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Darlington Labs MP-7 vs Graham Slee Accession for MM

Genov said:
The PJL products look awesome. I looked extensively through their website.

What exactly are you using? How do they compare to Darlington Lab pre’s?
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I am having a hard time picking the one I like the best. The new gold lion tubes have this shimmery quality that I find very appealing. I am using the Retro and it is driving my SAE LT cart just fine. You can E-mail Pat and get a response. I like dealing with the designers one on one. That includes Keith, Pat at PJL and Eric at Tekton. I have learned a lot from guys that have actually designed and built products.
 
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Morgan D said:
I am having a hard time picking the one I like the best. The new gold lion tubes have this shimmery quality that I find very appealing. I am using the Retro and it is driving my SAE LT cart just fine. You can E-mail Pat and get a response. I like dealing with the designers one on one. That includes Keith, Pat at PJL and Eric at Tekton. I have learned a lot from guys that have actually designed and built products.
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I must point out that my MM-6 is their mid tier preamp. The MP-7 is probably better but similar.
 
Genov said:
“Along the same lines, we are alsoconsidering a variant of an MP-7 that wouldbe dedicated to tape playback (Open-Reeland possibly cassette) with someadjustability internally.”

Interesting! I have an Otari R2R. Would it be possible to have my current MP-7 modified to include such, or would that have to be independent?
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Independent box. Possibly a TH-7 for Tape Head-7. Too complicated to do both Phono and Tape with the necessary switching at high quality with the appropriate ease of use and reliability.

Your MX-5050 has entries in our Audio History/Encyclopedia sections. The Record and Playback amps, designed in 1974, use discrete J-FETs in the second gain stage of both circuit blocks, and transformers on the XLR balanced output. Otari moved to ICs in both locations with the 5050 MkII. A nice looking deck especially with the walnut sides.
 
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Update on this. I received the Darlington MP-7 Friday. I powered it up and let it stay on about 12 hours. I now have about 5 hours of play time on it, and it sounds really nice. I look forward to seeing how break-in affects it. Highly recommended!
 
krichard2496 said:
Independent box. Possibly a TH-7 for Tape Head-7. Too complicated to do both Phono and Tape with the necessary switching at high quality with the appropriate ease of use and reliability.

Your MX-5050 has entries in our Audio History/Encyclopedia sections. The Record and Playback amps, designed in 1974, use discrete J-FETs in the second gain stage of both circuit blocks, and transformers on the XLR balanced output. Otari moved to ICs in both locations with the 5050 MkII. A nice looking deck especially with the walnut sides.
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what is the audio history/encyclopedia you’re referring to?
 
Morgan D said:
I like it a lot . I have gold lion tubes and it really sounds great. I have limited preamps to compare it to though. I also have the Darlington labs mm-6 that I enjoy too.
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I suppose the dial adjusts the rollover frequency? Does it work to warm up a bright record and brighten a dull one as I anticipate? How often do you use it, in your experience?

I'm still thinking about contacting them...just need a little more nudging...
 
I think Pat will answer an e-mail. I believe it adjusts the RIAA curve to more trebly or more bassy.{tech jargon LOL!} I don't use it much anymore because I bought a PJL tube based treble, mid, and bass tone control that goes in my tape loop.
 
Morgan D said:
Ripblade , have you had any real tube products before?
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Not really....not since the '60s lol. I don't have a problem with their sonics but reliability and concerns over the expense of tube rolling to find the best match are problems for me. I like single ended J-FET topologies as they provide a similar vitality and musicality as tubes but are solidly reliable with no fuss operation. With all the cartridges I have to play with and fuss over, the last thing I need is electronics that needs more fussing lol.
 
I am limited by money. To be honest, the sylvania tubes that Pat supplied with the retro sounded perfectly fine and I ran them for a long time but he told me the gold lions were worth it and they are great ! I think Pat has a no hassle return policy. Are you at least curious about that Pyxi preamp from SOTA?
 
Morgan D said:
I am limited by money.
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You and me both lol. I have the added expense of shipping over the border to contend with, a major reason for the hesitation, even for a free trial. His site could be more informative IMO, but I'll leave Pat alone until I am closer to making a decision.

Thanks for your patience. Reading from other's personal experiences is more illuminating IMO.

I have only minimal interest in the Pyxi, or any other chip based component for that matter. The ones I've heard don't excite me, no matter how accurately they measure. In the past I believed that a 'straight wire with gain' meant no caps or tone controls in the signal path; now I'm learning that it also means simpler topologies.
 
Yes , his site is vague. A lot of it is over my head. you have the MP-7 . Isn't that chip based? Speaking of Canada . Are you familiar with the Wolf Ear products. Is it still in business? Never mind , I would choose Hagerman Labs for that much money.
 
Shows my limited understanding. Sounds to me like it is completely opposite. I would love to hear a Pyxi - MM-6 show down. Same price.
 
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