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ModWright PH 9.0 vs Manley Chinook MkII

I have been looking at upgrading my phono preamp and so far have narrowed it down to the ModWright PH 9.0 and the Manley Chinook MkII (4 gain settings).
I am curious to hear from people who have used these and how they would compare the two. Personally, I want a phono pre that is flexible. I am currently running a MM cart but plan to "one day" upgrade to a Lo MC. However, things never seem to go as plan so, in the event that changes, I don't want to limit my options based on my phono's capabilities.
(The only reason I excluded Herron from my list)
Secondly, I want the best tube phono preamp around this price point. I am curious if the Manley with the addition of a  SUT would out-produce the ModWright (i.e with the ModWright you're paying more for the transformer not because the preamp is better). 
As always, I appreciate the advice and experience from the people in here. Cheers!
jimmy225
tablejockey
3,888 posts
 
Why an additional step up for the proposed  Chinook? The latest model  has 66db of gain?

Should handle the majority of choices of LOMC>.3mv or so?

I've seen used models for great prices
jtsnead's avatar
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jtsnead
217 posts
 
Never heard the Manley but I own the PH9.0 and it is the one I kept compared to the Rogue Ares Magnum, Parasound JC3JR, Tavish Adagio, Project RS, Musical Fidelity Nu Vista Vinyl it just sounds good the built in SUT is a 1:5 so it works better with cartridges above .2 mv, has 2 inputs one for MM and one for MC and that is the way I use it with 2 tonearms on my table, love it

jimmy225 OP
14 posts
 
I agree that the Manley Chinook should not require an additional SUT. I was simply trying to eliminate the ModWright's transformer as a factor on which performs better.
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islandmandan
1,260 posts
 
I'm with other users of the Modwright SWP 9.0 SE phono stage. I installed much better power supply the Dan (Wright) supplied to me, my SWP provides amazing performance with either MM or MC cartridges.

I've been using my $120 wonder weapon lately, an MM  Acutex M320 STR III LPM, unbelievably good.
tbromgard
814 posts
 
I own a Chinook (original) and use a SUT with it.  I love it. Have you seen Kevin's video review at Upscale Sound? Check it out.  
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