Dynaco Dynakit Mark IV Tube Mono Amp Amplifier 4 Single

Auction Consists of :

The partnership of David Hafler and Ed Laurent in 1955 gave birth to one of the most influential Hi-Fi audio companies in the world. Like other audio component manufacturers of that day, Dynaco’s objective was to produce components capable of the finest sonic reproduction, although unlike anyone else they strived to make these components affordable to the masses. Prior to Dynaco, Hi-Fi components were only obtainable by two kinds of people, the rich and the super rich. Dynaco did sell preassembled components, although what set them apart was that they also sold these same components in kit form. Much of their success was due to these kits. Consumers could afford the highest grade components, yet shave off much cost by assembling it themselves. This method was extremely successful. Dynaco set a string of sales records that still remain unbeaten today. The biggest selling; preamp, mono tube amp, stereo tube amp, solid-state preamp, solid-state power amp, are all records still held by Dynaco today. It is no coincidence that these sales all took place in what we refer to today as the “golden age” of audio, in-fact it is safe to say the components Dynaco produced in that era have a lot to do with why we call it the “golden age”. The Mark series mono tube amp, the ST-70 stereo tube amp, the many PAS preamps, all have earned “classic” status, and they have introduced more people to hi-fi audio than any other.

In the late 50’s while David Hafler was out of town on business, chief Dynaco design engineer Ed Laurent and his associate Bob Tucker got the idea of combining elements from Dynaco’s highly successful MKII & MKIII mono amplifiers onto a single chassis in a stereo configuration. By staying true to Dynaco’s philosophy of minimalist circuit topology and high grade components the two engineer’s efforts resulted in what later became the best selling and most successful amplifier of all time. A title the Stereo-70 still holds today.

The popularity of the ST-70 overshadowed the Mark III because it utilized the EL-34 output tubes, which many audiophile preferred over the large 6550, and the 7199 in the pre-driver stage. Seeing the popularity of the ST-70 Ed Laurent knew improvements of sonic performance and overall dependability could be made if he split the ST-70 into separate mono block amps, and that is just what he did in with the Mark IV.

The Dynaco Mark IV mono amp was first introduced in 1960. While it never achieved the popularity of the ST-70 or the Mark III, it is oft viewed as the best sounding of the bunch. It has the best aspects of the Mark II, III, & the ST-70. If you can imagine an ST-70 cut in half on its own chassis, with its own dedicated power transformer (the same used for the 2 channel st-70 is used for a single channel MkIV), you got the Mark IV. And of course all the desirable sonic attributes of separate channel amps apply; improved dynamic headroom, exemplary channel separation, overall cleaner and purer sound quality.

Almost 50 years after the first Mark IV rolled out of the Dynaco factory it is still highly sought out and used by audiophiles world wide. Its continually growing popularity is rooted in its timeless ability to portray music with a degree of genuineness and fidelity that is uncommon in today’s digital age. This simplistic EL-34 based amplifier can embarrass most of what's out there in the solid-state world and it is one of the few amps on par with and actually able to out perform many of the offerings from McIntosh & Marantz of the same era.

Sonically the Mark IV is as magical as its reputation. With its vintage Amperex/Mullard EL34’s it reproduces music with a sense of openness and effortlessness. Low end is clear and very tuneful, the high-frequencies are perfectly balanced and startlingly accurate, while the midrange has a sweetness that can only be described as magical. From any source, modern or vintage, Mark IV displays instruments and vocals with genuineness and an overall transparency that is hard to describe. Its build-quality is equally amazing, it represents American craftsmanship at its pinnacle!

Condition:

Amp was last used about 3 months ago and was operating without problem. (I borrowed the tubes from a pair of MkIV’s I also owned and have since sold.) Cosmetically amp is clean with only minimal scratches and signs of use.

Winning bidder pays $22.75 for careful shipping, packaging, & insurance in the continental U.S.
International bidders welcome.

Please note: the item pictured is guaranteed to be the actual item you will receive. None of my pictures are taken off other peoples pages or web sites, so bid with confidence - what you see is what you get!

International bidders welcome

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