Manley Chinook SE MK2

@samzx12 

Check out the Modwright PH9.0 tube rolling thread too.

Good advice and reviews there.  I don't run the stock Sovteks.

I did both upgrades at the same time so I cannot really attest to how much the tube rectifier did to the sound.  Maybe ask around for someone who did the upgrades one at a time.

theflattire, I am curious to know where you got the information that most audiophiles prefer the Modwright to the "Manley" (by which term I assume you refer to the Chinook)?  Both units seem well thought of by most who offer opinions, but I have never read of a credible direct comparison between the two.

@theflattire is the information on a Modwright website?

@lewm Was either here or SHF. Maybe the also a speaker forum(maybe Polk?), can’t remember which. The one I remember the most mentioned that the Chinook was noisy. Just google Chinook vs. Modwright PH9.0. You may find it often compared to the Rogue Ares Magnum, Tavish Adagio (which I had) and the Heron. I also looked at the Zesto Andros but it was a bit too much. Here’s the post from SHF: "Having owned both I strongly recommend the Modwright. The Chinook was fine in low gain/moving magnet mode, but noisier than a 1970’s window AC unit in high gain/moving coil mode. The Modwright is dead quiet and in a different league sonically. I had my PH 9 further upgraded to the 9.0 X and could not be happier."  There weren't a ton of head to head comparison but I took the ones I found to heart.  Of course one has to take all the comparisons with a grain of salt.

The other thing that swayed me away were the up and down reviews of the Manley while the opinions on the PH9.0 were almost unanimously positive. The folks who liked it, liked it, but the folks who didn't, well didn't. I also changed my mind about having all the adjustments. I found that simple is better for me, something I started to prefer in my phono stage journey.

@samzx12 The thread is here somewhere just do a search. I went with Reflector 6C45s(sovtek) and Mullard 6DJ8s. Consensus was Siemens 6922 but they are kinda pricey.

BTW, I don't want to come off as Chinook bashing.  I'm sure its a fine phono stage.  Back at the turn of the century, Manley was a big deal!  Something I could only wish for.  This time around, now that could actually afford it, I wanted it to make my list, but user experience was just a bit too lukewarm.  I did do a whole lotta research and cross referencing to get to the Modwright.  I actually might have got a Heron if it was available.

I mean it wasn't exactly a drop in the bucket for me and I was selling my Tavish to upgrade so I wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing!

As usual, YMMV

@samzx12 It is good to see your first investigation of a alternative Phon' allows for a Home Demo' , a Comparison and a Return Option.

I have only heard one ,Modwright Phon' in the UK, but not the Model you have selected.

I do use a All Valve Phon' that has been voiced to suit what I class as having an attraction unique to my needs.

My learning about a Cart's voicing has put the Hana Umami Blue on my Radar to be demo'd and experienced, fortunately for yourself, this is in the home system. My instincts are strongly suggesting this Cart' will be a positive stimulus when used on conjunction with an All Valve Phon'. 

Some will be Loath to this suggestion, a SUT is a device that should not be overlooked, and by being further investigative, the outcome could become there is  even more attraction added to the sonic, if a SUT is used with any Phon' available during the Trial Period.   

@theflattire thank you very much and I'll do some more research on threads. I've read a few and find nothing but high praise for the 9.0. I never took it as you were bashing the Chinook. I've probably read some of the same opinions and feedback.  

• @pindac thank you. TMR told me they have not had one Modwright come back after the trial period but everyone's mileage varies right? I seriously doubt I'll be sending it back but yes you're correct I wanted to have the option. I can say the Umami Blue is an impressive cartridge and probably why I wanted to step up the phono preamp game :)

My Investigations of certain exhibitions at HiFi Events has shown the Umami Blue has been the chosen Cart' for a few very expensive Vinyl Sources. The idea it is being given this role says a lot for it, hence, it has my attention for this and the idea it presents without too much Richness and the Cost is very very attractive.   

Often, at shows, many exhibitors, outside of the brand they represent use other products because they have been given these products at no charge. Very typical with cables and power conditioners. So, when you see certain products in many rooms, it has nothing to do with their performance, just good marketing.

I'm not saying this is the case for the Umami Blue. Just something to keep in mind.

I have to wonder whether the Chinook that was said to be noisy in high gain mode might have been defective. There are many possible causes. Whatever one might say of my Steelhead, it’s very quiet in all gain modes. I can’t live with a noisy phono stage for long. The base circuit is inherently very low noise.

@pindac I do not have experience with really high end cartridges other than my Dynavector 20x2L however, the Blue is definitely a step or 2 forward. I've also heard some very expensive Koetsu and Lyra carts and the Blue is very similar in sonics. I'm not saying at those levels but close in my opinion. 

Giving Descriptions is not the easiest way to get info across.

I make it my business to have a sat in front of experience where ever possible.

It don't take much time to decide if it worth hanging around due to being impressed along with being a sociable guest and express being courteous.    

@lewm my Chinook, which I believe was the mk1, was really silent. Not noisy at all.  Anyone that had a noisy Chinook, in my opinion, needs to investigate tubes. Unless they consider ear to speaker silence a must. The Chinook was the first tubed phono I used and I would highly recommend it coming in to the $2k club of phonos. 

Tubes are one cause of "noise", but we don’t know what sort of noise was experienced with the noisy Chinook. One reason the Chinook (and the Steelhead) are both exceptionally quiet for "tube" phono stages is that they are not purely tube phono stages, as I have mentioned at least twice. The gain stage is a hybrid cascode where a transistor receives the signal and drives a high transconductance tube (one half of a 6922) via its cathode. This makes for high signal to noise ratio, very high gain, very low input capacitance, and wide bandwidth. The only downside is a highish output impedance, which is obviated by adding a cathode follower downstream. That’s the basic circuit of the Steelhead so far as I can determine without having a schematic. Now, to be clear, I am not saying that the Chinook is superior to the Modwright on other grounds; I have never heard the Modwright, and I am sure it too is very good. You pay your money and you take your choice, as the saying goes. I’m only saying that the Chinook is unlikely to be rejected on account of inherent noise.

I chose the Steelhead for its capacity to handle more than one tonearm input and both MM and MC cartridges (actually two MCs and one MM), and for its adjustable input parameters. I think I made mine better by upgrading the output coupling capacitors and the phono load resistors.

@samzx12 

Updates?

@theflattire I've had the Modwright 9.0x for 2 weeks now.  In my opinion it's a step up no doubt from the Chinook. It's dead quiet and enjoyable to listen to.  Honestly I think it needs more time but I'm finding it very engaging and extremely smooth.  No harshness or unwanted nasties. Just very musical. Great details, depth and holographic.  Eventually I'll send it in for the T upgrade. 

Thanks

I just put in some Mullards and are liking them. Reflector 6C45s I think are better also. Happy listening!