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Dynaco st70 vs Heathkit W5M

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I personaly have done both and I really like the W5M's. I used the triodeel driver board and did all the usual upgrades on the St-70 and for the W5M's I just did some simple upgrades such replace all the electrolytics, metal film resistors, Hovland musicaps and a set of Golden dragon Kt-66's and I must say the W5M's sounded very nice! They even spent a week at the local Hi-Fi store for some auditioning. Either one will make a very nice amp/amp's. The St-70 is all on the same chassis and with the W5M's being monoblocks= two of them for stereo= twice the space and twice the upgrades. One thing to beware of though is that the W5M's are notorious for the power tranny going bad! It will happen, it's just a matter of time. Once this happens you are stuck with trying to find a original replacement. I personally liked the W5M's better. Just my .02 :) Cheers
 

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One thing to beware of though is that the W5M's are notorious for the power tranny going bad! It will happen, it's just a matter of time. Once this happens you are stuck with trying to find a original replacement.

Heathkit must have sold replacement PT's for a while. I've seen W5's with larger power transformers in square black boxes like the one that's on my W4. Mine has cloth covered leads, so it's not a newer model.

Jeff
 
Thanks for the replies...I have 2 w5m amps with the larger output trans that I picked up at a garage sale for 10.00. The power trans was not working in one and I used a Hammond as a replacement. I just picked up a used original trans that I will install. I have one st-70 with the GSI Fuchs board and another with the VTA board. I have not hooked them up for comparison yet.
 
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