Anyone heard Mapleshade vintage tube products?

drphoto · « **on:** 30 Nov 2004, 08:56 pm »

Like most things Mapleshade....they make a lot of claims for their restored vintage tube integrated, tuner and receiver. These are old Scott units.

Anyone tried them?

dogberry · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 Nov 2004, 11:03 pm »

MuzikMike at AudioAsylum has one and is going to be writing a review for Positive Feedback in the next few months (in the middle of moving in to his new house).

I'm looking forward to it!

Songforyou · « **Reply #2 on:** 3 Dec 2004, 02:46 am »

Just joined so I could reply about the Mapleshade Scott. I've had one for about 5 months now. I have the 222c and I'm very happy with it. It replaced a heavily modified Dynaco ST-70 and a Blue Circle BC21 pre. Prior to that I had a Simaudio I-5 and before that a McCormack DNA 0.5 and a passive mod squad pre (upgrades over many years).

Prefer the Scott to anything I've had. I find it very balanced and transparent. Bass goes very low, is solid, and is as good as the solid-state stuff mentioned above (and obviously better than the Dynaco). Dynamics are good, but I'm driving Meadowlark Kestrals (hot rod version). They are a good match for the Scott, but are somewhat laid back in their presentation, so I can't comment on the ultimate dynamic potential of the Scott. Mids are great and the highs are there too. I also listened to the VTL Tiny Triodes. The have mids to match the Scott, but can't compete at all when it comes to the bass. They aren't as transparent either and are a good deal more money.

On the down side, you get the original RCA jacks which are close together and may limit the choice of interconnects you use (I have Harmonic Tech pro-silways and I've had to remove the outer metal barrel thingy). As well, the speaker terminals are plain old (literally) screws. So you are looking at bare wire connections or bending the prong of a spade if that's what you have now (my case). No sonic issues, just practical ones.

It floats my boat in a big way. Pierre at Mapleshade has been a pleasure to deal with (he answered all my questions in detail and offered numerous other system recommendations and improvements. I must have spoken to him 10 times over the course of 3 or 4 months before I decided to buy). I should add that I had him wire a Mapleshade power cord to the Scott as well. You can always try one and return it if you aren't happy.

One last comment: it took a long time to get one. I think I ordered in February and got one in July. Don't know if that's typical or just my experience.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #3 on:** 3 Dec 2004, 03:35 am »

Welcome to AC songforyou - nice to see another Burlington face around!

drphoto · « **Reply #4 on:** 3 Dec 2004, 04:47 pm »

Song,

Thanks for the post. I thought this might be a good match for the Ref.3a de Cappos I'm demoing. At that price, I could give one a shot. If I like it....I could always go in and replace the in/out jacks.

The guy who owns these speaker was using a modded Dyna ST70. While pleasant enough....it seemed a bit lifeless.

Have you tried any of Mapleshades cables?

chriss · « **Reply #5 on:** 3 Dec 2004, 05:37 pm »

Heres a review from AudioAsylum

http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.pl?forum=amp&n=50230&review=1

Songforyou · « **Reply #6 on:** 4 Dec 2004, 01:05 am »

I was going to include the link to the review, but I forgot. I am very familiar with the Unico, but have not heard it in my system. It will do the bass thing with more punch, but it does not compete with the Scott in the midrange. I listened to it at 2 different dealers, and both said that while it is a nice piece, I was already past it with my Blue Circle and Dynaco combo. I also investigated the Unico mods by Underwood/Parts Connexion. They claimed the Unico would be better in every way except one (the mids) and that is with over $1000 of mods.

The review is very fair I think, but the speakers used (Castle Edens) are not as easy to drive as my Meadowlarks and certainly not as easy as the De Capos. This may be part of the reason the reviewer gave the nod to the Unico. For me, the midrange is where it happens, and all tube makes my ears happier every time. I know the De Capos too, and I think that the Scott would be a very good match. Mapleshade do Heathkits for less money than the Scotts, but the Heathkits don't have a phono stage. Mapleshade aside, I'd go with tubes rather than a hybrid amp for that speaker (you don't need the extra power).

Good Luck!

Songforyou · « **Reply #7 on:** 4 Dec 2004, 01:26 am »

Forgot something else: Thanks for the welcome mcgsxr and no, I haven't tried the Mapleshade cables yet, but hope to do so in the new year. Right now I'm scrambling to get a turntable.