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  1. #1
    Behavior Moderator (be nice police!)
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    Chinook Re-Tubed

    I talked to Kevin Deal @ Upscale Audio a couple of weeks ago about a new set of tubes for my beloved Chinook. Kevin was very informative and helpful, as he's probably sold more Manley Chinooks than anyone.
    After listening to Kevin's advice, I bought 4 Philips PCC88/7DJ8 tubes. I explained that I already loved the sound of my Manley, I just wanted the same sound only better. That's exactly what I got when I put them in. Everything sounds fantastic, very balanced from top to bottom. This was the first time I've ever rolled tubes, no wonder it's so addicting to the people that own tube gear.

    I love what a piece of tube gear can do for my system, maybe I need to try a tube preamp next
    Mark


    Kharma DB9 Signature
    Pass Labs XP32......incoming
    Pass Labs X350.8
    Esoteric N-05XD
    VPI Avenger with Magnetic Drive
    Manley Chinook Phono Pre
    Ortofon Cadenza Black cartridge
    Kharma Elegance speaker cables
    Kharma Elegance interconnects
    REL Subs

  2. #2

    Re: Chinook Re-Tubed

    Mark-I'm happy for you that your new tubes worked out so well. Uncle Kevin has always been a pleasure to work with in my experience. The Chinook is a damn good sounding phono stage and I'm sure it sounds great with your NOS tubes.
    Micro Seiki SX-8000 air bearing table, SME 312s arm, SME 3012R arn, Dynavector XV-1s cartridge, Lyra Etna SL cartridge, ARC Ref 3 phono stage, Otari MX-55 2 track R2R, Ampex 350 tape repros, Roon Nucleus Plus music server, HiFi Rose 150B DAC, ARC Ref 6, ARC Ref 75 with KT-150s, Parasound JC5 amp , JBL 4345 speakers, Viero Equilibro Level 3 speaker cables, and Definitive Technology Ref subs.

    Reviewer for Positive Feedback

  3. #3

    Re: Chinook Re-Tubed

    Uh-oh, "Joe", Marks got out of his pen again. Ha! Good to see you rolling tubes Mark,... aint it just some fun FUN!
    Last edited by MDP; September 3, 2015 at 09:46 AM.

  4. #4
    Behavior Moderator (be nice police!)
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    Re: Chinook Re-Tubed

    Thanks guys!
    It was pretty cool. I was surprised how tight the little buggers fit in the sockets. It's really fun hearing the difference between tubes.
    Mark


    Kharma DB9 Signature
    Pass Labs XP32......incoming
    Pass Labs X350.8
    Esoteric N-05XD
    VPI Avenger with Magnetic Drive
    Manley Chinook Phono Pre
    Ortofon Cadenza Black cartridge
    Kharma Elegance speaker cables
    Kharma Elegance interconnects
    REL Subs

  5. #5
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    Aug 2015
    Location
    texas
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    45

    Re: Chinook Re-Tubed

    I just purchased an Upscale Audio Manley Chinook SE with those Philips tubes - a very fluid phono stage. My first outboard stage.

  6. #6
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    Re: Chinook Re-Tubed

    Quote Originally Posted by miner42 View Post
    I just purchased an Upscale Audio Manley Chinook SE with those Philips tubes - a very fluid phono stage. My first outboard stage.
    Well, my newly purchase I Dec 2015 Chinook SE has developed a bad hum. Happened overnight. I switched out tubes, hum still present. Switched ICs, still there. Moved to another audio setup, hum still there. After being on 30 mins the hum lessened but then a scratchy/crackly sound was present. Back the Manley Labs for service - waiting to hear back from them on what to do. Unit has less than 20 hrs on it. Anyone else have issues like this with their Chinook?

  7. #7
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    Re: Chinook Re-Tubed

    An update - Manley diagnosed bad hum due to 1) noisy tubes, and 2) bad PCB. Manley fixed, sent back and then the logo LEDs did not work. Manley sent a LED PCB, I installed and lights still did not work. Sent back again to Manley for repair. When my dealer got wind of my issues he(Kevin Deal - Upscale Audio) had Manley to send me a new unit, plus since I paid for shipping on first go-around Kevin reimbursed me by way of four Philips PCC88 tubes, cryoed. Great dealer support.

  8. #8
    Senior Member
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    Grand Junction, CO
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    Re: Chinook Re-Tubed

    Quote Originally Posted by miner42 View Post
    An update - Manley diagnosed bad hum due to 1) noisy tubes, and 2) bad PCB. Manley fixed, sent back and then the logo LEDs did not work. Manley sent a LED PCB, I installed and lights still did not work. Sent back again to Manley for repair. When my dealer got wind of my issues he(Kevin Deal - Upscale Audio) had Manley to send me a new unit, plus since I paid for shipping on first go-around Kevin reimbursed me by way of four Philips PCC88 tubes, cryoed. Great dealer support.
    Glad to hear everything worked out ok.
    Amp/PreAmp/Phono: Manley Labs Snapper, Jumbo Shrimp, Chinook Speakers: Joseph Audio RM25XL Analog: Rega P5, TTPSU, Tungsten CW, GT Ref Sub-Platter/Delrin Platter, DV Karat 17D3 Digital: Rega Saturn Cables/PC: Synergistic Research, Running Springs Audio Rack: Quadraspire Q4EVO, Mapleshade Platforms/Isoblocks Tubes: Winged C SED EL34, Mullard 12AX7/12AT7, Amperex 7308 LPs: 198 CDs: 247

  9. #9

    Re: Chinook Re-Tubed

    Rolling tubes is awesome, and the Chinook looks very nice, but I've had mixed satisfaction/results with Upscale's tube service over the years. It's good to branch out to other tube sources; see what works for you. Kevin's old website painting the "other guys" tube sellers as buffoons was tactless -- in fact, I find that said buffoons get things right more often than Upscale, and are much more pleasant to boot! At this point, I'll avoid Upscale going forward, unless he gets some more high-grade Mazda 12AX7 in stock.

    Though if you've got a set of tubes now that you're much happier with, then you hit jackpot! Try to enjoy them for a while before you contract full-blown tube disease

  10. #10
    Senior Member
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    401

    Re: Chinook Re-Tubed

    Definitely tube rolling in any gear is recommended, for the most part. I'm a Brent Jessee fan, and AES. Mullard, Amperex, is a good start.
    Amp/PreAmp/Phono: Manley Labs Snapper, Jumbo Shrimp, Chinook Speakers: Joseph Audio RM25XL Analog: Rega P5, TTPSU, Tungsten CW, GT Ref Sub-Platter/Delrin Platter, DV Karat 17D3 Digital: Rega Saturn Cables/PC: Synergistic Research, Running Springs Audio Rack: Quadraspire Q4EVO, Mapleshade Platforms/Isoblocks Tubes: Winged C SED EL34, Mullard 12AX7/12AT7, Amperex 7308 LPs: 198 CDs: 247

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Chinook Re-Tubed

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