[FullRangeMan]

Actually it is the PacificValve model, now renamed to C version(Ming-Da MC3008C);
It succeeds in being uglier than the previous model (B), really a pity.
The output power meter is useless, I thought it was a 300B Bias meter.
Price is new also = 2,999USD   http://www.pacificvalve.us/MD3008A.html

[FullRangeMan]

Down the previous MC3008B version for comparison: (that now looks beautiful);

[FullRangeMan]

Surprisingly the Ming-Da factory had a new fancier Aluminium chassis, that fit perfectly in the C model:
Well Aluminium is more expensive than thin 1mm steel.

[FullRangeMan]

Under side still looks good, there is no PCBs(even for power supply) and plenty of hard wiring and handy work solder:

[ltr317]

That is ugly!  So, the meter is just for show? 

[FullRangeMan]

No, the meter work perfect, but it show output power, I feel it is unnecessary luxury.
But to set the 300B bias you have to open the amp botton cover and put the Voltmeter pegs at some place around the 300B socket, where there is many electric live parts.

[ltr317]

No, the meter work perfect, but it show output power, I feel it is unnecessary luxury.
But to set the 300B bias you have to open the amp botton cover and put the Voltmeter pegs at some place around the 300B socket, where there is many electric live parts.

That is dangerous!  It doesn't cost the company any more money to put the bias pots on top panel, where it is common.

[FullRangeMan]

That is dangerous!  It doesn't cost the company any more money to put the bias pots on top panel, where it is common.

Please Note the 300B trim pot (red line).
I think if the buyer request, this trim pot can be placed on top of the amp, to avoid open the bottom cover.

[h00hbt]

The bird cage with a necklase thing hanging of the tube, yuck!

[Bill Baker]

I had the original chassis design (but in the integrated version that I converted into a power amp) but mine used 6L6 driver tubes.
 They may be ugly now but they always did sound pretty good for the money. I think the mono were under $2000 originally and the integrated version as I had around $1500.

The only thing I did not like about them was the bias procedure as mentioned above.

[FullRangeMan]

The 805 tube output(plate/anode) is at the top cap; the tube had four pins at the base, but 1 pin is unused.

[ltr317]

Please Note the 300B trim pot (red line).
I think if the buyer request, this trim pot can be placed on top of the amp, to avoid open the bottom cover.

It should be company policy!  I can't imagine any owner wanting to bias the amp from underneath!

[FullRangeMan]

It should be company policy!  I can't imagine any owner wanting to bias the amp from underneath!

I unaware if it is company policy, but as the Ming-Da amps are hand made solder, it is easy put a Bias trim pot on top, it is the only Bias seting this amp had(Ming-Da MC3008A, B and C).

[FullRangeMan]

I had the original chassis design (but in the integrated version that I converted into a power amp) but mine used 6L6 driver tubes.
 They may be ugly now but they always did sound pretty good for the money. I think the mono were under $2000 originally and the integrated version as I had around $1500.

The only thing I did not like about them was the bias procedure as mentioned above.

Hi,
In your amp, it is necessary to adjust the bias how often??

[Pancham]

 
You don't ever bias the 3008C.  It is already fine tuned when out from Pacific Valve.  I've replaced the stock 805 with RCA, 300B from JJ Tesla (Genelax works too!), 12AX7 from Sovtek, and 12AU7 from JJ.  No biasing whatsoever, just Plug and Play.  Of course you have to wait a few minutes for the bottles to get warm then Play.

The cage makes it ugly but I remove it so it doesn't really bother me.   For the price,  I think it's a nice amp.

Regards.

[SET Man]

Hey!

   They are ugly alright  . I like meter but Why the heck would they put that giant meter with metal frame extended up to block the view of those tubes? 

   The previous model look better for sure. And starting the web page with failure rate report is not very positive to me.... How many pairs of these were sold?

   Anyway, wonder how these sound. Anyone have heard these?

Take care,
Buddy 

[FullRangeMan]

You don't ever bias the 3008C.  It is already fine tuned when out from Pacific Valve.  I've replaced the stock 805 with RCA, 300B from JJ Tesla (Genelax works too!), 12AX7 from Sovtek, and 12AU7 from JJ.  No biasing whatsoever, just Plug and Play.  Of course you have to wait a few minutes for the bottles to get warm then Play.

The cage makes it ugly but I remove it so it doesn't really bother me.   For the price,  I think it's a nice amp.

Regards.

HI,
This amp are manual Bias, when you insert a new 300B or 805, you have to adjust the 300B bias for safe running(or at least see the meter, just to know how is the new tube condition), otherwise may accur overload.
Cheers

[FullRangeMan]

Hey!

   They are ugly alright  . I like meter but Why the heck would they put that giant meter with metal frame extended up to block the view of those tubes? 

   The previous model look better for sure. And starting the web page with failure rate report is not very positive to me.... How many pairs of these were sold?

   Anyway, wonder how these sound. Anyone have heard these?

Take care,
Buddy 

Beauty is a matter of individual taste, but in my opinion, actually the previous (B) model was more charming, with those extended legs,
My preference are the 20th annyversary black Aluminium version, with round corners.
Iam sure these amps sound good, 300B + 805 and SET class A delivery nice sound, unless the output transformer are bad.
On a previous post Bill informed the sound is good.

[Pancham]

I'm sorry, I'm trying to figure out how to answer you PM but somehow I cant see a way to do it.  I'm new to the forum and maybe that feature is not yet enabled in my profile.

Anyway, I've only had the amp for roughly 2 weeks so I cannot tell you how long the stock 805s or 300Bs will last.  I have the 3008C which, unfortunately, you've branded as ugly.  Don't worry I'm not offended, as long as my wallet is not the one hurting.  This morning I actually put back the stock tubes (Shuguang 805, Full Music 300B, Mullard 12AX7, GE 12AU7)  so I can get used to how they sound till I receive my preamp.  The 3008C is currently set to run as an integrated amp being fed by a Doge 6 Clarity CD player also from Pacific.    This is my first hifi tube amp but I've owned guitar tube amps for many years now so was not surprised at all that such beautiful sound would come out of my Monitor Audio GX300 speakers.  My first impression?  I was WOWed by the first few CDs  that I played.... mostly jazzy, bluesy tunes,  Nora Jones, Diana Krall, etc...   they were fuller, more depth and body.  What else can I say...If can get my wife to sit still and listen to more CDs that she normally doesnt care for, then it must be good.  Can't wait to try this setup with a preamp.

Are you handy with tube amps?  You mean when I roll the stock tubes with NOS tubes then I need to re-bias them?  I played them for hours with NOS tubes but didn't really notice any hum or noise.  The 805s just runs hot, stock or NOS.

Regards.

[Rclark]

 I thought maybe they found a use for some milk crates they had laying around.