Hi everyone. I've been considering a range of tube amps for a friend. I started with the Reisong A10 but then it will likely need modding, so more expense and stuffing around to get it working properly
This will be his first tube amp. He has some very nice vintage Leak Sandwich speakers that are pretty sensitive, so this amp should drive them easily with its rated power of 6.5wpc. From what I've read so far, this single ended Canadian designed, built in China MP-301 has very good quality components, but what attracts me to it is the ability to roll quite a range of different tubes. It supports 6L6 (6P3P), KT66, 5881, EL34, KT77, KT88 and 6550 and voltage is selectable depending on local power supply. A nice feature too is the headphone jack.
Does anyone have any experience with it? Opinions?
Let's start here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilfGMOq934E&t=16s
These things have absolute shit for output transformers, that is why it is recommended (in these parts) to buy an A-10 ($400US) and mod it.
I have the MP-301 Mk3 too. To my ears it sounds neutral to bright depending on the tubes. For example, I found the EL34 to sound neutral and the 6CA7 bright. I also found the 7581 tubes bright with too much midrange. It was fascinating to listen to several different tubes but I was never able to get the amp to sound warm. This was with a pair of Klipsch Heresy speakers (which are also a bit forward and bright). It was not a great combination. Now I have the MP-301 Mk3 connected to a darker pair of speakers, NHT Super Ones. This is a better combination but the speakers don't have the overall resolving abilities of the Klipsch. In a small room with speakers that are not bright I feel the MP provides a nice 'tubey' sound that's 3D and a pleasure to listen to.
Yes I do I love it. I have many of the tubes you mentioned and several others, tube roll quite a bit. It's a lot larger sounding than 6.5 watts. I am running Definitive Technologies speakers. They are 90db and have no issues being driven.