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!!
I am amazed at how my system is evolving and improving for little outlay.
Cheers, flemo.