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, Dangelo, 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.
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
I just bought a set of Snappers and they should be here next week. Just wondering how you like yours and also was 300b pre a huge upgrade. I have a Decware CSP2+ but was thinking of a Shrimp for price and synergy but was curious your thoughts on the 300b. It may be out of my range but is it a huge upgrade over what you had. Thanks