Galion TS A75 sneak peak on Dave's channel ruclips.net/video/e5zGhmB4yYk/видео.htmlsi=UXJ-CXtYoxsLiM_l Non affiliated link www.musicalparadise.ca/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=103
Ah, finally!! I have owned the preamp for almost three years now and I love it so much. I ditched the 9-pin tubes and use 6/12SN7 tubes instead with an adapter and have upgraded the caps to V-Cap ODAM. The sound is glorious and the soundstage is HUGE. I also have a huge cache of NOS tubes, including several rectifier tubes. This preamp is absolutely amazing. Anyone that is reading this and owns this preamp, get some adapters and switch to 6 or 12SN7's and you will transform this preamp!
FINALLY! I was pestering you about a review of this preamp in mid 2021, Mr T We all saw it at Loic's place and a few of your other audio friends'places but no actual review.... At the time you commented that it was "excellent", so I bought one:-) I went with the standard model but soon upgraded the caps to the optional V-cap ODAMs and Mundorf SGO Supremes. I rotate these out monthly for a change of sonic character. Currently running a 12sn7 and two 12au7s with a big fat 5u4g rectifier. You didn't mention the output level dip switches and isolated torroid.. It's a tweaker's dream. I love it. Musical Paradise indeed. Thanks Mr T! 🎵🎶🤗🎶🎵
So glad to once again see you reviewing products from Musical Paradise! Your past reviews of the MP-301 integrated amp and MP-D1 tube dac were responsible for my purchasing both of these products, and I am still very happy with them. It is very true that Musical Paradise products make a good base for an affordable system, and that all of their good qualities can be easily improved by changing out tubes and capacitors. I put VCAP Odam 400V 0.22UF capacitors and Rubicon 450V 470UF capacitors into my MP-301, and it was very much worth the cost. I have also heard good things about doing the same with their dacs and preamps. It is fun to play around with the various tubes for these products, making it a lot easier to fine-tune the sound to your personal taste. They may not be super high end, but they do grab quite a bit of the high end qualities at a very affordable price. I confess that I am more of a music lover than an audiophile, and I find that products like these suit me well. They give me a good base for soundstage, imaging, and presence and leave me with a lot more cash to spend on the actual recordings!
I have owned this pre amp for 3 years, great fun to switching the capacitors and tubes. Great values for the price and still have fun now. Changing different tubes once a year. Great review Thomas. Thanks.
@@ThomasAndStereo Thomas, is it a good match with a class A amp? I assume Galion Ts A20 is a class A amp. Really curious about. Tube pre amp and Class A power amp seems like a good match. By the way, my speaker is cornwall Iv.
Very good choice Thomas! 👌👍 This is hidden Gem in the World of HiFi! Glad You took a look as well! 😊 6N6Pi + MCap Evo Sup Alu Oil (no Si/Gold) for is my fav. choice for single drivers.
I've been eyeing this preamp for some time now and resolved to get it. To prepare for the purchase I've already picked up all Mundorf caps which alone cost me over $500.00CAD. I also ordered tubes from Germany that cost me around $400.00CAD. Already I'm into this thing by $900.00 and I don't have the preamp yet. With these purchases so far, and installed, it better be worth it! From all I've read and viewed on YT so far, everything is positive about this preamp. Looking forward to getting it in the new year.
So.... How did it go? I have to caution you about using Mundorfs in the power supply bypass circuit of the MP 701mk2. I just tried that with V-caps as the coupling caps. The combination sounded awfully shouty and distorted, I couldn't stand to listen! (Tried reducing output dip switch setting to 4 to no avail;-) Using the supplied Bennic or HVL caps as bypass with the Mundorf SGO Evo Supremes as coupling caps are natural sounding with good bloom. Coupling with V-caps more transparent and deeper soundstage. I hope you didn't go straight to all Mundorf and give up! 😮
@@carlitomelon4610 Thanks for the response. I'll definitely keep these instructions in mind. As it is, I still haven't purchased the preamp yet. Priorities have changed so the preamp is on the back burner. Do you happen to have a link to the webpage where you got your capacitors? I'll check them out.
@@ThomasAndStereo Nice!! That’s kinda what I was thinking. Probably not a pre amp you would pair with something like a First Watt F7 class A, but maybe a killer pairing with a nice Class D GaN amp? Remind me, are your amps available for purchase yet? I know I said I would be interested in one of them on another of your videos when you asked. Cheers. 🤔🤔🤔
@@abxaudiophiles Not yet, the first batch, which is the lively version will be ready in about 5 to 6 weeks but in very limited quantity and I might only produce the lively version once a year.
In stock form, I like it better than the Schiit Freya+ with Class D amp! Can’t wait to start experimenting with different tubes and caps. Well the secrets out now!!!
I've had my Mp-701mk2 for about two months now and have been smitten by how good it sounds paired with my PS Audio PS300 amplifier. I ordered it with the upgraded VCAP capacitors and went with an 5Ar4 rectifier and three E88CC-Performance-6922WA-S4A suggested by another YT reviewer (@iam_mad) All I can say is WOW!! My Buchard S400 MkII's sing like never before! Thanks for the review Thomas!
Good to hear it was a great match. I emailed the manufacturer sometime last year and was told this preamp had a high output impedance. I can't remember what the output Z was but it wasn't a good match for my solid state type amps. Maybe just upping the output cap value will be good enough for it to work for me. I was (still is) really interested in this pre...but not for my tube power amps.
@@NosEL34 from the manual "For optimal result, the total impedance of the connected devices must be higher than 10Kohm. For example, the input impedance of a power amp is 100Kohm, and the impedance of an active sub-woofer is 100Kohm. The total impedance drops down to 50Kohm." might be what you saw - still matching is very important. I have not yet set it up with my Class A SET 10 watt amp. (looking fwd to it tho!)
Nice..bout time Thomas. Great review. This has been my main preamp that displaced the Freya ORG and Modwright LS100 but only after the cap and tube upgrades. The Linlai e274b is my best rectifier for this pre, and yes i have Overcooked and gone overboard with the caps - Vcap Odams + Duelund bypass caps for both bypass and coupling caps. If you can drop the gain to #1 on the dip switch, you will notice less hiss but at the cost of gain.. i dont need it. Tubes, i dont like 6922s, i prefer the musical russian 6n6p, or if you want more linearity...the linlai e6sn7s. It does have the potential to displace higher end preamps, but it aint gonna beat and ARC pre or something of that calibre.
I got mine about 3 years ago and I liked it a lot from the start. I got 6sn7 tube, GE 5U4G, Mundorf and Odam cap(bigger value than original on power supply and audio out for better dynamics and base). Like he said it was good but not high-end like dark background. So I modified it with the silver plated internal signal wire and audiophile fuse. Then I found out the 6SN7 to 6922 adapter was making extra contacts which was unavoidable and degraded sound. I bypassed adapters with silver plated wire. And have added small value Teflon V cap as bypass cap. Now MP 701 has a dark background and was transparent enough that I connected my home theater processor front chanel to MP 701 input. Actually this way sounds better because MP 701 adds a bit of tube warmth and makes the Marantz processor more musical.
I don't have the MP preamp, but I do have their MP-P2 Phone preamp and it is amazing! I'm still "hot rodding" mine, but even from the start it was so much better than my Pro-ject phono pre's (RS, Tube DS, Tube2).
I have the MP-P2 phono pre amp as well. All I have done to mine is swap out the rectifier tubes for some vintage RCA coke bottles with brown bases. At the moment I don’t feel the need to change anything else, as it sounds great to me, in pretty much stock form.
Great review of a fantastic product! However, you did not tested it with 6SN7/6H8C tubes which is what Garry recommend. With an adapter you can run these tubes. When you get it silent also! Also, please consider reviewing the newly released MP-DX dac. It is a DAC with a tube output stage with switchable caps!
those jupiter caps are very popular for the MP-D2mk3, as are the vcap odam and...heck, i forget the rest...all the onees that are popular and expensive. ive been interested in that preamp for a while, maaaaan its tempting. that dac is excellent.
Nice to know Canada has so many local talents in designing quality audio equipments. What did mr. Vintage do to make his preamp neutral? Enjoyed your episode!
*Indeed* He knows the sound he wants. This is a tweaker's paradise, but at least you don't have to buy a complete new preamp! Just a tube or two, maybe swap the caps.... Yes that's perfect (for this month)... 🎶😅🎶
I would love to compare The M.P. VS both of me Schiit Freyas Plus/Noval - Really cool that the M.P. you can change out the Compasitors and switch Voltage for more tube choices I wish Schiit Audio still made the Freya Noval for pep to try lots of tube choices ' and 3 output modes Jfet/Passive/Tube - You know I love Golden lion 12ax7 kt88 - Thanks Thomas !!!
@@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120 I'm still on stock tubes, I really want to branch out. I like your golden lion recommendation! May give that my first go 😁
Was watching a musician, with an electric guitar amp. on youtube. He was talking about rolling his tubes ( that's the right phrase?) for his guitar amp, he said he couldn't tell the difference. So I thought is this more audiophile mumbo but it dawned on me he could simply have blown his hearing playing loud rock. I'm 61 and probably don't have the hearing for all the great gear you show oh think your name was mentioned linked with the development of audio gear it was a tube amp? Think it was on Pearl Acoustics sorry but I commented said with the valve amp cover on looked like an old electric bar fire, however wish I could have stuff at that level.
There's mechanical noise ( in the demo with stock tubes )........Avoid 6922 , they have no mica dampers on the cathodes ( most ECC88 and CCA/ECC188 nos ) do have dampers. 6922 is prone to HF ringing ..........but audiophiles seem to like that and believe that this fault is a high end quality . When optimised with the output capacitors ......suppress the connectors and solder directly the leads of the caps. Change resistors and adapt the value of the resistorsadapted to the operation condition of the choosen tubes , use good sounding resistors instead . Use Nos rectifier .........if you have the privilege of owning nos tubes , do not forget AZ1 AZ11 80 balloon RGN1064 5931 GB and other gems......and if you're very lucky real old mesh plate rectifiers ....( not perforated fake plates sold as mesh ) Change sockets for mil quality silver coated sockets . ......and there are many more details/upgrades possible ...... In fact , may be it is to consider to build a great sounding preamp yourself...( without a circuit board as this will always be/sound inferior to point to point wiring )
Yes .......just like a good class AB amplifier will be more musical than a bad designed and cheap build class A...........that be a condition it will not alter the fact that class is king . I like to share a lifetime of tube experience with those who I like ... And Your own input and creation of your brand makes you a kind of creatotr of what you like an amplifier etc to sound good ( means reproducing music ) and not only play with numbers ! Kind regards
Pretty cool ! I wish more pre-amps have at least half a dozen inputs with some balanced. 3 is way too limiting for me. Mine has 6 and I struggle with it as I like to do A/B's...
Well, check on the forums too because there is quite a following for Musical Paradise. Both are good and the Freya+ is more user friendly. Well this one is more versatile.
That is quite affordable for something you can tweak that much. I've pretty much given up on searching and tweaking. My ears are getting older and older, my budget less and less and my interest is fading. I've settled on a Chinese tube integrated on one system and a somewhat vintage Nakamichi pre-amp by Nelson Pass on another. The Pass Pre is so neutral and clean that I often use equalization to add some flavor to the sound. Yeah, yeah, I know Hi-End boys and girls trash EQs but they WORK, sorry. And they work at a very low price point. To get the same effect you'd spend thousands! And, it helps to have a MUSICAL ear when you tweak the EQ. I play instruments by ear and can easily tell if something or someone is off key, lol. Something even many audiophiles cannot do?
I wonder if it can be done easily. Do you know if Freya+ is 'true' balance? I was told to be true balance, it needs 'double' the tubes of what it has. I am no engineer so I have no idea.
@@ThomasAndStereo My understanding is 6SN7 is dual triode. When using single ended it only uses one triode, when using balance it uses both, thus no need to double the tubes.
Cool product. I have a love hate relationship with tinkering...I love to tweak to see how I can improve sound but sometimes it's a rabbit hole, which pulls you in deeper and deeper :). Thomas to help with a point of reference, how does this preamp compare with something like the Ladder Bach which you also spoke highly of? I'm in the market for a preamp and wondering which direction to go.
@thomasandstereo I would love to get your take on matching tube preamps with solid state power amps. Shockingly few RUclips videos on the subject other than ultra high end. Pretty please!
well, its not just the heater coltage...its every other relevant spec as well. i enjoy my musical paradise MP-D3mk2 deluxe, which operates with similar flexibility. not sure how it works. not sure how the circuit is optimized for more than one type of signal tube.
The soft side of this pre is the selector knob. It has A LOT OF PLAY ! It wiggles 3mm LEFT , 3MM RIGHT .What do I get as a response from said company? !Switch is fine ...
Great review as usual. Thomas, just one question, how will it compare to a MingDa MC-7R that I consider the best bargain in tube pre amps and great potential for upgrade? Thanks in advance for your opinion.
Thanks Thomas for another insightful video. This one takes me back to the MP dac vid you did all those years ago. Out of interest how would the MP-701 compare against the Doge 8 Clarity 2022? both being tube pre-amps?
You could put a 10 mega ohm resistor 2 watt alongside the capacitors and leave it in circuit, probably make it sound better as well. In the recording it sounds like it's got a phase issue What about Jensen caps Jensen z very good caps not trying them?
I have those Jenzen caps too, very good stuff. Yup, add a resistor in can also solve the problem. Maybe a mistake on my part when connecting the speaker cables for the sound demo.
Hi thomas..Just wondring how do you hook this up to a record player if this preamp has no earthwire connection?any option to get rid of the hum/buzz sound from record player?Thanks
Some of those capacitors you show are connected with very long leads. This adds series inductance which will also affect performance (and may add unwanted resonances). I'm also curious to know what makes a "good" capacitor - apart from C, is there a desired ESL and ESR ?
Question for you Thomas, what kind of bookshelf speakers do you think synergize with this preamp in your opinion? Example Wharfdales, Canton’s Ascend Acoustics etc.? In general of course. I have the Musical Paradise tube amp MP-401. Thanks!
How much difference between those components that you upgraded from the website, as compare to yours (which cost more than the preamp) ? Like you had mentioned, changing the Jupiter capacitor, give more texture to the voice, What about the VCAP? How does it sound like? In addition, you mentioned about Gold Lion Output tube, how is it compare to other Tubes given? Likewise for rectifier tubes ( damn, seem like only for tube roller has that variety to test it out). Thanks
Got it for a week now, really nice sounding pre, especially for the price. I have only one problem. I use 2 smsl a300 in btl mode (monos. On all 4 outputs gain from the 701 i get a Hum ... can't reid of it.....😮 Does anyone here owns or owned it and experienced the above situation?? Would like to know if there's any solution for that. Many thanks, Ilan 😊 P.s Great reviews Thomas.. thanks.
@@ilanspiro1645 Yeah, you want to solve this before the trial period ends. With tubes, there will be some cases where there are no solutions in someone's setup. Meaning it will work well at your neighbor's place but not yours no matter what you do.
Hi Thomas nothing regarding this video but I thought of as I am going to go to Thailand for a visit to see if I want to make it my permanent home, are you Thai? If so I’m planning to go to Jomtiem and was wondering what stereo stores you might suggest if that is you are Thai, if not thx and have a great day Nick
Doge 8 is one step up in terms of transparency and the soundstage is more stable. We AB tested both and both agree, me and Mr. Vintage, that the Doge 8 is a step up. However, Mr. Vintage rather have the MP701 because of flexibility. He himself have expensive audio research preamps but he spent most time with MP701.
well with my now old linn genki cd player i just use it's matching preamplifier the linn kolektor , and there is nothing special with that , just the standard amplifier chips that linn used in their products 🤣 🤣 🤣
I've been wanting to experience tubes with my system for years but just can't seem to pull the trigger. The problem is that I have Magnepan 1.7i and Heresy iii speakers so tube amps won't play well with the Maggie's. This leaves me with only tube preamps and I can't seem to find one that I've been convinced will give me a very tube amp like sound with just a tube preamp for about $2k or less. Do you have any advice for me? Thank you
Oh, $2k, you have a few options, depends if you want to go for a warm sound or neutral sound, used or new, it is a long conversation to find the right one.
When this MK2 preamp first came out, I was very excited. I went ahead and bought it along with the 6SN7 tube adapter. Waited for a week to get it. So excited. BUT! It was a big disappointment. Plugged it in and I got a loud hum. Tried various things and the hum didn't go away. It just doesn't seem to like playing with my amps. Returned it after 2 weeks and of course Garry said there were nothing wrong with the unit. However, I had tried various tube preamp with my setup and never encountered that as well.
Needs shielded cables or reroute your unshielded cables, I found. Hum disappeared with a decent rectifier tube. Also try using the lowest gain setting first with your power amp.🎶😉🎶
Will Garry and friends in Edmonton cone out with a mk3 version of this preamp....Aldo with instructions for mk2 owners in how to upgrade from mk2 to mk3? Needs less dark hiss in the mk2 version.
MY MP301 cost 289 GBP.... It sounds better than my Unison Simply 2....The rip off prices charged by Western bourgeois shopkeeper types is a money grubbing disgrace
I can not relate to hifi blogs and online content anymore. Its fastfood bs and about gadgets.. buy buy buy. Back in the paper format days you got to know your writer and they were all music lovers with a few exceptions. Hifi is nothing today. Better stay away from most audio blogs and online reviewers.
Galion TS A75 sneak peak on Dave's channel ruclips.net/video/e5zGhmB4yYk/видео.htmlsi=UXJ-CXtYoxsLiM_l
Non affiliated link www.musicalparadise.ca/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=103
Ah, finally!! I have owned the preamp for almost three years now and I love it so much. I ditched the 9-pin tubes and use 6/12SN7 tubes instead with an adapter and have upgraded the caps to V-Cap ODAM. The sound is glorious and the soundstage is HUGE. I also have a huge cache of NOS tubes, including several rectifier tubes. This preamp is absolutely amazing. Anyone that is reading this and owns this preamp, get some adapters and switch to 6 or 12SN7's and you will transform this preamp!
Great to hear!
SOUNDS LIKE A TINKERER’S PARADISE ☺️💚💚💚
@@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461❤
I bought the adapter to use my nos rca 6sn7’s per your recommendation! WOW, big difference in sound. Way better then the nos rca 12au7’s. Thanks.
Is your V-Cap ODAM replacing Coupling Capacitors or Power Filtering Bypassing Capacitors?
FINALLY!
I was pestering you about a review of this preamp in mid 2021, Mr T
We all saw it at Loic's place and a few of your other audio friends'places but no actual review....
At the time you commented that it was "excellent", so I bought one:-)
I went with the standard model but soon upgraded the caps to the optional V-cap ODAMs and Mundorf SGO Supremes. I rotate these out monthly for a change of sonic character.
Currently running a 12sn7 and two 12au7s with a big fat 5u4g rectifier.
You didn't mention the output level dip switches and isolated torroid..
It's a tweaker's dream. I love it.
Musical Paradise indeed.
Thanks Mr T!
🎵🎶🤗🎶🎵
Nice, glad you enjoy it.
So glad to once again see you reviewing products from Musical Paradise!
Your past reviews of the MP-301 integrated amp and MP-D1 tube dac were responsible for my purchasing both of these products, and I am still very happy with them.
It is very true that Musical Paradise products make a good base for an affordable system, and that all of their good qualities can be easily improved by changing out tubes and capacitors.
I put VCAP Odam 400V 0.22UF capacitors and Rubicon 450V 470UF capacitors into my MP-301, and it was very much worth the cost.
I have also heard good things about doing the same with their dacs and preamps.
It is fun to play around with the various tubes for these products, making it a lot easier to fine-tune the sound to your personal taste.
They may not be super high end, but they do grab quite a bit of the high end qualities at a very affordable price.
I confess that I am more of a music lover than an audiophile, and I find that products like these suit me well. They give me a good base for soundstage, imaging, and presence and leave me with a lot more cash to spend on the actual recordings!
Thanks, I enjoy trying everything regardless of price. Musical Paradise is definitely top when it comes to performance for the price.
I have owned this pre amp for 3 years, great fun to switching the capacitors and tubes. Great values for the price and still have fun now. Changing different tubes once a year. Great review Thomas. Thanks.
Couldn't agree more!
@@ThomasAndStereo
Thomas, is it a good match with a class A amp? I assume Galion Ts A20 is a class A amp. Really curious about. Tube pre amp and Class A power amp seems like a good match. By the way, my speaker is cornwall Iv.
@@tobbietsai392 It is a good match. Although there will be a matching tube preamp with the TS A20, this Mp701 might be smoother.
@@ThomasAndStereo Thanks, Thomas
Curious, how do you switch capacitors ? Plug and Play ? Hopefully, no soldering involved ???
Very good choice Thomas! 👌👍 This is hidden Gem in the World of HiFi! Glad You took a look as well! 😊 6N6Pi + MCap Evo Sup Alu Oil (no Si/Gold) for is my fav. choice for single drivers.
Hi Iam mad, I like your channel. We're all mad really. More power to your channel.
Thanks for the great review. Been waiting a long time. I am so glad I'm not the only who really enjoys my preamp.
Great preamp, tremendous value and fun factor!
It really is!
This thing looks as good as it sounds. Thanks for a great vid.
I've been eyeing this preamp for some time now and resolved to get it. To prepare for the purchase I've already picked up all Mundorf caps which alone cost me over $500.00CAD. I also ordered tubes from Germany that cost me around $400.00CAD. Already I'm into this thing by $900.00 and I don't have the preamp yet. With these purchases so far, and installed, it better be worth it! From all I've read and viewed on YT so far, everything is positive about this preamp. Looking forward to getting it in the new year.
So....
How did it go?
I have to caution you about using Mundorfs in the power supply bypass circuit of the MP 701mk2.
I just tried that with V-caps as the coupling caps.
The combination sounded awfully shouty and distorted,
I couldn't stand to listen!
(Tried reducing output dip switch setting to 4 to no avail;-)
Using the supplied Bennic or HVL caps as bypass with the Mundorf SGO Evo Supremes as coupling caps are natural sounding with good bloom.
Coupling with V-caps more transparent and deeper soundstage.
I hope you didn't go straight to all Mundorf and give up!
😮
@@carlitomelon4610 Thanks for the response. I'll definitely keep these instructions in mind. As it is, I still haven't purchased the preamp yet. Priorities have changed so the preamp is on the back burner. Do you happen to have a link to the webpage where you got your capacitors? I'll check them out.
Great run down Thomas!!
🎉❤😊….
Looks like a dream for someone who loves versatility!!
Would be SUPER excited to hear your new amp with that guy! 🎉
It actually pairs well because this preamp is on the smooth side.
@@ThomasAndStereo
Nice!!
That’s kinda what I was thinking.
Probably not a pre amp you would pair with something like a First Watt F7 class A, but maybe a killer pairing with a nice Class D GaN amp?
Remind me, are your amps available for purchase yet? I know I said I would be interested in one of them on another of your videos when you asked.
Cheers.
🤔🤔🤔
@@abxaudiophiles Not yet, the first batch, which is the lively version will be ready in about 5 to 6 weeks but in very limited quantity and I might only produce the lively version once a year.
In stock form, I like it better than the Schiit Freya+ with Class D amp!
Can’t wait to start
experimenting with different tubes and caps.
Well the secrets out now!!!
Oh, thanks for sharing your experience.
I've had my Mp-701mk2 for about two months now and have been smitten by how good it sounds paired with my PS Audio PS300 amplifier. I ordered it with the upgraded VCAP capacitors and went with an 5Ar4 rectifier and three E88CC-Performance-6922WA-S4A suggested by another YT reviewer (@iam_mad)
All I can say is WOW!! My Buchard S400 MkII's sing like never before!
Thanks for the review Thomas!
Yes, it is amazing what a good preamp can do.
Good to hear it was a great match. I emailed the manufacturer sometime last year and was told this preamp had a high output impedance. I can't remember what the output Z was but it wasn't a good match for my solid state type amps. Maybe just upping the output cap value will be good enough for it to work for me. I was (still is) really interested in this pre...but not for my tube power amps.
I just checked the site..says 2k ohm. I could have sworn he told me 5 or 7k.. something high like that.
@@NosEL34 from the manual "For optimal result, the total impedance of the connected devices must be higher than 10Kohm. For example, the input impedance of a power amp is 100Kohm, and the impedance of an active sub-woofer is 100Kohm. The total impedance drops down to 50Kohm."
might be what you saw - still matching is very important. I have not yet set it up with my Class A SET 10 watt amp. (looking fwd to it tho!)
@@kellypollock thanks!!
I think I may have found my new preamp! I LOVE the fact you can upgrade easily and at your convenience.
Thank you Mr Galion!
My pleasure!
Nice..bout time Thomas. Great review. This has been my main preamp that displaced the Freya ORG and Modwright LS100 but only after the cap and tube upgrades. The Linlai e274b is my best rectifier for this pre, and yes i have Overcooked and gone overboard with the caps - Vcap Odams + Duelund bypass caps for both bypass and coupling caps. If you can drop the gain to #1 on the dip switch, you will notice less hiss but at the cost of gain.. i dont need it. Tubes, i dont like 6922s, i prefer the musical russian 6n6p, or if you want more linearity...the linlai e6sn7s. It does have the potential to displace higher end preamps, but it aint gonna beat and ARC pre or something of that calibre.
I got mine about 3 years ago and I liked it a lot from the start. I got 6sn7 tube, GE 5U4G, Mundorf and Odam cap(bigger value than original on power supply and audio out for better dynamics and base). Like he said it was good but not high-end like dark background. So I modified it with the silver plated internal signal wire and audiophile fuse. Then I found out the 6SN7 to 6922 adapter was making extra contacts which was unavoidable and degraded sound. I bypassed adapters with silver plated wire. And have added small value Teflon V cap as bypass cap. Now MP 701 has a dark background and was transparent enough that I connected my home theater processor front chanel to MP 701 input. Actually this way sounds better because MP 701 adds a bit of tube warmth and makes the Marantz processor more musical.
Very smart concept.
I don't have the MP preamp, but I do have their MP-P2 Phone preamp and it is amazing! I'm still "hot rodding" mine, but even from the start it was so much better than my Pro-ject phono pre's (RS, Tube DS, Tube2).
Nice, I have a project phono myself, need to compare one day.
I have the MP-P2 phono pre amp as well. All I have done to mine is swap out the rectifier tubes for some vintage RCA coke bottles with brown bases. At the moment I don’t feel the need to change anything else, as it sounds great to me, in pretty much stock form.
GM ☕️
10:30 Nice to see good stuff at a decent price.😊
Yup!
i owned their little integrated and loved it. swapped out for gold lions and it is a giant killer for the money if you only need 6 watts of course.
Very cool. Thomas,you should make one similar but make it have tone controls and sub outs.
Great review of a fantastic product! However, you did not tested it with 6SN7/6H8C tubes which is what Garry recommend. With an adapter you can run these tubes. When you get it silent also! Also, please consider reviewing the newly released MP-DX dac. It is a DAC with a tube output stage with switchable caps!
Ah, thanks. MP-DX DAC? Ah, too many DACs in for review already so I will skip that.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on their newest flagship dac if you can get your hands on one
those jupiter caps are very popular for the MP-D2mk3, as are the vcap odam and...heck, i forget the rest...all the onees that are popular and expensive. ive been interested in that preamp for a while, maaaaan its tempting. that dac is excellent.
After trying many capacitors, I can say you can get 90% of the performance of an expensive capacitor for a fraction of the price.
@@ThomasAndStereo what discount capacitor gives you 90% performance of an expensive cap for a fraction of the price?
@@ThomasAndStereo, what affordable cap has given you 90% of the performance of an expensive cap?
Great one. Thank you.
Thank you for your excellent review. Would you kindly consider reviewing the new Musical Paradise MP-DX streamer Dac. Aloha from Hawaii.
Ah, I am trying to avoid reviewing DAC, I have 5 pending for review and people have lost interest in DACs
Nice to know Canada has so many local talents in designing quality audio equipments. What did mr. Vintage do to make his preamp neutral? Enjoyed your episode!
It is a combination of everything in his system. For example, tube A + capacitor A" will match with speaker B, cables C and poweramp D.
@@ThomasAndStereo, good lord! :-)
*Indeed*
He knows the sound he wants.
This is a tweaker's paradise, but at least you don't have to buy a complete new preamp!
Just a tube or two, maybe swap the caps....
Yes that's perfect (for this month)...
🎶😅🎶
It's made in China.
@@j-rod6420
So it is, just like your phone😉
Musical Paradise is designed in Canadia. The designer, Garry is always responsive to customer queries.
Well one of the best tube preamp that i have joy and the upgrade for me audiogd he1 vacuum
Nice, thanks for sharing.
I would love to compare The M.P. VS both of me Schiit Freyas Plus/Noval - Really cool that the M.P. you can change out the Compasitors and switch Voltage for more tube choices I wish Schiit Audio still made the Freya Noval for pep to try lots of tube choices ' and 3 output modes Jfet/Passive/Tube - You know I love Golden lion 12ax7 kt88 -
Thanks Thomas !!!
That would be fantastic, I have the Noval and love it. Would be an excellent side by side review 😊
@christophergaus3996 I am down if M.P. is down I have switchbox ready - 😆
@christophergaus3996 what tubes do you use with Noval ? The 6cg7 are really good ' I also like the combo 6H6P in output and 6922 volt stage
@@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120 I'm still on stock tubes, I really want to branch out. I like your golden lion recommendation! May give that my first go 😁
Ordered mine, have to wait at least 15 days before it is shipped, such a long wait.
Was watching a musician, with an electric guitar amp. on youtube. He was talking about rolling his tubes ( that's the right phrase?) for his guitar amp, he said he couldn't tell the difference. So I thought is this more audiophile mumbo but it dawned on me he could simply have blown his hearing playing loud rock. I'm 61 and probably don't have the hearing for all the great gear you show oh think your name was mentioned linked with the development of audio gear it was a tube amp? Think it was on Pearl Acoustics sorry but I commented said with the valve amp cover on looked like an old electric bar fire, however wish I could have stuff at that level.
There's mechanical noise ( in the demo with stock tubes )........Avoid 6922 , they have no mica dampers on the cathodes ( most ECC88 and CCA/ECC188 nos ) do have dampers.
6922 is prone to HF ringing ..........but audiophiles seem to like that and believe that this fault is a high end quality .
When optimised with the output capacitors ......suppress the connectors and solder directly the leads of the caps.
Change resistors and adapt the value of the resistorsadapted to the operation condition of the choosen tubes , use good sounding resistors instead .
Use Nos rectifier .........if you have the privilege of owning nos tubes , do not forget AZ1 AZ11 80 balloon RGN1064 5931 GB and other gems......and if you're very lucky real old mesh plate rectifiers ....( not perforated fake plates sold as mesh )
Change sockets for mil quality silver coated sockets .
......and there are many more details/upgrades possible ......
In fact , may be it is to consider to build a great sounding preamp yourself...( without a circuit board as this will always be/sound inferior to point to point wiring )
Man, you are an expert with tubes. Point to point is great but I think it all depends on how good the manufacturer is at soldering.
Yes .......just like a good class AB amplifier will be more musical than a bad designed and cheap build class A...........that be a condition it will not alter the fact that class is king .
I like to share a lifetime of tube experience with those who I like ...
And Your own input and creation of your brand makes you a kind of creatotr of what you like an amplifier etc to sound good ( means reproducing music ) and not only play with numbers !
Kind regards
Pretty cool ! I wish more pre-amps have at least half a dozen inputs with some balanced. 3 is way too limiting for me. Mine has 6 and I struggle with it as I like to do A/B's...
the solid state class A RebelAmp also makes an excellent RCA only preamp for a RCA input power amplifier 🤣 .
I have been looking for an alternative to Schiit Freya + , and i think this could be it !
Well, check on the forums too because there is quite a following for Musical Paradise. Both are good and the Freya+ is more user friendly. Well this one is more versatile.
@@ThomasAndStereo I love to tinker and fine tune, super cool it is easy to upgrade capacitors. I build the Akitika power amp. Now need a preamp 😁
That is quite affordable for something you can tweak that much.
I've pretty much given up on searching and tweaking. My ears are getting
older and older, my budget less and less and my interest is fading.
I've settled on a Chinese tube integrated on one system and a somewhat vintage
Nakamichi pre-amp by Nelson Pass on another. The Pass Pre is so neutral and clean
that I often use equalization to add some flavor to the sound. Yeah, yeah, I know
Hi-End boys and girls trash EQs but they WORK, sorry. And they work at a very
low price point. To get the same effect you'd spend thousands! And, it helps to have
a MUSICAL ear when you tweak the EQ. I play instruments by ear and can easily tell if something or someone is off key, lol. Something even many audiophiles cannot do?
Congrats, you found something you can just enjoy. Seriously, that is the most important.
I only wish it was balanced by design for today's class D amps. Freya+ has this advantage. Maybe upgrade Freya's caps and tubes to compete?
I wonder if it can be done easily. Do you know if Freya+ is 'true' balance? I was told to be true balance, it needs 'double' the tubes of what it has. I am no engineer so I have no idea.
@@ThomasAndStereo My understanding is 6SN7 is dual triode. When using single ended it only uses one triode, when using balance it uses both, thus no need to double the tubes.
Cool product. I have a love hate relationship with tinkering...I love to tweak to see how I can improve sound but sometimes it's a rabbit hole, which pulls you in deeper and deeper :). Thomas to help with a point of reference, how does this preamp compare with something like the Ladder Bach which you also spoke highly of? I'm in the market for a preamp and wondering which direction to go.
@thomasandstereo I would love to get your take on matching tube preamps with solid state power amps. Shockingly few RUclips videos on the subject other than ultra high end. Pretty please!
well, its not just the heater coltage...its every other relevant spec as well. i enjoy my musical paradise MP-D3mk2 deluxe, which operates with similar flexibility. not sure how it works. not sure how the circuit is optimized for more than one type of signal tube.
There is an mk3 version now that is probably more quiet.
Damn, why did you wait for this review until Black Friday was over 😅
Now you have no excuse to get it, I just saved you some money!
Hi Thomas another awesome video originally from nova scotia living in Scotland 😢 can i buy this preamplifier in the uk .hopefully many thanks 😊
What do you mean by "I added two capacitors to the last two capacitors" can you put in more than two?
The soft side of this pre is the selector knob. It has A LOT OF PLAY ! It wiggles 3mm LEFT , 3MM RIGHT .What do I get as a response from said company? !Switch is fine ...
Ouch
Great review as usual. Thomas, just one question, how will it compare to a MingDa MC-7R that I consider the best bargain in tube pre amps and great potential for upgrade? Thanks in advance for your opinion.
Not sure as I have never tried the Mingda.
Thanks Thomas for another insightful video. This one takes me back to the MP dac vid you did all those years ago. Out of interest how would the MP-701 compare against the Doge 8 Clarity 2022? both being tube pre-amps?
Doge 8 is a level up in transparency and it sounds more stable.
@@ThomasAndStereo thanks for sharing your thoughts Thomas.
You could put a 10 mega ohm resistor 2 watt alongside the capacitors and leave it in circuit, probably make it sound better as well.
In the recording it sounds like it's got a phase issue
What about Jensen caps Jensen z very good caps not trying them?
I have those Jenzen caps too, very good stuff. Yup, add a resistor in can also solve the problem. Maybe a mistake on my part when connecting the speaker cables for the sound demo.
It won't be legal within Europe. Ce and ISO approval is impossible with those binding post for high voltage caps
Ah makes sense.
Hello Thomas, the output rca connectors are in a strange configuration, how do you connect rca cable?
Hi thomas..Just wondring how do you hook this up to a record player if this preamp has no earthwire connection?any option to get rid of the hum/buzz sound from record player?Thanks
Don’t go tubes unless you love rolling them
Some of those capacitors you show are connected with very long leads. This adds series inductance which will also affect performance (and may add unwanted resonances).
I'm also curious to know what makes a "good" capacitor - apart from C, is there a desired ESL and ESR ?
Whatever that makes it sound good to you.
Are u reviewing the rethm speakers! Thats what it looks like sitting on the left
Yup but not on my channel, maybe for The Absolute Sound or HIFI+
Question for you Thomas, what kind of bookshelf speakers do you think synergize with this preamp in your opinion? Example Wharfdales, Canton’s Ascend Acoustics etc.? In general of course. I have the Musical Paradise tube amp MP-401. Thanks!
I probably can get it to sound ok with all those speakers. Problem is most people don't have the tubes and caps like me to fine tune it.
How much difference between those components that you upgraded from the website, as compare to yours (which cost more than the preamp) ? Like you had mentioned, changing the Jupiter capacitor, give more texture to the voice, What about the VCAP? How does it sound like? In addition, you mentioned about Gold Lion Output tube, how is it compare to other Tubes given? Likewise for rectifier tubes ( damn, seem like only for tube roller has that variety to test it out).
Thanks
You could become that cap&tube rolling guy.... It's a slippery slope 😮 watch out!
Hey Thomas - what happened to that solid state class-A amp you built?! I'm dying to know what NPNs you're using! Are they Japanese? (just kidding!)
Got it for a week now, really nice sounding pre, especially for the price.
I have only one problem.
I use 2 smsl a300 in btl mode (monos.
On all 4 outputs gain from the 701 i get a Hum ... can't reid of it.....😮
Does anyone here owns or owned it and experienced the above situation??
Would like to know if there's any solution for that.
Many thanks,
Ilan 😊
P.s
Great reviews Thomas.. thanks.
Hmm...did you get in touch with Gary? Just for fun, can you try a different power outlet?
@@ThomasAndStereo
No, not contacted him yet...sure
Will try a different outlet.
Thanks :)
@@ilanspiro1645 Yeah, you want to solve this before the trial period ends. With tubes, there will be some cases where there are no solutions in someone's setup. Meaning it will work well at your neighbor's place but not yours no matter what you do.
Hi Thomas nothing regarding this video but I thought of as I am going to go to Thailand for a visit to see if I want to make it my permanent home, are you Thai? If so I’m planning to go to Jomtiem and was wondering what stereo stores you might suggest if that is you are Thai, if not thx and have a great day Nick
Oh Thailand, I had a great time there the last time I was there. I am located in Montreal Canada.
Can this be used on the mixbus to add that tube shine to audio tracks?
This preamp or Doge 8 ? Great vid ! Thanks
Doge 8 is one step up in terms of transparency and the soundstage is more stable. We AB tested both and both agree, me and Mr. Vintage, that the Doge 8 is a step up. However, Mr. Vintage rather have the MP701 because of flexibility. He himself have expensive audio research preamps but he spent most time with MP701.
@@ThomasAndStereo Great feedback, thanks for your reply ! Best Regards, Mark
How do Tubes and Capacitors influence the sound of the MP-701 Mk2?
ruclips.net/video/XxqtiDKJA0E/видео.html
Wow, great video, thanks for sharing.
@@ThomasAndStereo Thanks for watching 😊
Wait a minute... A logo inspired by musical fidelity 😅😅😅
well with my now old linn genki cd player i just use it's matching preamplifier the linn kolektor , and there is nothing special with that , just the standard amplifier chips that linn used in their products 🤣 🤣 🤣
Is it a true balanced print And does it actually sound like a tube or more Solid state
A true balanced preamp
No, I don't think any at this price is true balance. It does have enough air to sound like a tube preamp with a bit of tube rolling.
I've been wanting to experience tubes with my system for years but just can't seem to pull the trigger. The problem is that I have Magnepan 1.7i and Heresy iii speakers so tube amps won't play well with the Maggie's. This leaves me with only tube preamps and I can't seem to find one that I've been convinced will give me a very tube amp like sound with just a tube preamp for about $2k or less. Do you have any advice for me? Thank you
Oh, $2k, you have a few options, depends if you want to go for a warm sound or neutral sound, used or new, it is a long conversation to find the right one.
I have MP preamp and DAC with Maggie 3.6. Not that great as stock form. Excellent sound after tube & cap rolling and internal wiring upgrade.
When this MK2 preamp first came out, I was very excited. I went ahead and bought it along with the 6SN7 tube adapter. Waited for a week to get it. So excited. BUT! It was a big disappointment. Plugged it in and I got a loud hum. Tried various things and the hum didn't go away. It just doesn't seem to like playing with my amps. Returned it after 2 weeks and of course Garry said there were nothing wrong with the unit. However, I had tried various tube preamp with my setup and never encountered that as well.
Yup, important to give proper feedback, positive and negative. Thanks for sharing.
Needs shielded cables or reroute your unshielded cables, I found.
Hum disappeared with a decent rectifier tube.
Also try using the lowest gain setting first with your power amp.🎶😉🎶
Will Garry and friends in Edmonton cone out with a mk3 version of this preamp....Aldo with instructions for mk2 owners in how to upgrade from mk2 to mk3? Needs less dark hiss in the mk2 version.
@@a88888888a
No hiss with good lower gain 12au7 and dip switch selection;-)
how does this compare to the modwright LS100?
LS100 is more romantic sounding and warmer.
Chicken or Prawn or
i can produce the what you've described with aiyima t8
You need a bench with an earth strap
I need a new house! No more place.
@@ThomasAndStereo That is right Mr.T
Out of stock currently 😒
Why not the Doge preamp?
Doge preamp is a bit better but cannot tune the sound. So if you find it too bright, then it is hard to fine tune it.
Oooooh..
MY MP301 cost 289 GBP.... It sounds better than my Unison Simply 2....The rip off prices charged by Western bourgeois shopkeeper types is a money grubbing disgrace
Visually, it needs a makeover.
I think you should define what you mean by "super affordable". The price for this preamp is not.
Super affordable here it costs 740 dollars lol
700.. super affordable lmao
Is $5000 affordable? Yes for a car. Is $700 affordable? Yes for a tube pre amp with this level of sound quality. It is all relative.
Sorry why the heck will I spend so much money? I can simply buy a vintage amp that works well at these prices.
@@java2architect This is not an amp.
I can not relate to hifi blogs and online content anymore. Its fastfood bs and about gadgets.. buy buy buy. Back in the paper format days you got to know your writer and they were all music lovers with a few exceptions.
Hifi is nothing today. Better stay away from most audio blogs and online reviewers.
Super affordable?
Have you seen the price of gas lately?