Manley 300b Pre

Escott1377 · « **on:** 4 Nov 2015, 01:08 am »

Does anyone have any experience with this pre amp? I have been considering this as an upgrade to ADD 300b's into my set up.

My hesitation is can you reach a point of minimal ROI with too many tubes in your signal chain?

I have a tube phone stage, tube dac, and tube mono blocs in my bi amp set up.

The only solid state I run is on my woofer modules and I don't think they need much tube sund to them.

My current pre amp is a Manley Shrimp and I have been quoted approximately 5k for the 300b.

Also, if anyone knows of other pre amp options with this tube under that price tag please suggest.

Thanks -

Servingthemusic.com · « **Reply #1 on:** 4 Nov 2015, 01:43 am »

Absolutely the most gorgeous sounding preamp I have ever heard..I reviewed it a while back:

http://www.avrev.com/home-theater-preamplifiers/stereo-preamps/manley-neo-classic-300b-preamplifier.html

If I could afford it I would buy it in a heart beat. I still might if I can move some gear I have in storage.

shoot · « **Reply #2 on:** 5 Nov 2015, 09:58 am »

it's also a very nice headphone amp for HD800.

rodge827 · « **Reply #3 on:** 5 Nov 2015, 10:29 am »

Look into the Transcendent Sound Masterpiece 300b Preamp:

http://www.transcendentsound.com/Masterpiece.html

Go to the Transcendent Forum and read what the guys think of it.

Its a kit you can build or have Ed Schilling of The Horn Shoppe do it for you. He's done a number of them, and can be contacted through the Horn Shoppe website: http://www.thehornshoppe.com/ or give him a call at 803-657-5178.

SteveFord · « **Reply #4 on:** 5 Nov 2015, 02:05 pm »

Diamond Dog has one - I believe he uses it just for headphones nowadays.
You might want to contact him for his take on the Manley.

Audioclyde · « **Reply #5 on:** 5 Nov 2015, 02:25 pm »

I have had the Manley for over a year now, and have tube amps, tubes in DAC/CD player. I absolutely love the Manley (I'll admit I like things a shade warmer than most, but I still think I get great detail and resolution) and the fact that it is an incredible headphone amp (and dead quiet as well I might add) is a great bonus to me!

Randy

Servingthemusic.com · « **Reply #6 on:** 5 Nov 2015, 03:24 pm »

Quote from: rodge827 on 5 Nov 2015, 10:29 am

Look into the Transcendent Sound Masterpiece 300b Preamp:

http://www.transcendentsound.com/Masterpiece.html

Go to the Transcendent Forum and read what the guys think of it.

Its a kit you can build or have Ed Schilling of The Horn Shoppe do it for you. He's done a number of them, and can be contacted through the Horn Shoppe website: http://www.thehornshoppe.com/ or give him a call at 803-657-5178.

Rodge...thanks for this info. Off hand do you know how much Ed charges for a build?

Escott1377 · « **Reply #7 on:** 5 Nov 2015, 06:31 pm »

$525 - I already emailed him

Servingthemusic.com · « **Reply #8 on:** 5 Nov 2015, 08:20 pm »

Quote from: Escott1377 on 5 Nov 2015, 06:31 pm

$525 - I already emailed him

awesome..so around $1600 for a built unit. $4500 less than the Manley! But of course hard to compare.

richidoo · « **Reply #9 on:** 5 Nov 2015, 09:50 pm »

I really liked the Manley 300B when I heard it at a trade show. Very sweet memorable sound with Mahis on Joseph Audio speakers. I've owned Manley Snapper and 300B SEPP amp, great products and great service.

If you go with the Transcendent pre, allow some extra money for upgrading the output caps, at least. I built GGpre, used for a short time, it was fun but not refined enough for me, even with upgrade parts. But it's a different amp, 7 years ago. Might still be cheap parts in the kits. Bruce is not exactly a "boutique parts" kinda designer.

If you can afford the Manley I think you'll be happier with it in the long run. If you want less tubey sound, try Black Treasure 300Bs, they are a clean sound, at least as 300Bs go.

Servingthemusic.com · « **Reply #10 on:** 5 Nov 2015, 10:17 pm »

Curious..it seems Transcendent does sell assembled versions of some of their kits they built themselves, but I guess not the Masterpiece?

Escott1377 · « **Reply #11 on:** 5 Nov 2015, 11:58 pm »

I have been thinking all day on this 1. I may just hold on the Manley and try the Transcendent.

It's a very simple circuit design and can drive my amps.

I am most curious on how the 300b's will perform with the rest of my gear so that leaves room for the Manley in the future.

Thanks so much to all - I walked away with an alternative that may get me into the tube sound I want w/o breaking the bank.

Truly testament to the members of the forum.

Servingthemusic.com · « **Reply #12 on:** 6 Nov 2015, 12:33 am »

Quote from: Escott1377 on 5 Nov 2015, 11:58 pm

I have been thinking all day on this 1. I may just hold on the Manley and try the Transcendent.

It's a very simple circuit design and can drive my amps.

I am most curious on how the 300b's will perform with the rest of my gear so that leaves room for the Manley in the future.

Thanks so much to all - I walked away with an alternative that may get me into the tube sound I want w/o breaking the bank.

Truly testament to the members of the forum.

If you purchase the pre built Masterpiece, please report back on how it went...!

richidoo · « **Reply #13 on:** 6 Nov 2015, 12:34 am »

Quote from: Escott1377 on 5 Nov 2015, 11:58 pm

I have been thinking all day on this 1. I may just hold on the Manley and try the Transcendent.

Cool! Very curious to hear how you like it!!

rodge827 · « **Reply #14 on:** 6 Nov 2015, 03:06 am »

Hope it works well for you and please keep us posted.

Chris

Escott1377 · « **Reply #15 on:** 11 Nov 2015, 07:27 pm »

So I ordered the Masterpiece w/ 300b's and shipped it to be assembled. I will report back once it arrives and I have spent time w/ it.

Super excited to finally get these tubes in my signal chain.

Servingthemusic.com · « **Reply #16 on:** 11 Nov 2015, 07:35 pm »

Quote from: Escott1377 on 11 Nov 2015, 07:27 pm

So I ordered the Masterpiece w/ 300b's and shipped it to be assembled. I will report back once it arrives and I have spent time w/ it.

Super excited to finally get these tubes in my signal chain.

Super! I am very excited for you. So the process was you ordered the kit, received it, then are shipping it out to Ed @ The Horne Shop to be assembled? What is the ETA?

This is WAY cool.

Escott1377 · « **Reply #17 on:** 11 Nov 2015, 07:48 pm »

Ordered the kit and then it ships directly to Ed.

We both live in SC, so I told when he finished I would try and get by to pick it up.

He said about 2 weeks to build.

Both guys were super easy to work with.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #18 on:** 11 Nov 2015, 08:11 pm »

Quote from: rodge827 on 5 Nov 2015, 10:29 am

Look into the Transcendent Sound Masterpiece 300b Preamp:

http://www.transcendentsound.com/Masterpiece.html

Go to the Transcendent Forum and read what the guys think of it.

Its a kit you can build or have Ed Schilling of The Horn Shoppe do it for you. He's done a number of them, and can be contacted through the Horn Shoppe website: http://www.thehornshoppe.com/ or give him a call at 803-657-5178.

THis Transcendent pre looks nice at $950
it perform great at the osciloscope,
Rozenblitz equips usually are expensive;

Escott1377 · « **Reply #19 on:** 6 Dec 2015, 12:24 am »

So, my Masterpiece showed up today and the build is very solid on the unit. My plan was to put the pre into my bedroom system which is just a little 12W amp with some bookshelves. Plugged everything up in the bedroom, turned on the pre and blew the fuse immediately.

1st time owner of the 300B and did not realize the legs on the base on the tube are different lengths

Didn't plug them in properly.

Will report after I have a chance to replace the fuse.