A tube newbie's review of the VTA ST-120

[jneutron]

You had a school to go to? All we had was a dead tree where we were beaten with a cane for arriving early or late.

That would explain why you chose to become a physicist..

jn

 

[Triodethom]

You had a school to go to? All we had was a dead tree where we were beaten with a cane for arriving early or late.

So they were Swiss instructors . I to see the physics connection .

 

[llwhtt]

MelB in post #14 asked about a schematic, well if it's the same circuit as their ST70 it's straight out of the VTL Logic book by David Manley, I don't where David found it. At least the older Tubes4Hifi kits were the VTL circuit.

Craig

 

[Bob01605]

The circuit used on the VTA ST-120 is not the older VTL circuit. It is similar but the circuit now uses CCS (an LM334 integrated circuit) to give a constant current source in the tail of the phase splitter ..

Bob Latino

 

[TonyTecson]

for the B&W 803's i built this amp based on the marantz 9......

 

[Burnedfingers]

To think its available for the low low price of $909 in a kit form. I realize this is a diy forum and thus the product probably falls into the diy realm when put together as a kit. Unfortunately the thread starter is thrilled with a piece of equipment that unfortunately falls into the medium low price range with very little performance. I would assume that this is why we diy our own equipment so that we can come up with a good performing piece at the fraction of the price. Having heard this particular amplifier design I would suggest saving your money for something that actually performs well.

 

[itgoestoeleven]

I am about 1/2 way through my build of the ST-120 kit. Super high quality, everything labeled really well, detailed instructions. Still need to source some KT88s - any recommendations? I live in Adelaide...

 

[itgoestoeleven]

Plus Bob is a top guy, super responsive if you have a question...

 

[Wha' DIYa know?]

Tubes, Valves and Parts for Valve Guitar and Hi-Fi Amps

Here’s an Australian source offering my favourite sounding kt 88.

Welcome to TubeDepot.com!

Here’s a slightly better price, but S & H might exceed the savings.

I’ve read over and over again that the centre small signal tube (12au7, I think) in the driver board makes the biggest impact on the amps sound. I plan to experiment with that a bit on my vta st 70. Something like a vintage NOS Mullard, Amperex, or Sylvania . . . .

I can at least attest that rolling the power tubes makes a big difference, and the Gold Lion reproduction KT88 has a very good sound in these amps. No less than “stunningly” better than the Sov Tek kt88.