Manley Labs Chinook Phono Stage

[Wasatch]

I'm not really a Upscale Audio fan. I know you can't go wrong with Brent Jesse though.

[DinaMoe]

Originally Posted by Wasatch

LOL That's funny that your already thinking about putting Amperex NOS. Very good choice, you will get more natural voices, some more spacyness, better imaging, the instruments will sound more natural tone, more on the warmer/tubey sound, but still some very nice detail.

Oh is that all?

That's not gonna help with my impatience in waiting for these to travel across the country. No it's not.

[DinaMoe]

Originally Posted by Wasatch

I'm not really a Upscale Audio fan. I know you can't go wrong with Brent Jesse though.

If I'm reading Brent's pricing correctly, they're well above what Upscale is offering. What's up with that?

Plus, if Upscale's tubes are good enough for Mr. Robbie Krieger, they're certainly good enough for me.

[Wasatch]

I believe Brent has way more experience than alot of other people selling tubes. Me personnaly trust his judgement, and I know he has alot better return policy. Yes, sometimes his prices are alittle higher, but I feel safer buying from him.

[DinaMoe]

Good points. I had no reason not to trust Upscale and the price was right so I went that direction.

Once I'm able to give these a listen, I'll report my findings. I'm looking forward to it.

[mulveling]

I once bought a pair of old 5751 from Brent Jesse, and one of the pins was so loose it came right out. There was obviously no malicious intent, I was presented recourse options to my satisfaction, and I would buy from Brent Jesse in the future. To be fair it was also a rather old 5751 (early 1950's) where this kind of issue is more likely. Other sellers have also shipped me 9-pin tubes with a loose or just plain missing pin (and I would buy again from them, too). That said, I can't see this kind of detail getting by someone like Andy at VTS, or Upscale Audio. All of the big tube sellers have their foibles, but Upscale, Brent Jesse, and VTS are among those that are trustworthy.

Incidentally I've used Upscale-sourced Amperex 7308 in a Sonic Frontiers Phono 1, and it sounded great!! Some folks do take issue with Kevin's personality, but whenever I've dared to call I always make very clear that I'm there to for a purchase and not to waste time; never had an issue. And their web system is great now, so you'd hardly ever need to call.

[DinaMoe]

Well I finally rolled the new Amperex 7308s into the Chinook last night.

In a word; WOW!

I was expecting a change in sound but I was not prepared for this transformation. EVERYTHING is just better; lows, mids, highs, detail, soundstage, dynamics. Everything. THIS is what I was expecting from a world class tube preamp. The Russian Electro Harmonix tubes that come stock do not do the Chinook justice.

With jaw wide open, my first thought was, "I have to get another set of these Amperex's because once these fade out, I will NEED to have more to roll in. There is no going back".

-Mike

[mulveling]

Originally Posted by DinaMoe

Well I finally rolled the new Amperex 7308s into the Chinook last night.

In a word; WOW!

I was expecting a change in sound but I was not prepared for this transformation. EVERYTHING is just better; lows, mids, highs, detail, soundstage, dynamics. Everything. THIS is what I was expecting from a world class tube preamp. The Russian Electro Harmonix tubes that come stock do not do the Chinook justice.

With jaw wide open, my first thought was, "I have to get another set of these Amperex's because once these fade out, I will NEED to have more to roll in. There is no going back".

-Mike

Cool, glad they're working out! I know what it feels like to find the right tubes matched to your gear. Never did too much rolling of 6922, but I did get the feeling that those Amperex 7308 are excellent tubes. I've also used them in a Melos SHA-Gold headphone amp. Certainly much better than the (admittedly competent) Sovtek 6922. Ah, now the hoarding of spares beings!

[Wasatch]

Cool! Those tubes might outlive you, lol

[DinaMoe]

Originally Posted by Wasatch

Cool! Those tubes might outlive you, lol

I hope you're right!