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Date: Wed, 26 May 93 13:13:27 -0500
From: byrns-j@mot.com (John Byrns)
Subject: Re: Dyna ST35 and other 6BQ5 based amps

In article <1tvqvuINNmga@uwm.edu>, AXLEROD@ubvm.cc.buffalo.edu (Harvey Axlerod) writes:
> Discussion topic: Wht do we rarely if ever see Dyna ST35 amps for sale, or even
> discussed ?  I know that they are low powered, but do the 6BQ5 tubes have major
> flaws ? What about other 6BQ5 based amps ? How is the new Cary amp based on the
> 6BQ5 tube, and priced under 1000? (Sorry, I don't remember the model #).
> In short, are we over-focused on the EL34/6550/KT88 family ?
> Comments are welcome. Thanks.
> 
I see far more ST35's for sale than any other 6BQ5 amplifier. The 
ST70 was one of the most popular amplifiers of all time, so there 
are a lot of them around. I think the reason that there are very few 
6BQ5 amplifiers, is that they were built to a low price point. 
Someone who was price sensitive would most likely not be interested 
in a separate amplifier and preamp. They would go for an integrated 
amplifier like the SCA35, which can be built to a lower price point 
than separates. Indeed, there are quite a few SCA35's for sale. 
Another problem with 6BQ5 amp's is that since they are built to a 
price point, the output transformers generally aren't as good. The 
power supply filtering is usually not as good either. The ST70 has a 
C-L-C filter, the ST35 has only a C for a filter. The ST35 also 
lacks fixed bias, which again is more expensive. Another problem 
with the ST35 is that it doesn't have a 4 ohm output tap. Lack of a 
4 ohm tap probably was not much of a problem in it's day, but it can 
be a major problem, with many of today's speakers. I think the 6BQ5 
sounds just fine when the rest of the components, and the power 
supply are of a quality equal to that used in a EL34/6550/KT88 
amplifier, and when it is used within it's power limitations.

John,