Time for the Dynaco to go, Affordable Integrated or Separates for Wilson's Under $2.5K?


Hi Everyone can it be done?, At the recommendation of a few nice members here, I decided to head in a different direction and find Pre-Owned separates or a nice integrated for my Wilson Audio Watt3/Puppy 2’s. The room is 20x25 but I stit close and do not play loud, I live in a Condo. I am replacing Dynaco MK3’s and like a Musical non-Analytical sound. I am like the idea of VTL, Mcintosh, Rogue, Hegel, and AR. But open to anything. The problem is my budget. How the heck am I going to make Wilson’s sing with so little cabbage. I would like to spend up to $1,000 for the Pre and $2,000 for the Amp. The less the better. Or under $2,000 for an integrated. I have no idea why I want to spend less on an integrated. HELP, I can’t decide. The members here are awesome! Kind and willing to help. All your experience is greatly appreciated!! John
johnwahl

Showing 3 responses by atmasphere

To refurbish the MkIIIs:
Get the filter caps replaced. Replace the bias rectifier. Check the resistors- replace any out of spec. Check the tubes and replace as needed. if you want, get some good coupling caps- stay away from paper and oil caps  as they can develop electrical leakage that can mess with the bias.
Was thinking not to modify them and maybe just do the power supply filter capacitors (where are they?) because they are "survivors" I just dig the period-correct look and the perfect minor patina. Can I replace some bits to improve the sound and keep them as is? The main reason I want to upgrade it to try more power, most of what I read says if you step up the "current", Wilson’s will really sing.
@johnwahl

This is a truly bad move when dealing with older electronics!!
**They will not survive long if the filter caps are not replaced (they will eat the power transformer) and they won’t sound right as well.** One of the filter caps is that aluminum


Your speakers are asy to drive and don’t need ’current’ (which can’t exist without voltage, the two together are called ’power’); our local dealer demonstrated your speakers at his store with our M-60s as they made the speakers sound better than any other amps in the store, and the M-60s don’t have a lot of that ’current’, although they easily made power into the Wilsons.


You really need to get your amps refurbished before you send them down the road, or else be alright with the knowledge that you have no idea how they actually sound or how well they play the Wilsons. Its that simple.
Do the amps not have enough power?

Did you get them refurbished? On another thread you asked if you should be concerned about their age and the answer is yes.

MkIIIs can work quite well if in good condition! But if they've not been refurbished (new filter capacitors in the power supplies at a minimum) then they won't be showing you what they can do!