Help, valve Query (Ming Da)

[Floyddroid]

can anyone out there help me with a little problem regarding driver/rectifier tube configuration in an aging Ming da valve amp? The amp in question is a Meixing Ming Da MC 368-B (pictured beneath). indeed, does anyone else in the world actually own one? You assistance would be greatly appreciated.:rolleyes:
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/975/mingda.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/41/mingda.jpg/)

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(http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/822/img3525u.jpg/)

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[hifinutt]

hi steve
have you contacted jack at bd audio who posts on here ?
i am sure he will know your answer

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=23276

[trane]

you were brave enough, Steve, to buy this amp w/o half being sure whether it works at all... hope, though, you'll succeed in getting it work properly and beautifully :)

[Dingdong]

It would appear to be a 12ax7.

http://www.china-hifi-audio.com/meixing-mingda-mc368b-kt88-tube-stereo-integrated-amplifier-p-389.html

Is it a UK spec amp, or a 220v version?

[Rare Bird]

Seems to be 4xKT88, 1x12AX7, 4x12AU7 i'm assuming the front centre toobe is the 12AX7

[Floyddroid]

Hiya guys. Thanks so much for the help. I have indeed spoken to the awfully nice guys at BD audio and plan to pay them a visit with the amp so they can bias it up for me and give it the once over. I didn't pay an awful lot for the amp but rest assured if it goes bang i will be onto the dude that i bought it from pronto. I would just like to see if it is running ok before i start spending any money on it. The build quality looks to be A1. Thanks again for your help chaps. I have been a bit pushed for time lately so your input is appreciated.:)

[Dingdong]

Jack at BD is a top bloke. Get him to let you have a listen to his horns while you are there. They are something quite special.

[Floyddroid]

I certainly will Mark. Both of the guys from BD sound like great blokes. BTW It has a swich on the back of the amp for 110-230V so i would assume it's a kosher UK model.

[Dingdong]

I certainly will Mark. Both of the guys from BD sound like great blokes. BTW It has a swich on the back of the amp for 110-230V so i would assume it's a kosher UK model.

Get Jack to check the voltage out. You should probably be okay.

[Mr.Ian]

Looking on Taoboa there appears to be several different valve configurations used, eg EL34, KT88, KT90 on the output.

If you search under the model number you should find some internal pictures that might help narrow it down.

[Audioman]

I certainly will Mark. Both of the guys from BD sound like great blokes. BTW It has a swich on the back of the amp for 110-230V so i would assume it's a kosher UK model.

Those 230 v ones have been known to cause problems. UK voltage is 240 v nominal and can be higher. Should get BD to check transformers are up to snuff. It looks similar to the ones the Affordable Valve Company used to sell (modified).

[awkwardbydesign]

I run my Ming Da monoblocks from a variac set for 220v, but a pair of bucking transformers would also work. I intend to make up a pair when I have time.

[Floyddroid]

Good and bad nooz chaps. the amp i bought from a git off ebay is a kosher Ming Da and a UK version. However, the bad nooz is that someone has attempted to modify it and made a right bollocks of it. more good news is that it has been filled with jensen paper in oil cappies, result! being fettles by mark at Ming Da UK as we speak. really pissed off at first, but, after speaking to Mark tonight well chuffed as i paid a pitence for it. I is now a happy little man from the North.
Thanks for your advice guys, i appreciate it.:)

[Dingdong]

Nice one. Hope you enjoy it when you get it back.

People who bodge valve amps scare me.

[synsei]

Good and bad nooz chaps. the amp i bought from a git off ebay is a kosher Ming Da and a UK version. However, the bad nooz is that someone has attempted to modify it and made a right bollocks of it. more good news is that it has been filled with jensen paper in oil cappies, result! being fettles by mark at Ming Da UK as we speak. really pissed off at first, but, after speaking to Mark tonight well chuffed as i paid a pitence for it. I is now a happy little man from the North.
Thanks for your advice guys, i appreciate it.:)

A bit of a rollercoaster ride then Steve but at least it ended on a high for you. That's great news bud :)