Anybody ordered a Musical Paradise MP-701 MK3 Tube Preamp Pre Amplifier?

[BmWr75]

Built for the tube and capacitor rolling crowd.

 

[Lavane]

Interesting, are those thumb screw terminals used to mount the film caps?

 

[BmWr75]

Interesting, are those thumb screw terminals used to mount the film caps?

Yes, they look like 5 way binding posts to me.

 

[mrwood200]

Interesting, are those thumb screw terminals used to mount the film caps?

Look like turret lugs.
Good looking preamp at a realistic price. Nice build quality with some interesting features (e.g., adjustable gain). I am impressed so far.

Got to share they offer a $200 coupling cap upgrade. I was unfamiliar with VCAPs and their $$$ cost. I am not going to critique this option, due to my unfamiliarity + liking all their other part choices. Still, if I was buying today, I will go stock.

 

[mrwood200]

fyi - photos look like they are current (from website?), but MK2 not MK3
You can see MK2 on board, MK3 is purple PCB, MK3 is said to have bigger choke in alternate location, etc. But in general sounds pretty similar...

 

[Shibatube]

I have the 701 and love it.
Very versatile, lots of options with tubes, caps., gain and feedback selection.

 

[BmWr75]

fyi - photos look like they are current (from website?), but MK2 not MK3
You can see MK2 on board, MK3 is purple PCB, MK3 is said to have bigger choke in alternate location, etc. But in general sounds pretty similar...

Yes, pics copied from the Musical Paradise web site today.

 

[BmWr75]

Here's a better pic of the cap connectors. This is the photo that made me think they might be 5 way binding posts, but maybe not.

 

[Lavane]

Same idea, but smaller? Cool idea though. Now there's another part easy to roll like tubes and op amps.

 

[mrwood200]

Cool idea though.

I like the idea of an OEM design facilitating changes/upgrades/maintenance. Clearly this Company gave us some space (!) for various caps sizes, and these capacitor posts are unique. They do look like they have some cap on top. If they are screw posts, if you laid your wire flat & cranked down, you could get a good connection. I like the zip tie for insurance, but am concerned that the post may work it's way loose. Have to see in person & try it out!

 

[GChief]

but am concerned that the post may work it's way loose.

I think that would require whatever cabinet it is in/on vibrating excessively.

 

[Sitka]

I have a couple of Musical Paradise products; MP 2P phono stage and the 301MK3 integrated amp. The units are well made and Garry is a great guy with service. Don't have the 701 but it sure looks nice!

 

[BmWr75]

Just saw this update on the Musical Paradise we site.

 

[zackthedog]

I like the idea of an OEM design facilitating changes/upgrades/maintenance. Clearly this Company gave us some space (!) for various caps sizes, and these capacitor posts are unique. They do look like they have some cap on top. If they are screw posts, if you laid your wire flat & cranked down, you could get a good connection. I like the zip tie for insurance, but am concerned that the post may work it's way loose. Have to see in person & try it out!

I'm sure it's fine, and I think it's very clever. I've built or modified some amps and preamps for an audiophile friend who is an inveterate "swapper." I always include some sort of screw terminal so he can swap caps to his heart's content.

 

[egellings]

Here's a better pic of the cap connectors. This is the photo that made me think they might be 5 way binding posts, but maybe not.

View attachment 3186044

They do look like binding posts of some sort, it not the standard 5-way banana receptacle.

 

[Shibatube]

A banana plug will fit into the top (nut part) of the connector.
Hole is correct diameter but cannot be fully inserted.

 

[BmWr75]

Got an email notice that mine has shipped and should arrive by May 8. Origin = Hong Kong

 

[ceylon]

Here's a better pic of the cap connectors. This is the photo that made me think they might be 5 way binding posts, but maybe not.

View attachment 3186044

that they are, according to the owner-designer of musical paradise

 

[BmWr75]

Came today. Plugged in the Chinese tubes that came with it just to make sure it works. Will roll in some vintage tubes tomorrow and give it a go.

 

[ceylon]

Got an email notice that mine has shipped and should arrive by May 8. Origin = Hong Kong

here are the posts musical paradise uses to hold the caps oin the MP-D2mk3 deluxe

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