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The Dynaco Tube Audio Forum

Dedicated to the restoration and preservation of all original Dynaco tube audio equipment - Customer support for Tubes4hifi VTA tube amp and preamp kits and all Dynakitparts.com products


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    c-354 vs c-24-X chokes

    baddog1946
    baddog1946
    baddog1946


    Posts : 319
    Join date : 2010-02-03
    Location : Costa Rica
    • Post n°1

    c-354 vs c-24-X chokes Empty c-354 vs c-24-X chokes

    Post by baddog1946 Thu Dec 29, 2011 4:41 pm

    A question for Bob and the general membership:
    I would like to know what the merits and differences are in using either the C-354 or the C-24-X chokes in an ST-120.
    I have a kit built ST-120 (3yrs. old) that uses the C-354's and I see the current kits are supplied with C-24-X chokes.
    I checked out the spec on both chokes on Triad and Dynakit and see they have different specs but I am wondering what these differences mean and how that factors in the ST-120 circuit and whether it is worth changing the C-354's to C-24-X's. Any and all feedback is welcome.
    Baddog
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    Bob Latino
    Bob Latino
    Bob Latino
    Admin


    Posts : 3276
    Join date : 2008-11-26
    Location : Massachusetts
    • Post n°2

    c-354 vs c-24-X chokes Empty Re: c-354 vs c-24-X chokes

    Post by Bob Latino Thu Dec 29, 2011 6:16 pm

    Hi Baddog,

    The C-354 and the C24-X chokes are about the same size and shape and both mount on 2 3/8" spaced holes. Here are the differences.

    1. The C-354 is a 1.5 Henry choke with an internal resistance of about 60 to 65 ohms. The C24-X is a 1.0 Henry choke with an internal resistance of about 50 ohms.

    2. The C-354 choke is rated at 200 milliamps current flow while the C24-X choke is rated slightly higher at 240 milliamps current flow.

    The original Dynaco ST-70 and the VTA ST-70 use a single choke. The VTA ST-120 and the VTA M-125 monoblocks use TWO C24-X chokes for a 480 milliamp rating.

    Both chokes will work well in any Dynaco amp and either choke rarely goes bad. The original C-354 as provided by Dynaco tended to run hot and many original C-354 chokes would leak out a gooey brown substance that would accummulate on the bottom plate directly under the choke. I have switched over to the C24-X choke on all VTA tube amp kits strictly for its higher current rating. Changing out the chokes in your particular amp will have no effect on the sound of the amp.

    IMHO > Those with original ST-70's should probably open the amp up and check on the bottom plate under the choke for the "Dynaco brown choke goo". If any brown goo is there I would replace the choke with a (Triad Magnetics) C24-X choke.

    Bob

    garagepunk66 and HansDieter2110 like this post

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