VTA ST-120

Good afternoon everyone.....

I'm getting ready to purchase my VTA ST-120 from Bob and i'm getting very excited for this build.

Today I made the nameplate for it.... What do you guys think... lol I love it !



Also I have decided to put all Gold Lion tubes in the amp.

Links below for the tubes. Do you guys trust this vender for good tubes ?

QUAD Factory Platinum Matched Genalex Gold Lion KT88 Tube:
https://vacuumtubevalues.com/product/quad-factory-platinum-matched-genalex-gold-lion-kt88-tube-copy/

GENALEX TRIO (THREE) Platinum Matched Gold Lion 12AU7 ECC82 B749 Tubes Gold Pins:
https://vacuumtubevalues.com/product/genalex-trio-three-platinum-matched-gold-lion-12au7-ecc82-b749-tubes-gold-pins/

Genalex Gold Lion U77/5AR4/GZ34 Rectifier Tube:
https://vacuumtubevalues.com/product/genalex-gold-lion-u775ar4gz34-rectifier-tube/

I like it. I got a black cage and a black "dynakit 70" label for my ST120 from Kevin at dynakit parts.

PS, this is just a time exposure (6550's), not a Yule log:


I got my TungSol KT120's from McShane. They were only a little more than the KT88's and still fit under the cage. He's a forum member and good to deal with: http://www.mcshanedesign.net

I'm using 3 clear top RCAs for the preamp. Sometimes a Brimar CV4003 (upscale audio) in the middle. I've had good luck w/ a Tungsol 5AR4 rectifier but now have a Webber WS1-t (time delay coming from an auto-bias board)

Pretty cool name plate. Where will you place it?

As to your tubes I've seen several people selling their Gold Lion KT88 soon after trying them. I've never used them so I can't comment on their sound. My ST-120 came with Sovtek 6550. They were OK but tried Tung-Sol 6550 and liked them a lot more. I will be trying Mullard KT88 next go around.

As for driver tubes I have found that new production tubes aren't that toobie sounding. YMMV. I like 1950s or early 60s tubes and definitely like a 12BH7A for the center tube. I have several late 50s Tung-Sol black plate that sound terrific. It's pretty easy to find reputable sellers who have NOS tubes.

DavidR wrote:Pretty cool name plate. Where will you place it?

As to your tubes I've seen several people selling their Gold Lion KT88 soon after trying them. I've never used them so I can't comment on their sound. My ST-120 came with Sovtek 6550. They were OK but tried Tung-Sol 6550 and liked them a lot more. I will be trying Mullard KT88 next go around.

As for driver tubes I have found that new production tubes aren't that toobie sounding. YMMV. I like 1950s or early 60s tubes and definitely like a 12BH7A for the center tube. I have several late 50s Tung-Sol black plate that sound terrific. It's pretty easy to find reputable sellers who have NOS tubes.

I will place it in the same place Dynaco puts theirs on the cage... I may even put a smaller one on the face of the amp too.

I'm already looking around for a new or good clean used cage.

New2Tubez wrote:I like it. I got a black cage and a black "dynakit 70" label for my ST120 from Kevin at dynakit parts.

PS, this is just a time exposure (6550's), not a Yule log:


I got my TungSol KT120's from McShane. They were only a little more than the KT88's and still fit under the cage. He's a forum member and good to deal with: http://www.mcshanedesign.net

I'm using 3 clear top RCAs for the preamp. Sometimes a Brimar CV4003 (upscale audio) in the middle. I've had good luck w/ a Tungsol 5AR4 rectifier but now have a Webber WS1-t (time delay coming from an auto-bias board)

Those amps are just beautiful !

DavidR wrote:Pretty cool name plate. Where will you place it?

As to your tubes I've seen several people selling their Gold Lion KT88 soon after trying them. I've never used them so I can't comment on their sound. My ST-120 came with Sovtek 6550. They were OK but tried Tung-Sol 6550 and liked them a lot more. I will be trying Mullard KT88 next go around.

As for driver tubes I have found that new production tubes aren't that toobie sounding. YMMV. I like 1950s or early 60s tubes and definitely like a 12BH7A for the center tube. I have several late 50s Tung-Sol black plate that sound terrific. It's pretty easy to find reputable sellers who have NOS tubes.

As for the tubes I have chosen I've heard a lot of good things about the Gold Lions but you know how tubes are you have to hear them first to know if they're any good... also how much time you get out of them. :-)

Tom, I got my new cover for my VTA ST 70 from

https://www.dynakitparts.com/shop/dynakit-st-70-cover/

It also fits the VTA ST 120

My Dynaco label came unattached.

Dave_in_Va wrote:Tom, I got my new cover for my VTA ST 70 from

https://www.dynakitparts.com/shop/dynakit-st-70-cover/

It also fits the VTA ST 120

My Dynaco label came unattached.

Yes.... I seen that already but sadly they are out of stock..... It's the best place to get a new one so I'm going to wait. :-)

New2Tubez wrote:I like it. I got a black cage and a black "dynakit 70" label for my ST120 from Kevin at dynakit parts.

PS, this is just a time exposure (6550's), not a Yule log:


I got my TungSol KT120's from McShane. They were only a little more than the KT88's and still fit under the cage. He's a forum member and good to deal with: http://www.mcshanedesign.net

I'm using 3 clear top RCAs for the preamp. Sometimes a Brimar CV4003 (upscale audio) in the middle. I've had good luck w/ a Tungsol 5AR4 rectifier but now have a Webber WS1-t (time delay coming from an auto-bias board)

New2Tubez.... This is what your amp would look like with the lable mod on your cage
lol :-)

Running Gold Lion KT-66's in my ST-70. Love them. Do tell, how are those tubes in the picture so bright?

Maybe for yours..? I know what I got.

Brap wrote:Running Gold Lion KT-66's in my ST-70. Love them. Do tell, how are those tubes in the picture so bright?

time exposure ("not a Yule log")

New2Tubez wrote:Maybe for yours..? I know what I got.

Wow Bob.... you need to make it official and sign mine too lol

Tom Pickett wrote:

As for the tubes I have chosen I've heard a lot of good things about the Gold Lions but you know how tubes are you have to hear them first to know if they're any good... also how much time you get out of them. :-)

Everyone has different ears as to what they like.

If you ever want to try a 12BH7A in the center driver location I might part with one of my black plate Tung-Sol tubes.

I was lucky and got mine signed by Bob as well. Don't have picture right now but it did make it special for me. Doesn't have a cage, yet anyway.

DavidR wrote:

Tom Pickett wrote:

As for the tubes I have chosen I've heard a lot of good things about the Gold Lions but you know how tubes are you have to hear them first to know if they're any good... also how much time you get out of them. :-)

Everyone has different ears as to what they like.

If you ever want to try a 12BH7A in the center driver location I might part with one of my black plate Tung-Sol tubes.

Yes... I was thinking of putting a 12BH7A in the center socket because I've seen a lot of people that do.

DavidR wrote:

Love it.....

I love that name plate. Would you do that logo in metal in the same brown as the tube cage? Glue over the Dyanco plate?

I went and done a little more work on this label badge so when I buy the new brown cage cover from dynakit-parts for my VTA ST 120 the colors will all match the original.

It’s really close. Also when I down size the image proportionally to mask over the aluminum foil plate it will match the original size of  1-1/4"H x 4-1/8"W.

I also plan to put a smaller label badge on the top right hand corner of the stainless steel chassis.

mantha3 wrote:I love that name plate.  Would you do that logo in metal in the same brown as the tube cage?  Glue over the Dyanco plate?

While you were typing your post I was doing just that lol..... And yes I'm going to try to use the same type of aluminum foil.

I have the older version of the VTA70 with the 12at7s, and in my system have always liked the 50s black plates- the Sylvania being my favorite. Off topic, but couldn't help but notice that nice APO (?), guessing about a 165mm. Don't know which I enjoy more, building an amp or a scope. I'm sure you'll enjoy that 120, and rolling tubes is comparable to first light with a new eyepiece.
Richard

dodeca wrote: I have the older version of the VTA70 with the 12at7s, and in my system have always liked the 50s black plates- the Sylvania being my favorite. Off topic, but couldn't help but notice that nice APO (?), guessing about a 165mm. Don't know which I enjoy more, building an amp or a scope. I'm sure you'll enjoy that 120, and rolling tubes is comparable to first light with a new eyepiece.
Richard

Yes... Im a Professional Astrophotographer and I have my own observatory.....

Here in my latest image in Orion taken with that scope. The details are below




The Raspberry Nebula (SH2-263) In The Constellation Orion 01/16/2021
(125hr 00min Total Integration Time)

Good evening everyone.... I hope all of you are having a good day.

I just now finished processing my new image and it looks great...
This one took me about two months to complete because of the bad weather and many other things.
I love the colors in this image a lot. I hope all of you like it.

Facebook’s image downsizing algorithm does not do it justice compared to the original.

Have good day and clear skies everyone and keep safe.

The Details

Orion is full of surprises and lots of stuff. These emission objects, Sh2-265, Sh2-263 and the reflection nebula VdB 38 lie in the constellation Orion right next to the bright 1.64 magnitude star Bellatrix, the 25th brightest star in the night sky. It's the star at the head of Orion. Sh2-263, also called the Raspberry Nebula is the bright red object in the upper left center of the image. From the bright star near the center of the nebula you can see wisps of blue reflection jutting out down and to the right. This is the reflection nebula VdB 30. Near the lower center of the image is the larger but fainter emission nebula cataloged as Sh2-265. Also an interesting object within the picture on the left side of Sh2-265 is the bright orange Carbon star HIP 25004. Carbon stars are typically red giants that have lost their hydrogen fuel and have gotten hot enough to fuse helium into carbon and oxygen. The carbon and oxygen tend to absorb blue light and only let red light reach our eyes so the star is bright red. Carbon stars tend to be nearing the end of their life cycle as they run out of fuel.

Equipment Details

Scope: WO FLT 132 APO Refractor 925mm F7
Reducer: WO x0.8 Reducer/Flatterer 7, 740mm F5.6
Mount: Takahashi EM-200 Temma 2M
Camera: ZWO ASI 1600MM Pro Mono
Filters: Astronomik 1.25 RGB
Filters: Optolong 1.25 7nm H-Alpha
Guide Scope: WO GT 71
Guide Camera: ZWO ATI 120MM Mono
Guide Software: PHD2 v2.6.9dev3
Imaging Software: APT Astro Photography Tool v3.86.4 Beta
Stacking Software: DeepSkyStacker 64 bit 4.2.5 Beta 6
Processing Software: Photoshop CC 2021 And Adobe Camera Raw

Exposure: H-Alpha 30 Minutes Each (33hr 30min Total Integration)
Gain Set To: 0
Temp: -5c
Bin: 1x1
Number of Stacked Images: 67
Number of Dark Frames: 25
Number of Bias Frames: 0
Number of Flat frames: 20
Filters: Optolong 1.25 H-Alpha
Shooting Date/Time 11/25/2020 10:51 PM
Shooting Date/Time 11/26/2020 10:09 PM
Shooting Date/Time 12/02/2020 09:20 PM
Shooting Date/Time 12/04/2020 09:53 PM
Shooting Date/Time 12/06/2020 08:48 PM

Exposure: Red 30 Minutes Each (30hr 30min Total Integration)
Gain Set To: 0
Temp: -5c
Bin: 1x1
Number of Stacked Images: 61
Number of Dark Frames: 25
Number of Bias Frames: 0
Number of Flat frames: 20
Filters: Astronomik 1.25 Red
Shooting Date/Time 12/07/2020 08:38 PM
Shooting Date/Time 12/08/2020 09:34 PM
Shooting Date/Time 12/09/2020 10:15 PM
Shooting Date/Time 12/10/2020 08:48 PM
Shooting Date/Time 12/11/2020 12:21 AM
Shooting Date/Time 12/12/2020 08:28 PM

Exposure: Green 30 Minutes Each (30hr 30min Total Integration)
Gain Set To: 0
Temp: -5c
Bin: 1x1
Number of Stacked Images: 61
Number of Dark Frames: 25
Number of Bias Frames: 0
Number of Flat frames: 20
Filters: Astronomik 1.25 Green
Shooting Date/Time 12/14/2020 08:19 PM
Shooting Date/Time 12/16/2020 07:48 PM
Shooting Date/Time 12/17/2020 08:51 PM
Shooting Date/Time 12/19/2020 08:53 PM
Shooting Date/Time 12/20/2020 08:35 PM
Shooting Date/Time 01/02/2020 08:15 PM

Exposure: Blue 30 Minutes Each (30hr 30min Total Integration)
Gain Set To: 0
Temp: -5c
Bin: 1x1
Number of Stacked Images: 61
Number of Dark Frames: 25
Number of Bias Frames: 0
Number of Flat frames: 20
Filters: Astronomik 1.25 Blue
Shooting Date/Time 01/02/2021 09:28 PM
Shooting Date/Time 01/03/2021 09:51 PM
Shooting Date/Time 01/04/2021 12:18 AM
Shooting Date/Time 01/05/2021 07:47 PM
Shooting Date/Time 01/08/2021 08:09 PM
Shooting Date/Time 01/11/2021 07:20 PM
Shooting Date/Time 01/12/2021 12:03 AM
Shooting Date/Time 01/13/2021 07:38 PM

Also just to let everyone know if you want that label badge I created just save it to your computer. I'm not worried about you guys sharing it. If you want it on your 120 amp you are welcomed to it.

Tom, thanks for that stunningly beautiful image, brings back fond memories. Wishing you clear-dark skies.
Richard