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Thoughts on Dynaco A25 Speakers

Fellow Forum Members, 

 

Most of you have far greater knowledge about the many, many options out there, especially older gear.  I've never owned a set of Dynaco A25, but I have a chance to get a Walnut pair in incredible shape.  Not a scuff or corner ding to be found, the grille is aged, but not torn or frayed, and the drivers appear original. 

 

Do I need an 8th pair of speakers?  No.  But I can get these for around $120 and I don't want to regret passing them up. Every person I've heard describe these speakers say they are special.  Can I get some opinions?  What is needed to drive them properly?  Most of my equipment is tube (McIntosh MC-225, ARC, Dennis Had), but I do have a Nelson Pass designed Nakamichi Integrated and a couple of NAD Integrateds.

 

Thanks.

allenf1963
foamcutter
17 posts
 

I had a pair. They are nice sounding, especially for the small amount of money at which they can be purchased. Mine were not particular with power sources: quality receivers or integrated or separates sounded good at low to moderate SPLs. I think you should buy them and satisfy your curiosity as I had to satisfy mine. They would also make an excellent period setup with a vintage 2-channel receiver or integrated. If you find they are not to your liking, you should have no trouble getting your money back.

akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
2,350 posts
 

I had them as original issue back in their my university dorm room back in their introduction in the early 70’s. …the Jurassic age of this hobby,

lets identify what they were: a first mass marketed foray into new affordable ( ergo “cheap” .,,) options for a baby boomer expanding university student customer base.

They were an okay performer choice in a limited option arena of that era. They were built to their pricepoint and marketed to be paired up to similar cheap 2-channel receivers and TT’s of that early time ….. offering yeoman performance at their modest pricepoint. 

MY TAKE:

- These are a novelty item primarily appealing mostly to a fringe cohort of nostalgia fans.

- They are nothing special audio performance wise even among a vast budget speaker choice  offerings by today’s standards. There are many, many more budget choices today that offer better performance,,,, Don’t drink any KoolAid to expect them to provide any “ a-ha” or “Jesus” moment even with today’s integrated amps .

- They are properly and fully valued at around $100. Carry on ….maybe scratch that itch and choose wisely. 
 

 

 

 

pryso
1,977 posts
 

Well, Dynaco didn't make receivers, just amps, preamps, and integrated amps.  So I never saw them advertised with receivers, not that that couldn't be a good combination.

I remember they were highly rated by J Gordon Holt in Stereophile.  Also remember being impressed by their musicality in a music store which had two pair suspended from the ceiling.

I owned two pair over the years.  A simple mod was removing the metal screen used to protect the dome tweeter.  Also the crossover was easy to upgrade with a better cap.  Then there was a replacement tweeter which extended a bit lower than the original.  That improved the midrange.

Could be fun and a nice surprise.  I'd say go for them.

 

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