More choices ...when will it end! Pacific Valve Ming DA MC 84C07 - Page 3

Wow, another good looking stuff. Waiting for a review as I'm looking for a good sounding tube amp.

A couple of things you have to realize about tube amps
a) they are often a changing project because owners will buy a different tube....and....voila.- a different sound. Few are retained with "factory" tube setup.
b) peeps who tube-roll are not really review writers (tho' Rob has written a lot)
It might take a little work on your part - but, one signal to a potential buyer would be if an amp is used for a year or more by owners.
I know Rob (Skylab) has owned his for nearly 2 years, and mine is not going anywhere. Mine is used to drive modded AKG k340, and Beyer dt990/600. Not sure, but I think Rob drives the same 'phones with his.....I remember there have been remarks re him driving k340 with his. We both use a version matched pairs of Mullard EL84......for the 5751 - I use Raytheon w/windmills, and he a Sylvania guy (not sure of which one right now. Replacing the 6HU6 can be another issue. Manufacturers these days will use cheap tubes and it is up to buyers (if they wish) to replace them with more desirable (read - costly) options.
The nutshell - is this a desirable amp for 'phones needing real juice - absolutely yes.......and beyond that, it is a piece of audio art. If posed with the usual "desert island" scenerio - out of my current six amps, I'd take my KICAS Caliente, and Ming Da with me .........the Caliente is new and only being burned-in and I'm lovin' it with Grado RS-1/flats.....it makes a 'phone I use most for jazz and turns it into an all-rounder by adding great depth for Symphonic performances - would you believe a Grado sounding great for Mahler?

Yep, I use my MC 84C07-C with either my K340's or my DT770/600 ohm. Works GREAT with both. Right now my tube lineup is all Mullard - EL84, 6HU6/EM87, and CV4004's for the 12AX7/5751 spot. The sound is just astounding given the price of this amp. As BushGuy points out, a lot of amps have come and gone from my house in the time I've had the Ming Da, and the Ming Da isn't going anywhere anytime soon - I love it.

anybody been using it to drive loudspeakers? Looks like a really neat little amp.

If I were choosing between the Ming Da and a Firestone Little Country III, you'd recommend the Ming, then?

Both units cost about the same in Canadian dollars, after shipping.

Well, the Little Country doesn't power a set of speakers like the Ming Da does, so that's one distinguishing feature. It would be nice to have a small set of speakers running off the Ming Da in the bedroom.

I do like the smaller, trimmer look of the Little Country unit. The Ming Da seems like it might be freaking huge on a bedside table.

I also might be taking the unit from bedroom to living room and back (for use as a preamp with the living room stereo). The Little Country seems like it'd be easier to move around from room to room.

However, the Little Country's tubes are all covered up and it doesn't look like you'd get that nice, visible tube glow effect, like you do with the Ming Da. And that 'cat's eye' effect is pretty cool. Big as it is, the Ming Da is a beautiful looking piece of gear.

Hmmm...

Another question:

Is there any way to have separate left/right gain control with the Ming Da?

I'm currently using a PA2V2 and have found I need to raise the right channel volume a little to balance out the sound (right ear's hearing is a little lower). The internal L/R gain controls allow you to do this.

If not, what would be another option that would introduce some separate-channel volume control with the Ming Da?

Yeah, this thing excels at powering high impedance, power hungry cans. It's hums a bit with low impedance cans. I have however had good success with using a 300 ohm adapter with *some* of my low impedance cans. But it sounds beautiful with cans that are at least 250ohms.

@Tubestack:

I have never heard the Little Country so can't comment there. The Ming-Da, like most dedicated headphone amps, lacks the ability to control balance. Only my Darkvoice DV337 allows this since it has separate L/R volume pots.

Anyone? No one?
I was thinking like tubestack that it might make a nice second rig I could use with some small speakers and/or 'phones...?

Looks really nice! I am sure it sounds the same.

I used it to power a pair of psb B15. They sounded real lush and sweet. Unfortunately I use they speakers for the back channels in a 7.1 home theater system, so I can't enjoy the benefits of using it as a speaker amp. But they are very capable of powering some bookshelf speakers, and sound nice doing it.

Has anyone compare the Ming and the Audiotailor Jade? Any comment would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
AP

Yes, I did compare them. Both are excellent. I slightly prefer the Ming-Da, however. It offers a slightly more transparent sound while still having a very meaty sound

Awesome, thanks heap Skylab. I like meaty sound. A quick question if i may, the only place that i found selling the Ming Da is China-highend-hifi. Any comment on them?
Cheers,
AP