Manley Chinook SE MK2

Lamm, used ARC REF Phono 2se, Herron w HRS damper plate, Nimbus and Nos tubes ….. The Manley is very good…but you have lots of choices

I use a  VPI Classic  also. Different flavor cartridge.

AT ART9 or spend a little more Lyra Delos or whatever in  between.

You're setup is solid. Open the wallet wider later for a new table- then next level phonostage.

The  Chinook SE has been in my setup.

I compared the MKI Chinook to a Zesto Andros 1.2

The Zesto was more neutral, more detailed, more dynamic, whereas the Chinook had a warmer, fuller, more tubey presentation. I kept the Zesto and sold the Chinook. A few months later I sold the Zesto and bought a Steelhead which I still own.

@rooze I definitely don’t need a Steelhead with so many features. How does the sound compare to the Chinook?

@tablejockey recently i upgraded my cartridge to a Hana Umami Blue. Its still breaking in but so far i love it. I spoke with Upscale and they recommended the first place i should upgrade was the cart so i did. They said i would have to spend 10k to really up the turntable game so sit tight with the Classic 1.

Recently upgraded my preamp from the LS28 to a Ref6. And several months ago Sonus Faber Olympica 3 to Wilson Sabrina original version.  I have looked at a Audio Research PH8 however,  the downside is only 58db of gain which I think is ridiculous given the cost. Also single ended only.   The Umami Blue is 0.4mv and since I'm single ended, the Ref 6 doesn't have a high gain, I need 65db gain setting. If using XLR I could get by with 60db.