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Manley Chinook

In Dec 2015 I purchased a Manley Chinook SE from Upscale Audio.  The box I received and serial number stated a SE version but it was actually the standard version.  Kevin D. asked if I wanted to return for the SE model and we agreed that he would send me the Philips PCC88 tubes instead.  This weekend when I went to the room for a listening session once I powered up the Chinook a loud hum persisted.  I checked all connections and they were good.  Changed the tubes - still hummed.  Changed the ICs - still hummed.  Moved to another audio setup - still hummed.  But, after being on for about 30 minutes the hum lessened but a scratchy/crackly sound could be heard in the background.  Yesterday I sent it back to Manley for diagnosis.  I estimate there is less than 20 hrs use.  When I bought this unit I did my research and felt that this would be a workhorse with no problems.  Has anyone else experienced this type of phenomena with the Chinook.  I have hooked my VPI TT back up to my onboard phono stage on my McIntosh C2300; as good as the Mc is I miss the Chinook.
miner42
asp307
159 posts
 
@sschmidt Then that is all that matters. Glad it worked out for your friend.
ekimg
78 posts
 
Miner...I have a chinook, bought it from Audiogon member used. Had it connected to a VPI Prime with an Ortophon Bronze MM. Everything sounded great!  I then bought an Ortophon Cadenza Bronze to experience the MC world. This necessitated I remove the cover and move the dip switches. In my eagerness to hear the new cartridge I placed the cover on and spun a favorite record. Wow...a tremendous hum now and I of course assumed it was my cartridge right. So I tweaked it, reset it, etc etc. still a loud hum. I was pretty concerned and thought it must be the Chinook?  So I re-screwed in all the cover screws since I had just laid the cover on. Thought I would try it again before I sent it to Manley. Well.....NO hum. It was humming/resonating because the cover screws weren't in!  So with all this said since you removed the cover to replace the tubes make sure you re-screw the top down before listening. Good luck...I love the Chinook!
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,479 posts
 
The Chinook has a pre owned price of under $2,000 and new $2500, hardly several K. That's the Stingray!  Still the Chinook is an incredible gateway into awesome vinyl,  And you can roll 4 6922's! I was most impressed at how Manley Labs took less then a month to send it back and did not charge me anything for shipping it back or the service/upgrade. Also, they kept me informed the whole time via emails. I really cant say enough about how an AMERICAN company stands behind their products. Manley is in Chino Ca, not China!!  I wish more people would take the time to really research where there "gear" is made...because most will find its made some where in Asia. I love the sound of American designed and manufactured gear. Speakers?? Thats a whole different thread...LOL


Matt M
sschmidt
19 posts
 
Minor42, one more thought or story to leave with you. I am not in any way affiliated with Manley, nor do I have any Manley gear, but I want to pass along a personal experience with Manley.

A few years ago, I was designing a recording studio and spec’d Manley gear. Coincidently, a couple months later while attending a convention in Anaheim, I asked Eva Manley how the equipment build was going. When she heard I would be in the area, she invited my wife and I to take a tour of their manufacturing facility and take a look at the gear being assembled. We saw the amps in final assembly on the bench, processors being packed, and heard the microphones and mic preamps being tested. I talked with the builders and saw first-hand their design and manufacturing facility. Then Eva took us to lunch and back to their house/recording studio for a tour and a listen to master tapes. It was a day that my wife and I fondly remember.  Best with your Chinook.



bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,510 posts
 

Eva rules! I used to see her every year at CES in Vegas, and she always remembered me and treated me like an old friend. Very cool person!

I have a friend with a Manley microphone pre-amp in his 16-track 2" 3M analog studio. Great company and products!

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