Hi gang.
My first post here.
I own one.
Any comments?
My first post here.
I own one.
Any comments?
+7
muncybob
peterh
pmarcin
Roy Mottram
GlacierJohn
Bob Latino
StereoGaryo
11 posters
PAS4 Preamp
StereoGaryo- Posts : 17
Join date : 2010-11-06
Location : SoCal
Bob Latino- Admin
- Posts : 3271
Join date : 2008-11-26
Location : Massachusetts
[b][size=18]The PAS-4 is a nice preamp and much better sounding than the earlier PAS-2 and PAS-3 preamps. These were made in the early '90's and, as I understand it, not that many were made. The PAS-4 was only available as a wired preamp. It was never a "kit" preamp. I had the opportunity to work on one from a local customer and ran it against a STOCK PAS-3. The PAS-4 had noticeably better sound.
Last edited by Bob Latino on Tue Mar 22, 2016 10:10 am; edited 1 time in total
muncybob- Posts : 9
Join date : 2015-04-21
I just joined the forum. Currently running a PAS-4 on loan to me and comparing it to a Conrad Johnson PV2. Have not run phono yet(waiting for my stylus to arrive) but cd's sound great compared to my old Rotel preamp. I am quit surprised that for less than 1/2 the cost of the CJ, the PAS-4 compared very favorably. It has a mixture of tubes in it and needs some cosmetic attention.
I'm seriously considering buy this preamp, I believe the seller wants around $300...is that a fair price? I hesitate only because I'm not sure how much $$ I'll be at with new tubes and possibly having caps replaced due to age?
I'm seriously considering buy this preamp, I believe the seller wants around $300...is that a fair price? I hesitate only because I'm not sure how much $$ I'll be at with new tubes and possibly having caps replaced due to age?
GlacierJohn- Posts : 43
Join date : 2014-04-17
muncybob wrote:I just joined the forum. Currently running a PAS-4 on loan to me and comparing it to a Conrad Johnson PV2. Have not run phono yet(waiting for my stylus to arrive) but cd's sound great compared to my old Rotel preamp. I am quit surprised that for less than 1/2 the cost of the CJ, the PAS-4 compared very favorably. It has a mixture of tubes in it and needs some cosmetic attention.
I'm seriously considering buy this preamp, I believe the seller wants around $300...is that a fair price? I hesitate only because I'm not sure how much $$ I'll be at with new tubes and possibly having caps replaced due to age?
The two preamps I switch in and out of my system are a newly restored CJ PV-2 and a Van Alstine Super Pas 3 I built in the early 90s. I don't know how close if at all the Super Pas III is to your PAS-4, but I like both the CJ and Super PAS III equally, they are just different flavors. That's why I switch them back and forth on whim. Whenever I do a switch I always like the new one better, just a change of pace I guess.
Roy Mottram- Admin
- Posts : 1839
Join date : 2008-11-30
from my own experience, neither the VanAlstine PAS3 or the CJ PV2 is as good as the Dynaco PAS4,
it would compare closer with a CJ PV5 or PV6
it would compare closer with a CJ PV5 or PV6
pmarcin- Posts : 128
Join date : 2009-01-20
Age : 76
I owned the PAS-4 for three years. The line stage was pretty good, but I didn't listen to the phono section until I sold it. It was sensational. I wouldn't have sold it! I have since owned a Monarchy M-24. a chinese 6h30, a PAS-3 t4hifi upgrade and an Aikido 6922/6ca7, any one of which has a slightly softer sound.
$300? Jump on it. The chrome on my knobs was pretty thin.
$300? Jump on it. The chrome on my knobs was pretty thin.
muncybob- Posts : 9
Join date : 2015-04-21
Well, my stylus arrived today so I will soon have a chance to check out the phono stage. Tonight will be the 1st chance my wife will have to listen to the amps. Sometimes she has a better ear than I do, so it will be interesting to see if she hears anything differently. I also have a chance to score a Parasound 2100 for $400 or less. The remote, 12v trigger and usb options of the 2100 are very tempting, won't have a chance to audition that until next week. The PAS-4 asking price is $400(not the $300), if I decide to go with it I'll try to talk him down a bit as the cover needs a lot of work(some kind of stuff was glued onto it so it needs to be cleaned off, sanded, primed/painted) and it will need a power cord.
Decisions, decisions!
Decisions, decisions!
muncybob- Posts : 9
Join date : 2015-04-21
Forgot to mention, the Dynaco currently has the following tubes, one unmarked and one marked 82219(line?) and in phono Tungsol 12107, Sylvania 34167, 82219 & 6DJ8(?)...I am lost as to why so many different tubes but I'm a complete newbie to tubes. Are there preferred tubes for the PAS-4?
The Mrs said it was a fine line between the PAS-4 and the PV2 with slightly favoring the PV2 on cd's, plan to play the tt soon. BTW, what does PAS stand for?
The Mrs said it was a fine line between the PAS-4 and the PV2 with slightly favoring the PV2 on cd's, plan to play the tt soon. BTW, what does PAS stand for?
pmarcin- Posts : 128
Join date : 2009-01-20
Age : 76
Yes. Amperex and Siemens gold pin -- very expensive $55 -$200 ea.All 6922s have shot thru the roof. Go with Russian or NOS.muncybob wrote: Are there preferred tubes for the PAS-4?
-Paul-
GlacierJohn- Posts : 43
Join date : 2014-04-17
muncybob wrote:Forgot to mention, the Dynaco currently has the following tubes, one unmarked and one marked 82219(line?) and in phono Tungsol 12107, Sylvania 34167, 82219 & 6DJ8(?)...I am lost as to why so many different tubes but I'm a complete newbie to tubes. Are there preferred tubes for the PAS-4?
The Mrs said it was a fine line between the PAS-4 and the PV2 with slightly favoring the PV2 on cd's, plan to play the tt soon. BTW, what does PAS stand for?
Well that makes me feel a little better about my CJ PV2a, but after reading about the, new to me, PAS 4, I still want one.
muncybob- Posts : 9
Join date : 2015-04-21
Well, I now own my first piece of tube gear. Was able to negotiate a slightly lower price on the PAS-4 and will put it on the bench for some needed tlc(cosmetic) soon. The phono section really shines on this pre, totally blew away the CJ and my current Rotel. It was a tough choice between the Dynaco and a Vincent pre (w/o phono) I had on loan but the phono section sealed the deal for me. Next adventure will be cleaning up my neglected vinyl collection. If only the Dynaco had a remote!
muncybob- Posts : 9
Join date : 2015-04-21
Can the 2nd output be used to run a powered sub?
peterh
peterh- Posts : 1861
Join date : 2012-12-25
Location : gothenburg, sweden
Yes, they are interconnected internally.muncybob wrote:Can the 2nd output be used to run a powered sub?
The manual says :
"Two pairs of outputs are provided for your power amplifier(s). The two left channel RCA jacks are connected directly together inside of the PAS-4, as is the right channel pair."
Confirmed by a loog at the schematics.
But as you have so much trouble i will happily compensate your costs and take ownership of the pas4 :-)
muncybob- Posts : 9
Join date : 2015-04-21
I'm enjoying "my trouble" peter, thanks anyways 
Are there aluminum or metal knobs available for this? I removed the plastic ones and they cleaned up OK, but metal ones would be nicer. I am surprised for as good as this amp sounds there is not more discussion regarding the PAS4.
Are there aluminum or metal knobs available for this? I removed the plastic ones and they cleaned up OK, but metal ones would be nicer. I am surprised for as good as this amp sounds there is not more discussion regarding the PAS4.
Bob Latino- Admin
- Posts : 3271
Join date : 2008-11-26
Location : Massachusetts
muncybob wrote:I am surprised for as good as this amp sounds there is not more discussion regarding the PAS4.
The reason for this is that not too many of the PAS4's were made. Literally hundreds of thousands of PAS-2 and PAS-3 preamps were sold in the 1960's to go along with the ST-70 and the other Dynaco amps. The PAS4 dates from the 1990's after Panor bought the Dynaco brand name and tried to restart selling Dynaco tube gear. Not too many PAS4's were sold ... Probably only a few thousand units were ever produced and they are relatively rare. Every now and then I do see one for sale on Ebay. If in good working and cosmetic condition, they usually sell for $500+ Below is a link to a January, 2009 post our forum here on PAS4 modifications ...
PAS4 modification link ..
Bob
StereoGaryo and mgtd like this post
muncybob- Posts : 9
Join date : 2015-04-21
Curious to know what the original retail price was?
pmarcin- Posts : 128
Join date : 2009-01-20
Age : 76
It was appx $825 and sold by a NYC discounter. I bought mine for $525 new from a wholesaler, who was stuck with the stock, when they didn't sell. Mine had chromed knobs. There was also an an all chrome version. I sold mine for $375, because I only listened to the linestage, which, as [i]tubes4hifi[/i, states, was moderately good. The phono stage was superior and included a scratch filter. My bad.muncybob wrote:Curious to know what the original retail price was?
muncybob- Posts : 9
Join date : 2015-04-21
Thanks for the info Bob. I am confused and if I knew how to read a schematic I guess I could answer my own questions...I have read talk of 2 tubes in the phono stage and elsewhere talk of 4 tubes. Which tubes are phono and which are line stage? Although the amp was checked by a tech and he said there is no problem with the caps I suspect that due to age it would be a good idea to start replacing them? You mention a good starting point would be the 2 line stage caps...exactly which ones are these?
Also read talk of putting some PQ 7308's into the line stage and RCA 5751's in the phono. What would be the general consensus of replacement tubes without breaking the bank?
I just finished giving the metal case a new paint job and cleaned up the face plate nicely. Now have some metal knobs on order to make her look like new.
Also read talk of putting some PQ 7308's into the line stage and RCA 5751's in the phono. What would be the general consensus of replacement tubes without breaking the bank?
I just finished giving the metal case a new paint job and cleaned up the face plate nicely. Now have some metal knobs on order to make her look like new.
peterh- Posts : 1861
Join date : 2012-12-25
Location : gothenburg, sweden
muncybob wrote:Thanks for the info Bob. I am confused and if I knew how to read a schematic I guess I could answer my own questions...I have read talk of 2 tubes in the phono stage and elsewhere talk of 4 tubes. Which tubes are phono and which are line stage? Although the amp was checked by a tech and he said there is no problem with the caps I suspect that due to age it would be a good idea to start replacing them? You mention a good starting point would be the 2 line stage caps...exactly which ones are these?
Also read talk of putting some PQ 7308's into the line stage and RCA 5751's in the phono. What would be the general consensus of replacement tubes without breaking the bank?
I just finished giving the metal case a new paint job and cleaned up the face plate nicely. Now have some metal knobs on order to make her look like new.
Wrong tubes would only break the board. Don't mess with it unless it's broken!
The only tubes that fit ( except riaa which is 12ax7 ) are ECC88 and it's equivalents.
Whatever changes you do will certainly reduce it's value, this includes swapping components.
Last edited by peterh on Mon May 18, 2015 10:55 am; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : Spelling and add 12ax7 exception)
Pillo69- Posts : 176
Join date : 2012-04-11
Location : Granada (España)
PAS4 use 12AX7 and ECC88 for Phono preamp. And one ECC88 for line amplifier. For each channel.
Phono preamp gives that impression.
Not if it would go well with VTA card with tone controls.
Phono preamp gives that impression.
Not if it would go well with VTA card with tone controls.
StephenMH- Posts : 7
Join date : 2014-08-30
Age : 69
Location : Aurora, Co.
Yes You're Right! My Memory is coming back! In the Back of my Mind, I want it be tubes(Maybe in the Front of My Mind)Lol... 
There seems not to many Upgrades for the PAS-4, Do You or anyone Else Know of any Mod or Upgrade with tubes for the PAS-4 and If so What's the Best Place or Website for the Best Value for Quality Sound? or is it worth it?
Thanks for the Info!
Stephen
There seems not to many Upgrades for the PAS-4, Do You or anyone Else Know of any Mod or Upgrade with tubes for the PAS-4 and If so What's the Best Place or Website for the Best Value for Quality Sound? or is it worth it?Thanks for the Info!
Stephen
Roy Mottram- Admin
- Posts : 1839
Join date : 2008-11-30
it's been awhile since I looked at this thread, so replying to some of the OLDER questions . . .
no joke - PAS stands for Pre Amp Stereo; PAM (as in the old PAM-1) stands for Pre Amp Mono
Several years ago I tried to sell a clone of the PAS-4, I had a few PCBs made, never ever sold one.
If I had to do it again, I would redesign the power supply section using modern devices, but keep the rest of it the same.
But a guesstimate of price would be north of $1000 for a kit, since a new PAS3 kit runs about $700-800.
The PAS-4 has a lot more controls and switches, and much better circuit design, also needs a lot more power to run it.
I think my SP12+PH12 will beat it on performance for about the same cost.
no joke - PAS stands for Pre Amp Stereo; PAM (as in the old PAM-1) stands for Pre Amp Mono
Several years ago I tried to sell a clone of the PAS-4, I had a few PCBs made, never ever sold one.
If I had to do it again, I would redesign the power supply section using modern devices, but keep the rest of it the same.
But a guesstimate of price would be north of $1000 for a kit, since a new PAS3 kit runs about $700-800.
The PAS-4 has a lot more controls and switches, and much better circuit design, also needs a lot more power to run it.
I think my SP12+PH12 will beat it on performance for about the same cost.
StephenMH- Posts : 7
Join date : 2014-08-30
Age : 69
Location : Aurora, Co.
tubes4hifi wrote:it's been awhile since I looked at this thread, so replying to some of the OLDER questions . . .
no joke - PAS stands for Pre Amp Stereo; PAM (as in the old PAM-1) stands for Pre Amp Mono
Several years ago I tried to sell a clone of the PAS-4, I had a few PCBs made, never ever sold one.
If I had to do it again, I would redesign the power supply section using modern devices, but keep the rest of it the same.
But a guesstimate of price would be north of $1000 for a kit, since a new PAS3 kit runs about $700-800.
The PAS-4 has a lot more controls and switches, and much better circuit design, also needs a lot more power to run it.
I think my SP12+PH12 will beat it on performance for about the same cost.
I've been Looking at the SP9 and The SP12. I was going more toward the SP9 Because of the Tone Controls and the Price.
Is the SP12 a very large difference price value? Tone control is very important to me for the old music I have including Albums
from the Seventies some recorded well and some not. I'm building my music collection on my computer also connecting to my Audio
Systems.
Also I'm hearing and reading its a good combination for Tube Preamp and Solid State Amp(I have both Tube and Solid state Amp that I switch around. But I never experienced a tube preamp in my system. I'm using a McIntosh C39 Preamp at this moment.
Thanks Anyone for any comment; reaching for Audio Nirvana!
Stephen
StereoGaryo- Posts : 17
Join date : 2010-11-06
Location : SoCal
Just a few quick comments since my original post...
As I recall, the original retail for the PAS4 was $1000.00 in black and $1100.00 for chrome. I was a dealer in Southern California for Panor in the '90's
John Nunes designed the PAS4 and put a lot of effort in making the phono stage the star of this preamp. It really shows. He also had an association with MFA back in the day.
I love mine and use it daily.
As I recall, the original retail for the PAS4 was $1000.00 in black and $1100.00 for chrome. I was a dealer in Southern California for Panor in the '90's
John Nunes designed the PAS4 and put a lot of effort in making the phono stage the star of this preamp. It really shows. He also had an association with MFA back in the day.
I love mine and use it daily.
pmarcin- Posts : 128
Join date : 2009-01-20
Age : 76
John,
You are spot on about the phono stage. I sold mine without ever listening to the phono stage (350 USD.) It sold in one day and had chrome knobs. I decided to audition the phono stage at long last. It was tremendous! I had my regrets to say the least.
You are spot on about the phono stage. I sold mine without ever listening to the phono stage (350 USD.) It sold in one day and had chrome knobs. I decided to audition the phono stage at long last. It was tremendous! I had my regrets to say the least.
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