Dared MC-7P Tube Phono Pre-Amp, with Auricap mod

nspindel
nspindel Posts: 5,343
in For Sale (FS) Classifieds
Selling another piece here that I thought I'd keep forever. Dared no longer makes these, which is a shame because it's an incredible pre-amp. It's not just a SL-2000a with a phono stage, this was a major step up in quality when I did the upgrade. I am the original owner, I purchased this in August of 2012. All stock tubes have very low hours.

bbhzl310nkr4.jpg

ja9lvig0ssj6.jpg

gbbgf3ptnag2.jpg

2dbmjcy58dlr.jpg

l03mho14gesk.jpg


Retail price on this preamp was $850, which included the cheap caps that Dared switched to in the later generation units. Dared sent me the schematics for it and advised me as to which caps to replace with the Auricaps. Here are before/after photos of when I did the Auricap install:

iwa9uk0ik4qm.jpg

ngottw8orstr.jpg

In addition to the Auricap upgrade, I'm also including one RCA 5U4G and one RCA 6V6GT tube, both of which are recommended upgrades to the stock tubes. These are the RCA tubes:

wvip4goxcpla.jpg

onqdnp594a9x.jpg

I'm asking $750 for this piece plus shipping. The RCA tubes will need to ship separately. PM me with inquiries, thanks for having a look.

Here's a link to the 6moons review of the MC-7P:

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/markdaniel4/topazsapphire_2.html
Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    Dang, this was on my "must try" list. But I have nothing to pair it with. If only I needed a phono section...lol
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    It's an amazing piece, but I just consolidated and ordered an integrated tube amp. So I'm selling this and my Krell amp.
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 10,716
    Beautiful piece of kit NSpindel! B)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    Cheers!
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    Deal pending.
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    SOLD to Nightfall!!!
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • motorhead43026
    motorhead43026 Posts: 3,897
    Good score Nightfall.
    The best way to predict the future is to invent it.

    It is imperative that we recognize that an opinion is not a fact.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MrBuhl
    MrBuhl Posts: 2,419
    Nice! Congrats!
    VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
    VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
    Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000

    Polk SDA1c modded
    Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
    Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
    A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
    SACD Marantz DV8300
    Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
    Yamaha YP-D6
    Soundcraftsmen PCR800
    Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
    Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
    Pho-700 Phono Pre
    Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's






    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    I can't tell you guys how excited I am. I've never had tubes before. A special thanks to @nspindel for working with me to get this in my AV rack.
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,670
    Congrats to both!

    Nice piece for sure.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    Awesome....it stayed in the family
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Faustin
    Faustin Posts: 1,149
    Congrats Nightfall. That is one nice looking piece. Pair that baby with a ss amp and enjoy. Love my little Dared pre. What 12ax7 and 12at7 tubes does it come with?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TerryR
    TerryR Posts: 2
    I wish I had seen this classified ad first! I bought a used bone-stock MC-7P last week. I would have much rather bought this one with all the upgrades done already.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    Congrats!
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    Faustin wrote: »
    Congrats Nightfall. That is one nice looking piece. Pair that baby with a ss amp and enjoy. Love my little Dared pre. What 12ax7 and 12at7 tubes does it come with?

    It will be paired with a 350 watt @ 4 ohm SS B&K amp. No clue on the tubes. I literally know nothing about tubes, I'm jumping into this blind.
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Faustin
    Faustin Posts: 1,149
    It will be paired with a 350 watt @ 4 ohm SS B&K amp. No clue on the tubes. I literally know nothing about tubes, I'm jumping into this blind.[/quote]

    Heh heh heh. Tubes are another rabbit hole. My wife just rolls her eyes when more arrive at the house. I am just beginning to educate myself on tubes. There are several members here that can be a good source of information to help you upgrade the stock chinese tubes if that is what is with the pre.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    If he's willing I'll probably be doing a lot of talking with H9.
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Faustin
    Faustin Posts: 1,149
    I believe that pre takes 1 12at7. Let me know when you get it and I can check my stash to see what I have. I don't have any Mullards or black plate RCA's but I am sure I can find something for you to try. I would be willing to karma you one. Don't want to be a hoarder. :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    Takes four 12AX7 and one 12AT7. I'd let your ears settle into the stock Chinese triodes for a while, they're actually pretty good. Then you can start shopping around for NOS gems after your ears have a good enough understanding of your starting point. I'm doing precisely the same thing with my new amp.
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    nspindel wrote: »
    ...my new amp.

    What integrated did you buy to replace the Dared/Krell combo?
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    Is it wrong that I keep this pic up on my laptop so I can look over at it while I'm on the TV? :D

    dared%20pre.jpg
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    Seems perfectly normal to me, I've got pics of my new amp on my phone! My new VPI 299D arrives tomorrow!
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sfosselman
    sfosselman Posts: 184
    Congratulations! Having just purchased a tube pre myself I am loving the sound
    Polk SDA 1C Upgraded, Eastern Electric Minimax Supreme DAC, Parasound HCA 1200ii, Belles 21a Preamp, Rotel RSX-1056, Matricom G Box Q, Blue Jean & Signal Cable interconnects, Sonographe SG-3 TT, Panamax M4300-PM
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Faustin
    Faustin Posts: 1,149
    Takes four 12AX7 and one 12AT7. I'd let your ears settle into the stock Chinese triodes for a while, they're actually pretty good. Then you can start shopping around for NOS gems after your ears have a good enough understanding of your starting point. I'm doing precisely the same thing with my new amp.

    ^^^^Actually a great idea to listen to the stock tubes to get an idea of how it sounds
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    Nightfall wrote: »
    If he's willing I'll probably be doing a lot of talking with H9.

    No problem. I enjoy talking about tubes :D

    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited December 2015
    Faustin wrote: »
    Takes four 12AX7 and one 12AT7. I'd let your ears settle into the stock Chinese triodes for a while, they're actually pretty good. Then you can start shopping around for NOS gems after your ears have a good enough understanding of your starting point. I'm doing precisely the same thing with my new amp.

    ^^^^Actually a great idea to listen to the stock tubes to get an idea of how it sounds

    Good advice, but I take exception to the stock Chinese tubes being pretty good, they aren't really (IMO) and I wouldn't spend too much time with them as there are much better choices out there.

    I have several suggestions when you're ready. As far as the rectifier and the 6V6 Neil sent, those are excellent so no need to do too much rolling there. Also, IIRC, some of the tubes are for the phono section. If you're not using that at the moment then you don't need to make those a priority at the moment.

    I have some excellent 12AX7 and 12AT7 recommendations, but spend a little time with it first, then go from there.

    H9

    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sfosselman
    sfosselman Posts: 184
    Yep...the Belles has arrived and has been singing all night! It is an amazing pre
    Polk SDA 1C Upgraded, Eastern Electric Minimax Supreme DAC, Parasound HCA 1200ii, Belles 21a Preamp, Rotel RSX-1056, Matricom G Box Q, Blue Jean & Signal Cable interconnects, Sonographe SG-3 TT, Panamax M4300-PM
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • scottyboy76
    scottyboy76 Posts: 2,905
    good snag nightfall, seriously doubt you will be diss.

    let us know how you like it
    humpty dumpty was pushed
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter