MPX3 and MPX3 Slam.

[BrainFood]

What is the difference between these 2 models? Is the 'Slam' a version of the MPX3 by Singlepower or by some other third party?

 

[recstar24]

I believe the slam uses 5687 tubes for the driver outputs, whereas the mpx3 either used 6sn7 or 6cg7. The 5687's i believe can draw more current and to my ears is a better sounding tube family

 

[BrainFood]

I can't see any mention of the 5687 on the Singlepower website?

 

[recstar24]

Its not quite up there yet, and i believe its not yet an official product. sacd lover had mikhail wire a mpx3 for him to use 5687's, and he liked the sound as well as some others, so thats why it isnt necessarily up there. sacd lover will probably post here when he can and clarify more info for you as well

 

[BrainFood]

I am interested in this amp. There's a lot of mention of singlepower products on these pages. I wonder what upgrades (say, 3 or 4) and tubes are recommended?

 

[Glod]

As to tuberolling a MPX3 (6SN7), there has been quite a lot written through the years in many different threads. The link bellow give you a start and some history in what people have though about different combination of tubes. Just be aware of the fact that posts in the beginning of this thread talked about the old chassis MPX3. If there is a sonic difference between the new and the old, I wouldn't know. Somebody else would perhaps like to chime in here.

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showt...er+tuberolling

Depending on preferences on sound, and perhaps genre, tuberolling can be very rewarding. The MPX3 is said to be especially designed to expose the sonic nature the tubes.

If you ask me, one of the earliest favourites among the owners was a Ken-Rad VT-231 as gain (far left) and two Sylvania VT-231's as out-puts, and it still holds the ground very well, especially with classical.

 

[BrainFood]

I do not want to delve too deeply into tube possibilities right now- rather to get a good sounding starters package. However, as am based in the UK, would like to get 3 or 4 of the more useful upgrades done now rather than have to send the amp back in the near future.

Musical taste is very varied- soul, funk and jazz are particular favourites, though.

 

[woodcans]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrainFood I do not want to look too deeply into tube possibilities right now- rather to get a good sounding starters package. However, as am based in the UK, would like to get 3 or 4 upgrades done now so I won't have to send the amp back in the near future (at least for a few years). Musical taste is very varied- soul, funk and jazz are particular favourites, though.

I have a maxed out mpx3. If I had to choose 3-4 upgrades they would be in this order:

1. Solen III
2. Jensen paper-in-oil
3. Black Gate caps
4. Goldpoint Stepped attenuator.

The other options are convenient, but I think the above would give the largest improvement in sound, imo. These opinions are based primarily on listening to rock, jazz, some techno, occasional classical.

 

[kmcdonou]

If you can only afford a couple of upgrades, I strongly recommend, and I am sure SACD Lover will concur, is to get the Solen I and Jensen Paper and Oil caps. I had this combo, and after it broke-in it was truly wonderful. I decided to upgrade to Solen III and Black Gates just because I wanted to see how much more I could get, not that I felt anything was lacking.

 

[BrainFood]

Excuse my ignorance, by Jensen paper-in-oil caps do you mean Jensen PIO capacitors?

Also are Black Gate caps the same as Black Gate Cathode capacitors??

 

[kmcdonou]

Yes to both questions.

 

[BrainFood]

OK, any further changes above and beyond the Solen 1's and those two you mentioned (as well as the Goldpoint Stepped attenuator)? How about the power supply or is that less important?

 

[kmcdonou]

So, other than the Jensen PIO and Solen I, you need to get some good New Old Stock (NOS) tubes. Glod has posted a great link below and has given you a good recommendation for tubes.

You can save a lot on tubes if you upgrade the MPX3 to accommodate 12v tubes (12sn7). However, that adds an additional $250. The most I've paid for 12sn7 tubes is $20, with many of them between $7-15. I bought my first set of 6sn7 tubes--one KenRad and two Sylvania VT-231s--from Len here on Headfi and paid $85 as a sale price. A highly regarded 6sn7 Tung Sol round plate, black glass tube can go over $100. You can always upgrade to 12v operation at a later date, though.

As far as power supplies, I don't think they are the end all. I made a DIY Bob Crump power cord and I thought it sounded fine (search in Audio Asylum for instructions). I just bought a Chris Venhaus Flavor 2 cord to use when I get my MPX3 back from being upgraded. Signal Cable also sells a pretty good power cord for only $60 or so.

Before you make any final decisions, send SACD Lover a pm (if he doesn't chime in here) about the MPX3 Slam. From reading his impressions, it sounds like a very good amp and he had a hard time deciding whether he liked it better than his 12sn7/6sn7 MPX3 with Solen I and Jensen PIO. It might be cheaper than the MPX3 with the Solen I and Jensen PIO. I am not sure, though.

 

[BrainFood]

Thanks. I only mentioned p.supplys cause they are listed in the upgrades section on the singlepower website- but quite happy to leave AS IS- if not necessary

I'll have a good scroll through Glods tube link later (as above), although it may be best to leave 12v conversion to another day- as you said.

 

[BrainFood]

Oh I see! If I went for a slam (5687's) then I wouldn't need the other upgrades. NOW I'm confused! Yeah, I noticed there was a lot of talk about slams on the Ohio meet thread.