van Alstine received/bought  it.  The unit as pictured is exactly as received from Frank save for the tube upgrades.

[DeadFish]

You got P/M!  ( I can't help myself!)

  aa

[martyo]

Hey Bill    aa 

[d55124]

Sale Pending!!!

[martyo]

Sale Pending!!!

World's largest ketchup bottle and Van Alstine Ultimate 70 together at last. 

[DeadFish]

Hey Marty!
 aa
I figure its about time, eh? 

[martyo]

Good for you.