Musical Paradise MP 701 Mark II Owners & Discussion Thread

[Niekos]

So, I am really enjoying these Linlai e-6SN7 tubes  Really captivating sound, sound better and better, and I am now looking to do next upgrades. I am about to order some bypass caps miflex KPCU-01. They look cool, and have very positive reviews (also in this thread). Only thing is I am not sure about the value? Max 10% of bypassed cap? so in my case max  0,22 μF? Or would a smaller value like 0,022 μF also work? Since they are not really cheap, what would you advice? 

Also, does it make a difference also to have a bypass cap for the power section?  If so, which values do you recommend (I replaced the bennic capacitor with OHVL 8,2 μF cap)? Any use in getting the miflex KPCU-01, or would a cheaper one also have some (beneficial) effect? 

[MichaelHiFi]

On 03/03/2025 at 2:54 PM, Niekos said:

So, I am really enjoying these Linlai e-6SN7 tubes  Really captivating sound, sound better and better, and I am now looking to do next upgrades. I am about to order some bypass caps miflex KPCU-01. They look cool, and have very positive reviews (also in this thread). Only thing is I am not sure about the value? Max 10% of bypassed cap? so in my case max  0,22 μF? Or would a smaller value like 0,022 μF also work? Since they are not really cheap, what would you advice? 

Also, does it make a difference also to have a bypass cap for the power section?  If so, which values do you recommend (I replaced the bennic capacitor with OHVL 8,2 μF cap)? Any use in getting the miflex KPCU-01, or would a cheaper one also have some (beneficial) effect? 

Great! Unsure about bypass caps in the power section. Miflex caps are supposed to be great. I owned some big ones but The Music Room lost them in a non-sale gone bad.

I have the EH 6H30PI tubes. Just a pair. Wonder if I shouldn't have the 3rd one? Maybe I'll check out your LinLai's?

 

I've got a Jupiter 2.7uf coming my way - one day - as it was ordered a while ago. Doubt very much that will fix the problem.

 

I wrote a very long post regarding this journey but haven't posted it yet. I'm overly careful about what I post. I need to get over that.

 

My MK3 has an issue that my wife and I noted yesterday. I hooked up my CD transport and inside was a CD that I forgot  about, so I let play. It is Neil Youngs Live at Massey Hall. And what we noted was noise around Neil's vocals. It was a type of distortion not actually in the vocal itself, but surrounding it. So hard to describe. I'll call it tube noise. I found the CD sleeve and to my surprise, there was a DVD, a copy of the performance with video. My Home theatre setup is no slouch. Spatial X3's powered by Nord amplifiers, an Oppo BDP105 and a NAD M17V2 processor may let me know differences between identical recordings. The HT version had no noise around the vocals. Now it didn't come close in overall sound quality but it nags at me. 

 

I'm going to ask Gerry for the stock rectifier tube. I need to know.

Edited March 5 by MichaelHiFi

[Niekos]

6 hours ago, MichaelHiFi said:

I have the EH 6H30PI tubes. Just a pair. Wonder if I shouldn't have the 3rd one? Maybe I'll check out your LinLai's?

I think you won't regret it, but no guarantees . The third one seems to be less important and only buffers if I understood correctly? The sound with the Linlais is something I really keep enjoying, makes me listen and relisten a lot of music an discovering new things every time. 

 

6 hours ago, MichaelHiFi said:

it was a type of distortion not actually in the vocal itself, but surrounding it. So hard to describe. I'll call it tube noise.

Maybe it is not the MK3 but the mastering details you can now perceive with the MK3? The mastering in DVD will be very different, so hard to compare? 

 

6 hours ago, MichaelHiFi said:

Neil Youngs Live at Massey Hall

I never listen to Neil Young I must confess, but I am now and this sounds great on Tidal at least? Always fun to listen to new music, and find new and familiar things. The Old man song is funny and very well performed, but also familiar since it is on one of the albums I listened to lately: Marina Viotti - Melankhôlia: In Darkness Through The Light . The Old man cover sounds really good I think. 

 

6 hours ago, MichaelHiFi said:

I've got a Jupiter 2.7uf coming my way - one day - as it was ordered a while ago. Doubt very much that will fix the problem.

Also great caps, what problem are you trying to fix? And you do not use bypass caps? 

 

6 hours ago, MichaelHiFi said:

Spatial X3's powered by Nord amplifiers, an Oppo BDP105 and a NAD M17V2

Certainly no slouch, very nice!

[MichaelHiFi]

3 hours ago, Niekos said:

never listen to Neil Young I must confess, but I am now and this sounds great on Tidal at least?

I believe I have every album, CD and DVD Neil Young has ever created. But he's always coming up with new material (or rather, old material). For your audio pleasure, try Tonight's the Night, recorded in his garage after the death of one of his staff.  It's garage, it's raw, they were high, but the recording was/is filled with emotion and comes across very well on audio. Chrome Dreams II, Prairie Wind, Everybody Knows this is No where, 'Deja Vu CSNY' too many to list.

 

Well, I haven't tried any bypass caps. Must try that out!

 

This morning I thought, "maybe it's the stock buffer tube"? I changed it for a EH 6922 Cryo.

 

In the 'Allnic world' you get a flavor of tube goodness married to a powerful solid state class A sound. I, as others, believe it's the Nickel core transformers. Thinking back, I owned the Cary SLP05 preamp, a 2 chassis affair, very high end well regarded pre. I just  never warmed to it. I also owned the Allnic L5000 preamp, and wished I didn't let it go! I digress.

 

Using my CD transport, bitstream to the Allnic D10000 DAC via AES, I spun Bryan Ferry's Mamouna. It played large, way beyond the speakers. It was engrossing, that is, I sat on the edge of my couch breathing in the landscape. There were dances of instruments portraying a generous warmth, but not forgetting, the details. I had to move with the music, my skin crawled, my wife was working and I wanted her here to hear.

 

I was in triode mode (60wpc), from the last few days, and changed to pentode mode (120 wpc) to gain a bit of attack. I got that but at the slight sacrifice of beauty. It was beautiful. It reminded me of Audio Note gear, although so far away from my system, but engaging like the AN gear. I'm used to leading edge that I get with the Serbian JFET preamp using Mitek caps. Switching to the Rose 130 streamer, I played Porcupine Tree 'Fear of a Blank Planet'. It's playing and I grab the volume control and turn it up. When it came to the song 'anesthetize', I turned it up some more.. and more. With the Serbian JFET preamp, you listened to the band unrestrained. It was shock and awe, and my system is capable of shock and awe. And at the end of a listen, you, or, I would often leave the room to recover. Maybe return to retrieve my jaw laying in front of the couch. With the MP701, you have an image that is still incredibly dynamic, and you're still able to connect to the beat of the drums, the electronica, the whole ambience of the song without getting emotionally beat-up. There's more than 2 ways of listening to a song, any song in high-end audio. pick your strategy.

 

Playing Lana Del Ray, 'White Dress' her vocal is now less ethereal, more flesh and body. Probably more real as the JFET pre was very light on her vocal.

 

Fairholt 'All our Friends Are Here' Spaces'. Not disappointed! Beautifully crafted song, the entire album is great but this song is so well recorded and is constantly in the play cue. I just listen and move. I can pick out an instrument depending upon mode and roll with it. BandCamp, I believe, is the only site you can get this gem.

 

I'm closing in, I think, with Niekos, Mr Burns and others are  experiences with this pre. I don't wish to short change my Allnic DAC. It's still an experiment. 

 

Looking good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MichaelHiFi]

I forgot to add verbiage to the photo's in my last post. During the last tune session with my wife, and before I changed the stock tube in the buffer section, I was puzzled by the change in space and attack , or lack thereof. I have 'better' tubes (except that stock buffer tube), a nicer AC inlet and vibration control in the form of a bamboo shelf and iso-acoustic footers. All good right? But I couldn't get back my experience from shortly after break-in, maybe 8 hours in, that the space and attack were better just with just the Vcaps in play. I needed help.

 

My wife has big ears. She can spot anything and everything amiss. So it's time to tune. Using our streamer we played some songs briefly then started working backwards by first, removing the iso-acoustic footers. We noted a bit more attack and air, a step forward. Then I removed the bamboo shelf. Now the MP701 was back close to when I installed it for break-in. The space and attack had mostly returned, only differently. It had more fluidity and less stridency, no doubt in due to the EH 6H30PI tubes. The 4 footers were sitting next to the 701 so I tried those again, without the bamboo shelf this time, placing them under the MP701. Back and forth we couldn't hear a difference. That does not necessarily mean that with all music, they wouldn't make a difference as these were quick observations with a few different cuts of music, and the changes or lack thereof were obvious. Looking at the Rose 130 streamer I was surprised to see that the iso-acoustic footers were missing. I remember having a 'glitch' with the streamer (it was bricked for a short time) and had replaced it with another 130 streamer (we have two) no doubt forgetting the footers. I have to say, the Rose streamer loves those iso-acoustic footers. Music was simply bigger, more tangible, and greater spatial cues. So where the iso-acoustics did little to nothing in a brief test under the preamp, performed a minor miracle under the Rose.

 

Many years ago, having some audiophile buddies of mine over for a listen to the Lindemann Musicbook DSD DAC, I just received some, footers from - I don't remember co. - as the DAC was sitting on its own feet. Excited with these new footers we first played a few cuts then added the footers. Music played alright but the life of the music was gone. We just looked at one another in disbelief. It made no sense. I still have those footers, somewhere in a drawer. That was a great DAC. I digress.

 

I knew where this was going. I ran upstairs to retrieve some sandbags my wife had created many, many years ago for vibration damping. While the music was playing, I placed 3 bags of sand on top of the 701. She liked the change stating "it sound smoother now". I couldn't deny it, but I  couldn't say I heard much of a difference as I wasn't sitting on the couch to AB and, it already sounded much better than when we started. 

 

So when you look at the 2 pictures from my last post, you'll understand the story. Last pic is our current setup. I'm not a fan of sandbags on my equipment. Don't tell my wife.

 

The observations here are only reflective of what we experienced in one tune night. Every room and every system will have different results. Please note; these are just ramblings of an old audiophile. YMWV

 

 

[MrBurns84]

Nice to hear people's updates to this preamp.  Sadly, my upgrade journey's at an end at this point with cap/tube/choke upgrade to this preamp, though any further improvements is likely a diy solution/Band-Aid that would involve changing bits and pieces on this pre, which i feel detracts from the original design and the lead way that Garry allowed for improvements, ie: caps, choke and tube tweaks.

 

However, that being said, IMO the next best tweak to do is the volume pot upgrade, change the cheapo ALPs blue beauty stereo potentiometer to something better.  Being time poor atm, something i might look into next year.

 

Edited March 6 by MrBurns84

[MichaelHiFi]

I ordered a 2.7uf Jupiter capacitor as there were no 2.2uf caps available. I thought that the value of that capacitor on my mark 3 had a range. Now I learned that perhaps the 2.7uf cap will change the sound towards the lower region.

 

Is this true?

[Niekos]

Yes, but it won't be very much change in this case I think. I also have the mk3, and it had OHVL 8,2 μF caps installed, so I ordered also some 8,2 μF Mundorf caps. This resulted in really increased bass, too much for my taste (and I really do like a good bass). So, after contacting Gary, he wrote this: 

 

Quote

8.2UF is only needed for some class d amps with very low input impedance. For normal amps >=10khm, 2.2UF is sufficient. 

 

So, ordered some 2,2 μF and I think it sounds better. And now thinking about the miflex KPCU-01 2,2 μF and some 0,22 μF bypass caps. Only thing holding me back is the price  But I already know I will probably order them anyway, very curious how these will improve/change the sound. 

Love this preamp, so many possibilities 

[MichaelHiFi]

The way I understand the capacitors in the MK 3, is that the coupling capacitors are the 2 at the top of the board, in my case, the VCAPs and the single (well 2ea strapped together) are the power supply filtering capacitors.  It is the 2ea power supply capacitors that are being replaced with the 2.7uf Jupiter cap.

 

I wish I would have taken more courses in electronics in my youth 

[Smokeyhill]

Lately I have been comparing the Duelund Capacitor 0.47uF 630Vdc Cu/Ag Series Copper/Silver Foil Wax Paper Oil with the Duelund CAST Cu-Sn version.

 

I have found that with the Duelund CAST Cu-Ag version, to my surprise the stereo imaging I was getting  was truly excellent, better than any combo I had tried so far. So that was a great result. But I was curious to try the Duelund CAST Cu-Sn Capacitor, mainly as it had better reviews by comparison. So I bought one and ran it in over about 4 weeks (not saying it needs that, but just to be sure), I do agree it is a great cap with wonderful detail coming out, particularly of voices and in the mid range. I can see this being a great choice for many people.

 

But after a few A/B comparisons I have gone back to the Duelund CAST Cu-Ag. The clarity of positioning with this Cu/Ag cap, I haven’t really experienced that kind of clarity and positioning of voices in the room before, ever, and it’s incredibly addictive. I would highly recommend it to anyone who can afford it.

 

For preamp tubes I have also been trying Sovtek 6h30pi’s, I was running 3 x Gold Lion 6922 which seemed very good. I considered trying the Electro-Harmonix version, but was seeing comments that they are a touch warmer than the Sovtek, which are more dynamic. No idea if this is true, but it seems I prefer a less warm sound, so Sovtek it is, £40 each from Ali.

Compared to the Gold Lions, the Sovtek 6h30pi’s seem really very similar, with maybe slightly less hardness in the mids when things get loud and very busy, making it an easier listen for longer sessions. So the Sovtek are staying in. Plus they stick out a bit more and have a nicer glow than the Gold Lions.  :)

[jean-michel]

Just to make sure I’m understa ding you:  you are using a pair of Duelund CAST Cu Ag capacitors as 

coupling capacitors instead of the VCAPS capacitors or in addition to the VCAPS ?

Regards

JM

[Smokeyhill]

That is not a bad question, I have had this the wrong way round myself before now…

 

Preamp tubes:

3 x Sovtek 6h30pi

 

Rectifier Tube:

NOS/NIB Amperex/Philips (Siemens Label) GZ34/5AR4 DD-Getter f33 L1A Belgium

 

Capacitors

2X 2.2uF 400Vdc V-Cap ODAM Capacitors 

1 x Duelund Capacitor 0.47uF 630Vdc CAST-PIO-Hybrid Cu/Ag Series Copper/Silver Foil Wax Paper Oil

[Niekos]

59 minutes ago, Smokeyhill said:

 

1 x Duelund Capacitor 0.47uF 630Vdc CAST-PIO-Hybrid Cu/Ag Series Copper/Silver Foil Wax Paper Oil

That looks really cool too 

 

3 hours ago, Smokeyhill said:

I haven’t really experienced that kind of clarity and positioning of voices in the room before, ever, and it’s incredibly addictive. I would highly recommend it to anyone who can afford it.

Thanks for the tip, will add it to my list 

[Niekos]

I just replaced the ac power inlet with a furutech like socket (monosaudio). Drop in replacement, however took some time to get it in due to soldering challenge removing the old socket (my solder remover pump was not usable due to shape of the contacts, so had to desolder and slowly wiggle it out). Looks good in my opinion, not sure if it has any effect of the sound so far. 

 

[Niekos]

I also ordered a new knob to see how this looks on the device (will replace the other one also of course, but kept it like this to easily compare) What do you think? 

 

[Alfazeta]

I prefer the stock knob as I can tell 

exact position with the recessed set

screw. I think it contrasts nicely 

with black body and looks fine. 

[MichaelHiFi]

5 hours ago, Smokeyhill said:

Lately I have been comparing the Duelund Capacitor 0.47uF 630Vdc Cu/Ag Series Copper/Silver Foil Wax Paper Oil with the Duelund CAST Cu-Sn version.

 

I have found that with the Duelund CAST Cu-Ag version, to my surprise the stereo imaging I was getting  was truly excellent, better than any combo I had tried so far. So that was a great result. But I was curious to try the Duelund CAST Cu-Sn Capacitor, mainly as it had better reviews by comparison. So I bought one and ran it in over about 4 weeks (not saying it needs that, but just to be sure), I do agree it is a great cap with wonderful detail coming out, particularly of voices and in the mid range. I can see this being a great choice for many people.

 

But after a few A/B comparisons I have gone back to the Duelund CAST Cu-Ag. The clarity of positioning with this Cu/Ag cap, I haven’t really experienced that kind of clarity and positioning of voices in the room before, ever, and it’s incredibly addictive. I would highly recommend it to anyone who can afford it.

 

For preamp tubes I have also been trying Sovtek 6h30pi’s, I was running 3 x Gold Lion 6922 which seemed very good. I considered trying the Electro-Harmonix version, but was seeing comments that they are a touch warmer than the Sovtek, which are more dynamic. No idea if this is true, but it seems I prefer a less warm sound, so Sovtek it is, £40 each from Ali.

Compared to the Gold Lions, the Sovtek 6h30pi’s seem really very similar, with maybe slightly less hardness in the mids when things get loud and very busy, making it an easier listen for longer sessions. So the Sovtek are staying in. Plus they stick out a bit more and have a nicer glow than the Gold Lions.  :)

Having had the EH 6922 gold pin tubes, we found them OK, well, actually my wife didn't like them. I ordered 2 EH6h30pi's and used a EH6922 at the buffer side. Still stock PS caps. 

 

We like the sound. Definitely warmed the system, and in a good way. I still find on occasion an unnatural rise in timer top both male and female vocals, but we're close. This setup so far inspires turning the volume up. A good sign.

 

Waiting on the 3rd '6h30pi tube and that darn Jupiter cap on order, in audiophile time, forever.

 

Thanks for sharing. 

 

 

[MichaelHiFi]

1 hour ago, Niekos said:

I also ordered a new knob to see how this looks on the device (will replace the other one also of course, but kept it like this to easily compare) What do you think? 

 

I like the look. I would add a BIG white dot, so that I can see the volume turn and its location. Better yet, I wish I could swap my Allnic volume control with the 701's.

Per the Allnic website. (probably broke some rule).

 

"Allnic has completed development of the world’s first 61-step, constant impedance, “bridged” type attenuator. Allnic’s new attenuator is now the most sophisticated on the market, and we believe, without a doubt, also the absolute best sounding. With fixed impedance and no (± 0dB) channel unbalance at any volume level, the new attenuator will astound users with its elevation of the fidelity and purity of any system in which it is used."

 

So, in my system, the only use of the Allnics volume control is to balance the lows and the highs. I wish to sell my integrated and procure 2 Allnic monoblocks, as the preamp section is just not used.

 

 

 

[Niekos]

11 hours ago, MichaelHiFi said:

I like the look. I would add a BIG white dot, so that I can see the volume turn and its location. Better yet, I wish I could swap my Allnic volume control with the 701's.

The knob should have had an indication anyway (order was not processed correctly), but I also like this clean look. A moving white dot is also nice, will order another anyway, since I like the look so far. Hopefully I will get what I order this time 

 

The Allnic volume control looks very nice! I was also looking into getting a better potentiometer, preferably one that fits the original PCB. In my Cary SLP-90 clone a volume control and source switcher is used using relays and resistors. Works great, but would have major impact on the MP.  

[MichaelHiFi]

3 hours ago, Niekos said:

I was also looking into getting a better potentiometer, preferably one that fits the original PCB. In my Cary SLP-90 clone a volume control and source switcher is used using relays and resistors. Works great, but would have major impact on the MP.  

I really like the knob you used. Can I ask where you found it? I found many quality volume controls on the net. I wonder how difficult it would be to match the curve of the stock control? I would think that the connections wouldn't that difficult but I'm no electronics expert. Hey, I own 2 Flukes. Does that help? 

[Niekos]

4 hours ago, MichaelHiFi said:

Can I ask where you found it?

Sure, you can find it here. Note: as you can see there is no option in black without indicator, but I did receive one. So no guarantees here....

 

4 hours ago, MichaelHiFi said:

2 Flukes. Does that help?

Flukes always help! 

4 hours ago, MichaelHiFi said:

I wonder how difficult it would be to match the curve of the stock control? I would think that the connections wouldn't that difficult but I'm no electronics expert.

I don't think it would be very difficult, but it al depends on how the volume control works. The board in the MP is not very difficult, potentiometer 100k (logarithmic?), remote control sensor, logic chip and motor (control). When you replace the complete board it would not be that difficult? Also just replacing the potentiometer with something better that fits in place? Maybe someone already has done any of these? I do remember someone mentioning replacing the potentiometer for something better? Not sure who it was? 

 

But I do think the gains might be less than changing the caps, tubes and choke.

 

Taking about improving things: has anyone already upgraded the remote for something like this?

[Smokeyhill]

Knobs from Ali: 

[MichaelHiFi]

On 09/03/2025 at 1:36 PM, Niekos said:

Sure, you can find it here. Note: as you can see there is no option in black without indicator, but I did receive one. So no guarantees here....

 

Thanks for the link! They do show black as an option so I'm ordering two.

 

I received my Jupiter capacitor yesterday. Ran it for an hour and listened. Meh, who put that wool blanket over my speakers? But knowing that large (and small) capacitors need time, I checked again 8 hours later. Now it swung the other way, brittle, and broken sounding. 

 

4 hours later and a rest overnight and wow, sounding very, very good. I'll keep it burning through tghe day although I might exchange it for a 2.2uf.

Jupiter didn't have a 2.2uf in stock but they did have a 2.7uf in stock, so I bought that one. After inserting it I noted that the height of the cap is above chassis level meaning of course, I cannot install my cover. 

 

The Jupiter website doesn't show a spec for my 2.7uf and it looks like the 2.2uf won't fit either. I've not been able to connect with the owner Chris to confirm.

 

Anyone here use a 2.2uf Jupiter cap on a MK3?

[Klipscher]

Bought a new Dac and of course current cable are going be too short for new setup. Was using Xlr cables with current Dac. 
 

The new Dac is balanced and was wondering since both the pre amp and amp are single ended but have the parallel Xlr inputs would there be any real benefit using  Xlr  over the RCA cables? 

[Niekos]

9 hours ago, Klipscher said:

The new Dac is balanced and was wondering since both the pre amp and amp are single ended but have the parallel Xlr inputs would there be any real benefit using  Xlr  over the RCA cables? 

No, I do not think there will be a benefit, the XLR is just for convenience. But if your XLR cables are high quality you might hear some improvements?