Price Paid:  $67.00 from e-bay

Summary:
I actually have two of these preamps, both PAS-2s, which are just the same as the vintage PAS-3, but with older, brass faceplate, which I actually like more. Got one that was restored on e-bay for 179, another that was unrestored on e-bay for 65. ( a deal!). The unrestored one has Telefunken tubes, which was a surprise to me, as they weren't mentioned. This preamp is simple, lively, and fun. Excellent sound for the $, excellent introduction to tube pre-amps. Many upgrades are possible, it is easy to work on if you have some soldering skill. Lots of information on the web about these preamps. Matches up well with either a solid state or tube amp, in my experience. I am running my unrestored one with an Adcom GFA-535II, and the restored one is operating with a Dynaco ST-70, that was restored. The midrange, and presence and liveliness is hard to define, but it is much superior to other solid state preamps to which I have compared it (NAD 1020, Hafler DH-101). It can be finicky, but it's old! I'm not sure how the more radical reconstructions (e.g. Van Alstine) effect the sound. I'm also not sure how taking out the tone controls effects the sound, but it is a very simple procedure (On Joe Curcio's web site).

Strengths:
Lively presence, very good value in a tube preamp, easy to work on, lots of verve, simple, straightforward design. Schematics and assembly manual readily available on the web. Many available on the web, although their prices have been escalating as the word gets out.

Weaknesses:
Cosmetics in the older PAS-2s can be funky. Finicky, given the age. Some of the switches are cheesy. I have noticed some crosstalk, if more than one source is on at the same time (e.g. while using the CD source, and the tuner is still on, but not selected).

Similar Products Used:
I have two Dynaco PAS-2s, Dynaco PAT-4 with power supply upgrade, NAD 1020, Hafler DH-101, inoperative Heathkit SP-35. Many integrated tube amps, Fisher, Scott LK-48, Harman Kardon Ballad, Heathkit SA

Price Paid:  $220.00 from ebay

Summary:
What I purchased was actually a PAS2, which has the same circuit as the PAS3 but is a lot cuter looking if you're into art deco et al. I probably overpaid for it but it's hard to find one with a really clean faceplate, which this had.

While I knew that David Hafler's PAS design was highly respected in its day, what really convinced me to buy one was a remark by Steve Melkisethian in his Angela Instruments catalog some years back -- that he'd rather listen to a well-serviced PAS than any solid state pre extant! After listening I understand his enthusiasm. The PAS has a distinct personality and despite some rough spots, it is a classy sounding pre that is lively and musical, and its limitations should no more disqualify it than those of a Quad ELS, LS3/5a or triode power amp. While the PAS is a favorite with modifiers, I would hesitate to mess with David Hafler's design -- instead I would focus on upgrading parts and bringing everything to perfect spec -- I'd hate to lose the "PAS sound", as I experience it.

I had a lot of trouble getting my PAS up and running. At one point, the dam burst on the volume control and I was treated to instant full blast at 11PM. Anyone buying one of these things should be or have access to someone who can work on it. When things were finally straightened out I played some old lps and CDs, still angry at all the hassle I had put up with, and prepared to dislike it. Listening quickly won me over. The PAS, to my surprise, sounded quite dynamic, with lots of detail, three-dimensionality and atmosphere. Imaging was, frankly, as good as I've heard. There was warmth and liquidity and sheen, yes, but this was no old biddy designed to tame the music's savage breast; instead it sounded lively, fast and funky through the mids and treble. The bass was a little subdued, but, mine being an unmodded unit, I availed myself of the liberty of goosing the bass and treble knobs just a tad and really liked the results. It had the clarity of a modern set together with a certain life to it that solid state often misses.

I suspect that even after stuffing it with the best available tubes and caps the PAS would lack the sonic refinement of my new/used c-j PV9, but that's just a conjecture. The PAS is so agreeable to listen to -- if only it had a remote! If you've never owned tubes I suggest you take one for a test drive today!

Strengths:
Tube warmth and naturalness together with peppy dynamics, soundstaging, imaging, pace and musicality.

Weaknesses:
Somewhat uneven performance: Bottom octaves a little subdued -- think twice before bypassing the tone controls.
Tweaky and fussy like an old sports car, but worth the trouble. To max out the design you could spend a couple hundred on replacement parts, or more.

Similar Products Used:
Conrad-Johnson PV9, various vintage integrated amps: Fisher X100B, Sherwood

Price Paid:  $100.00 from Ebay

Summary:
I have Magggies driven By 2 Velemen monoblocks. When I first hooked wasn'tbad but then tubes warmed up after a while and what an amazing thing i love the sound mids and highs are clear as anything...I cant wait to replace the caps and clean it up can't even imagine what it sounds like then

Strengths:
awsome value, great warm sound

Weaknesses:
old, needs cleaning and replacement parts but who cares bout that anyway if your buying a kit! or prebuilt kit like mine

Similar Products Used:
B&K pt3b

Price Paid:  $150.00 from (second hand)

Summary:
What can I say? It's a PAS, and it's mine !
Everything that's said in the other reviews is true as far as I'm concerned, so I won't waste your time repeating others.
I recently bought the unit and plan on totally revamping it. All capacitors Philips HQ polypropylenes, Bourns pots, 1% metal film resistors, stab. heater supply, ond so on.
But no way I'm replacing the tube rectifier!!! It's a great asset to the unit's sound. It does got hot however, almost boiling the high tension capacitor, but that will be replaced by a couple of 100uF's anyway.

All this should bring it up to five stars (I hope!).

Tip: if you suffer right-channel hum on a factory-wired unit (especially when using a high-gain power amp), this is caused by 2 mains wires running directly underneath the R tube socket of the line stage PCB. Yes they're twisted but still they're the cause of this. Just bend them so they run along the edge of the PCB.

Strengths:
price; tweakability; involved sound

Price Paid:  $150.00 from Audio Classics

Summary:
The PAS-3 is a classic tube preamp from the ideas of David Hafler and a team of dedicated individuals.

Owning an PAS-3 can be both rewarding anf frustrating. In original un-restored state the condition can vary from a 9/10 to a 1/10, possibly even shocking the user a bit!

Once the major issues are out of the way (Selenium rectifier replacement, FP Cap upgrade to NOS, other aging and out of tolerance components. Given a good DeOxit and ProGOLD treatment, you can end-up with one remarkable preamplifier.

Sound wise every PAS-3 is different, like that of a hand made musical instrument. The 3-position blen control hints to an age where stereo was king!

The Tone Controls are very creatively implemented. One can literaly increase the tone without skewing the frequency response. Quite a unique design feature.

Apart from lacking a Rolloff filter for those pesky warped classic LP's, the overall presentation character if Dynaco PAS-3 and PAS-2 is quite brilliant if not clearly laid out. Soundstage can be compressed or deep, depending on the tubes chose.

The Vintage RCA connectors on the rear are a challenge for those only having the newer, bigger RCA types which will not work properly on PAS-3's or other similar vintage equipment. If you can find original Switchcraft RCA's get a hefty stock. Vintage equipment requires vintage cables to operate properly. Unless you want to strip-out and 'upgrade/butcher' depending on who you are to 'better' RCA's ?

Anyhow the final coup de gras would be to install a 2A Fast Acting fuse. The original PAS's didn't come with fuses, but the probably never made it out of a UL Lab.

Enjoy but understand what you are acquiring. Classic Dynaco PAS-3's can be a source of many hours of entertainment, or it can be a hassle piece that hums, etc.. and acts-up. If you care to sharpen your electronics skills, getting a used one and completely upgrading it to modern parts can make a dramatic improvement in overall sound.

I have seen some very rare un-built kits on Ebay, so if you really want an ultimate PAS-3, just surf this site a bit. You might be surprised what PAS'2 lurk in this bidders paradise. But before you bid, get as much info on the piece as possible to avoid misunderstadings later. Upgrading a typical PAS-3 can amount to about 300 dollars for all of the high-quality parts. New capacitors can make a big difference in the sound. Make sure all Mica caps are upgraded to 2% or better. Some caps have to stay in the Dyna, and you will get to them. You will know when the sound goes completely off, that those particular caps must stay.

Output impedance is 'semi-selectable' with the 510K resistors in place, you get 470K output impedance. With them snipped off, you get 250K output impedance. You can even put a toggle switch. This is a real vintage feature as most old pieces had input impedances of 500K to 1 Meg. So the 250K setting is best for modern solid state or long interconnect runs. You see that these pieces of vintage tube gear have alot more than meets the eye!

Enjoy..

Strengths:
Classic Design, impeccable and tasteful build. Upgradeable and very stable construction. Amazing presence, it's overall sound quality and finally it's simplicity.

Weaknesses:
Old components, finicky controls. In their un-restored state could be very problematic for the average music lover. Tweakers paradise. Hard to find original parts. No Headphone Jack. No fuse installed on original models.

Similar Products Used:
Dynaco PAS-4, McIntosh C-28, Adcom GTP-400, Harman Kardon Citation I, McIntosh C-20