|
SET Asylum Single Ended Triodes (SETs), the ultimate tube lovers dream. |
|
|
|
SET Asylum Single Ended Triodes (SETs), the ultimate tube lovers dream. |
|
In Reply to: Any info on Ming-da SET's? posted by protos on February 25, 2004 at 05:41:04:
In Hong Kong, I auditioned the Ming Da MC3008-AB integrated which curiously the 805 tubes are driven by 2x 300B, 2 x 12AU7 and 2 x 12AX7. There are many places in Hong Kong that sell the Ming Da brand but I find Coem Audio (http://www.coemaudio.com) most knowledgable and honest. They also deal with overseas shipping frequently so you have peace of mind (economy shipping to U.S. via TNT is HKD $2200, 3 days, $1 USD = $7.774 HKD).I ended up buying one and have them ship it to my home in U.S. (just too large and suspicious as an carry on luggage in those terrorist-alerted days).
*****
During audition, the amp has nothing but stock (junk) Chinese tubes IMHO. All DIY cables thru-out. I think the amp was connected to another Chinese made solid-state CD player which appears to weight about 50 lb. The speakers are Avalon Radiance.
The sound is surprisingly refined and musical. Bass is tight and soundstage is excellent. I'd personally like the warmth of the 300B midrange better but I feel the 805 is more verstaile than an 300B. Listed at HKD $6800, the MC300B-AB is an superb bargain.
I think Coem Audio also offers in-house full-blown level 1 and level 2 mods that may cost another HKD $5000. Some customers took the mod and claimed they could match up with USD $20000+ tube amps. I can't verify those claims.
*****
I think I walked in about 20 tube audio shops in Hong Kong. The only other amp which uses 300B to drive is the "Reference One" SET monoblocks by Audio Space, an used-to-be-good Chinese tube amp company. That amp is listed at HKD $148000 I think.
Audio Space used to make good amps, but not any more. That shop I visited (in Sham Shui Po district) actually is featured in the HK cop movie "Infernal Affairs". The 300B integrated (model AS-300B, HKD $9800 listed) sounded absolutely garbage (contrary to the positive e-cosutics review - I think the reviewer must be deaf), so I didn't bother with the Reference One.
But at least that garbage sounds better than Jolida's 300B integrated.
http://www.audiospace.com.hk/eng/index.html
Of all Chinese tube amps (Opera, Consonance, AudioSpace, Kailin, Jolida, Dared) I auditioned in HK, the Ming Da sounds best.
*****
In my home, I used the Amperex 805s, Sophia 300B, and Mullard 12AU7 and 12AX7 in my MC3008-AB. The sound is "wow"! The Ming Da is connected to an Krell KAV250CD2, all DIY cables, Paragon Regent as speakers.
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Follow Ups
- Re: Any info on Ming-da SET's? - louis_pang@yahoo.com 04/12/0420:34:19 04/12/04 (0)
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
