A new company with a strong reputation in professional music has acquired the Hafler and Dynaco brands and intellectual property. I will not say who as that may be considered advertising.
Our question is:
For an ST-70 Series III amplifier would the preference be for:
1. An amplifier as faithful to the original ST-70 but incorporating the improvements of that have been done to it by the audio community but using no New Old Stock parts. Sorry, no 7199 input. But following the original Pentode-Triode input circuit with feedback.
2. The best possible amplifier that will still use the EL34 output but where the input/driver uses new topologies for what we feel will be better sound quality. We have spoken with people who knew David Hafler and we would basically do what he would have done today if he were around. However, the signal path will still be through tubes.
Either of these made with all new parts will have an MSRP a little north of US$1200. We are not sure yet as we are still waiting for quotes on the transformers from top suppliers.
We ask because there are so many old and rebuilt ST-70 amplifiers out there, that some here have felt that a person who wants the original 1950s sound quality will just buy one of the original or reproductions for a lower price. That a person buying a new unit wants something that is competitive with a current well rated tube amplifier.
Note that the lead engineer on this project received their basic electronics education in the 1960s on tubes and has been involved with the audiophile community for decades. This is not just some rebadging exercise.
Regardless, as a long time DIYer, I would appreciate the input of the DIY community on the approach to take. And your comments do not need to be limited to the ones I have given. For your suggestions, all I ask is that you only recommend tubes that are still in production.