For several weeks I have had a wonderful time incorporating pops110's beloved Ming Da Valve Preamplifier into my mostly vinyl-based listening system. Having access to 3-d printing technology, I was able to print thin black boots to harmlessly fit over the gold bling of the knobs and trims to bring them more aesthetically into keeping with the rest of my gear. I am in the enviable position of having a lot of fantastic audio hardware at my disposal, so it has been possible to trial a few alternative configurations. As you might appreciate, there are a lot of cables macrame-ing themselves behind my equipment shelves! 
Currently I have 5 preamplification devices performing various functions in this setup.
A heavily modified Michell Iso, sends the turntable signal simultaneously to a rebuilt Aric Audio 3.7 with substantially upgraded Matrix M-stage HP1 for headphone listening, and the Ming Da using Telefunken ECC802S tubes for speaker duties via a Halcro MC20. For digitally generated music, I have found that I prefer the DAC and associated preamp stage which resides in my Peachtree Audio Grand Pre. I also use the Peachtree onboard headamp if I want to listen to headphones from digital. There is clearly great potential for switching things up as the mood takes me, but at present this combo sounds pretty darn good to my ears. Happy days.

PS   Famous last words?
" I think I might have arrived at my dream system......"

Eclectic collection you have there, 5 preamps! 

 

And neat looking isolation platforms too, a cool departure from the usual go-to (IKEA) chopping board solution.

6 now ?. I have got the disease real bad, having recently acquired a 1980's Trevor Lee's Slimline Preamp, which might just be the best of them all. With xlr8or's help, I have replaced the tube compliment with his recommendations and it is really singing. I have (imo) significantly improved its aesthetics with a new black acrylic faceplate and soon a new clear acrylic cage to show off the tubes. Thanks for the positive feedback on the platforms. They are 19mm thick pine sand trays which support a 3mm thick acrylic deck. They are quite heavy and decoupled by using four 1/2 rubber balls beneath. They make a discernible improvement to the Aric and to the Ming Da. Not so much for the other components.

I like your knobs. ?

Wheres the pics of the speakers and you’re amazing turntable.

It's hard to fit it all in to one photo Dave?. The amp came into my possession with those knobs on a pretty nondescript blank pale olive green faceplate. Although initially they probably wouldn't have been my first choice, I can't imagine using anything else now. I think they look great viewed against the black acrylic. It's going look better still with its clear cage though.

Edited July 22, 20205 yr by Bisguittin
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3 minutes ago, Bisguittin said:

It's hard to fit it all in to one photo Dave?. The amp came into my possession with those knobs on a pretty nondescript blank pale olive green faceplate. Although initially they probably wouldn't have been my first choice, I can't imagine using anything else now. I think they look great viewed against the black acrylic. It's going look better still with its clear cage though.

Ok I have to ask...... the weight ? 
 

I just knew that was coming?????. Having researched the contrasting (but related) approaches of coupling vs decoupling speakers, I decided to take the latter path (for a change). A much more knowledgeable coupling/decoupling expert published a quite extensive treatise on DIYing decoupling systems. One major strategy involved increasing the mass of the speakers. A tubular strap supports the 2x10kg weights in a manner that increases mass but does not in any way damage the speakers. Underneath are 4 x 1/2 rubber balls.

I may well be a raving loony, but the Duntechs have never sounded better.

31 minutes ago, Bisguittin said:

It's hard to fit it all in to one photo Dave?. The amp came into my possession with those knobs on a pretty nondescript blank pale olive green faceplate. Although initially they probably wouldn't have been my first choice, I can't imagine using anything else now. I think they look great viewed against the black acrylic. It's going look better still with its clear cage though.

I was talking about the Mingda ? Come up very nice.

19 minutes ago, Pops110 said:

I was talking about the Mingda ? Come up very nice.

Ahh. Yes. The original knobs are still in place. I have just 3-d printed "shells" which fit snugly over the top. Similarly for the rectifier trim. They are only about 1mm thick. I am continuing to derive great pleasure making comparisons between the MingDa and the TL. Different, but both excellent!