ST70 and Speakers

What speakers are you using on your ST70s. I'm running some Boston Acoustic A200s I picked up last weekend. The amp drives them fine but I expect the 29 year old crossovers could use a recap.

I'm taking it that this is an open question to all?

I've just finished building a DIY speaker called the Zigmahornet. It's a single driver, full range speaker, so no cross-over needed.

The 6moons on line audio publication gave them a ravingly rave review, though builders in the on line diy forums are not so favorable.

After 2 listening sessions, I say they beat my old Linn Index speakers. Bass is no worse (that's the only beef against these speakers, but it's a big one).

Imaging is, as promised, truly something. And the satisfaction of building them myself ... is really ... satisfying.

Red Rose Rosebud small monitors, built by Aurum Cantus in China for Mark Levinson (yes, THAT Mark Levinson). Purchased at an incredibly low price (I used to work for a Red Rose dealer) since Red Rose had drilled the cabinets to the wrong pattern to fit their own stands!

I use both Mark II and Stereo 70 to drive them; since I have separate subwoofers electronically crossed over and driven by a Stereo 400, I roll off the low end of the tube amps at about 100Hz.

I'm using a new pair of Stirling LS3/5a's. They sound really well with my ST70 and Roy's board.

I hav a pair of stacked LArge Advents that absolutely sing! I use a PAS3 with the ST70 which has Winged C EL34s in it. The Advents and the St70 are a great setup.

I went a little further down the Dynaco/Boston road today and hooked up a pair of Boston A150s along with the A200s through a Dynaco Quadaptor. Sounds great to my ears.

The ST70 has a VTA board that running Tungsol EL43Bs with. I'm driving the amp with Roy's SP8 preamp. I'm enjoying this setup as I type.

I am running stacked New Large Advents, Awesome sound. Lots of detail, nice SPL I highly recommend this setup. Of course they are hooked up to the 4 ohm taps.

I am running Polk Audio LSi9's, ST70(Dynakitparts) fitted with a VTA 70 board and Winged "C" EL34 output tubes. Preamp is a modified Quad 44 ( early vintage).
System is used in my home office where I spend a lot of time trying to be creative and this combination works for me.
Next step is to drag this setup upstairs where my AR3a's are to torment the rest of my family. Right now it is only the dog.

When testing and setting up a modified ST70 I picked up a couple months back, I temporarily hooked it up to a pair of Bose 501 Series IV's(1984). I found the speakers at a local Goodwill store for $20. They have never had the surrounds replaced, and must have been used gently or not at all. I was really surprised at how full and accurate they sound. Not sure of their efficiency rating, but they fill my listening room and image well at about 15 watts of draw each. I am feeding the Dynaco with an Aric 3.6 tube preamp that I bought used on Fleabay for $200. Total cost of a killer system with tube signal all the way through? $670!! Including NOS inputs and brand new outputs. I love it! Anybody else disturbing the neighbors on an extreme budget?

My favorite speakers are also the most budget minded. 40 bucks for the Calrad CR-12A's and a sheet of 3/4 spruce. You would not believe the bass they can put out in an open baffle.

Ah, a true do-it-yourselfer! What's going on with that tower in the foreground? Can't make out exactly what I'm seeing there...Big caps and even bigger tubes...

kevco wrote:Ah, a true do-it-yourselfer! What's going on with that tower in the foreground? Can't make out exactly what I'm seeing there...Big caps and even bigger tubes...

That is my 12GN7A/GM-70 amp in its testing phase hence the beautiful plywood construction. Its about 160 pounds and 14W of class A. I assembled it there and now can't not move the thing. I just vacuum around it now.

Nice!! Those mercury vapor rectifiers are serious business...Those speakers make good bass with no enclosure, eh? My wife would have a hard time with that sort of monolith living in the house!