Mcalister ML33 preamp

HB27

I'll bump for ya. I know you're wanting the McAlister pre with phono

ajcllc

Thanks for the bump.

ajcllc

Thanks, guys. I am purchasing fredv's.

SCompRacer

Well, congrats on getting part way there Andy. Fred has fine tuned the ML-22, so it will be plug and play. What are your plans for a phono stage?

Fred, I'll have to dig up the photos of Peter's OTL mono block amps. Talk about a Canadian room heater.

SCompRacer

My bad, that would be a ML-20.

fredv

I suggested to Andy to use the ML-20 with his current phono preamp first. Later, he can opt for Peter's PH-6 phono preamp. I want him to listen to the ML-20 and compare to his current preamp first. If the SQ isn't quite that he expects, he can send it back to me for a refund. I found nothing is better than in room trial. No matter how good or how bad from some other place, it always sounds different when play in your own turf :-)

Hee hee, winter is coming, time for OTL beast to come out from hibernation!!

SCompRacer

fredv wrote: »

I found nothing is better than in room trial.

True words, Fred. This thread kind of put me into a retrospect mode. Norm, myself and Victor all have similar speakers and we were constantly buying gear and swapping it amongst ourselves looking for our sound. We all agreed on the same digital source, amps, just the pre amps and wire were different. It was fun, but now that Norm is gone, I'm pretty much done and very happy with what I have. Except for that damn vinyl upgrade business....it’s like making love in the sand; you don't want to stop, but you have to.:D

What pre do you have waiting in the wings?

F1nut

Fred, you don't have winter there.

fredv

SCompRacer wrote: »

What pre do you have waiting in the wings?

Some time ago, I built an Allen Wright's FVP5A line stage clone and really like the sound even though it was built from my spare parts bin. I have been itching to build a real one. Here is the schematic:
http://www.vacuumstate.com/index.tpl?rubrik=8&lang=2&a=JJ%259B%25933%25B4%25C1%25EF&b=733712.2684198645
One of the most important building block is the SuperReg (super regulator), and I just received my boards this week!! Then after a second thought, I decided to go for touch down instead of the field goal - my next preamp is going to be the RTP3C with the balanced phono module, don't ask me when it will be done

fredv

F1nut wrote: »

Fred, you don't have winter there.

LOL, I am speechless :cool:

SCompRacer

fredv wrote: »

Some time ago, I built an Allen Wright's FVP5A line stage clone ...

Very nice......dibs on your cast aways.:D

HB27

fredv wrote: »

Rich,

Thanks for the picture. When I first visited his site, I only found the PL-10 and ML-33 from the preamp arena. I never saw ML-20 in Peter's product line. The ML-20 that I inherited from Chuck definitely didn't have the same build quality of ML33. It looked more like a prototype. Some of parts were incorrect. I am not complaining as Chuck struck a great deal with me :-) The fun is that I brought it back to life, and I have great plan to enhance it to out perform any other McAlister preamp (no kidding here), but that will only happen if Andy decides not to buy the ML-20 from me. I disclosed what I did and my thinking about it to him in all polkie honesty - I don't feel this ML20 is equal to the ML33 line stage yet.

George,

FWIW, I am quoting what Rich told me in the past, not exactly word by word, Peter used whatever parts that he had in his disposal at the time he built the amp. From what I have read, all the PP-150 had EL-509/PL-509 output tubes. Mine has the 6LB6. So, there can be some small difference in sound signature there, but since it is very likely that no PP-150 are alike :-) and no one compared back to back, it will be hard to say if there is any difference for sure. Based on my experience with horizontal sweep tubes, their sound signature are not as different as the typical audio output tubes such as KT88, EL34, 6L6GC, 6550 etc. My best guess is that, if the customized OT are consistent, I will guess the SQ should be close.

My PP-150s used the 24JE6, 6EM7, and 6AX4 tubes. I've had 2 and the sq was a little different. Not much but the differences were there. I think it's a bit like any electronic gear though. I've heard good sounding amps and the next one you get identical to it has a different sound. I'll liken it to a Pioneer SX-950 binge I was on. I had a very good sounding 950 I let one of my friends talk me out of. I finally found another one but it didn't sound near as good as the first. Nothing in that little system had changed other than the 950. They just sounded different. After 3 or 4 more 950's I finally got one that sounded as good as the first. There are differences in the sounds of some identical pieces of gear even if built identical. Not exactly scientific but a certain sound leaves an imprint on the brain like certain foods will. You will know the difference all like things considered

HB27

Here's a pic of my only PP-150 I have left. I took this pic and posted for a friend so the transfer quality isn't very good. You can see the differences in Peter's work. Each is unique in it's own way.

SCompRacer

Peter's OTL amps..and some 6EM7 tube glow. And my ML-33 remote.:D

HB27

Hellova Remote!!!
As the price of natural gas goes up I can see the cost effective side of the OTL's kicking' in. Sweet Rich!

ajcllc

Harry,
Is that a German-designed CD player that we see in the upper left-hand corner of the picture of the PP-150?

HB27

ShengYa Chi-Fi tube cdp. It's one of the good ones I hope. My second one. I had to sell the first to pay for a bunch of stuff I bought. I let my eyes override my wallet that time. Seems like if I don't buy a different audio piece every week or so I go through some withdrawal and need a fix.

ajcllc

:DWell, I finally had Peter build me a phono stage for my McAlister ML20, and I am really liking this thing matched with my Luxman PD-375 turntable and modded Dynaco ST-70 amp with all Mullard tubes. The bass is very tight, and there is much detail and dynamics in the music with outstanding channel separation. I know not everyone likes McAlister products, but I have to say that this is one of the best sounding preamps that I have heard in a long time. I had Peter check it out, and I just added some really quiet RCA 6SN7's, as the old tubes needed to be replaced. Thanks for the great deal on this, Fred. I think my addiction is at a stand-still for at least a couple of months.

madmax

fredv wrote: »

Hee hee, I am the lucky guy who inherit madmax's McAlister gears.
So far, I am able to service both the pre and the amp myself, no frieght to up North yet, knock on wood :-) Regarding to tube rolling, I have to agree to Peter on the amp side as the tubes (6LB6) that came with my amp were all made by either GE or Sylvania. There is no point to roll the same tubes over and over again :-) All in all, very good sounding gears. Thank you, Rich, for introducing the McAlister to us !!

I was hoping my McAllwaswrong equipment worked out for you. Never happier to unload 100 pounds of metal, solder blobs and electrical tape...

madmax

fredv

Andy,

Good to hear you like the ML-20, I am really happy that the ML is in good hands. Or I should say good ears :-)

MM,

LOL, I unloaded 1/5 of the metal and am still keeping the heavy one for entertainment. I like your signature, oops, I meant the gears listed. Avantgarde is somewhat out of reach, but a DIY push pull 300B is in my long to do list.