Manley Absolute Headphone Amplifier (B-Stock)
A Headphone Amp Unlike Anything Else
Manley has a 30-year history of manufacturing excellent tube amplifiers, and in the Absolute Headphone Amplifier—now available in Drop-exclusive copper or black—it certainly shows. Combining beautiful design with audiophile-grade tube performance, this feature-packed amp boasts 15 independent controls, each exhaustively developed for convenient adjustability and aural variety. Two selectable stereo RCA jack pairs receive the input signals, and even these are original Manley designs. Control the volume using the large front thumb wheel or the included Radio Frequency remote control—both operate a precision-stepped relay ladder matrix attenuator in half-decibel steps. The RF remote can be used anywhere in the home, even through walls and cabinetry, and it’s especially helpful when using the unit as a standalone preamplifier.
Note: At checkout, choose Drop-exclusive copper-black or black-copper.
The cosmetic flaws on Manley’s B-stock items are very minor. Most are imperfections in the anodizing, often created during the polishing process, that are very difficult to notice unless under strong light. See the discussion for more images of the B-stock quality.
Design Philosophy
This unusual, visually striking design is the brainchild of Zia Faruqi, Manley’s VP of Engineering and Design. Of the Absolute Headphone Amplifier's concept and industrial design, Faruqi says, “I wanted to create a design that would reflect the use of this piece of equipment. Its shape was inspired by a head, thus it’s a piece that you can rest your headphones on. It’s a piece that you want to indulge yourself in.”
The Reviews Are In
Positive Feedback says, “Just when you think the personal listening world cannot come up with anything new, the Manley Absolute Headphone Amplifier brings a mountain of new features and improvements to the party. Not only is the Absolute the most beautiful headphone amp in the room, but it is also chock-full of useful adjustments you really need to achieve the unfailing musicality you crave. With extremely quiet operation, just as quiet as solid state, you will love the satisfaction of owning this masterpiece, regardless of your headphones or musical tastes.”
Model
Exclusive Black-Copper
Exclusive Copper-Black
Specs
- Manley
- Amplifier topology: Triode Vacuum Tube Output Stage, Switchable Topology Single-Ended or Push-Pull
- Vacuum tubes: 2 x 12AX7 (ECC83), 4 x 6AQ5A (EL90)
- Inputs: 2 x RCA (Input 1 & Preamp Output = Pass-Thru when amplifier is in Standby or Off)
- Input impedance: 50 kOhms (Pass-Thru= 300 kOhms)
- Maximum input level: 7.7 VAC RMS (+20 dBu), (Conditions: XLR output, PP mode, 16 ohm load, VOLUME max, EQ out, 1kHz sine wave)
- Gain: Load 16 ohm: 12 dB (Min FB), 3 dB (Max FB), Load 62 ohm: 17 dB (Min FB), 8 dB (Max FB), Load 200 ohm: 22 dB (Min FB), 13 dB (Max FB), (Conditions: XLR output, PP mode, VOLUME Max, EQ out, 1kHz sine wave)
- Input sensitivity: 600 mV AC RMS for an output of 100 mW, 1.9 VAC RMS for an output of 1W, (Conditions: XLR output, PP mode, FB 12:00 o’clock, 16 ohm load, 1kHz sine wave, VOLUME max, EQ out)
- Volume control: Precision Stepped Relay Attenuator 0.5dB per step, 63dB total attenuation – Volume setting to minimum = MUTE
- Outputs (transformer coupled): 1 pair RCA- Unbalanced (Preamp Output), 1 x TRS ¼” JACK – Unbalanced, 1 x 4 PIN XLR- Balanced
- XLR-pin outs: (Left Channel Pin 1= Signal (+), Pin 2= Signal (-), Right Channel Pin 3= Signal (+), Pin 4= Signal (-))
- Output impedance: Switchable: Low 12-50 Ohm, Mid 50-200 Ohm, High 200-600 Ohms
- Maximum output level: 1W into 12 Ohms BW 22Hz-22kHz
- Variable feedback control (FB): MIN 0dB, MAX 10dB, (Conditions: BAL output, PP mode, 16 ohm load, VOLUME max, EQ out)
- Signal-to-noise ratio: 83 dB (1kHz sine wave, 100mW output, BW 22Hz-22kHz), (Conditions: BAL output, PP mode, FB 12:00 o’clock, 16 ohm load, VOLUME max, EQ out)
- Noise floor: -80 dBu BW 22Hz-22kHz, -85 dBu A-Weighted, (Conditions: BAL output, PP mode, FB 12:00 o’clock, 16 ohm load, VOLUME MAX, EQ out)
- Channel crosstalk: -71 dB (1kHz sine wave, 100mW output, BW 22Hz-22kHz) Left Channel, -72 dB (1kHz sine wave, 100mW output, BW 22Hz-22kHz) Right Channel, (Conditions: BAL output, PP mode, FB 12:00 o’clock, 16 ohm load, EQ out)
- Balance control channel attenuation: Left Channel= 72dB (1kHz sine wave, 100mW output, BW 22Hz-22kHz), Right Channel= 72dB (1kHz tone, 100mW output, BW 22Hz-22kHz), (Conditions: BAL output, PP mode, FB Min, 16 ohm load, EQ out)
- Frequency response: Push-Pull= Flat 10Hz – 20 kHz (-1dB @ 40 kHz), Single-Ended= 20Hz – 20 kHz (-0.5dB @ 10Hz, -1dB @ 50 kHz), (Conditions: BAL output, 100mW output, FB @ 12:00 o’clock, 16 ohm load, EQ out)
- Distortion: Push-Pull= 0.16% THD+N (BW 20Hz-22kHz), Single-Ended= 1.0% THD+N (BW 20Hz-22kHz), (Conditions: BAL output, PP mode, 1 kHz sine, 100mW output, FB @ 12:00 o’clock, 16 ohm load, EQ out)
- Supplied with Remora RF remote control
- Soft Start, 30 second mute-controlled power-up sequence
- Operating Mains Voltage: 90-250 VAC, 50-60Hz, universal works worldwide
- Unit Dimensions: 11.5 x 5.5 x 8.2” (LxWxH)
- Unit Weight: 12 lbs
- Shipping Weight: 13.5 lbs
- Packing Carton Dimensions: 17 x 11 x 15”
- Power consumption STANDBY mode = 0.5W, Max Power = 80W
- Heat Rise above ambient temperature at rear panel: 25ºC or 44ºF
- Heat Rise above ambient temperature at side panels: 15ºC or 26ºF
Included
- Power plug
- RF remote
Shipping
Estimated ship date is Nov 4, 2021 PT.
Payment will be collected at checkout. After this product run ends, orders will be submitted to the vendor up front, making all orders final.
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