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Manley Labs SE/PP 300B Monoblock power amplifier ST Returns

ST returned to the Manleys in February 1996 (Vol.19 No.2):

As it happens, I still had the pair of Manley SE/PP 300B amplifiers on hand, and, as soon as I could tear myself away from the Jadis SE300B, I tried those with the Infinity Composition speakers. Even more than the Thiel CS.5s, the Compositions revealed the much greater delicacy and resolution of the Jadis amplifiers. Still, especially considering their price of $3500/pair, the Manley amplifiers were excellent, too. Some resolution, some transparency was gone—but still I heard much midrange magic.

Now, of course, the…

Manley Labs SE/PP 300B Monoblock power amplifier Specifications

Sidebar: Specifications

Description: Monoblock tube amplifier with variable negative feedback and switchable between single-ended and push-pull operation. Tube complement: one 12AX7T, one 7044, two 300Bs. Rated power: 36W into 5 ohms in push-pull, 18W into 5 ohms in single-ended mode. No other specifications given.
Dimensions: 12" wide by 10" deep.
Finish: Metallic gray.
Price: $3500/pair (1996); no longer available (2012).
Manufacturer: Manley Laboratories, Inc., 13880 Magnolia Avenue, Chino, CA 91710. Tel: (909) 627-4256. Fax: (909) 628-2482. Web: www.manleylabs.com…

dbx 14/10 graphic equalizer

Although most audio perfectionists look down with scorn on equalizers, there are times when the benefits of such devices can outweigh their disadvantages. I discussed the pros and cons in my review of the Accuphase G-18 in Vol.11 No.4, but a brief recap here won't be amiss.

Properly used, a suitable equalizer can often improve the listenability of mediocre recordings (footnote 1), and can offset some of the deficiencies of many loudspeakers. Improperly used, an equalizer can undo all of the potential for fidelity that your system has to offer, and even when not used at all—with all its…

dbx 14/10 graphic equalizer Specifications

Sidebar: Specifications

Description: 14-band 2-channel graphic equalizer. Controlled bands: Center frequencies (Hz, ISO standard) at: 31.5, 45, 63, 90, 125, 180, 250, 360, 550, 1k, 2k, 4k, 8k, 16k. Constant-Q bandwidth. Equalization range: ±12dB. Frequency response w/controls set at 0dB: ±0.5dB, 20Hz–20kHz. Real-time analyzer: 25dB range on screen, auto-ranging. Internal pink noise generator, L/R uncorrelated. Gain: 0dB at 0dB. THD: below 0.03%, 20Hz–20kHz. Maximum input, output level: 6V. S/N ratio: 119dBA. Input impedance: 51k ohms. Output impedance: 470 ohms.
Dimensions: 17 1/8" W…

The Hi-Fi Expo Sofia

Friday–Sunday, November 23–25: The Hi-Fi Expo Sofia will be held at the Grand Hotel (1 Gurko Street, Sofia, Bulgaria). More than 250 high-end brands are expected to exhibit. For more info, visit www.hifiexpo.bg.

Richard Vandersteen at Advanced Audio Systems

Photo by chrissy from the Stereophile Galleries.

Saturday, November 3, 12pm: Advanced Audio Systems (6450 Tacoma Mall Boulevard, Tacoma, WA) will host a seminar with iconic loudspeaker designer Richard Vandersteen. The event will consist of product demonstrations and a question and answer session with Vandersteen. To register for the event, follow this link.

Krell KRS-2 preamplifier

One of the most striking aspects of high-end audio is that you can never take any component for granted. Most of the radical change in audio at present takes place in new front-end and speaker technologies, but other components are changing as well—and with at least as much impact in making recorded music seem believable.

The Krell KRS-2 preamplifier is a case in point. I have now spent several months comparing it with every other unit I've been able to find. The end result is that this Krell has emerged as the equal of the Audio Research SP-11 in defining the state of the preamplifier…

Krell KRS-2 preamplifier Page 2

I should stress in introducing them that: a) these comparisons always involved a single sample of an active preamp; b) some of the preamps used were borrowed from other audiophiles and were not necessarily typical of the latest production of a given model; and c) many differences were so minor that they would only emerge after prolonged listening. Nevertheless, I was able to make the following differentiations:

Audio Research SP-10: The sound was slightly warmer, with a minor exaggeration of imaging which seems to come from a coloration which "expands" the dynamic contrasts of…

Krell KRS-2 preamplifier Specifications

Sidebar: Specifications

Description: Two-chassis preamplifier (with psu transformers in third box). Frequency range: DC–1.5MHz. Maximum output: 15V. Output impedance: 6 ohms.
Dimensions: 19" W x 12" D x 2.25" H (preamp and psu), 3.5" W x 13" D x 2" H (transformers).
Price: $4500 (1987); no longer available (2012).
Manufacturer: Krell Industries, Milford, CT 06460 (1987); Krell Industries, 45 Connair Road, Orange, CT 06477-3650 (2012). Tel: (203) 298-4010. Fax: (203) 891-2028. Web: www.krellonline.

Two Cool Hi-Fi Posters

It’s like that t-shirt you were always jealous of your friend for having. You know the one I’m talking about. It’s the one that said “Famous Guitars”, and it had drawings of Eddie Van Halen’s Frankenstein or Rick Nielsen’s multi-necked Hamer. There was also a “Famous Drumkits” one with Kreutzmann and Hart’s two-man kit or Terry Bozzio’s tom-tom explosion. Gosh, those were cool.

Well now you can be that guy but with the famous hi-fis.

At Hi-Fi Posters.com, a UK company is selling two posters: “A Visual Hi-Fi History of Turntables” and “Loudspeakers: A Visual Hi-Fi History”. Each…