Manley chinook phono stage

Audio Components Preamplifiers
1

I would like to upgrade the stock tubes in my Chinook. If you have done this what tubes did you get and what difference did it make.

Thanks
Mike

2

I’ve owned both the ‘stock’ Manley Chinook and the Upscale Audio ‘SE’. Neither are in my system now, but dollar for dollar a great tubed phono pre and you can definitely get more from it with a tube upgrade. I used NOS Telefunken 6922s. The difference is what one would expect from NOS Telefunkens, extremely low noise and superb tonal neutrality top to bottom. The rub is NOS Telefunkens are increasingly expensive and difficult to find. I’m lucky enough to have a stash of really fine 6DJ8 family NOS tubes.

3

I’ve been doing some research and have found Brent Jesse has good selection of Nos tubes.
Other I’ve reading about are the 7803’s and 6922. I mostly play vinyl 99% of the time, starting fine tune the analogue side of the system.

Thanks
Mike

4

You mean 7308s. Brent Jesse has the same issue as all other dependable sources of NOS tubes - stock. As in out of stock of essentially all the high demand tubes. Ideally you need 4 matched 6922s. Best of luck in your quest! Personally, were I you I’d be looking at new production tightly matched Gold Lion 6922s. I can’t make an unequivocal recommendation because I didn’t try those in my Chinook, but I do have a pair I’ve used in my BHK pre and they have gone a long way toward changing my mind about a new production 6922 alterative. I still treasure my NOS stash, but reality regarding supply and price is setting in.

1 Like
5

I’ve been a big fan of the the gold lion kt88 tubes, they are running in my mono amps. I took your advice and purchased a matched set of 4 gold lion 6922 from upscale audio and they are making a big difference in the sound.