Manley Chinook SE MK2

@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.