Summary:
I've been searching for a reviews, history, specifications and information about this particular preamp model of Dynaco and apprarently from all corners of the world, there is a blackout of information about this product in the U.S. and other countries. In effect, it is an understatement of what this particular product is capable of.

Recently, i just bought a Dynaco PAS3 Series II Preamp in tandem with the Dynaco Stereo 70 Series II. Again, i failed to search any reviews and information about the Dynaco Stereo 70 Series II model. A lot has been said however on the original models of Dynaco ST70 and PAS3 preamp. But why is there a silence on the upgraded amplifier and preamp series II models of Dynaco?

If you look at the history of these 2 upgraded models, both were designed, engineered and produced by SoundValves (SV) in the early 1990s for another company called Panor Corp. who owned the name or logo "Dynaco". But, it was SV who copyrighted the design and therefore owned the design. Basically, SV followed and adopted the basic concept and design of the original Dynaco ST 70 and Pas preamplifier but, introduced a considerable improvements on the units to increase performance.

The silence is apparently brought by the demise of one and conflict of interest in the other. I said demise because Panor Corp. the brandname owner no longer exist and the sad part of it is that it has no technical and engineering expertise to support the upgraded models up to the present. Conflict of interest? Well, certainly SV will no longer support the Dynaco ST 70 SII and PAS3 Series II because it is producing and marketing the same quality products under a SV name and different models (VTA-70B and VTP101i). But, performance wise and features, it is no different.

Now, SV is selling their own clone of Dynaco ST70 Ser. II and PAS3 Ser. II as Class A, high-end audio performance equipment for a joint cost of US$1,700.00. This is a mid-budget for an excellent pure tube amp and preamp set-up. But i bought the pair of Dynaco Series II amp and preamp only at a total cost of US$430.00. For the same quality and performance, i save US$1,270.00.

As to the question which one is better between the original Dynaco made ST70/PAS3, and SV made Dynaco ST70/PAS3 Series II, i'd like you to read the detailed review and comparison made by Mr. kader of TNT-Audio. or go to "tnt-audio.com". Though, out of respect for the original models, i think he did not make a conclusion as to which one is better. But, you will see why the newer Dynaco Series II has improved the original Dynaco models.

Now, here is my personal experience on the Series II ST70 and PAS3 for the past several weeks. The units are still new. Butfirst, the units went through a check up, replaced some defective resistors and capacitors and installed a new set of TESLA/JJ EL34 power tubes and 12AX7 drivers. The result is like Batman and Robin tandem. POW!!!! The Dynamic Duo!!!

Evrybody seems to believe that Dynaco ST70 and PAS3 are entry level for high-end audio enthusiasts at low budget. Probably, this is true on the original Dynaco ST 70 and PAS preamp but not on the Series II models. If you look at the prices of the SV, the price is not entry level anymore if you get the SV made Dynaco Series II.

What about the upgraded or modified Dynaco ST70? Well, there are still old ST70 available and can be modified with upgrade kit. But, it won't get you to the next level. Besides, some quarters are just bias towards the original ST70 compared to the Panor models Series II because they are selling upgrade kits for the original ST70, not for the Series II. But, you have got to have it to know the difference.

Here are my equipment:

Amp - Dynaco ST70 Series II (JJ/Tesla E34L)
Preamp - Dynaco PAS3 Series II
Denon 1530 CD Player (20 bit D/A)
Phase Tech Speakers PC8.5 (3-way Tower, $600.00/piece, NOS (new old stock)
Pioneer Dynamic Expander EX9000 (seldom use)
Straigtwaire Interconnect
Straightwire Speaker Cable

Review CDs:

For Bass:
Eagles' Hell Freezes Over (Hotel California)
Particia Barber (Modern Cool)
Mark & Almond (Nightmusic)
Jennifer Warnes (Hunter)

For voice:

Linda Eder (And so much more)
Mary Black (Babes in the Woods)
Diana Krall (when i look in your eyes)

With no tone, bass and trebel controls, I never expected the ST70 and PAS3 Series II could deliver an exceptional realism and true reproduction of what an actual audio studio recordings should sound like. It's pure music and heaven on earth. The bass is clean, clear, deep, soft but solid (JJ/TESLA EL34 is great)and the voice of the 3 girls are just fantastic like you have never heard before. It's really live. I guess the 3-way Phase Tech also performs very well and shows a lot of details in the highs and mids. 3 way speakers are still the best.

Strengths:
Use of popular tubes EL34 and AX127
Solid and Quality Built
Upgradable to New High performance Parts
Low Price
Sound is Class A

Weaknesses:
No reviews/information avialable.
Not in production.

Summary:
I've been searching for a reviews, history, specifications and information about this particular preamp model of Dynaco and apprarently from all corners of the world, there is a blackout of information about this product in the U.S. and other countries. In effect, it is an understatement of what this particular product is capable of.

Recently, i just bought a Dynaco PAS3 Series II Preamp in tandem with the Dynaco Stereo 70 Series II. Again, i failed to search any reviews and information about the Dynaco Stereo 70 Series II model. A lot has been said however on the original models of Dynaco ST70 and PAS3 preamp. But why is there a silence on the upgraded amplifier and preamp series II models of Dynaco?

If you look at the history of these 2 upgraded models, both were designed, engineered and produced by SoundValves (SV) in the early 1990s for another company called Panor Corp. who owned the name or logo "Dynaco". But, it was SV who copyrighted the design and therefore owned the design. Basically, SV followed and adopted the basic concept and design of the original Dynaco ST 70 and Pas preamplifier but, introduced a considerable improvements on the units to increase performance.

The silence is apparently brought by the demise of one and conflict of interest in the other. I said demise because Panor Corp. the brandname owner no longer exist and the sad part of it is that it has no technical and engineering expertise to support the upgraded models up to the present. Conflict of interest? Well, certainly SV will no longer support the Dynaco ST 70 SII and PAS3 Series II because it is producing and marketing the same quality products under a SV name and different models (VTA-70B and VTP101i). But, performance wise and features, it is no different.

Now, SV is selling their own clone of Dynaco ST70 Ser. II and PAS3 Ser. II as Class A, high-end audio performance equipment for a joint cost of US$1,700.00. This is a mid-budget for an excellent pure tube amp and preamp set-up. But i bought the pair of Dynaco Series II amp and preamp only at a total cost of US$430.00. For the same quality and performance, i save US$1,270.00.

As to the question which one is better between the original Dynaco made ST70/PAS3, and SV made Dynaco ST70/PAS3 Series II, i'd like you to read the detailed review and comparison made by Mr. kader of TNT-Audio. or go to "tnt-audio.com". Though, out of respect for the original models, i think he did not make a conclusion as to which one is better. But, you will see why the newer Dynaco Series II has improved the original Dynaco models.

Now, here is my personal experience on the Series II ST70 and PAS3 for the past several weeks. The units are still new. Butfirst, the units went through a check up, replaced some defective resistors and capacitors and installed a new set of TESLA/JJ EL34 power tubes and 12AX7 drivers. The result is like Batman and Robin tandem. POW!!!! The Dynamic Duo!!!

Evrybody seems to believe that Dynaco ST70 and PAS3 are entry level for high-end audio enthusiasts at low budget. Probably, this is true on the original Dynaco ST 70 and PAS preamp but not on the Series II models. If you look at the prices of the SV, the price is not entry level anymore if you get the SV made Dynaco Series II.

What about the upgraded or modified Dynaco ST70? Well, there are still old ST70 available and can be modified with upgrade kit. But, it won't get you to the next level. Besides, some quarters are just bias towards the original ST70 compared to the Panor models Series II because they are selling upgrade kits for the original ST70, not for the Series II. But, you have got to have it to know the difference.

Here are my equipment:

Amp - Dynaco ST70 Series II (JJ/Tesla E34L)
Preamp - Dynaco PAS3 Series II
Denon 1530 CD Player (20 bit D/A)
Phase Tech Speakers PC8.5 (3-way Tower, $600.00/piece, NOS (new old stock)
Pioneer Dynamic Expander EX9000 (seldom use)
Straigtwaire Interconnect
Straightwire Speaker Cable

Review CDs:

For Bass:
Eagles' Hell Freezes Over (Hotel California)
Particia Barber (Modern Cool)
Mark & Almond (Nightmusic)
Jennifer Warnes (Hunter)

For voice:

Linda Eder (And so much more)
Mary Black (Babes in the Woods)
Diana Krall (when i look in your eyes)

With no tone, bass and trebel controls, I never expected the ST70 and PAS3 Series II could deliver an exceptional realism and true reproduction of what an actual audio studio recordings should sound like. It's pure music and heaven on earth. The bass is clean, clear, deep, soft but solid (JJ/TESLA EL34 is great)and the voice of the 3 girls are just fantastic like you have never heard before. It's really live. I guess the 3-way Phase Tech also performs very well and shows a lot of details in the highs and mids. 3 way speakers are still the best.

Strengths:
Use of popular tubes EL34 and AX127
Solid and Quality Built
Upgradable to New High performance Parts
Low Price
Sound is Class A

Weaknesses:
No reviews/information avialable.
Not in production.