Melco EP-10 (a simplified Marantz 7 copy): any good?

[Rosewind]

I have come across a Melco EP-10 valve preamp in my never-ending quest for a "cost-effective" high quality pre-amp.

I have no idea what to expect from a circuit that was designed in 1957 and then in the late 1960s copied down from 6 valves (and 8 imputs) to 3 valves and 4 inputs (2 MM phono and 2 tuner/aux inputs).

Have any of you come across a Melco EP10 preamp or its sibling the Marantz 7(c) and are willing to lift the veil about the kind of sound it would produce?

Thanks.

[Rosewind]

Link to photos of a Melco EP 10. Note the easy access to valves from the backside, a trait it has in common with the Marantz 7:

http://www.hifido.co.jp/photo/17/422/42218/a.jpg

http://www.hifido.co.jp/photo/17/422/42218/b.jpg

http://www.hifido.co.jp/photo/17/422/42218/j.jpg

And a Marantz 7:

http://img.canuckaudiomart.com/uploads/large/202133-marantz_7_7c_preamplifier_preamp.jpg

http://img.canuckaudiomart.com/uploads/large/202278-marantz_7_7c_preamplifier_preamp.jpg

http://img.canuckaudiomart.com/uploads/large/202134-marantz_7_7c_preamplifier_preamp.jpg

Circuit for the Marantz 7:

http://provodok.org/published/publicdata/PROVODOKSHOP/attachments/SC/products_pictures/qw_enl.jpg

And a brochure:

http://antonioceretti.net/Pictures/Marantz/MARANTZ_7C/Brochure/MARANTZ_7C_BROCHURE.jpg