Dynaco Mark III Kit

[mhconley]

Dynaco Mark III Kit Recommendation

I'd like to build a pair of Dynaco Mark III amplifiers from a kit and have found several available. Has anyone built any of these kits? Any recommendations of one over the others? Any other kits available? Any help, recommendations and comments are most welcome.

The kits I have found in no particular order:
Dynakit Parts: MARK III KIT (120 VAC) - Dynakit Parts
Triode USA: Triode USA Dynaco Mk3 Tube DIY Amp Kit
tubes 4 hifi: Dynaco MK3 PCBs

Thanks,
Martin

 

[kevinkr]

Dynakits is probably going to be easier to deal with and does make nice kits. I have no recent experience with any of this stuff unfortunately. (Build mostly SE stuff from scratch)

 

[petertub]

I'd like to build a pair of Dynaco Mark III amplifiers from a kit and have found several available. Has anyone built any of these kits? Any recommendations of one over the others? Any other kits available? Any help, recommendations and comments are most welcome.

The kits I have found in no particular order:
Dynakit Parts: MARK III KIT (120 VAC) - Dynakit Parts
Triode USA: Triode USA Dynaco Mk3 Tube DIY Amp Kit
tubes 4 hifi: Dynaco MK3 PCBs

Thanks,
Martin

dynakit has good support if needed, i think their kit is a fair replica of dynaco,
thus manual & spares will fit and be future safe.
Do use 60/40 tin ( no leadfree !) for ease and good connections. KT88 is
the tube of choice, make sure you get matched pairs ( or a quad) from
a reputable dealer. McShane comes to my mind.

 

[ethermion]

Built Mark III kits from Triode, maybe 15 years ago. Still work a treat. Very happy.
Dynakit and Tubes4hifi I hear good stuff.
Probably can't go wrong with any of them.

 

[rayma]

Don't buy or use the top cages if possible, for better ventilation.

 

[stokessd]

Do you need the power? in my opinion the MKIII's are the most compromised of the three power levels of Dyna amps. The simple driver circuit works less and less well as it has to drive bigger and bigger tubes. Have you considered a ST-70 kit? If you are going to do the MKIII, it would be worth looking into non-stock driver circuits.

This is just my opinion, take it with a huge grain of salt.

 

[TonyTecson]

yes, i use the concertina to drive tubes like the 6bq5 and the 6v6 tube types.....
for the 6L6gc, el34's and the big boys, long tail splitters are it for me...

 

[rayma]

Have you considered a ST-70 kit?

Or better yet, the Dyna Mark IV mono amps. MARK IV KIT (120 VAC) - Dynakit Parts

 

[mhconley]

I am open to any and all suggestions. The Mark IV kit looks good, too. I’ve built some solid state designs I’ve found here on diyAudio but this would be my first foray into tubes, hence my desire for a kit. What about pmillett’s 50W “Engineer’s Amp” boards? They look intriguing but may be a little difficult for a first time build.

Thanks for the input.

Martin

 

[gabdx]

Triode USA or Tubes4hifi.

If you want the 'original' then dynakit.

I think you will like the tube amps!, Tubes4hifi are more inclined into better designs and have excellent pre&phono to complement the amps. I recommend it.

 

[vinylkid58]

What about pmillett’s 50W “Engineer’s Amp” boards? They look intriguing but may be a little difficult for a first time build.

The original DCPP amp was geared towards the beginner, so the only difficulty I see would be building two.

jeff

 

[colnago55]

You might also checkout Tubelab.com and the SSE or SPP amps.

Good support on the tubelab forum:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/tubelab/

 

[oreo382]

dynakit has good support if needed, i think their kit is a fair replica of dynaco,
thus manual & spares will fit and be future safe.
Do use 60/40 tin ( no leadfree !) for ease and good connections. KT88 is
the tube of choice, make sure you get matched pairs ( or a quad) from
a reputable dealer. McShane comes to my mind.

About the 60/40 solder.63/37 is easier to use,it's eutectic meaning liquid and solid phases are very close to each other.Less chance of a component moving while soldering and therefore a better joint.

 

[blueglow]

They dynakits are good. I made a video series last year on youtube rebuilding a set of MKIIIs that would walk you through most of the steps. Just search for blueglow and dyanco.
mark

 

[stokessd]

About the 60/40 solder.63/37 is easier to use,it's eutectic meaning liquid and solid phases are very close to each other.Less chance of a component moving while soldering and therefore a better joint.

This is solid advise. I've been soldering for 40 years, and 63/37 is where it's at.

 

[TonyTecson]

i have been soldering for 50 years.....i hate silver solders and lead free solders...

 

[mhconley]

I taught myself to solder using WBT-0800 lead based 4% silver solder. It is all I use. I don't know the percentage of lead in it but I've never had a problem with any of my solder joints.

Martin

 

[mhconley]

I am leaning toward the Mark IV Dynakit or possibly rebuilding the pair currently on Ebay. A question regarding the 7199 tube. Dynakit has a modification to use a 6GH8A tube or I can get a 6u8 to 7199 adapter. Are both of these viable alternatives? Any preference of one over the other?

Thanks,
Martin

 

[Alllensoncanon]

IMHO, adapter looks odd. It is a matter of time it will begin to look ugly. I wouldn't modify the 7199 unless the old one is used up and a new cheap pair can't be find. Those old old Dynaco PCB will fall apart the minute you put a soldering tip next to it. If you buy a kit, I would start with 6GH8A.

 

[gabdx]

also the old pcb dust and solder is a health hazard.

Transformers, chokes and resistors, and metal oxidize and especially lacquers decompose in transformer windings, not a good thing after 50 years.

If it works it works, if it needs repair it will never sound like a new kit.