Pawn Shop find: MP-1 v2.01

[Systematic Chaos]

While the wife and daughter were busy strolling through a mall in Yokohama I went to check out the Yokohama "Book-Off Super Bazar" (Book-Off is a huge pawn-/2nd hand shop chain in Japan).
In the third row in the music instruments section I recognized a familiar 19" design.
ADA Mp-1 v2.01, no top switch, serial 817xxx, 120V US version.
At 7000JPY (approx 65USD) it was a no brainer so I took it back home. Just opened it up to check out the innards:
Rev G PCB, the 2 original red letter labelled 12AX7A Nationals, bone stock, no mods.
The whole unit is really clean, but that's not what counts, right?!
Just fired it up (through my favorite ValhallIR Boogie Trad 4x12 IR). Works and sounds like a charm. Surprised by the low noise floor and even more surprised by the gain this one has on tap. Its easily en par with my old Super Stock modded V1.38 (and this v2.01 has its original tubes still in).
Nevertheless, threw in a pair of PM 12AX7HG, holy smokes. (I've really come to appreciate the current production Chinese tube offerings...check out the PM 12AX7HG or the Golden Dragon E83CC....huge and harmonically rich tone for a small $).
Anyway, I`ll be headed to Akihabara Electronic Town in Tokyo next week to gather the parts for the Noise Mod plus some extras.
Check out this clean faceplate:

[bunkyloo]

Dang nice find that thing is clean

[Chucky]

What a hit!! For $65!!! Daaaaamnnnnn!!!  :o :o :o :o

[MikeB]

That's it! I'm moving to Japan. There's gold in them thar hills. :whoohoo!:

[Dante]

No kidding! I'm ready to go too. That thing is so clean, it looks brand new.

For $65? Fuggettaboutit.

[rnolan]

Good score SC, you seem to be doing rather well in Japan, that container is getting more full by the day LoL.  And hey, if you chuck in a MDRT, you won't need a step down tranny when you go home.

[Systematic Chaos]

... if you chuck in a MDRT, you won't need a step down tranny when you go home.

Call my tonal tastes weird, but I actually like the smooth compression of the original tranny. Chances are I might ask MJMP for the next 220V orig tranny he has lying around ;-)

[rnolan]

Ok, your tonal tastes are weird  :wave: , LoL.  I understand what you mean, the MDRT is crisper some how and more dynamic. And now you say that I'm reminded that I miss some of the smooth tones I had when I used the MP1.

[tomy]

Funny how chinese can replicate old ADA gear  ;D