Description

I did a lot of research before I ended up with this system. I started it all with falling for Tannoy and found out that Kensington were the biggest model I could match with my apartment, and still have alnico and pepperpot horn. Then I searched for electronics and based on my taste in music I ended up with Manley: I just love when a music system can do funk and still play trio jazz. My dealer set up the speakers and amps with different preamps, and Leben just clicked into that magic we call synergy: it matched with the Snappers even better then Manley s own preamps.

My passion for sound is all based on my love for music: first music, then sound. However, it is best when music is played on a system that gets dynamics, timbre and flow of it right. Under these conditions music can really activate strong emotions. In music I love all kind of stuff, like: David Sylvian, D’angelo, Jan Garbarek, Leonard Cohen, Thomas Dybdahl, Maxwell, Keith Jarrett, Daniel Lanois, Marvin Gaye, Kate Bush, Joni Mitchell etc etc.

It was also a goal to assemble a system that can play “bad records” in a way that is emotionally involving and not just embarrassing. I do not fancy a big expensive system that makes an old nice record sound like crap. I want my system to play music not dissect it.
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Components Toggle details

    • Manley Laboratories Neo-Classic 300B RC
    A beautiful preamp with a bold and authoritative musical signature, yet with finesse: an object made of the same stuff as dreams are made of. Read Dr. Gizmo's essay about it.
    • Manley Laboratories Neo-Classic 300B SE/PP
    300B magic with a magic switch between parallel single-ended or push-pull typology
    • Tannoy GRF 90 Limited Edition
    Awesome speaker
    • Audioquest Sky
    Also a nice sounding interconnect
    • LFD Black Widow
    This one does nothing wrong
    • LFD Grainfree biwire signature
    Great synergy with Tannoy
    • Sennheiser HD-800
    Headphones

Comments 61

Showing all comments by charles1dad.

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Musicophile,
What you wrote is perfectly logical and borne out with practical experience.
My SET amplifier is a zero feedback design and I absolutely love it with my
speakers. However these Coincident speakers were designed from the
onset with the goal of being compatible with zero NFB amplifiers. It's
obviously advantageous when amp and speaker share the same designer-
builder. In your case given the different design of the Tannoy it's very
reasonable that a very small amount of NFB could be quite beneficial. It
really depends on the characteristics of an individual speaker to determine
if it would response favorably to NFB. I do believe that in
"general" the less
NFB the better the sound will be. Your Manley amplifier certainly provides
increased flexibility with a larger pool of speakers and allows you to tailor
and fine tune as necessary.
as needed.

Charles,
Charles,

charles1dad

Musicophile,
It's interesting to read that you, Dan and reviewer Jeff Day (PFO) report such sucess with a 300b SET driving the Tannoy speakers. All three of you used good push pull amps(Manley, VAC and Leben respectively) prior to the SETs. This runs counter to those who insist the Tannoy isn't efficient enough for SET and requires more power. It seems this speaker(at least some models) is more flexible than it's given credit for. All three of you seem to be very pleased with the combination.
Charles,

charles1dad

Musicophile,
I understand your point. The one feature of 'good' SET amplifiers that I first noticed is they just make music sound more real and present.Once I experienced this, its absence with other amplifier types was more obvious.Now I find it difficult to have a system without this increased flesh and blood realism.
Regards,

charles1dad

Musicophile,
The ASR has gotten universal praise for its excellent sound.What did you find different when using the Manley with these speakers?
Regards,

charles1dad

Musicophile,
Congradulations! This is`nt an irrational decision by any means.I`m certain the Leben was a good preamp, however IMHO there`s something special and unique about the sound from DHT tube driven components. I find when implemented correctly they are able to bring out the beauty,drama and emotion of music that`s hard to verbalize,yet you know it when you hear it(and feel it). I believe you made a great move, and will be remined of such each time you play your music.
Both my amplifier and linestage use DHT tubes and I`m as pleased as can be.
Best Regards,

charles1dad

Musicophile,
I agree with your priority, music first then the sound. You have put together an exceptional system. I`m sure it sucessfully connects you to your music.
best Regards,

charles1dad