Musical Paradise MP 701 Mark II Owners & Discussion Thread

[Yoram Diamand]

Hi I bought a WBA Blazebird to compare with my  MP-701 mk 2. I liked the Blazebird much better. I made a little review comparing both. I'll give the MP 701 to a friend. Cheers, Yoram

 

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/edvgtxifmy6utgttiqdwc/Blazebird-versus-MP-701.pdf?rlkey=vkccoio89vj33245h2r92kc7r&st=coflorly&dl=0

 

Blazebird versus MP-701.pdf

Edited March 24 by Yoram Diamand
added pdf

[MichaelHiFi]

I was wondering, having a second Jupiter cap coming, this time at 2.2uf (currently using a 2.7uf which doesn't fit the chassis cover) what if I combined them? That is, 4.9uf total capacitance. 

 

Anyone upped their value at the power supply circuit?

 

Also, finally, after 3.5 years, installed a separate ground cable to the Puritan PSM156 outlet center. Eight ft ground rod, sending a 6awg stranded cable straight to the Puritan. My amp is out of that loop as it's a direct connect to the outlet on its own circuit.

 

It was laughable. Music was derived from the center of the earth. The house shook despite the REL carbons not enjoying that ground. My wife was in absolute awe. I couldn't stop laughing. Late night music ensued. 

 

And now I have to install a separate ground cable to her system. Fortunately, The BPT AC regenerator that's a part of her system has a ground lug. That's the penalty 

 

[Smokeyhill]

A few weeks back I swapped out the Gold Lion 6922’s with 3 x Sovtek 6h30pi, and decided to stick with them to see how they would bed in. I think they are ever so slightly warmer mids but well extended high’s have been good for my system compared the Gold Lions. 

I then swapped out the front Duelund cap so I am now running 3 x V-Cap ODAMs, the back 2 are 2.2uF and the front is 0.47uF. And holy cow this is a great combo with the Sovtek’s. I did try the 6922 Gold Lions with the 3 ODAM caps but that combination was quite different in a bad way. Just way too clinical, lacking any warmth and really lean mids, I hated it. So back to having 3 ODAM caps with the 3 Sovtek’s tubes, that set up is working great together. My favourite finding so far. Speedy enough for electronic music and weighty enough for rock. But with vocals that have proper presence. If that makes sense.  

Edited March 28 by Smokeyhill

[MichaelHiFi]

You're on the same track as I. I using the EH 6H30PI's as the EH 6922's didn't cut it. A Jupiter 2.2uf is on the way as the 2.7uf doesn't allow for the cover to installed. Of course another break-in period will be needed before the 701 can sing again.

 

Unfortunately, the MP701 MK 3 will not work in my downstairs system. I've spent way to many hours trying to get it to work with both my Allnic phonostage and the MoFi Master phonostage. They just become hum machines. The "upstairs" system won't have a vinyl setup. But, if I go with the HiFiRose RD160 DAC, and I like the sound of its built-in volume control, the MP701 will be sold, which is sad as it sounds absolutely amazing.

 

[Sean Perth]

Hi All

posting for my brother in the uk

he has a MP dac that has stopped working 

he started with basics changed tubes cables, had spare dac modules changed them. Changed the capacitors at the rear back to originals 

then Garry suggested changed the front caps see pic 

still no joy. When plugged in he hears extremely faint playback like in the old days when you muted an amp 

any thoughts btw he’s not a diy person either so all these things have been done by someone else well the changing of the front caps 

sean 

Edited March 30 by Sean Perth

[xlr8or]

5 hours ago, Sean Perth said:

Hi All

posting for my brother in the uk

he has a MP dac that has stopped working 

he started with basics changed tubes cables, had spare dac modules changed them. Changed the capacitors at the rear back to originals 

then Garry suggested changed the front caps see pic 

still no joy. When plugged in he hears extremely faint playback like in the old days when you muted an amp 

any thoughts btw he’s not a diy person either so all these things have been done by someone else well the changing of the front caps 

sean 

 

Check both the incoming digital and RCA jacks on the rear of the unit to see if there is a full return path available. A very faint signal coming through suggests only the + on the centre pin is working. The negative connections going to star ground may be the issue - check they are all still connected. What connection is being used for the digital in?

[Slowestrider]

On 18/06/2020 at 5:53 PM, doogie44 said:

I am not a guru but I am a tube lover! For your stated musical preferences you would like to maximise the musical effect of this MP circuit via tube-rolling. I don't know the particular difference the 2 choices of signal tubes make here. Likewise the choice of rectifier tube 'might' be less impactful sonically (or not)? I do think tube selection makes a difference in amplifiers, and it can be massive.

 

What I can tell you over three decades of experimenting with tubes is that the NOS Mullard small signal tubes tick all your boxes (and mine)--generally speaking. I find myself coming back to these time and again (often after spending quite a bit on other types of tubes that I didn't then wish to use again). I can't think of a single occasion in the past where Mullards 'failed' me--they have been consistently great. Nor one where other tubes were so superior that the Mullards were completely discarded. I look at all my tube gear now and Mullards are sitting happily in much of it. Sometimes other tubes like Telefunken, Siemens, Brimar, Raytheon, RFT, Amperex, Psvane have an advantage in some aspect/presentation of sonics but this is purely a matter of personal taste for any music lover (and, possibly, the particular circuit or system). Mostly I am looking for NOS but the recent Psvane and Shuguang efforts have impressed me; however, they are around the same price as NOS!

 

If you adore vocals and atmospheric mids (generally speaking) the Mullards must be on your short list. Of course, it is a matter of suck it and see, and tube-rolling can be a slippery slope indeed if you are seeking the Holy Grail...I hope others will chime in here on SNA and wax wise on your behalf.

 

Without paying silly money for collector's items you are looking at around $100 per tube for UK-made originals that are not too early. This is expensive to me BUT I think these would elevate the performance of your unit very considerably--and cure any audio nervosa for some time. I wouldn't pay half of this for for lesser tubes with less than stellar performance, giving you niggling doubts--which is the real question to me. Typically they are long lasting (many thousands of hours).

 

I like this website for fair pricing and very good customer service:

http://tubes.tw/shop/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=12au7&sort=3a&page=2

 

I would insert some Mullards into your new toy and settle down with a single malt and some favourite tracks--and relax. Isn't it all about the music?

 

Just my 2c worth.

 

 

 

 

Do you still own this preamp? Any issue with this preamp? I have interest on this unit. It is to replace my burned three decades old Audio Research LS2 preamp. Feedback from you or owners own this preamp for a long while is greatly appreciated. TIA.

[doogie44]

I haven't owned this preamp, sorry.

[Niekos]

On 28/03/2025 at 1:57 PM, MichaelHiFi said:

A Jupiter 2.2uf is on the way as the 2.7uf doesn't allow for the cover to installed. Of course another break-in period will be needed before the 701 can sing again.

Did you already install it? How is break-in period going? Do you notice any difference? 

[Niekos]

I have installed some Miplex KPCU 0.027 uF bypass capacitors, already sounds great. Top end frequencies seem better, less rolled off, but I also installed these on my MP-DX dac, so not sure what effect I am listening to  And since they seem to have quite a long break in period (not sure for these small values though) I hope it will even get better. I'll keep you posted. 

[MichaelHiFi]

8 hours ago, Niekos said:

Did you already install it? How is break-in period going? Do you notice any difference? 

It was installed and may be broken in by now. Did I notice a difference? Very much so and I did not expect the results. I lost the absolute transparency I had with the 2.7uf cap. I still have great musicality but sacrificed the separation that was, well, best I've ever experienced.

 

I just spent 3 days at Axpona audio show. Hundreds of rooms, countless systems, some beyond $1,000,000 dollars. I didn't hear a system that separated instruments and vocals as well as being able to dig so deep into the recording as what I was hearing, in our Legacy room with the MP701 in play. The 2.7uf should not, in my limited knowledge of electrical circuits, make any difference, but it did. Our system like any others, has weaknesses. But in staging, well, I'll be home tomorrow, fresh from listening to other systems for 3 days. Now I can compare.

 

It was great fun!

 

Side note: I was captivated by the Grandinote room as were my audio buddies, one who owns the Grandinote preamp and amplifiers that calls them "his end game components". The speakers had speed like no other. No crossovers! Transparency redefined. And now my buddies are Grandinote dealers. lucky me...

[Niekos]

3 hours ago, MichaelHiFi said:

Did I notice a difference? Very much so and I did not expect the results. I lost the absolute transparency I had with the 2.7uf cap. I still have great musicality but sacrificed the separation that was, well, best I've ever experienced.

Nice, but will you go back to the 2.7uF? 

 

3 hours ago, MichaelHiFi said:

I just spent 3 days at Axpona audio show. Hundreds of rooms, countless systems, some beyond $1,000,000 dollars. I didn't hear a system that separated instruments and vocals as well as being able to dig so deep into the recording as what I was hearing, in our Legacy room with the MP701 in play.

Oh nice, would love to go to a show like that some time. I've seen a lot of interesting items on youtube about this show, very interesting (although you miss the sound of it off course). And also great to see that this preamp is doing so well compared to the expensive systems. 

 

3 hours ago, MichaelHiFi said:

And now my buddies are Grandinote dealers. lucky me...

 There is always something better.... Interesting concept!

[Pele1969]

It would be to interesting to know the input impedance of your amplifier. Maybe the v-caps Coupling Capacitor Calculator could explain why 2.7uf is a better choice than 2.2uf ?

 

https://www.v-cap.com/coupling-capacitor-calculator.php