Manley Labs
Neo-Classic 300B RC Preamp Headphone Amp
$7,999.00 USDFeatures
Triode Operation: All triodes, including the 300B and 6SL7GT tubes, operate in pure Class A mode, ensuring accurate and distortion-free amplification of the audio signal.
Single-Ended Configuration: The preamp is designed in a single-ended configuration, providing ideal impedance matching and power delivery for optimal performance, particularly with headphones.
Vacuum Tube Rectification and Regulation: Incorporates vacuum tube rectification and regulation in the power supply, enhancing stability and reducing noise for a cleaner audio signal.
Ripple Rejection Circuit: Features an innovative ripple rejection circuit that effectively filters out power supply noise, ensuring an ultra-low noise floor and pristine audio reproduction, especially critical for headphone users.
ALPS Audiophile Volume Control: Equipped with an ALPS audiophile volume control for precise and smooth volume adjustments, allowing users to fine-tune their listening experience with precision.
Gold-Plated RCA Connectors: Utilizes gold-plated RCA connectors for high-quality audio connections, ensuring minimal signal loss and maximum conductivity.
High-Purity Silver Wire: Incorporates high-purity silver wire for signal transmission, minimizing signal degradation and preserving the integrity of the audio signal.
Mil-Spec Printed Circuit Boards: Features mil-spec printed circuit boards with extra thick copper and plating, ensuring durability, reliability, and optimal signal integrity.
Custom-Designed Output Transformers: Utilizes custom-designed output transformers, hand-wound in Manley Labs' own magnetics department, to ensure precise and consistent signal transmission, contributing to the preamp's rich and captivating sound signature.
What's in the Box?
Warranty
Manley Labs introduces their most esoteric creation yet: THE 300B PREAMPLIFIER, a pioneering addition to their lineup. This preamplifier stands as a testament to innovation, being the first and only preamp to incorporate the classic 300B tubes renowned for their smooth and natural sound. With a history of integrating 300B tubes into small power amps, Manley Labs recognized their potential for delivering appropriate power and voltage swing, particularly for headphones and as a remarkable line driver. Capitalizing on this realization, they crafted a preamp that showcases the 300B's capabilities in a single-ended configuration, where impedances are ideal and power requirements are met.
The heart of the design pairs the historic 300B with another classic, the large octal-based 6SL7GT, forming the input stage. Both triodes operate in pure Class A, ensuring pristine signal amplification. Embracing a retro aesthetic, the preamp incorporates vacuum tube rectification and regulation in the power supply, bolstered by ample capacity for stability and consistency. Notably, an innovative ripple rejection circuit is integrated to meticulously filter out power supply noise, a crucial feature for headphone enthusiasts demanding an ultra-low noise floor.
To deliver an unmatched audio experience, the 300B PREAMPLIFIER boasts an array of premium components and craftsmanship. It features an ALPS audiophile volume control for precise adjustments, gold-plated RCA connectors for superior connectivity, and high-purity silver wire for signal transmission. The use of mil-spec printed circuit boards with extra thick copper and plating ensures durability and reliability. Moreover, custom-designed output transformers, meticulously wound in Manley Labs' own magnetics department, contribute to the preamp's rich and captivating sound signature. In essence, THE 300B PREAMPLIFIER embodies Manley Labs' commitment to excellence, merging timeless tube technology with modern innovation to deliver an unparalleled listening experience for discerning audiophiles.
Dragon Audio Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the Manley Lab's 300B RC Preamp Headphone Amp with the Silver Dragon Interconnect. Sold in Pairs, the Silver Dragon V2 is our top-of-the-line silver conductor-based interconnect. With a braided geometry and amazing shielding, this interconnect is a remarkable solution where noise isolation is key. The Silver Dragon is the original cable. Silver strands clarify instrument separation, increase soundstage, and find previously lost high and mid-frequency sounds. Transients appear more cohesive and the bass is tighter for a more controlled sound.
Features:
- Classic Tube Design: The preamplifier utilizes classic 300B tubes, renowned for their smooth and natural sound reproduction, offering a vintage appeal with modern performance.
- Triode Operation: All triodes, including the 300B and 6SL7GT tubes, operate in pure Class A mode, ensuring accurate and distortion-free amplification of the audio signal.
- Single-Ended Configuration: The preamp is designed in a single-ended configuration, providing ideal impedance matching and power delivery for optimal performance, particularly with headphones.
- Vacuum Tube Rectification and Regulation: Incorporates vacuum tube rectification and regulation in the power supply, enhancing stability and reducing noise for a cleaner audio signal.
- Ripple Rejection Circuit: Features an innovative ripple rejection circuit that effectively filters out power supply noise, ensuring an ultra-low noise floor and pristine audio reproduction, especially critical for headphone users.
- ALPS Audiophile Volume Control: Equipped with an ALPS audiophile volume control for precise and smooth volume adjustments, allowing users to fine-tune their listening experience with precision.
- Gold-Plated RCA Connectors: Utilizes gold-plated RCA connectors for high-quality audio connections, ensuring minimal signal loss and maximum conductivity.
- High-Purity Silver Wire: Incorporates high-purity silver wire for signal transmission, minimizing signal degradation and preserving the integrity of the audio signal.
- Mil-Spec Printed Circuit Boards: Features mil-spec printed circuit boards with extra thick copper and plating, ensuring durability, reliability, and optimal signal integrity.
- Custom-Designed Output Transformers: Utilizes custom-designed output transformers, hand-wound in Manley Labs' own magnetics department, to ensure precise and consistent signal transmission, contributing to the preamp's rich and captivating sound signature.
About Manley Laboratories:
Manley Laboratories, based in California, stands as a premier name in the audio industry, renowned for crafting high-end audio equipment that exceeds expectations. With a legacy spanning decades, their commitment to excellence is evident in every product they create. From professional-grade microphone preamps (micpre) with pristine XLR mic inputs to versatile direct inputs for guitars and vocals, Manley Laboratories ensures exceptional sound quality and versatility for any recording, performance, or music-listening scenario. They also create tube microphone preamplifiers (Tube mic preamp), limiters, headphone amplifiers with dual triodes, and more for all the headroom you need for pro audio and consumer audio applications. Their meticulous attention to detail extends to metering and compression, compressors, providing precise control over dynamics and ensuring optimal analog-like audio performance. Backed by a robust warranty, Manley Laboratories' audio interfaces and equipment offer peace of mind, promising reliability and longevity for years to come. Whether in the studio or on stage, musicians and audio professionals/enthusiasts trust Manley Laboratories to deliver unmatched quality and performance.
F.A.Q
Q: What tubes does the Manley Labs Neo-Classic 300B RC Preamplifier use?
A: The Neo-Classic 300B RC Preamplifier utilizes 300B tubes in its circuitry, renowned for their smooth and natural sound reproduction.
Q: What is the purpose of the remote control with the Neo-Classic 300B RC Preamplifier?
A: The remote control allows users to adjust volume, input selection, and other settings from a distance, providing convenience and flexibility in operation.
Q: Can I use the Neo-Classic 300B RC Preamplifier with both digital and analog sources?
A: Yes, the preamplifier is designed to accommodate both digital and analog sources, offering versatility in audio system setups.
Q: How many inputs does the Neo-Classic 300B RC Preamplifier have?
A: The preamplifier features multiple inputs, typically including options for analog and digital sources, allowing users to connect various audio components. See the specifications for more information.
Q: What is the difference between the Neo-Classic 300B RC Preamplifier and other preamplifiers on the market?
A: The Neo-Classic 300B RC Preamplifier distinguishes itself with its use of 300B tubes and meticulous circuit design, resulting in exceptional sound quality and performance.
Q: Is the Neo-Classic 300B RC Preamplifier suitable for use with high-end audio systems?
A: Yes, the preamplifier is designed to meet the demands of high-end audio systems, delivering superior sound quality and compatibility with a wide range of audio components.
Q: What kind of warranty coverage does the Neo-Classic 300B RC Preamplifier come with?
A: The preamplifier is backed by a comprehensive warranty from Manley Laboratories, providing peace of mind and support for your investment. See the manual for more info.
Q: How does the Neo-Classic 300B RC Preamplifier perform in terms of durability and reliability?
A: The preamplifier is built with high-quality components and robust construction, ensuring long-term durability and reliability for years of enjoyment.
Q: Can I upgrade or customize the Neo-Classic 300B RC Preamplifier?
A: While the preamplifier is designed to offer exceptional performance out of the box, Manley Laboratories may offer upgrade options or customizations for users seeking further enhancements. Tube-rolling is always encouraged but make sure that replacement tubes are compatible and in the range of appropriate specs for the amplifier. Feel free to Contact Us if you have specific questions.
Q: What kind of speakers are compatible with the Neo-Classic 300B RC Preamplifier?
A: The preamplifier is compatible with a wide range of speakers, but it is important to consider factors such as sensitivity and impedance matching for optimal performance.
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 LINE outputs
- Vacuum Tubes
- Output: 2 x 300B Electro-Harmonix
- Input: 2 x 6SL7 Sovtek
- Rectifier: 2 x 5AR4 Ruby
- Regulator: 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
- 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 lbs.