The KillerDAC Audio forum
General HIFI => Amplification (Pre/Power) => Topic started by: flemo on November 28, 2010, 05:43:25 PM
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I purchased my MingDa amp already extensively modded from James (Crazikid) a couple months ago. Myself and others have been very impressed with its performance, particularly when partnered with the kdac and ML1's.
Due to the number and size of Jensen caps added to the amp, it created problems with mounting them securely and safely causing them to be placed into a cardboard box with long flying leads as a temporary arrangement until a method was devised where they could secured and attached to the amp. ???
MCB and I had thoughts about different ways of mounting the caps without disturbing the integrity of the amp and of course something relatively easy. That's when we came up with the dropbox. 8)
I guess the pic's speak for themselves.
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more pic's..........
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It was decided to re-use the original bottom plate because it already fitted, it was cheap and it would never be used again.
The trusty jigsaw and away I went!!
I had pine offcuts from my acoustic panels and used them for the frame.......
I aslo had some vents left over from something else..........
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I had paint and primer left over from the ZD5 project..................
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painted with bottom panel and fixing frame..........
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as the dropbox is 50mm deep it meant the feet had to be extended too..........
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attaching the caps to the chassis using plywood and to the dropbox............
I also removed the flying leads and re-routed some of the wiring so it was shortened..............
Caps in place......................
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Dropbox is attached.........
Extending the feet..............
All together...........
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All finish and it works.
Hard to tell if it sounds any better as I'm running different speakers ATM. In theory it should be better with much shorter leads.
The thing I like is almost looks as though it made this way from factory! ;)
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very nice flemo dr who at its best ;D
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Flemo. Smart thinking, is the name of that amp, Frankenampstein.
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Well it's been running for a few hours now and very happy that it just works and I didn't stuff anything up with my limited technical knowledge! :o
I think it actually sounds a tad smoother, but can't confirm at this stage.
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Nice work as always Pete.
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Wow! That makes the amp look so much more cooler. Like some spider-robot thingy from starwars!
Such excellent stuff Pete. Thanks for sharing the photos :)
Are the lines open for people to put in chassis orders yet? :D
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Great work Pete.
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very good job pete.. your an artist at work!
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Sweet Build. Well done looks like it came out of the factory like it
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All finish and it works.
Hard to tell if it sounds any better as I'm running different speakers ATM. In theory it should be better with much shorter leads.
The thing I like is almost looks as though it made this way from factory! ;)
Simply superb... Mario definitely needs your help flemo ;D
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Top work as always Pete. Thanks for your hard work.
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Thanks for the positive feedback guys, now it looks almost as good as it sounds!
How was the holiday Murray? I'll have finish your dropbox soon.
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Thanks for the positive feedback guys, now it looks almost as good as it sounds!
How was the holiday Murray? I'll have finish your dropbox soon.
Great thanks Pete. The good thing about travel is it reminds one of just how good we have it here.
No problems regarding finishing the box, as always I appreciate your time.
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got your amp supercharged yet murray?
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got your amp supercharged yet murray?
Not yet. I am waiting until I get the box, and then I need to get the nerve to start the surgery. I must admit I feel rather apprehensive about getting on with this.
I also still have to decide what .22 caps to get for the front row. Though I will not tackle that part of the job a while.
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Mario,
Have you got your hands on a MC34-AB yet?
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Mario,
Have you got your hands on a MC34-AB yet?
no and it will be far away if ever looking waiting for a second hand model at a cheap price.
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Mario,
Have you got your hands on a MC34-AB yet?
hey murray are you putting any cash into the r&d for the mingda journey?
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So far I have bought the Jensen electrolytics. I hope to order the 0.22 caps for the front row soon. I will also be buying some winged C's. After that I think the spending will need to stop for a while.
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So far I have bought the Jensen electrolytics. I hope to order the 0.22 caps for the front row soon. I will also be buying some winged C's. After that I think the spending will need to stop for a while.
in that case murray my R&D budget will suffer the good news is i will supply info for the upgrade at a cost to pay for my time and parts that will sit in my cupboard unused.
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go murray... once you start modding you'll never look back...
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I have now ordered 4 x 0.22uf ampohm pio aluminium foil caps for the front row.
Once these turn up, I will have all the caps that I am planning on changing at this stage.
I will now probably leave it until after Christmas to start the surgery. I don't want the system offline, during the break.
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I have now ordered 4 x 0.22uf ampohm pio aluminium foil caps for the front row.
Once these turn up, I will have all the caps that I am planning on changing at this stage.
I will now probably leave it until after Christmas to start the surgery. I don't want the system offline, during the break.
next is resistors murray and your away
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Resistors, which ones Mario???
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Resistors, which ones Mario???
send me photos and i will pm you
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I am amazed at how much time has gone since the last post, 7 bloody months, where has the time gone??
Anyway just to update the thread, Mario came around today with my ML1+R's and Mingda amp he's been borrowing and subsequently modifying.
I can't thank Mario enough for the work he did on the Mingda. The results are astounding. I didn't think it was possible to get that much resolution and sparkle from tubes without losing weight and smoothness. The Mingda has so much body and control, and combined with the openness of the ML1+R's the sound was effortless and open. I wasn't prepared for just how good the Mingda was/is!
Thanks again Mario AKA Kajak12hi-fi!! ;D
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Congrats... The wait is well worth it..
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I had the good fortune of being at flemo's place for the reappearance of his MingDa. You got to hand it to Mario. He definitely knows how to get the best out of gear.
As some of you may know, I had the use of flemo's MD, whilst mine was being modded (to bring it up to a point where it was close to where his was before it went to Mario's - see separate thread for details of my mods). In my view, both of the MD's where fairly similar, before flemo's was handed over to Mario.
To get a feel for how much Mario had extracted, I took my amp with me yesterday. After being stunned by the performance of flemo's setup. we put my MD into the mix. Sad, so sad, no contest. Well sad for me. Great for flemo and Mario.
We then swapped the front row of valves as both amps where running different valves. This bought mine up a bit, and showed once again, Mario's capability of finding valves that best suit the amp. However, there was still a gap between the amps, which is clearly down to the other tweaking that Mario has done.
It is now time for me to find some of those 6SL7's. It is a pity the rest of the mods are past my limited capability.
Once again, well done to both Mario for his Kajak12 enhancements and to flemo for his great sounding system.
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Great news on the amp mods guy's.Wish I could have been there rather than working on an old computer.
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Sounds like a very worth while wait - very jealousy making though - my ears ache from not hearing this.
Well done chaps - many hours of happiness to come.
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I think there's light at the end of the tunnel as it now seems like my system is coming close to being finished - apart from tweaks and stuff!
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I think there's light at the end of the tunnel as it now seems like my system is coming close to being finished - apart from tweaks and stuff!
That is what i said a few years ago flemo ;)
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I had the good fortune of being at flemo's place for the reappearance of his MingDa. You got to hand it to Mario. He definitely knows how to get the best out of gear.
As some of you may know, I had the use of flemo's MD, whilst mine was being modded (to bring it up to a point where it was close to where his was before it went to Mario's - see separate thread for details of my mods). In my view, both of the MD's where fairly similar, before flemo's was handed over to Mario.
To get a feel for how much Mario had extracted, I took my amp with me yesterday. After being stunned by the performance of flemo's setup. we put my MD into the mix. Sad, so sad, no contest. Well sad for me. Great for flemo and Mario.
We then swapped the front row of valves as both amps where running different valves. This bought mine up a bit, and showed once again, Mario's capability of finding valves that best suit the amp. However, there was still a gap between the amps, which is clearly down to the other tweaking that Mario has done.
It is now time for me to find some of those 6SL7's. It is a pity the rest of the mods are past my limited capability.
Once again, well done to both Mario for his Kajak12 enhancements and to flemo for his great sounding system.
A big thankyou to you and your minda turning up at flemo's,it was indeed very educational for me as to what can be achieved from a chinese built amp with some chinese output transformers which get slandered by people on sna)
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I had the good fortune of being at flemo's place for the reappearance of his MingDa. You got to hand it to Mario. He definitely knows how to get the best out of gear.
As some of you may know, I had the use of flemo's MD, whilst mine was being modded (to bring it up to a point where it was close to where his was before it went to Mario's - see separate thread for details of my mods). In my view, both of the MD's where fairly similar, before flemo's was handed over to Mario.
To get a feel for how much Mario had extracted, I took my amp with me yesterday. After being stunned by the performance of flemo's setup. we put my MD into the mix. Sad, so sad, no contest. Well sad for me. Great for flemo and Mario.
We then swapped the front row of valves as both amps where running different valves. This bought mine up a bit, and showed once again, Mario's capability of finding valves that best suit the amp. However, there was still a gap between the amps, which is clearly down to the other tweaking that Mario has done.
It is now time for me to find some of those 6SL7's. It is a pity the rest of the mods are past my limited capability.
Once again, well done to both Mario for his Kajak12 enhancements and to flemo for his great sounding system.
A big thankyou to you and your minda turning up at flemo's,it was indeed very educational for me as to what can be achieved from a chinese built amp with some chinese output transformers which get slandered by people on sna)
Yes interestng indeed what some people who have not usually experianced but just jump on the bandwagon in slagging off some product because it is not made by some pimp shirt salesman with several zeros after the price tags. :'( Just because it's Chinese does not automatically make it bad, I can still remember far enough back to when anything Japenese was aslo poo poohed by the Westerners jaded views, how wrong they all turned out to be. :o I am really pleased how a decently priced product (even if the labour could be perceieved as being 'slave labour in European terms but not theirs) can be made to sing so well for not extorinate prices, it bodes well for the survival of Audio for those newcomers who have not been around the block and been seen off at every corner with some also ran enemic product that the advertisers make appealing. :-X Hoorah for Chinese reasonbly priced products is what I say. So many of the big names have been rapeing thier labour for years and then marking it up to top line prices with a badge / box saying made in xxxxx you get the picture, lets call a spade a spade. :P I recently purchased a chinese non badged amp for a reasonable sum which if it beared the Eurpoean badge would have been 8 times the price, this has to make you question the ethics of these outside companies stratagies and profiteerring, it all goes against my out of date socialist ethics but I have had several glasses of red by now so should shut up.. Horrah for well priced valve amps giving the working class the chance to buy into a musical silk purse for beer monry.
V ;D
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Great stuff guys. Really nice to see you now have a setup that you are happy with and able to enjoy music to flemo! Mario sure does know how to modify components to get a very good resulting sound of any component. Lots of tiresome (but rewarding of course!) hours and effort is required. Much appreciative of what Mario has been able and wiling to share with many of us here on all our systems.
The ming-da killer lives!
Must let us come have a listen to ya system soon flemo ;D see what im missing out on!
enjoy
Tuyen
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A great read guys! - and kudos to Mario.
This thread has started me wondering how i might be able to get one of the amps past the gatekeeper. Looks like you can get one of these brand new FOB from Hong Kong for $1000, so probably about $1350 without duty or GST, or for those of you in WA, $1550 direct from SoundAudio.
I have a question: do you think it would be possible to run one of these in a cabinet with the doors open and a gap of only, say, 28cm from the tops of the EL34s to the bottom of a wooden shelf without burning the shelf? I am trying to work with WAF here... see pic below:
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hello rab
To give you an idea of how much heat is generated by 8x el34 playing music i measured the top of an el34 with a digital thermometer (kajak12 actually measured something i didn't use my ears for this) 95c it gets fcuken hot
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OK, that's hot. might have to do some more thinking... or just have to deal with a while in the doghouse!!!
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OK, that's hot. might have to do some more thinking... or just have to deal with a while in the doghouse!!!
I have been in the dog house for years due to my hobby :D
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OK, that's hot. might have to do some more thinking... or just have to deal with a while in the doghouse!!!
I've actually gone proactive with my domestic life and hi-fi purchases. I don't discuss it, I just buy it and deal with it when it arrives. I have eliminated the argument prior to a purchase and just have the single argument when it arrives. I have reduced the incidence of domestic arguments in my house by 50%. And the beauty is I end up with what i want and sometimes I get the silent treatment for a couple days so I get peace and quiet and time to play around with new purchase too!! :D
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OK, that's hot. might have to do some more thinking... or just have to deal with a while in the doghouse!!!
I've actually gone proactive with my domestic life and hi-fi purchases. I don't discuss it, I just buy it and deal with it when it arrives. I have eliminated the argument prior to a purchase and just have the single argument when it arrives. I have reduced the incidence of domestic arguments in my house by 50%. And the beauty is I end up with what i want and sometimes I get the silent treatment for a couple days so I get peace and quiet and time to play around with new purchase too!! :D
Ha, that's very pragmatic of you, why not wait until she's out, hide it in the back of the ute then sneak it in under the cover of darkness into the man shed or she's at work! :P That's a good foil to when asked, is that a new dress / shoes / handbag...... the stock reply, NOoooooooo! that's been in my wardrobe for ages!!!!! :o Oh and the ....that's a nice new hair / nail / face job where did you have it done in comparison to your 15 dollar hair cut (which is expensive in a mans eyes) ::) compared to 90 or so dollars for latest titavation. Mind you some 'foreign' haircuts has its up side :P Yeah it's all fair in love and war.......can't live with them, can't live without them but some times I wonder!
By now you should know better than to discuss ANYTHING you want / need / desire with one who has a vested interest in all the latest fad's / fashions / sales / does my arse look big in this..................................well done mate, you've solved half the battle. ;)
V
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... some dog houses are bigger than others...
Hey guys, i just noticed that some pics of this amp show the valves covered by a parallel set of glass plates. Is that an add on?
See http://www.google.com.au/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://www.audiocostruzioni.com/r_s/ampli/ming-da-mc34-ab/meixing%20mc34%20ab.jpg&sa=X&ei=4j0qTrW_CeeImQXk5JWHDA&ved=0CAUQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNETQA1l6IU4Y6waz4hmsF1On1qX8A (http://www.google.com.au/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://www.audiocostruzioni.com/r_s/ampli/ming-da-mc34-ab/meixing%20mc34%20ab.jpg&sa=X&ei=4j0qTrW_CeeImQXk5JWHDA&ved=0CAUQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNETQA1l6IU4Y6waz4hmsF1On1qX8A) or http://www.stereopal.com/HomeVisit/Piffard/100_0916.jpg (http://www.stereopal.com/HomeVisit/Piffard/100_0916.jpg).
I am wondering how that might affect the heat dissipation... might help...
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.. ah, i now see from here http://www.audiocostruzioni.com/r_s/ampli/ming-da-mc34-ab/ming%20da%202007.jpg (http://www.audiocostruzioni.com/r_s/ampli/ming-da-mc34-ab/ming%20da%202007.jpg) that it is a metal cage with a glass top with drilled holes. Kinda ugly, but might be a good idea in my particular circumstances (including small kids with touchy fingers, although there's nothing like the smell of burning flesh to teach small mites a lesson they won't forget --- oops, did *i* say that?)
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... some dog houses are bigger than others...
Hey guys, i just noticed that some pics of this amp show the valves covered by a parallel set of glass plates. Is that an add on?
See http://www.google.com.au/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://www.audiocostruzioni.com/r_s/ampli/ming-da-mc34-ab/meixing%20mc34%20ab.jpg&sa=X&ei=4j0qTrW_CeeImQXk5JWHDA&ved=0CAUQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNETQA1l6IU4Y6waz4hmsF1On1qX8A (http://www.google.com.au/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://www.audiocostruzioni.com/r_s/ampli/ming-da-mc34-ab/meixing%20mc34%20ab.jpg&sa=X&ei=4j0qTrW_CeeImQXk5JWHDA&ved=0CAUQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNETQA1l6IU4Y6waz4hmsF1On1qX8A) or http://www.stereopal.com/HomeVisit/Piffard/100_0916.jpg (http://www.stereopal.com/HomeVisit/Piffard/100_0916.jpg).
I am wondering how that might affect the heat dissipation... might help...
first time i have seen one
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.. ah, i now see from here http://www.audiocostruzioni.com/r_s/ampli/ming-da-mc34-ab/ming%20da%202007.jpg (http://www.audiocostruzioni.com/r_s/ampli/ming-da-mc34-ab/ming%20da%202007.jpg) that it is a metal cage with a glass top with drilled holes. Kinda ugly, but might be a good idea in my particular circumstances (including small kids with touchy fingers, although there's nothing like the smell of burning flesh to teach small mites a lesson they won't forget --- oops, did *i* say that?)
Oh yes my little diamond gem is 14 months had a very quick touch i dont think she will touch again
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Oh yes my little diamond gem is 14 months had a very quick touch i dont think she will touch again
14 months already? Wow, time really flies...
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I stumbled across the MC34-AB "Special Edition" on the web - delivered DHL courier to AU for US$1513, which doesn't seem bad.
Includes:
"Special Onion shape 6SN7 and Blue EL34 vacuum tubes
Onion shape 6SN7 is employing 300B material in production
Custom built audio and power transformers using:
Zll and H18 long grain annealed and directed steel sheets
USA made Teflon silver cable for audio signal paths
Isolated power supply unit with 2 transformers (1 for each channel)
High-end parts - Philips, Panasonic capacitors, USA made resistors
High class ALPS volume control from Japan
Gold plated speaker out terminals
Attractive stainless steel & Plexiglas valve cover"
Are all of these items "special" only, or are they included in the standard edition?
Gotta love those Blue EL34s... !!
See
http://www.cattylink.com/page311.html
Thoughts?
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I stumbled across the MC34-AB "Special Edition" on the web - delivered DHL courier to AU for US$1513, which doesn't seem bad.
Includes:
"Special Onion shape 6SN7 and Blue EL34 vacuum tubes
Onion shape 6SN7 is employing 300B material in production
Custom built audio and power transformers using:
Zll and H18 long grain annealed and directed steel sheets
USA made Teflon silver cable for audio signal paths
Isolated power supply unit with 2 transformers (1 for each channel)
High-end parts - Philips, Panasonic capacitors, USA made resistors
High class ALPS volume control from Japan
Gold plated speaker out terminals
Attractive stainless steel & Plexiglas valve cover"
Are all of these items "special" only, or are they included in the standard edition?
Gotta love those Blue EL34s... !!
See
http://www.cattylink.com/page311.html
Thoughts?
mr.Rab the special valves are nothing special the blue el34's are just jj big fcuken deal
The interesting part is they do a 240v i know flemo's is 220v.
As for silver wire in teflon very system dependent can always be changed later.
As for high end parts i dont see any in the pictures
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rab.. email mingda direct. you'll get it cheaper than that.
Thats what i did.. delivery was dhl about 260 USD.
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I stumbled across the MC34-AB "Special Edition" on the web - delivered DHL courier to AU for US$1513, which doesn't seem bad.
Includes:
"Special Onion shape 6SN7 and Blue EL34 vacuum tubes
Onion shape 6SN7 is employing 300B material in production
Custom built audio and power transformers using:
Zll and H18 long grain annealed and directed steel sheets
USA made Teflon silver cable for audio signal paths
Isolated power supply unit with 2 transformers (1 for each channel)
High-end parts - Philips, Panasonic capacitors, USA made resistors
High class ALPS volume control from Japan
Gold plated speaker out terminals
Attractive stainless steel & Plexiglas valve cover"
Are all of these items "special" only, or are they included in the standard edition?
Gotta love those Blue EL34s... !!
See
http://www.cattylink.com/page311.html
Thoughts?
rab,
This one looks like mine before I started vandalising it, other than some of the caps seem to be a different colour. This I understand is not unusual. I know that whilst mine and flemo's are pretty much the same, some components are different.
As Mario stated, the stock tubes (all of them) are best replaced. I know when I researched buying one, the common theme was the first change was the 12AT7's. I did not even bother listening to the stock ones.
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ok, so the consensus seems to be that there is nothing worth keeping in the "special edition"... and that the standard edition direct from mingda is the way to go. I have a possible plan for funding this... [insert evil laugh here]
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flemo's (ex crazykid) and mine are both marked special class.
I don't know if any of the other amps that are floating around have been the standard one, or what the actual differences are.
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further thought you could ask mingda for just the amp without tubes.. cuz the stock tubes are rough and need replacing.
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Yep crazikid, good thinkin'
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Yep crazikid, good thinkin'
It is good thinking besides one problem unless a buyer has valves to put in he wont know if amp is faulty or will develop a fault after a few hours running
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The next thing I intend to do with my Mingda is upgrade the chokes when the values have been determined.
In the mean time the current dropbox is too small and with Kajak12's Mingda project about to commence I have been playing around with a traditional tube amp box or surround to allow all the bits (new chokes) to fit inside. Using offcuts I came up with this concept so far. The idea is the amp will just drop straight into the frame and only the power switch and volume knob will have to be removed and reinstalled when secured in place. I ran out of stuff so I'll have to go to Bunnings to buy some bits then give it a try to see if it works. If it does work the plan is to build the proper ones with solid jarrah.
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Not exactly sure how it will look when fitted, but I know it will be sure to be impressive!
Bit of varnish or gloss would suit?
Looking forward to see how it looks with the amp fitted (even if temporarily).
Great stuff Pete :)
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Hi Tuyen,
The legs will be removed from the Mingda and the amp will drop into the box from the top. The hole in the front is for the volume knob and the top edge of the box will also be the top edge of the amp. So, it will look like a normal tube amplifier, well supposed to anyway!! l The sides of the Mingda will covered with the wooden box. Only the top plate (and tubes and transformers) will be visible. The scalloped bit at the back is to allow access for the power connections, binding posts and input without having to rip them out and reinstall them.
Pete
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Good work Pete,
It will be interesting to see how much work is involved in removing the legs from the amp.
Looking forward to the next instalment.
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Good work Pete,
It will be interesting to see how much work is involved in removing the legs from the amp.
Looking forward to the next instalment.
4 screws per leg mcb
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Good work Pete,
It will be interesting to see how much work is involved in removing the legs from the amp.
Looking forward to the next instalment.
4 screws per leg mcb
Thanks Mario, I was thinking about the access to the screws. From memory, a cranked shaft screw driver will be needed (and even then 90 deg of movement is not available), unless half the contents are removed.
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maybe a screwdriver bit attached to a small ratchet wrench might be able to access to screws?
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maybe a screwdriver bit attached to a small ratchet wrench might be able to access to screws?
I think you might have to take a few audio notes out to get access
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Flemo and mcb one more cap needs replacement with jensen i missed this one doh
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is it the blue cap you're referring too? What is the cap value?
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is it the blue cap you're referring too? What is the cap value?
Yes flemo its the blue one 100uf 500v your replacement will be 150uf jensen 500v if you choose to accept the mission.
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Thanks for the update KJ12. Are you planning on placing order for Jensens?
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Thanks for the update KJ12. Are you planning on placing order for Jensens?
In the next week or so
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Thanks for the update KJ12. Are you planning on placing order for Jensens?
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/JENSEN-Hi-voltage-electrolytic-capacitor-220uf-500V-/320675889151?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aa9c5bfff
220uf will do the trick nicely ordering soon
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I now have completed the prototype box for the Mingda amp. I'm so glad I decided to do this as there were some problems encountered when fitting the box with things like the on/off switch, volume pot and securing the box to the amp. Trying to install the amp into the box and work around the delicate internal components and solder joints was quite a frustrating and protracted exercise. Speaking of difficult, removing the front legs was a PITA, particularly with the volume pot having only a small tolerance of movement and quite difficult to remove due to the surrounding components.
Anyhoo, this traditional style box/surround provides twice as much storage space for the Jensen caps and allows me plenty of space to install vintage chokes.
I also removed the Triode/Ultralinear swith from the front panel and have installed it inside the box until i can figure out how to bypass it so it will permanently be in Triode mode.
Unfortunately a lot of work went into this prototype and a bit annoyed the plywood looks quite ugly with black stain and single coat of sealer. I had it stained jarrah and it looked better and should have left it instead of black.
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Here's some more pics of the ugly box......
At least it now looks like a traditional tube amplifier and hopefully soon with the jarrah box it will look as good as it sounds??? ;)
I'm also thinking of upgrading the volume knob too, maybe something with some bling like the Supratek knobs?
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Placing order in now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Its like a hsv i just want one :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
magic flemo me and you are going into business
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Placing order in now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Its like a hsv i just want one :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
magic flemo me and you are going into business
What, the ugly box company?? ;D
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Placing order in now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Its like a hsv i just want one :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
magic flemo me and you are going into business
What, the ugly box company?? ;D
In black like the ml1's :D :D :D or ebony i will get the colour code of mike
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Whilst you may be disapointed with the cosmetics, I have no doubt that final version will look spectacular, as always.
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220uf will do the trick nicely ordering soon
Don't forget to order one for me :D
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wow. that looks freaking awesome Pete! Great stuff and thanks for sharing!
I can't see how you can find that ugly..
PS. Dunno about the shiny supratek volume knob.. actually like how the one u using now blends in
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Thanks Tuyen. There's quite a bit of work for such a small item and I do get disappointed when the result IMO doesn't reflect the effort. Of course it does do the job and helped me resolve some conversion problems in the future. But I am happy that the amp looks more like a traditional tube amp and less like cheap jewelery if that makes sense??
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I agree Pete the new case makes the amp look far more sophisticated.
You could have your painter do this case in Piano black.
Good source of knobs : http://www.vt4c.com/shop/program/main.php?cat_id=6&group_id=2&hit_cat=
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I agree Pete the new case makes the amp look far more sophisticated.
You could have your painter do this case in Piano black.
Good source of knobs : http://www.vt4c.com/shop/program/main.php?cat_id=6&group_id=2&hit_cat=
Sophisticated - that was the word I was looking for! 8)
Thanks for the link, so many choices!!
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Great job on the Ming-Da Flemo, I love how it looks now 8)
These look like an excellent donor amp, and you guys appear to be proving it as such *Big Thumbs Up*
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You're right Data, the Mingda is an outstanding donor amp. Hopefully soon I'll be able to build the new case and improve its looks too.
Today I connected up some bigger and much heavier filter chokes. Before they warmed up the differences / gains were immediate. A much darker, cleaner background, a more concise and detailed sound stage, more open in presentation, but most significant was there appeared to be more slam and dynamics in the overall sound. A very worthy upgrade IMHO. Next on the agenda is that last power supply cap to be upgraded to a Jensen.
I would really like to upgrade the power supply cables. I have a feeling the wire is pretty crappy but there are about 10 (?) wires per cable and knowing my luck I'd get one out of sequence and cook the power supply!! :o
I am amazed at how my system is evolving and improving for little outlay. 8)
Cheers, flemo.
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I am amazed at how my system is evolving and improving for little outlay. 8)
Cheers, flemo.
The mingda is not finished yet flemo more to come
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Looking good flemo 8)
I'm just looking at the schematic for the Ming-Da ATM, and I'm wondering if the global negative feedback is still active in Triode mode? looks like it is..
I'm just thinking that you would get lower distortion without GNF in Triode mode.
Or do you guys do this already?
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Looking good flemo 8)
I'm just looking at the schematic for the Ming-Da ATM, and I'm wondering if the global negative feedback is still active in Triode mode? looks like it is..
I'm just thinking that you would get lower distortion without GNF in Triode mode.
Or do you guys do this already?
taken care off data wires cut ;)
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Sweet... Mario.
I didn't think you guys would miss that 8)
Flemo, what are the chokes you just fitted? brand? values?
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Hi Data,
Good question mate, what are the chokes and what are their values? ???
I honestly have no idea! They were the original chokes in Mario's custom amp which he upgraded to something massive.
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Sweet... Mario.
I didn't think you guys would miss that 8)
Flemo, what are the chokes you just fitted? brand? values?
Brand? no idea value from memory 10h that is all i know
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Specs = 10h Big Ass C-cores!
If I remember them correctly ;D
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You're right Data, the Mingda is an outstanding donor amp. Hopefully soon I'll be able to build the new case and improve its looks too.
Today I connected up some bigger and much heavier filter chokes. Before they warmed up the differences / gains were immediate. A much darker, cleaner background, a more concise and detailed sound stage, more open in presentation, but most significant was there appeared to be more slam and dynamics in the overall sound. A very worthy upgrade IMHO. Next on the agenda is that last power supply cap to be upgraded to a Jensen.
I would really like to upgrade the power supply cables. I have a feeling the wire is pretty crappy but there are about 10 (?) wires per cable and knowing my luck I'd get one out of sequence and cook the power supply!! :o
I am amazed at how my system is evolving and improving for little outlay. 8)
Cheers, flemo.
Flemo, I should have visited here before I sent you the last email I sent you (I have not been on here for a few days). Good to read that the change has been to the positive..
Now I have to find a pair.
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Tuyen got a pair on sale, I think it will be good for your Ming Da too mcb ;)
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here you go mcb
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Western-Electric-KS8782-tube-chokes-8H-250mA-1300-VDC-/300601470619?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45fd3e6e9b
nothing like killer chokes (dont tell your wife)
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here you go mcb
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Western-Electric-KS8782-tube-chokes-8H-250mA-1300-VDC-/300601470619?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45fd3e6e9b
nothing like killer chokes (dont tell your wife)
LOL! That was funny mate, they're bigger and more expensive than the freakin' amp, but they would be very good I suspect.
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Meh...mine is bigger :D
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Tuyen got a pair on sale, I think it will be good for your Ming Da too mcb ;)
Thanks Jehuty.
I saw these a couple weekends ago. I am awaiting a report on how they go in the Ming Da.
Mario, I thought you would be after the chokes you linked to ;D.
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And the journey continues.......
Now that I have settled on a set of upgraded filter chokes kindly donated by Kajak12 it was time to install them properly. I also wanted to sort things out so can I reduce the height of the prototype wooden base which meant tidying things up and removing the old chokes. The base is so deep I could easily fit 2 x sets of chokes in there but I didn't like the overall height so time for a tidy up.
The pic's show the old chokes removed, and a comparison of the smaller old ones vs the upgraded ones.
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Oh yeah, don't worry about how rough it looks in there right now :o , I'm just sorting out the positioning of the all bits. When I make the new base the installation of the caps and chokes will all be schmick!!
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Oh yeah, don't worry about how rough it looks in there right now :o , I'm just sorting out the positioning of the all bits. When I make the new base the installation of the caps and chokes will all be schmick!!
It looks better then supratek ;)
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Oh yeah, don't worry about how rough it looks in there right now :o , I'm just sorting out the positioning of the all bits. When I make the new base the installation of the caps and chokes will all be schmick!!
It looks better then supratek ;)
Hey, lay off the spirits, 6 x litres should last you until next weekend??? :)
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Looking really nice flemo 8)
One thing though, while that's a nice upgrade in chokes, how can you fit those big buggers and still reduce the cabinet height ???
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Looking really nice flemo 8)
One thing though, while that's a nice upgrade in chokes, how can you fit those big buggers and still reduce the cabinet height ???
Like this..............
I have a mate making me some decent brackets for the new box too.
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what a great job!!!
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Seconded James, I'm in awe!
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Sweet!
They say that necessity is the mother of invention, but I beg to differ as I think It's flemo :)
Err...not calling ya' a Mother!
I better stop, I tend to dig myself deeper when i continue.
Nice job mate :)
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It has a lot more room for improvement in regard to the layout, wiring, and cap's installation.
Once the new box is finished I intend to hand it over to a technician to go through the whole thing and finish it to high standard and make sure it's running at peak performance.
I have had the chokes measured and the technician reckons these are a significant upgrade and a perfect match in regard to spec's.
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Nice result on the chokes mate *thumbs up*
I envy that you have the room to make such changes, I have trouble just making sure new caps will fit OK, let alone adding chokes.
I look forward to seeing it after the Tech' has his way :)
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Hi guys, (i hope it's ok to post this here) if any of you wants to sell one of these amps (modded or not), or knows someone who might, please let me know as i am hoping to buy one.
Incidentally, i will be in Perth 5-9 Feb and could pick up the amp in person. :)
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hi rab. good luck finding a mc34ab. i would suggest buying direct. au dollar is higher than when i bought mine. its tooo heavy for carry on :P
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FYI - Read this on SNA - but i cant find anything on their site about it. :-\
"I was on miexing's (mingle da) website and there was a warning about cattylink saying that they are not an authorised seller and that they don't know where cattylink source the amps from."
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its tooo heavy for carry on :P
indeed... when i say "pick up", i would need it packed for checking in at the airport!... but i would be the courier!
still waiting to hear back from Meixing... but in the meantime, it seems there just might be an opportunity coming up to buy from one of you...!
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Cool Rab!
You should have heaps of fun with it 8)