A fabulous headphone amplifier : Manley 300B Neo Classic

[Jerome W]

I' m not a big fan of headphones listening, but I own a few of them, not big money though, my actual one is a Grado SR325i.
In hifi shows, I always take some time to visit the headphones stands and I listen to some of them on supposed "high end" dedicated headphones amps.
It never gave me the will to buy such an amp. Yes, most of the time it sounds good, but no as much as having me spending a fair amount of money on a dedicated amp.

Since I got my Manley 300B Neo Classic preamp, my opinion about headphones listening changed because, for the very first time, I felt completely mesmerized by what I heard. I have no words indeed. But the sound I get from my SR325i on the Manley has nothing to do with conventional headphones listening. It is like entering in a whole new universe. Absolutely shocking.

Made a search on the web to discover that some consider the 300B, fully designed by David Manley, as the best headphones amp ever made.
Well, I surely did not hear all headphones amps on the market, but I think that they are probably not far from the truth. It just cannot be much better than this.

If you are serious about headphones, and can accommodate the price tag and the space needed for it, then the Manley 300B Neo Classic should be on your audition list, IMHO. I would see it very well seated on my sleeping table, for listening to a few tracks before going to bed. Too bad that I can't even mention this as a dream to my wife !

I could make a room for it in my office and make it my secret treasure island when my work gets too stressful. I may have to buy a second one one then !

[jdandy]

Jérôme.......This is very interesting news. I can well imagine the Manley 300B sounding fabulous with headphones, and with plenty of power. I notice that it can drive two pair of headphones. That is a nice extra. You are correct about the price, $5850.00 U.S., so one would have to be a serious headphone aficionado to consider the 300B for a dedicated headphone amplifier. A nice option is it can also be considered a spare two channel tube preamp, so it is multi-purpose.

For this to be sitting on your night stand, you would also need a new source component.

[Wasatch]

I wish my Jumbo Shrimp had a headphone jack.

[Vintage Pete]

Looks nice.....but whew! Pretty pricey!

Pete

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Jérôme.......This is very interesting news. I can well imagine the Manley 300B sounding fabulous with headphones, and with plenty of power. I notice that it can drive two pair of headphones. That is a nice extra. You are correct about the price, $5850.00 U.S., so one would have to be a serious headphone aficionado to consider the 300B for a dedicated headphone amplifier. A nice option is it can also be considered a spare two channel tube preamp, so it is multi-purpose.

For this to be sitting on your night stand, you would also need a new source component.

Dan,

As a source I would only need a Squeezebox and a Benchmark or a Rega dac. Could fit on the lower shelf !
I admit that 5850 dollars is pretty high for a headphone amp, that is why I said " if you're serious about headphones".
Moreover, there is a good margin of negotiation with Manley. I got mine at a much lower price even with 20 % of VAT and import fees !

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by Vintage Pete

Looks nice.....but whew! Pretty pricey!

Pete

Pete,

You can pay clearly less for it.

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado