Manley Neo-Classic 300B RC Line Stage

$7,999.00

Manley’s most esoteric product is the 300B RC line stage. This is the first and only preamp to feature these classic tubes. We had been designing the 300B into small power amps for many years and have always had great respect for the smooth natural sound of this tube. However, a single 300B provides truly appropriate power and voltage swing for headphones and makes a remarkable line driver. Here is where the impedances are not too low and the power requirements are not too high: ideal for this kind of tube in a single-ended configuration. This was the genesis of a new line stage.

“The Neo-Classic 300B is truly something special. There are precious few other products that illustrate this effectively what Tube Magic is all about.” – Christiaan Punter, HFA, December 2020

“I have greatly enjoyed my time with the Manley 300B preamp. I found it among the most musical preamps I have had the pleasure of auditioning…I want to listen to it some more.” – Jason Victor Serinus

“…when you use this preamp with any 300B amplifier…like the Manley 300B SE/PP, you no longer have to travel to New Mexico to partake in the American Indian peyote rituals.” – Dr. Harvey “Gizmo” Rosenberg

“It is outstanding among other tube designs for several things: quality of materials and finish that imply longevity and value; a power supply with fortitude; a bit of retro whimsy that never betrays thoroughly modern performance; and more than a touch of valve glamour.” – Blair T. Rogers – The Inner Ear Report

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Details

We combine the historic 300B with another classic, the large octal based 6SL7GT, for the input stage- all triodes running in pure Class A operation. To complement this ‘retro’ feel, we implemented vacuum tube rectification and regulation in the power supply along with plenty of capacity. We also developed an additional (and innovative) ripple rejection circuit to filter out power supply noise making this an incredibly low-noise preamplifier- especially critical for headphone users.

Complementing this lovely and rich sounding line-driver is the ALPS audiophile volume control, gold plated RCA connectors, high purity silver wire, mil-spec printed circuit boards with extra thick copper and plating, and custom designed output transformers which we wind right here in our own magnetics department. It all adds up…

For 2002, we returned to our classic and elegant “Manley-Blue” pewter grey color and the chassis was reworked to accommodate a few updates we had in mind.

Whether you use headphones or loudspeakers this preamp will deliver the goods and spoil you for any other preamplifier.

SPECIFICATIONS

  • Inputs: 5 stereo pair unbalanced RCA jacks
  • Outputs: 2 stereo pairs MAIN out same as SUB out unbalanced RCA jacks
  • RECORD output: 1 stereo pair pre-volume control unbalanced RCA jacks
  • HEADPHONE Outs: 2 front panel 1/4″ headphone jacks
  • Optimized headphone impedance switching: 30-400 Ohms to 300-4000 Ohms
  • MUTE: Selecting HEADPHONE operation mutes LlNE outputs
  • Output Vacuum Tubes: 2 x 300B Electro-Harmonix
  • Input Tubes: 2 x 6SL7 Sovtek
  • Rectifier Tubes: 2 x 5AR4 Ruby
  • Regulator Tubes: 2 x OD3
  • Gain: factory set at 12 dB at max Volume
  • Internal Variable Feedback: 8.5 dB of global NFB is used @ 12 dB of gain, adjustable trim -1.7dB to +1dB
  • Noise Floor: typically -70 dB (1 Hz – 100 KHz)
  • S/N Ratio: typically 105 dB (A WGT, 20 Hz – 20 KHz)
  • Frequency Response: 5 Hz to 50 KHz 1dB
  • Channel-to-Channel Separation (L to R): @1KHz 48 dB; @10KHz 35 dB; @20KHz 34 dB
  • Channel-to-Channel Separation (R to L): @1KHz 50 dB; @10KHz 40 dB; @20KHz 37 dB
  • THD: 0.08 % @ 1KHz at 1V rms out
  • Distortion THD+N: -80 dB (.01 %) zero “crossover” distortion, mostly 2nd harmonic
  • Input Sensitivity: 250mV (-9.8dBu) yields 1V out
  • Input Impedance: 100 kOhm Noble volume control
  • Maximum Input Level: 5.5dBu or 1.459 Vrms @ 1KHz, volume control at maximum
  • Output Impedance (LINE STAGE): 100 Ohms
  • Maximum Output Level: 17.2dBu or 5.636 Vrms @ 1KHz, volume control at maximum
  • Output Power (100 Ohm Headphones): 1W (10 V RMS) (28 V P-P)
  • Output Power (600 Ohm Headphones): 1W( 25 V RMS) (70 V P-P)
  • Power Consumption: 170 Watts (1.4 A @ 120VAC)
  • Operating Mains Voltage: Factory set for 100V, 120V or 220-240VAC operation for original destination country’s mains voltage.
  • Operating Mains Voltage: changeable with power transformer re-wiring and fuse value change.
  • Mains Voltage Frequency: 50~ 60Hz
  • Mains Fuse Value: 3A SLO-BLO (100, 120VAC operation), 1.5A SLO-BLO (220-240VAC operation)
  • Dimensions: W=19″ x L=13″
  • Top Deck Height: 4″
  • Transformer Height: 3 1/2″
  • Suggested shelf height minimum: 10″ (depending on height of 300B tube)
  • Shipping Weight: 28 Ibs.

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