Manley Chinook SE MK2
What phono preamp and how much would it take to better the Manley? I ask mainly because I have one and considering upgrading. I know it's been stated that it takes $5k upwards to better it but curious of some real world experiences.
There is an easy upgrade to the Chinook, if its output stage is like that of the Steelhead. Just upgrade the output coupling capacitors, which are mediocre in the Steelhead and way higher in value than they need to be. I have written about this before, so I won't repeat it here. If someone wants to know, I can post a summary here or send the information by PM. |
@lewm As your experience of modifying RCA Cables to use KLE RCA's (Hopefully the Harmony Range) has proved to be a satisfying outcome, then my suggestion of attaching a terminated Cable with a Pure Copper Signal Pin on the RCA to a Chassis Mounted RCA connector produced with a Pure Copper contact for the Signal will be agreeable. Where we are going to differ is the Low Eddy approach. KLE Harmony as far as I am aware are well known for being a Pure Copper Signal path, but my knowledge a Low Eddy property being attributed to this RCA design is not known to myself. Advocates I know of KLE Harmony in a previous school of thought are not using the Harmony on their Cables when working with the Low Eddy approach. Cable Termination and Chassis Mount RCA's are both the same Brand. To help reinforce the understanding of these individual developed conviction to the Low Eddy Approach and the Low Eddy experience I have experienced. The Cables being used are Two Pairs of SEAC SL 5000's. One Pair with the SAEC selection for a RCA Termination and the other with the exchanged RCA's to a Pure Copper Low Eddy type. For demo' purposes the Low Eddy RCA Cable was used as the Input only (a modified Tonearm with Low Eddy RCA's as the termination for the Wand Wires enabled this). The Power Amp' and other set of SAEC Cables were yet to be set up with the Low Eddy RCA's. There have been Two Identical Phon's Designs available, both with PC Triple C internal wiring, the only difference being, one has Pure Copper RCA's and the other the Low Eddy Pure Copper RCA's. I have made it know how the experience has made an impression on myself, and follow up talks about the impression made on the system owner with the Power Amp and other Cables in use with Low Eddy RCA's has left me knowing this is a path I intend on following. As stated, to experience as I have, does not cost much if the SAEC Cables are not selected as the Cables for the initial experience to be had. As for your suggestion about component exchanges within the Chinook, I can't see this being anything but a positive outcome. As a account of a past experience, I inherited much of the electrical component cost for the Prototype of the Phon' I now own and use as the main Phon'. The EE, was adamant only matched components were to be used, which proved not too difficult for resistors in general, the exchanges of certain Brands and Values are not too costly. Extend this to Z Foils and then Copper Foils as Cap's and monies are soon haemorrhaging when the voicing for the Phon' is not being found to suit ones own personal tastes. My own Bespoke produced Phon' was a Pair of Prototypes for over a year as it went through various Topologies selected by the EE designer/builder. The only differences in the Phons' was my own was a Single Tonearm Input, the other a multiple Tonearm Input. The multi input model eventually ended up in the Spotlight of a well known off Individual based in the UK, with a long history of owning Companies that have been producing Vinyl Replay products. There was a intention prior to Covid to have the multi input model housed in a new casing, and take it to High End Munich to be shown of as the Companies Flagship Phon' with a £10K price tag. This same design as a result of Covid causing delays, evolved further to becoming a design which incorporated the use of bespoke wound interstage Tranx's supplied by Sowter. The EE, was sure on a few occasions they had nailed the sonic I wanted and had me carry out a 200 mile round trip to receive demo's. There was a period of frustration as each Phon' voicing demo'd, was not endearing myself in a way that I was looking to have as a long time lived with experience, even though the voicing produced was very much aligned to what the EE was believing they was wanting for their own model. The DIGNA Phon' was used on a few occasions during this build as a gauge of where the Prototype Phon' was heading as a produced sonic. After a period of quiet on the Phon' Build front, and my having discussed the build s with another well known Valve Phon' producer. I was given a few pointers of how to move the Sonic produced to being the type I may be seeking. I purchased other Z Foils Resistors of various Values in accordance to the Prototype Phon' designers acceptable Specs', but also purchased Copper Foils to a Spec' recommended, but not wanted as a Spec by the Phon' designer/builder. My take on the designers reservations was simple, don't use these new components in your own model, put them in the circuit of my own model only. In less than a few days I received a call informing myself to visit for a Demo' the description being the Copper Foil Cap's now being used had transformed the perception of Transparency. On arrival for the Demo' the Z Foils were also added. The EE attempted to dupe me by saying we were to demo' his Phon' first, I was immediate in my stating whatever has occurred has been to my Phon' is all I could ask for. My additional costs incurred to discover this level of performance have been close to £400. That as a cost is extremely acceptable as an increase, when the Phon' is the 'go to the grave with me ' Valve Design. The EE after the addition of alternative components was now left with two quite different voicings for the Phon', with my version being their preferred and being referred to as the upgrade version. I am absolutely sure the Chinook will find a new level, with Low Eddy RCA's in use and careful thought out placement for Cap's and Resistors as a component change. The overall changes, if the above methods are adopted might accumulate to $600ish though.
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@tablejockey i did not spring for the T upgrade but once the unit is broken in and i get used to it, I'm sure I'll send it in for the upgrade. From what I'm reading its very noticeable. In fact, i may call TMR and see if they have one in stock. I wanted black with silver knobs but all they had in stock was the black X model with black knobs. No big deal but if the T upgraded model is in stock with silver knobs then its a no brainer.
@theflattire I'll keep you posted and how long did it take for the upgrades turnaround? |
