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Manley Chinook

In Dec 2015 I purchased a Manley Chinook SE from Upscale Audio.  The box I received and serial number stated a SE version but it was actually the standard version.  Kevin D. asked if I wanted to return for the SE model and we agreed that he would send me the Philips PCC88 tubes instead.  This weekend when I went to the room for a listening session once I powered up the Chinook a loud hum persisted.  I checked all connections and they were good.  Changed the tubes - still hummed.  Changed the ICs - still hummed.  Moved to another audio setup - still hummed.  But, after being on for about 30 minutes the hum lessened but a scratchy/crackly sound could be heard in the background.  Yesterday I sent it back to Manley for diagnosis.  I estimate there is less than 20 hrs use.  When I bought this unit I did my research and felt that this would be a workhorse with no problems.  Has anyone else experienced this type of phenomena with the Chinook.  I have hooked my VPI TT back up to my onboard phono stage on my McIntosh C2300; as good as the Mc is I miss the Chinook.
miner42
ekimg
78 posts
 
Miner...I have a chinook, bought it from Audiogon member used. Had it connected to a VPI Prime with an Ortophon Bronze MM. Everything sounded great!  I then bought an Ortophon Cadenza Bronze to experience the MC world. This necessitated I remove the cover and move the dip switches. In my eagerness to hear the new cartridge I placed the cover on and spun a favorite record. Wow...a tremendous hum now and I of course assumed it was my cartridge right. So I tweaked it, reset it, etc etc. still a loud hum. I was pretty concerned and thought it must be the Chinook?  So I re-screwed in all the cover screws since I had just laid the cover on. Thought I would try it again before I sent it to Manley. Well.....NO hum. It was humming/resonating because the cover screws weren't in!  So with all this said since you removed the cover to replace the tubes make sure you re-screw the top down before listening. Good luck...I love the Chinook!
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,479 posts
 
The Chinook has a pre owned price of under $2,000 and new $2500, hardly several K. That's the Stingray!  Still the Chinook is an incredible gateway into awesome vinyl,  And you can roll 4 6922's! I was most impressed at how Manley Labs took less then a month to send it back and did not charge me anything for shipping it back or the service/upgrade. Also, they kept me informed the whole time via emails. I really cant say enough about how an AMERICAN company stands behind their products. Manley is in Chino Ca, not China!!  I wish more people would take the time to really research where there "gear" is made...because most will find its made some where in Asia. I love the sound of American designed and manufactured gear. Speakers?? Thats a whole different thread...LOL


Matt M
sschmidt
19 posts
 
Minor42, one more thought or story to leave with you. I am not in any way affiliated with Manley, nor do I have any Manley gear, but I want to pass along a personal experience with Manley.

A few years ago, I was designing a recording studio and spec’d Manley gear. Coincidently, a couple months later while attending a convention in Anaheim, I asked Eva Manley how the equipment build was going. When she heard I would be in the area, she invited my wife and I to take a tour of their manufacturing facility and take a look at the gear being assembled. We saw the amps in final assembly on the bench, processors being packed, and heard the microphones and mic preamps being tested. I talked with the builders and saw first-hand their design and manufacturing facility. Then Eva took us to lunch and back to their house/recording studio for a tour and a listen to master tapes. It was a day that my wife and I fondly remember.  Best with your Chinook.



bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,510 posts
 

Eva rules! I used to see her every year at CES in Vegas, and she always remembered me and treated me like an old friend. Very cool person!

I have a friend with a Manley microphone pre-amp in his 16-track 2" 3M analog studio. Great company and products!

mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,940 posts
 
It's actually Eveanna and she is really cool.  I've known her for many years along with David and Luke.
 
Here's some trivia:  Eveanna's father ( Albert J. Dauray) owned the guitar amplifier company AMPEG.
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