Here goes nothing.............
I’ve gathered my thoughts on the Darlington MP-7, this took a little time post demo process and prewriting this, I sat here pondering for a few days exactly how to present my thoughts in a fair and honest way.
I had
commented on the MM-6 that I put it in my top 5 for pre-amps, which has not changed. But I know the inevitable question and comparison will be to the MP-7, so this is going to be a little different than usual, it’s not going to be an overly in-depth breakdown of the MP-7, it’s going to be a comparison.
To start with, Darlington makes great products, no discussion needed there. When it comes to the MP-7, it did a better job of bringing well loved albums to their best potential, it expanded the soundstage and “space”, it’s a bit more transparent, and the mid-range and bass flexed its muscle a bit more when compared to the MM-6.
But this is where I had to take pause as I went from album to album, genre to genre and MM to MC, the MP-7 is a really, really good pre, but again, the question that was looming was the comparison, and let’s not beat around the bush, the price difference. There was nothing I disliked about the MP-7 at all, it performed well with both MM and MC carts, aside from having to bring the volume up a bit on MC carts, I’ll still maintain that compared to the Insight I still lean towards the Insight, it's a bit more refined and it’s much more flexible than both the MM-6 and MP-7. I think were the MP-7 ends up landing, where the “is it worth the difference” is going to be, will be heavily based on where you are in your analog journey and budget.
If you’re in the market for a top tier pre-amp with the absolute most bang for your buck under $1k and you’re not planning to look beyond this purchase, grab the MP-7, easy recommendation and you will never be wanting (…. yes, famous last words) for anything. If you’re still in the “experimental” stages, or you want something a little (a lot) better than a Pluto for instance, the MM-6 will be the best $330 you ever spent. The thing the MP-7 does really well honestly, is position itself at the top of the bang for your buck under $1k, as I mentioned, and why I still lean towards the Insight, you will need to jump into the $1500+ category to start to chip away at what the MP-7 is bringing to the table, this is why I’m going about this in the way I am, this particular piece of equipment just nails the price point, but it in no way should be considered “entry level”.
Most of you know I have been through quite a few pre-amps, it was a great learning process and a lot of fun, but it does boil down to these buckets, baring any type of sale, open box, or end of life pricing. The “starting” point being $300-500, then $1k+ and ending with $2k+, beyond that isn’t my territory, but this is where I would put audible differences if I had to assign a price to it. So going with that breakdown, the MP-7 punches above its price point landing in that space just below $1k, and can be a long-term addition/solution for most. For those of you keeping track, I’d put the MP-7 right next to the MM-6, tied, in my top 5 based on all of the above comments.
I’ve said this before, and at times I feel like it may come across as a cop out, but it truly isn’t. There is a lot of good out there in our hobby, if not great, the difference is budget and personal preference, this is no different, if you’re in the market I hope this will at least help you hammer down a path, if not a choice that works for YOU.
As always, just my opinion.
Cables haven't been purchased yet but that's a non issue.
