Chinook Phono Stage

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by A/V Solutions

There is a big customer base looking for killer sounding phono stages in the 2-3k price range so I think Manley is smart to fill this need, yes?

Very smart Jeff !

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado

[Jerome W]

I wonder how it will sound compared to the SteelHead.

[Puma Cat]

From what I've been reading so far, the Chinook utilizes the same or a very comparable circuit to that used in the Steelhead, so you should be able to get Steelhead type performance for about 1/3 the price. Like Jerome and Jeff, I think Manley is a company thst gets overlooked, but makes great products! They are very widely respected pro audio as well as home audio. And I agree with Jeff that there is a big market for a first class phono stage in the $2-3K range...this is the range where I live, FWIW. Lots of offers in the $600-1000 range and the $5K+ range, but really not many players in the $2500 range other than the Sutherland and the Curl Parasound...the Chinook is a welcome addition and the one that would have my interest the most.

[Removed]

Just got word from Manley Labs that my Chinook phono stage is shipping today so it should be in the system wed

[Removed]

From looking at my paper work it shows serial number of the unit is xxx002....so I'm thinking Manley has serial number xxx001, maybe the one they used at CES, it appears mine is the first unit off the line.....sort of cool, hope its a good one, LOL!

[cmalak]

Originally Posted by A/V Solutions

From looking at my paper work it shows serial number of the unit is xxx002....so I'm thinking Manley has serial number xxx001, maybe the one they used at CES, it appears mine is the first unit off the line.....sort of cool, hope its a good one, LOL!

Congrats Jeff...looking forward to your listening impressions

[Removed]

The Chinook arrived earlier today....its a nice piece, simple, clean looking and well built. All the loading and capacitance switches are located on the back side with the MM/MC switches internal.....I'm liking the bit higher gain on the MM side with 45dB as its a perfect match with my ortofon ST-80SE SUT that I pair up with my SPU's.....the MC side is 60dB. It uses two 6922 tubes for the gain stage with two 6922 tubes for the output stage which is nice by me as I have many to roll with. Loading is done via the five switches on the back side that yields 32 possible loading possibilities.....I've played a few LPs and so far its all is good.....just listening for the short time and I can already tell Manley done good on this one and the price is right too I can't wait to get working on the new listening room as things are a bit cluttered

[Puma Cat]

Ooh ooh!

I'm looking forward to scheduling a visit with you and coming over for a listen!

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by A/V Solutions

The Chinook arrived earlier today....its a nice piece, simple, clean looking and well built. All the loading and capacitance switches are located on the back side with the MM/MC switches internal.....I'm liking the bit higher gain on the MM side with 45dB as its a perfect match with my ortofon ST-80SE SUT that I pair up with my SPU's.....the MC side is 60dB. It uses two 6922 tubes for the gain stage with two 6922 tubes for the output stage which is nice by me as I have many to roll with. Loading is done via the five switches on the back side that yields 32 possible loading possibilities.....I've played a few LPs and so far its all is good.....just listening for the short time and I can already tell Manley done good on this one and the price is right too I can't wait to get working on the new listening room as things are a bit cluttered

Cooooool Jeff !
Thanks !
Go Manley Go !

[cmalak]

Jeff...thx for the update. Does it have the same sonic signature as the Steelhead? If no, how would you describe it's sonic attributes? What % of Steelhead performance does this buy you? Thx