I paid via EMT. I have a feeling that he is processing one unit at a time.
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Music Paradise 701 MK2 Preamp and tube rolling
- Thread starter Ufanco
- Start date
Audiobliss2
Head-Fier
Just got a DHL tracking number through PayPal a hour ago. So it's on the way.
Now processing orders on April 18, mine on April 12, if I don't receive a shipping notification in the next 5 days I will send an email to Garry.
Audiobliss2
Head-Fier
DHL now says arriving 5/15, that's less than a week since I got the tracking number. That's great, I figured it would be at least ten days from China.
Mine was supposed to arrived today, but UPS ****ed up unfortunately. I hope tomorrow it'll finally arrive.
If I don't receive a shipping notification by Friday I would send an email to Garry to cancel the order.
Audiobliss2
Head-Fier
I bet you will get your tracking by Wednesday.
Nice. Are the capacitor valuesMy unit finally arrived
Nice. Can you confirm that there are no changes in value for both the coupling caps and the EMI cap? Coupling caps are still 2.2uF, and the EMI: 4.7uF or 6.8uF?My unit finally arrived
Audiobliss2
Head-Fier
Well, it finally came today, but not too impressed so far. Here are some unpacking pictures that will show a few things that needs improvement, even before you get to the performance.
As I sit here , it’s been playing for about a hour. I have it temporarily setup on top shelf of my rack to make sure it’s a keeper before rearranging everything. It started out pretty dark sounding, but seems to be opening up.
It didn’t even include a manual, not even a spec sheet or tube rolling sheet for the switches.
Anyway I installed the stock tubes, cleaned off residue from the faceplate and sides that came off the foam packaging.
The preamp needs to be packed in a plastic bag, not just stick the foam directly on the sides. I had to use windex to get the sticky stuff off. I was hoping the paint was dry before they stuck the foam on.
Anyway it cleaned up nicely. The top cover needs a lot of damping, and I am not crazy about the three pointed feet. They could at least include some saucers.
I am actually surprised the eight screw holes for the cover lined up perfectly .
After setting it up in the system, I was a bit wary of turning it on and leaving it to warm up while I go take a shower, so I didn’t.
When I returned, and powered up, after about a minute, light smoke started to exit the top vents. I quickly turned it off and it actually continued to play for like another thirty seconds before it stopped.
So I guess it has a good power supply reserve.
Thinking oh crap, what now, I decided to remove the top cover again to maybe see exactly where the smoke was coming from.
But luckily, after the next power up there was no more smoke. So I guess maybe some residue from the tube pins or something else was burning off the first time.
So I guess I have seven days to decide if it’s a keeper, which isn’t much time. But I will probably keep it as long as there is no more smoke.
As I sit here , it’s been playing for about a hour. I have it temporarily setup on top shelf of my rack to make sure it’s a keeper before rearranging everything. It started out pretty dark sounding, but seems to be opening up.
It didn’t even include a manual, not even a spec sheet or tube rolling sheet for the switches.
Anyway I installed the stock tubes, cleaned off residue from the faceplate and sides that came off the foam packaging.
The preamp needs to be packed in a plastic bag, not just stick the foam directly on the sides. I had to use windex to get the sticky stuff off. I was hoping the paint was dry before they stuck the foam on.
Anyway it cleaned up nicely. The top cover needs a lot of damping, and I am not crazy about the three pointed feet. They could at least include some saucers.
I am actually surprised the eight screw holes for the cover lined up perfectly .
After setting it up in the system, I was a bit wary of turning it on and leaving it to warm up while I go take a shower, so I didn’t.
When I returned, and powered up, after about a minute, light smoke started to exit the top vents. I quickly turned it off and it actually continued to play for like another thirty seconds before it stopped.
So I guess it has a good power supply reserve.
Thinking oh crap, what now, I decided to remove the top cover again to maybe see exactly where the smoke was coming from.
But luckily, after the next power up there was no more smoke. So I guess maybe some residue from the tube pins or something else was burning off the first time.
So I guess I have seven days to decide if it’s a keeper, which isn’t much time. But I will probably keep it as long as there is no more smoke.
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Audiobliss2
Head-Fier
Oh, two other things, I used input 3 on the rear as my IC was a bit short to use number one. So I was expecting to set the selector switch to the third position. Well , input 3 came up on the first position. So not sure if it’s wired backwards or it was intentional.
Also, does the remote do anything besides volume?
Also, does the remote do anything besides volume?
Audiobliss2
Head-Fier
Already rolled the rectifier tube to a GE 5ar4, sounds good, think I will keep that there.
Looking at the cap values, the coupling caps are 8.2uf, that seems high compared to what the manual suggests. Anyone else sees that in theirs.
The power filter cap is a 6.8uf.
Looking at the cap values, the coupling caps are 8.2uf, that seems high compared to what the manual suggests. Anyone else sees that in theirs.
The power filter cap is a 6.8uf.
8.2uF for the coupling caps? wow!! that's a bummer. I already spent a lot of money on a bunch of 2.2uF (Jantzen Silver Superior ZCAP, Mundorf Supreme Silver Gold oil). As for the rectifier I'll recommend the RCA 5U4G black plate, or the Linlai 274B black plate. For the audio tubes, I loved the sound of the Russian Voshkod 6h23p with the Mk2 version of that preamp.
Per the UPS tracking info, mine is on its way, it should be delivered by May 27.
The coupling caps for the previous version were from 1.5uF (less bass) to 4.7uF(more bass). This is an important change that Garry should have mentioned in the change list.
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