Dynaco SCA-35 integrated amp

[electra225]

I bought this thing from Lefferson's Electronics in Bloomington, Indiana in 1965 as a kit. I believe it was $74.50 if I remember right. My grandparents thought it was a huge sum for a "record player". I bought the Dynaco, a set of University Sound speakers and their demonstration record, a Miracord changer, and an AMD AM-FM tuner. I built them and an old RCA tv into a huge cabinet for a 4-H project. I got to take my project to the State Fair in 1965. All that survives are the amp, tuner and demonstration record. The tuner still works just fine. The amp, only so-so. I know they have kits available to totally rebuild these things. Mine still has the original 7199's. The output quad is now GE. It is still in presentable condition, in spite of being a high hour device. This is on my to do list, might make an interesting project.

[electra225]

I finally dug this thing out after being in storage seemingly forever. I believe it is for sale. I have no plans for it, so it might be better for it to go to someone who can enjoy it as much as I have. I took pics of it and the little AMD tuner I built at the same time.

[Firedome]

Greg, is that an SCA-35? I could be interested long as the trannies are good, a guy in Chicago I know makes the boards... so looks like they're scorched badly..? typical Dynaco problem. At least it doesn't need room like a console, I don't have any. LOL.

[electra225]

SCA-35. Boards not scorched, still has the original 7199's and 12AX7's. I got the original output tubes too close to a dunking booth at a Buick car show one time (therein lies a tale..... ) so it sports a set of unmatched, whatever -I- had- on -hand- in- a- pinch GE output tubes. I don't know how long its been since I last used it, at least 20 years. I haven't made a firm decision yet, but I don't see keeping things I'm not going to use, just to say I still have them. Nobody after me will be interested in that stuff. Just as well let it go to somebody would can use and appreciate it rather than storing and dusting it.

The AMD tuner was bought at the same time as the SCA-35, built from a kit. Probably not the highest quality tuner ever made, but it has lots of hours on it and still runs all original tubes. I am currently using it to sort the electronics on my little Magnavox record player I'm recovering the cabinet on. It is mono with stereo capability. It has been a good tuner, it has served me well. I need to find a diagram for it so I can do a good tune-up on it. The original documentation is missing, unusual for me who keeps everything....

[Firedome]

I can see putting a decent stereo up at our camp, be fun to have good sound up there, right now its a Ryobi 18v battery radio lol. Let me know if you decide to part with it, it'd work well with a Scott 350 tuner, AT-6 and small ADS L-10 speakers I have sitting around in the basement. I still have a couple RCA 7199s in my caddy... man, those tubes are getting kinda spendy lately.

[electra225]

You are not interested in my story of how I got the output tubes too close to a dunking booth?

[TC Chris]

Some of us are always interested in stories.

Chris Campbell

[William]

I'm interested, but kind of thought you would just share your story when you had time.

Bill

[Firedome]

Did read it today, I was making dinner last PM and sort of rushed thru that post/answer... yes pretty dramatic fireworks, kind of amazing it didn't do more harm!

My first really good stereo in the '70s was a pair of Dynaco Mk III 6550 amps with a PAS3x preamp (& ADS L-710s). Later traded for a Sansui AU-717. I wish I had both of those now! The AU's speaker protection circuit went wonky after about 20 years, preventing turn on and seemed more or less unfixable so gave it away, but I bet that Dyna set is still going strong!
The ADS dual woofer foam surrounds went bad after 20 yrs too, I didn't realize they could be fixed and gave then away also, to the guy who moved us from MD to VT! D'oh!

[TC Chris]

Later traded for a Sansui AU-717. I wish I had both of those now! The AU's speaker protection circuit went wonky after about 20 years, preventing turn on and seemed more or less unfixable so gave it away, but I bet that Dyna set is still going strong!

I've got an AU-717 in the back room and yeah, the protection circuit went south. I have been thinking about just shotgunning new parts in.

Chris Campbell