Iv'e been lurking here off and on for a couple of years, and am coming out of the closet. I just completed my first project a st-70 from scratch ( clone mayby ). I started in 2008 buying iron on ebay with the intention of building a st-70 and pas3, started using free time I had on the preamp and other things here soon left no time for it ( working on house ). But a few weeks ago I had a little free time and decided that the st-70 would make more scence to start with, I could at least use my computer and some Bose 301's that I have to here music agian, well I have to say I'm blown away with the reality that this can happen agian. Friday night I got the last of the tubes from "BNB" Tubes and I have to say I'm speachless!!. I grew up listening to Eico Amps and AR-2 speakers then when out on my own ended up with Sony SS amp,AR turntable and genesis 410's that sounded very good to me but later in life was looking for that sound that was a real representation of what was recorded. I'm on the right track, working on better source (preamp,ar turntable maybe building a good DAC ) also in the process at the moment building A-25's ( need tweeters )to fill in the void till I can build electrostatic speakers ( like Sheldons maybe ). I will post picts when I figure out how, My clone is built on a chassis of stainless steel hand made, "Vintage Electron" 7199 board, with vintage output transformers. I was worried about some of the wireing causing hum and what not, I have some power wireing routed to the front for power switch and such but the amp is as far as I can tell totally quiet. But this is through Bose 301 ll's that may not be as effeicent as other speakers I'm working on. I owe the success of this project to Bob and everyone on this site for all the little tidbits and advice givin here without all this I probably would have seen smoke rising and reach for the fire thingy. I Have never heard a better amp before, and I'm not rich but have had some nice equiptment through the years, not "audiofile" I can tell when the rest of my gear gets improved more that for me I'm on the right track!!
Thanks, Dave ( sorry for the long rant )