To Variac or Not to Variac

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by Steve Baker, Dec 6, 2018.

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  1. Steve Baker

    Steve Baker Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Columbia, Maryland
    Hello Gang,

    My Dynaco ST35 amp has been sitting since March without being used. Can I safely plug it in and turn it on or should I use a Variac? Just curious. Moving off the SS amp, maybe sell it.

    SB
     
  2. Tone?

    Tone? Forum Resident

    Location:
    San Francisco
    I assume you are talking about the filter caps. Those don’t dry up for a long time.
     
  3. Steve Baker

    Steve Baker Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Columbia, Maryland
    Actually all the caps are less than 3 years old.
     
  4. Tone?

    Tone? Forum Resident

    Location:
    San Francisco
    Nah they are fine. Power up !
     
    Rolltide likes this.
  5. Steve Baker

    Steve Baker Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Columbia, Maryland
    Thanks Tone!
     
  6. R. Totale

    R. Totale The Voice of Reason

    You should be fine, but in case this comes up with something you are less sure about, look up the "poor man's Variac" (basically a light bulb in series with the hot AC line) you can build for a couple of bucks.
     
  7. Steve Baker

    Steve Baker Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Columbia, Maryland
    That is what I have. Made it 2 years ago.
     
  8. Warren Jarrett

    Warren Jarrett Audio Note (UK) dealer in SoCal/LA-OC In Memoriam

    Location:
    Fullerton, CA
    What kind of light bulb would ramp-up slowest (if any)?
     
  9. R. Totale

    R. Totale The Voice of Reason

    We used to use 100W.
     
  10. Steve Baker

    Steve Baker Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Columbia, Maryland
    Fired it up all is well. Thanks all.
     
    Tone? likes this.
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