BTW, I talked to World Designs, and they can actually ship more cheaply than 96 British pounds, which is (today) $140 and thus rather absurd. If you get the cabinets from them here in the U.S. the shipping will still be pretty expensive. But I advise contacting them first if you want to get the kit, and see if they can get the shipping cost down for you.

I've seen quite a few originals while trolling ebay as of late. Wish I had room for a "B system". OH! That would our "home theater" in the family room.

I've been listening to a vintage pair of late, perched atop my Tannoy floorstanders. A-25's still do pretty well because the rubber woofer surrounds don't rot away as has happened to so many other vintage speakers of that era. Musically, they have some flaws by today's standards, mostly relating to the not-very-refined tweeter and too-simple crossover. But they still have the qualities that made them the best-selling audiophile speaker of all time: coherence, clarity, and taut, descriptive, if slightly dry bass.

Plus, I got mine for less than $100.

I like them well enough that I'm seriously considering getting one of the updates, "sight unseen" (sound unheard?).

Mike

At that World Design sight, I noticed they say the original Dynaco A-25 was designed to be on the floor tight to the wall for best response ... counter to todays raised stand approach. FYI

David

Bob:
I have an original set of Dynaco A25’s that I got for $5 in xtra-nice shape and they sound pretty good too. But I’ve read a lot about capacitors that are 40 years old and probably low quality to begin with, have lost character…istics. Should I replace those 5uf 50v caps?

Was planning to use the Solen Fast Caps 4.7uf paralleled with a 0.22uf 630v to create a 4.92uf that would be close to the original 5uf.

Solen metallized polypropylene Fast Cap 4.7uf and 0.22uf 630v would be $18/pr
AuriCap 4.7uf and 0.22uf 400v would be $60/pr
AuriCap 4.7uf and 0.22uf 600v would be $106/pr

The main dilemma is that the Solens would probably be the closest to OEM sound but ... my other thought was I could probably make the treble sound better than original with the AuriCaps. Some say the heavier 600v vs 400v windings make for a richer/smoother sound, does that make sense to you … or is it esoteric bs or making a silk purse out of a… etc.

Anything else I should consider replacing?
Your thoughts...?

Thanks, David

FYI: World Designs was recently sold by it's former owner Peter Comeau, and is now under new ownership. Presently, they have reintroduced several of their tube amplifier & tube preamplifier kits. I understand that they hope to resume offering speaker kits, but since they are no longer the British distributor for SEAS speaker components, they are, unfortunately, putting this on hold for the present time. Here is the new link to World Designs: http://www.world-designs.co.uk/

Charlie

P.S. For those who might be interested, Madisound Speakers in Wisconsin has both of the SEAS drivers used in the World Designs WD25A speaker. The woofer model is A26RE4-H1411 and the tweeter model is 29TFFW-H1318 (or an optional and more costly, model T29CF001-E0038). Madisound's link is: http://www.madisound.com/

P.P.S. If anyone would like a copy of the original WD25A design article, just send me a PM and I will email it back to you.

Would anyone have any thoughts or comments about constructing the WD25A's as "WD35A's"? In other words, building the A-35 cabinet from the original Dynaco plans and then installing the same SEAS drivers as used in the World Designs model WD25A.

I suppose that I could construct the WD25A cabinets from the HI-FI World articles, but thought it might be intriguing to try the A-35 cabinets instead.

Charlie

Hey Charlie

My first reaction after reading WD's articles about construction and the XL-crossovers ie: stage three crossover, it sure sounds like they did a lot of sophisticated testing to create the WD25-XL unit. I'll bet it sounds pretty good.

BUT ... I'm surprised they went to all that work and didn't base it on the Dynaco A-35 with it's internally vented woofer and Greg Dunn says "different crossover" which from everything I've read was superior. Or even the A-40XL with the XL 1' tweeter.

My 2 cents - add that baffle and internal slot and make the A-35, and without that front vent it would be easier to build anyway.

I assume you saw Bob's info on the cabinet:

http://dynacotubeaudio.forumotion.com/basket-f2/dynaco-a-10-a-25-a-35-40-speaker-schematics-photos-t133.htm

David

DesignInc wrote:Hey Charlie

...My 2 cents - add that baffle and internal slot and make the A-35, and without that front vent it would be easier to build anyway.

I assume you saw Bob's info on the cabinet...


David

David,

Thanks for your reply and suggestions. I agree that it would be simpler with the internal vent. To answer your question, yes I've saved the A35 cabinet drawings that Bob posted, which will be very useful when I get the opportunity to build these. Probably not until next spring.

Charlie

I was fortunate recently in coming across a pair of NOS, SEAS 25F-EW 10" speakers. I believe these were the same as used in the Dynaco A-25XL series. I also obtained a couple of "prototype" enclosures with the Scanspeak "aperiodic" vents already installed. I am in the process of finishing the cabinets and should have these functional within the next month. I will be ordering a pair of SEAS H1189 tweeters soon.

Best Regards,
Charlie

Replying to one of the older posts on this thread -
The Dayton 5.1 uf cap from PE has been recommended elsewhere to
recap the A25 crossover.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&PartNumber=027-232

Alternatively, Parts Express part number 027-554 is a Solen 5.1uF.

I recently purchased some speaker components, etc. from Gary at Annandale Acoustics and I would like to compliment him on his helpfulness and on the high quality of service he has provided. All items were of excellent quality and IMHO they were very reasonably priced. I plan on doing further business with Gary and would highly recommend his company to all!

http://annandaleacoustics.com/

Best Regards,
Charlie