M-STAR (MING-DA) EL84 STEREO TUBE INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER
(or… it is possible to get High Fidelity for under $1,000?)
December 2004
Summary:
• True high fidelity
• Ample power and volume
• Excellent value
• Beautiful design
What is High Fidelity? The base line against which any hi-fi system is to be compared is a live performance. This is the holy grail of all audiophiles. For a more technical discussion see Gerard Rejskind’s article at http://www.uhfmag.com/book1.html
My quest was to find a system on which to listen to my CD collection in my den, at reasonable volumes. My dilemma was that my audiophile friends had led me to believe that to obtain even an entry level system that provides high fidelity I would have to spend thousands of dollars.
I auditioned several receivers and amplifiers within my budget, including solid state integrated amplifiers ranging from a JVC 6.1 home theater system with 100 watts per channel to a NAD C320BEE with 50 watts per channel. Then I listened to a tube amplifier system that my friend had constructed for himself using 45 year old Dynaco components. This was the closest to “live” that I had heard so far. I began to understand what people on the Internet were talking about when they referred to the “fat”, “warm” tube sound.
I researched this do-it-yourself approach on the Internet. I felt that I was competent enough with a soldering iron to do the renovation work needed. Thus began my search for tube amps on e-Bay. I couldn’t believe the prices people were paying for 40 to 50 year old tube amps. By the time I added $200 for new tubes, capacitors and resistors, not to mention solid silver wire and gold plated connectors, I estimated I would have to pay at least $1,200 to get an upgraded Dynaco amp and pre-amp.
Then I came across the M-Star integrated amplifiers on e-Bay, offered by MAXTECHHENERY. I contacted the seller, since his location is near where I live, and asked for an opportunity to audition the amps.
I brought my own speakers and reference CDs over to Maxtech AV Services in Richmond, BC . Henry has an impressive array of tube amplifiers on display. The larger ones look like you could toast marshmallows near them!
He offered me excellent service, and set up two amps for me listen to in his comfortable test room, the MC34-A and the MC84-C
I listened to a wide range of live music by Dianna Krall, and my favorite live recording Jazz at the Pawnshop. The MC84-C was the bet fit with my Bose speakers. It is beautifully constructed with gold and chrome plating. It has Russian tubes and top quality components inside.
Henry opened a new box for me to test the amp I was buying, and the first item in the box was a pair of white gloves! I was impressed already. The gloves are to prevent your fingerprints from spoiling the beautiful finish, and they are also useful for handling the tubes.
After a few hours of warm-up time at home, I can report that the sound is fantastic. The power of this amp is at least equal to a 50 watt solid state amp. I have not played it above half volume so far. The vocals on Diana Krall, Tracy Chapman, and Eric Clapton recordings are amazingly realistic. The snare drums, clarinet, and horns are smoother and more realistic than I have ever heard on a solid state amp.
The little EL84 tubes put out ample bass. Holly Cole’s Temptation album sounded so smooth. I cranked up the volume for Pink Floyd’s The Wall and was rewarded by crisp bass and percussion. Loud, but easy on the ears are the words that come to mind.
I rediscovered many of my old recordings and have now separated them into two piles – really good recordings and mediocre recordings. The only down side to this amplifier is that the poor recordings stick out like a sore thumb.
I would recommend this amp to anyone. I believe it would be best matched to high efficiency speakers such the Bose 201 (or 301) or a Klipsch tower with high efficiency horn tweeters.
For the latest in CD players, the combination DVD players such as the latest Sony or Pioneer SACD decks are under $200 and have the highest sample rating available.
Thanks Henry!
Contact Henry at. , [email protected]
LINKS:
MC34-A (see http://www.meixingaudio.com/ENGLISH/products/mc34-a.htm
MC84-C (see http://www.meixingaudio.com/ENGLISH/products/mc84-c.htm
Bose 201 Series V bookshelf speakers. (see http://www.epinions.com/pr-Speakers_Bose_201_Series_IV_Speaker_Speaker_BOSE201/display_~reviews
Klipsch http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=834
(or… it is possible to get High Fidelity for under $1,000?)
December 2004
Summary:
• True high fidelity
• Ample power and volume
• Excellent value
• Beautiful design
What is High Fidelity? The base line against which any hi-fi system is to be compared is a live performance. This is the holy grail of all audiophiles. For a more technical discussion see Gerard Rejskind’s article at http://www.uhfmag.com/book1.html
My quest was to find a system on which to listen to my CD collection in my den, at reasonable volumes. My dilemma was that my audiophile friends had led me to believe that to obtain even an entry level system that provides high fidelity I would have to spend thousands of dollars.
I auditioned several receivers and amplifiers within my budget, including solid state integrated amplifiers ranging from a JVC 6.1 home theater system with 100 watts per channel to a NAD C320BEE with 50 watts per channel. Then I listened to a tube amplifier system that my friend had constructed for himself using 45 year old Dynaco components. This was the closest to “live” that I had heard so far. I began to understand what people on the Internet were talking about when they referred to the “fat”, “warm” tube sound.
I researched this do-it-yourself approach on the Internet. I felt that I was competent enough with a soldering iron to do the renovation work needed. Thus began my search for tube amps on e-Bay. I couldn’t believe the prices people were paying for 40 to 50 year old tube amps. By the time I added $200 for new tubes, capacitors and resistors, not to mention solid silver wire and gold plated connectors, I estimated I would have to pay at least $1,200 to get an upgraded Dynaco amp and pre-amp.
Then I came across the M-Star integrated amplifiers on e-Bay, offered by MAXTECHHENERY. I contacted the seller, since his location is near where I live, and asked for an opportunity to audition the amps.
I brought my own speakers and reference CDs over to Maxtech AV Services in Richmond, BC . Henry has an impressive array of tube amplifiers on display. The larger ones look like you could toast marshmallows near them!
He offered me excellent service, and set up two amps for me listen to in his comfortable test room, the MC34-A and the MC84-C
I listened to a wide range of live music by Dianna Krall, and my favorite live recording Jazz at the Pawnshop. The MC84-C was the bet fit with my Bose speakers. It is beautifully constructed with gold and chrome plating. It has Russian tubes and top quality components inside.
Henry opened a new box for me to test the amp I was buying, and the first item in the box was a pair of white gloves! I was impressed already. The gloves are to prevent your fingerprints from spoiling the beautiful finish, and they are also useful for handling the tubes.
After a few hours of warm-up time at home, I can report that the sound is fantastic. The power of this amp is at least equal to a 50 watt solid state amp. I have not played it above half volume so far. The vocals on Diana Krall, Tracy Chapman, and Eric Clapton recordings are amazingly realistic. The snare drums, clarinet, and horns are smoother and more realistic than I have ever heard on a solid state amp.
The little EL84 tubes put out ample bass. Holly Cole’s Temptation album sounded so smooth. I cranked up the volume for Pink Floyd’s The Wall and was rewarded by crisp bass and percussion. Loud, but easy on the ears are the words that come to mind.
I rediscovered many of my old recordings and have now separated them into two piles – really good recordings and mediocre recordings. The only down side to this amplifier is that the poor recordings stick out like a sore thumb.
I would recommend this amp to anyone. I believe it would be best matched to high efficiency speakers such the Bose 201 (or 301) or a Klipsch tower with high efficiency horn tweeters.
For the latest in CD players, the combination DVD players such as the latest Sony or Pioneer SACD decks are under $200 and have the highest sample rating available.
Thanks Henry!
Contact Henry at. , [email protected]
LINKS:
MC34-A (see http://www.meixingaudio.com/ENGLISH/products/mc34-a.htm
MC84-C (see http://www.meixingaudio.com/ENGLISH/products/mc84-c.htm
Bose 201 Series V bookshelf speakers. (see http://www.epinions.com/pr-Speakers_Bose_201_Series_IV_Speaker_Speaker_BOSE201/display_~reviews
Klipsch http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=834