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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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    VTA ST-120 Blown 12AT7’s and Fuse

    avatar
    Clive


    Posts : 1
    Join date : 2024-11-13

    VTA ST-120 Blown 12AT7’s and Fuse Empty VTA ST-120 Blown 12AT7’s and Fuse

    Post by Clive Mon Nov 18, 2024 12:53 pm

    I have this venerable amp that has, honestly, been giving me some serious issues.

    It all started with a needle drop from my turntable. Thinking reverse voltage into the amp.

    I saw that one of the KT88’s had gone short and replaced with a matched pair.
    She ran well for over an hour on first listening and thought all was fine. Fired her up the next day and she didn’t last 5 minutes.
    Some nasty sounds inside amp and blown Slow Blow use. Rectifier has tested ok with no scorch marks.

    I checked all KT88 and all tubes show 60% on my Heathkit TC2 tester.  Bias before failure was steady at around the .550v.
    Testing here for 6550 tubes so I’m not sure if that is why I’m getting low reading on those tubes. They are all very close and testing near their limit of good.

    I then moved on to the 12AT7’s. All showing a short.

    My next move was to open up the unit and start to measure. All components seem ok, even pulled the Can Cap. Wasn’t getting a good read
    in situe. No way of testing leakage on caps.

    Just replacing the 12AT7’s and firing it up has got me nervous. Two KT88’s already costing $$s.
    I know there is a Voltage list that Bob Latino has posted and thought I could go through that with a Dim Bulb attached
    Would anyone know if that should be my next plan of attack? Is there a short in a transformer perhaps?

    Need some guidance here.

    Thanks!!!
    avatar
    New2Tubez


    Posts : 185
    Join date : 2018-03-20
    Location : NY

    VTA ST-120 Blown 12AT7’s and Fuse Empty Re: VTA ST-120 Blown 12AT7’s and Fuse

    Post by New2Tubez Tue Nov 19, 2024 10:10 am

    Been a while but you should be running 12AU7’s or like not AT’s. IIRC Bob had once mentioned that. Don’t know if that’s your issue but double check the forums.

    Just found some info /video here:

    https://www.thetubestore.com/gain-factor


    Last edited by New2Tubez on Tue Nov 19, 2024 11:51 am; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : more info)

      Current date/time is Sun Nov 24, 2024 12:16 am