Hey folks...new here, but I just got a MP-301 yesterday and its driving some nice JBL's and for the price, this is SOOO right. I'll be reading this thread, but I'm a total rookie....so I'll ask dumb questions maybe so bear with me??
Thanks
Hey Big Bill!!!
Thanks
Hey Big Bill!!!
Welcome to the thread.
I have yet to do any mods on my amp, too busy with other stuff. But the funny thing is, I've had to "reboot" the amp a couple of times lately. Most strange.
Here's what happens. The sound will drop out in one channel or both. If I click the amp off, the sound comes back! - as long as the caps take to discharge. Turn it back on and it's all OK. I've also cured it with a static zap to the volume knob (it's winter). So I'm suspecting either the volume pot or the headphone connector. We shall see.
..
I have yet to do any mods on my amp, too busy with other stuff. But the funny thing is, I've had to "reboot" the amp a couple of times lately. Most strange.
Here's what happens. The sound will drop out in one channel or both. If I click the amp off, the sound comes back! - as long as the caps take to discharge. Turn it back on and it's all OK. I've also cured it with a static zap to the volume knob (it's winter). So I'm suspecting either the volume pot or the headphone connector. We shall see.
..
Thanks!!! I want to make the volume pot disappear first, I have a Virtue Audio TWO.2 which I love and when I bypassed the volume pot it was like heaven.
I'm using a Grant Fidelity Tube DAC-09 as a DAC/Pre-amp that I run my Piano M1 CD Player to and my Squeeebox DUET.
This morning I took the DAC/Pre out of the mix and put CD player straight in and that is the ticket!!!
1) Vol Pot gone
2) Figure some kind of switch <<<<Ed wish list for the amp
3) Maybe bail on the DAC/Pre
I gotta say, I'm flippin amazed at the sound this little thing makes, this was totally worth the $150 I paid.....I'll do as many safe mods as possible but I need to practice my soldering...I'm 53 and the last time I soldered..I was maybe 16...
I'm using a Grant Fidelity Tube DAC-09 as a DAC/Pre-amp that I run my Piano M1 CD Player to and my Squeeebox DUET.
This morning I took the DAC/Pre out of the mix and put CD player straight in and that is the ticket!!!
1) Vol Pot gone
2) Figure some kind of switch <<<<Ed wish list for the amp
3) Maybe bail on the DAC/Pre
I gotta say, I'm flippin amazed at the sound this little thing makes, this was totally worth the $150 I paid.....I'll do as many safe mods as possible but I need to practice my soldering...I'm 53 and the last time I soldered..I was maybe 16...
Yep, amazing little amp for the anywhere near the price. It was off the website for awhile, thought it was no longer being made.
FYI, the Piano CD player has a nice onboard DAC with a good opamp analog section. Big, full, rich sound. Most who hear it, like it.
FYI, the Piano CD player has a nice onboard DAC with a good opamp analog section. Big, full, rich sound. Most who hear it, like it.
Yep--They are great players, I love the DAC and have been trying to get the owner of Virtue Audio- Seth to make a DAC with the chip since I first heard mine...they are awesome folks at Virtue.
I hang out on audiocircle alot, probably too much as I'm retired but I've met great folks through there, thats how I found this thread..Wayne at Bolder Cable sent me a PM with the link...I love how everyone helps everyone else try to get the best sound they can!!!!!
Big Bill and I are doing a phone confab at 2...mods'R'us
I hang out on audiocircle alot, probably too much as I'm retired but I've met great folks through there, thats how I found this thread..Wayne at Bolder Cable sent me a PM with the link...I love how everyone helps everyone else try to get the best sound they can!!!!!
Big Bill and I are doing a phone confab at 2...mods'R'us
I designed a DAC for Virtue, but with another chip. The project was never put into production. But they are working on another that is similar to my design and may have it out this year.
Let us know how your amp mods go. This little amp is a lot of fun!
Let us know how your amp mods go. This little amp is a lot of fun!
I had a chance to talk to "Big Bill" and I have successfully done the "snip" mod...LOL. The operation was a success and the patient is up, around and dancing its butt off!!!!!!
Sounds...even better afterward. So far in two days I've had two "aha" moments where you do something that translates into better sound...I really like "aha" moments....LOL.
TY Big Bill..
Sounds...even better afterward. So far in two days I've had two "aha" moments where you do something that translates into better sound...I really like "aha" moments....LOL.
TY Big Bill..
Hi
I've had a MP-301 for a little while now and enjoyed it very much - it runs the top end of my diy open baffles -however, I have precisely 0 experience with tube amps. Can someone who has listened to a few describe how this compares sound wise to other designs - kind of vague I know, but hopefully you get what I mean. Also the snip op - I can't say I listen to mine at a high volume setting (night time listener -small kids , that kind of thing) so I hadn't noticed any distortion, or is it the not immediately noticeable kind of thing -unless you know what you're looking for? thx.
I've had a MP-301 for a little while now and enjoyed it very much - it runs the top end of my diy open baffles -however, I have precisely 0 experience with tube amps. Can someone who has listened to a few describe how this compares sound wise to other designs - kind of vague I know, but hopefully you get what I mean. Also the snip op - I can't say I listen to mine at a high volume setting (night time listener -small kids , that kind of thing) so I hadn't noticed any distortion, or is it the not immediately noticeable kind of thing -unless you know what you're looking for? thx.
As far as I know, Garry sold out. He says the 301-ver2 will be out soon.
Howdy--- My first tube amp also. I snipped because I could...LOL...I got more clarity and I think its as you said "unless you know what...."
These are great fun!!! I'm shocked these little babies can drive some serious speakers with no problem.
I've telling anyone who'll listen about these amps!!!
These are great fun!!! I'm shocked these little babies can drive some serious speakers with no problem.
I've telling anyone who'll listen about these amps!!!
OK, I'll have a stab at it.
To me it sounds very "full". It has a lot of what might be termed "tube sound." Never harsh, very smooth, good detail, well rounded, a bit dark. Not all tube amps actually sound like that. And it sounds bigger than it is, especially in the bass and lower mid.
I did get to A/B it on a big Simplex theater speaker system. The other amp was a 45 triode SET. The 45 trounced the MP-301 in detail, warmth and everything but bass. But you can pay more for one NOS 45 triode than the whole MP-301, so it did not embarrass itself.
To me it sounds very "full". It has a lot of what might be termed "tube sound." Never harsh, very smooth, good detail, well rounded, a bit dark. Not all tube amps actually sound like that. And it sounds bigger than it is, especially in the bass and lower mid.
I did get to A/B it on a big Simplex theater speaker system. The other amp was a 45 triode SET. The 45 trounced the MP-301 in detail, warmth and everything but bass. But you can pay more for one NOS 45 triode than the whole MP-301, so it did not embarrass itself.
thanks for the thoughts everyone
The very smooth part I had noticed compared to my couple of SS amps, with good detail too. I admit, I was surprised how well the 301 ran the woofer before I switched to active, having read how tube amps often have a problem there. But I found that what I would have identified as the 'tubiness' element depended in large part which particular tubes I stick in. With the stock tubes, I wasn't keen - what I would call an old fashioned sound -that I equated -perhaps mistakenly - with traditional tubiness. With new Tung Sol 6V6 paired with GE 6ak5 or TS 6au6, all that disappears and the sound - to me anyway- is very lean and clean. Tonally it sounds like SS, except smoother. Ken Rad 6V6 gave me a fuller midrange -that I guess might be called tube sound.
The very smooth part I had noticed compared to my couple of SS amps, with good detail too. I admit, I was surprised how well the 301 ran the woofer before I switched to active, having read how tube amps often have a problem there. But I found that what I would have identified as the 'tubiness' element depended in large part which particular tubes I stick in. With the stock tubes, I wasn't keen - what I would call an old fashioned sound -that I equated -perhaps mistakenly - with traditional tubiness. With new Tung Sol 6V6 paired with GE 6ak5 or TS 6au6, all that disappears and the sound - to me anyway- is very lean and clean. Tonally it sounds like SS, except smoother. Ken Rad 6V6 gave me a fuller midrange -that I guess might be called tube sound.
my cousin said that about his vasecotomy 😛
The tung sol are the first ones I'm getting, the guy who sold me the amp included JJ Brand 6V6, they re a 1/2 step up...they let you hear the possibilities these little guys have.
Vasectomy---OUCH!!!
Vasectomy---OUCH!!!
Decisions, decisions....
So the question is, how would this compare to a dedicated head amp?
What is the circuit like for the headphone amp part vs the speaker output part.
Is this amp really providing a truely 6v6 head amp experience or is it off the driver tubes etc?
The neat thing abou this amp is it can be used for both heads and speakers.
I am torn between a pure head amp like the new 6 watt LYR and the new v2 of the MP301.
I would like to see a schematic diagram but I know and understand that this would be giving away the farm!!
It would be nice to know what the headphone circuit in the MP301 V1 and V2 are like in more technical detail...
All the best
Alex
So the question is, how would this compare to a dedicated head amp?
What is the circuit like for the headphone amp part vs the speaker output part.
Is this amp really providing a truely 6v6 head amp experience or is it off the driver tubes etc?
The neat thing abou this amp is it can be used for both heads and speakers.
I am torn between a pure head amp like the new 6 watt LYR and the new v2 of the MP301.
I would like to see a schematic diagram but I know and understand that this would be giving away the farm!!
It would be nice to know what the headphone circuit in the MP301 V1 and V2 are like in more technical detail...
All the best
Alex
I didn't know this thread was active again! I had bought my 301 for a small night stand system for sleep music. Never even tried speakers as all experimentation was with headphones. Though the sound was full, and very detailed. It got very harsh very quick with any volume. I shelved the project for a later date. So this snip may solve the issue? I think I'll give it a try. I wonder if there are any more simple mods that may improve the SQ?
Sir,
If you have the time, could you give a detailed description of everything that you did to perform the "snip" modification? Any time that you could give is truly appreciated.
Warmest Regards,
Eric.
If you have the time, could you give a detailed description of everything that you did to perform the "snip" modification? Any time that you could give is truly appreciated.
Warmest Regards,
Eric.
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