Tube Preamp Paired with Tube Phono Stage?

Hello everyone. Again, thanks for the responses. I appreciate your thoughts on the topic. The Manley Chinook arrived this evening. I hooked everything up according to the manual and commenced the audition. The MM gain was preset at 45db at the factory. The phono inputs were preset at 47k ohms by Manley. The only dip switches I had to adjust on the back of the unit were the load capacitance settings which I dialed in at 200pF (using a formula provided by Manley in the equipment manual). The power up sequence commenced, and liftoff occurred! Based on initial impressions with a variety of music styles, Manley has a solid winner with the Chinook. As I summarized my initial thoughts for a good friend about one hour ago, I provide same for your consideration:

- very tight bass response – I like what I hear – bass response is very good (bordering on exceptional after two hours of listening)
- good channel separation
- very quiet operation - I don't hear a thing between songs or when the stylus is elevated (dead quiet)
- very nice sound-stage overall – plenty of depth across the spectrum
- I can hear each of the instruments in isolation – very cool when they all come together to make the sound
- Advents sounding incredible (I’m so glad I never sold them)
- comes equipped with Electro Harmonix stock tubes
- first album on the turntable is Steely Dan AJA 180g pressing
- initial impressions tell me this is a keeper – I think Manley has a solid winner with this unit
- stock number #046

I like what I hear very much – clean, sharp sound with incredible depth and precision. Exploring the possibility, after the testing phase is complete, of replacing the stock tubes with NOS 7308 E188CC tubes - that should set me back some serious bucks. But, I hear they're the best for sound and low microphonics in phono stages (if they're still available).

Pony up boys - this unit is slick. By the way, the Manley logo on the front is dim lit while in standby mode; when you engage the power switch, the soft-circuit takes over and you wait 45 seconds until the Manley logo becomes brighter - way cool!

Feel free to ask any questions and I'll try to answer them as best I can.

Still happy with the Chinook? What else did you consider?

I have a tubed Joule Electra LA Mk 2 pre-amp and a tubed Fosgate Signature phono pre-amp. The reason its not overkill in my system is the solid state Belles 350A amp and Dynavector 20XH cartridge, so system synergy is very important as others have stated many a time. Your choice of the other components, cables, and interconnects as well as things like footers and room treatments as well as speaker placement can make all the difference in keeping a tubed pre-amp and tubes phono amp together from tipping the sound into the overly warm and mushy. Obviously if you feel the two together might be too much, then your other components need to have a character thats more clear and detailed and leaning slightly toward the bright side of the audio spectrum.

Hello. Thanks for the message. Yes, I'm very happy with the Chinook. I'm amazed it sounds as good as it does using the stock Russian tubes. Prior to this purchase, I really ran the gambit - I tried the Nova Phonomena II, Cambridge Audio Azur 640p, Clearaudio Smartphono, and Ray Samuels Audio Nighthawk. Both the Phonomena II and RSA Nighthawk leaked DC and were returned. It's true what they say - you get a huge improvement in sound quality when you go beyond the $1,000 threshold (when it comes to phono stages, at least). I really think Manley Labs has a solid hit with the Chinook. It's well built, looks good, and performs flawlessly out of the box. I couldn't be happier!

Glad to hear that. I"m looking pretty hard at the Chinook. A friend of mine just got a Zesto Andros....now I'm wondering if I should really stretch. Yikes!