SteveFord 1,054 Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Well, I guess we can let you stay seeing as how you know Balok and all. When you see Gary ask him if he could design in a headphone jack as that would make it extra appealing to lazy slugs like me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mjcmt Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 I'd love to have that Raysonic. Sweet!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDR 1,189 Posted September 11, 2011 Author Share Posted September 11, 2011 The Raysonic was a lucky purchase. It was about the time that I decided I wanted a 128 that one came up for sale on Canuck Audiomart......I was the first to answer the ad and I snagged it. You just dont see many come up for sale used, prob the best sales pitch a company can have..... It is a tank and just makes music come alive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balok 1,350 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Hey Perry, did you pick up the MP 401 yesterday? Does it have the 6550 power tubes? I am sure Garry can fix the A88. It would be nice to compare the two tube amps. I was surprised the MP 401 drove your speakers to a good level with the volume control at only the 9 o'clock position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balok 1,350 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 My friend also has the MP 301 mkll and for 260 clams, it sounds almost as good as the 401. It DOES have a headphone jack but I have heard people are having problems with hum, depending on the headphone impedance or something like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDR 1,189 Posted September 11, 2011 Author Share Posted September 11, 2011 Sooooo...... I was able to hook up with Gary from Musical Paradise yesterday afternoon. He is a great guy, he invited me into his home where he had my new 401 hooked up ready for me to listen to. I sat down and listen through a set of Paradigms dont know the model, it was nice and I was really happy with the sound. We boxed it up and I left my A-88 with him to see if he can repair it.It was a great way to spend some time on a Saturday afternoon. As I drove away I realized I didnt ask him about the headphone jack.....Sorry Steve.....next time I meet him. I was home a bit later and set it up in my room, hooked up to my OBs and raysonic. Turned the power on and left them warm up for an hour before I did any listening. Although I have had a tube amp before, I am by no means educated in them, I just know what I have read on the net......things like you have to let the tubes break in etc. I always liked the sound from my A-88, but its been a while....over 18 mos since I had one in my system. Lee brought his 401 over a few weeks ago and we rounded out our session hooking it up, but with 3 guys taking turns in the listening chair it was hard to get a good evaluation, think kids jumping on and off swings at the playground When I sat my self down I decided that I'd try Norah Jones as first play. I really wasnt expecting it to sound that good, I was in audio bliss.....very cool. If its going to sound better after the tubes burn in....wow.... This little 15w amp is just singing in my room, all this for about $600...couldnt be happier. I had thought about picking one of these amps a while ago.....supporting local and business and all....I really wish I would of done it sooner. I spent the rest of the night listening to Katie Melua, Eric Bibb, Dire Straights and even a little Crowded house and Supertramp.......it was all sweet..... If anyone is looking for a great amp for little dollars, I would highly recommend this little amp......wow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDR 1,189 Posted September 11, 2011 Author Share Posted September 11, 2011 Some pics.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balok 1,350 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Excellent news Perry. When I got mine about a year ago, I was amazed at the glorious midrange. It took about 30 hours or so of use for the lows and highs to open up. This amp gets the timbre of instruments "right". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zumbini 6,092 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 She's beautiful and a great match for your system. Congrats Perry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peck555 366 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Beautiful amp, enjoy it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddmaster 936 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Everytime I srcolled down the page I kept saying WOW! Great equipment and love the pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesMan57 1,226 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Wow!!! Great looking amp enjoy........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RodH Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 If I recall correctly, Balok's unit had the EL156 tubes - how would you compare them to the 6550's in yours - sound wise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDR 1,189 Posted September 11, 2011 Author Share Posted September 11, 2011 Thanks everone, I'm really enjoying it.....was happy it was raining today, had to stay inside. Unfortunately the day that balok and friend came over we spent almost the entire time listening to the Originals and the OBs on the Sunfires. We only had a half hr or so with the 401.....just enough time to figure I wanted one....I couldnt explain the differences between the two from 3 weeks ago to today.....sorry Rod Perry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RodH Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Thanks everone, I'm really enjoying it.....was happy it was raining today, had to stay inside. Unfortunately the day that balok and friend came over we spent almost the entire time listening to the Originals and the OBs on the Sunfires. We only had a half hr or so with the 401.....just enough time to figure I wanted one....I couldnt explain the differences between the two from 3 weeks ago to today.....sorry Rod Perry That pretty much says all that's important! What are your plans for the A88 once Gary sorts it out - and will he be modifying it???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDR 1,189 Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 Well.......I think I'll compare the A-88 to the 401 and set up my big arrays in the living room with one or the other. I threw this idea to my wife yesterday.......lets just say shes gonna need some time to see it my way.... I had thought of asking Gary to modify it, but.....since my wife agreed that I could keep 2 tube amps.....balok is my witness, she had a weak moment I think.....I dont think I should push my luck with any more than the repair bill. Its a long cold winter here......hate to sleep alone........on the couch. Perry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balok 1,350 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 If I recall correctly, Balok's unit had the EL156 tubes - how would you compare them to the 6550's in yours - sound wise? That's a big fat negatory, good buddy. Mine also has the 6550's come back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDR 1,189 Posted September 25, 2011 Author Share Posted September 25, 2011 Yesterday I piked up my GF A-88 amp from Gary at Musical Paradise. He was kind enough to fix what was wrong and service the amp.......there was a bit...... He said a couple of the pots for adjusting the bias were fried.....he has made it so the amp is non bias adjustable.... Told me what he did, I stood there with a glazed look and nodded my head..... He then replaced the female RCAs on the front of the amp where you can bypass the internal preamp for your own. Told me how he did it, I stood there with a glazed look and nodded my head..... He then asked if I had a white dog....glazed look disappeared and I explained I have 2 Jack russels that were the best dogs you could ever own they do tricks and always listen and were great mousers for the farm and that I had pictures and if he ever wanted a dog they were the ones to own and they make great companions and......noticed glazed look on Garys face......then said why do you ask?.... Evidently Jack Russel hair can carry current......he fixed the traces on the PCB.... When I asked him the bill.....he said it was 5 hrs.....$100........I gave him $125.... what a nice guy he is. The A-88 is running like new....cool I can now compare the 401 and the A-88......will let you know what I think later..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmike46 393 Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 That is great Perry, I'm kind off like you when it comes to this stuff get that glazed look when getting technical on things like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RodH Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 Gary is no dummie. And although I've never met him, you relayed the exact same sentiment as everyone I do know who has: he is a good guy! My biggest issue with my A-88 was the PCB - there is no susbstitute for point to point wiring - but then you PAY for that. I'm glad to read that it's fixed - I really loved the sound of mine when it was here. $100 to sort it out? I hope you at least gave the guy a manly hug! It's a Yaqin after all. Ian (Grant) has begun to move production of his home branded stuff to a range of other suppliers. Not that the is anything intrinsically wrong with Yaqin - I've had lots of it, but they do produce to a price point. I have his new Tube-DAC-11 coming in a couple weeks - built by a different supplier that the 09. Info to follow, but just looking at pics of the internals - I expect major improvement. Anyway - back to the venerable 401: it was 'purpose' built, I would be very surprised if it was not sonically superior to the A88, although it could not come close to the power output. Hey pick you priorities! If I could land another A88 again, I would grab it in a heartbeat. Yougotcoolyotsiamenvious Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PDR 1,189 Posted September 25, 2011 Author Share Posted September 25, 2011 Yeah Rod, I like my A-88 as well, always have. When I decided to take the dive into tubes I was considering price and service. I knew the A-88 was a rebadged MC100-b, there was a lot of positive mention on the net, and I liked the fact that Grant fidelity was in Calgary......and after talking to Ian and Racheal I was sold. Didnt want to spend too much, they were selling the amp as discontinued when I bought it....$800 if I remember correctly. To be quite honest with the amount of abuse.....moving from room to room, hooking up a gazillion different speakers and so on.....I am surprised it didnt need a repair sooner. One of the reasons I built my room, no more moving gear from here to there. I always liked the sound from my A-88, although I didnt need that much power with my speakers (97db, OBs and arrays) it was nice to have on hand. Since I have it back I still love the sound. It wont go anywhere soon. The new dac from GF is something I have heard of on the net and will prob buy one.....I await your review. The 401 is the 3rd piece of Canadian developed or sold gear I have....A-88, 401 and Raysonic...even my arrays and OBs were made (designed in US) in Canada....that in itself is pretty cool in my book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RodH Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 I will always envy your toys! Your OB's are always on my mind...some day...some day! If it was not for the wee ones who now hold the majority position in my home, the A88 and my once slick little Audcom EL-34 tube amp would still be here. I miss them both. Time enough, I suppose. Still waiting for Balok to Karma his MF unit.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zumbini 6,092 Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 $20 an hour for competent electronics repair? I'd tattoo his phone # on my wrist and put him on my Christmas list! Congrats Perry. ENJOY! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balok 1,350 Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 Still waiting for Balok to Karma his MF unit.......... Massey Ferguson? Good to hear things are straighten out Perry. What was causing the hum problem with the 401? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmike46 393 Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 Still waiting for Balok to Karma his MF unit.......... Massey Ferguson? A true Prairie boy, did you watch the Rider/Loins game? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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