CES 2016 Press Center
Manley Headphone Amplifier

  Manley Labs has been designing and manufacturing professional and high fidelity audio equipment since the late 1980's. Due to audiophiles increasingly turning to personal headphone listening, the company has combined its professional engineering skills and experience to develop their Manley Headphone Amplifier.

There are twelve independent controls designed for maximum performance and customizable handling of sonic adjustments for a wide variety of audio experience. Of special import are the custom hand-wound air-gapped dual-mode Manley Iron output transformers, designed and manufactured at the Manley Labs factory in Chino, California. With a push of the button, these transformers are easily user-configured to drive three ranges of headphone loads, from 12 to 600 Ohms or greater. Additionally, the output stage can be switched on-the-fly between all-triode Push-Pull and Single-Ended topology.

The Variable Feedback switch applies from 0dB to 10dB of Global Negative Feedback around the amplifying stages while maintaining absolutely ruler-flat frequency response across the audio band, demonstrating how stable this design really is. For absolute transparency and reference tracking accuracy the Volume Control is performed by a Precision Stepped Relay ladder matrix. Furthermore, left-right Balance control is also provided to trim out uneven recordings. The Manley Headphone Amplifier operates fully symmetrically, enabling it to drive balanced headphones through its XLR outputs. Standard non-balanced 1/4" TRS jacks are also provided. When the headphone amplifier is powered down, another very useful feature is included, a direct preamplifier output which routes your first line input through the system to feed an external power amplifier or powered loudspeakers. Useful, as your main audio system source can drive either playback system without having to change upstream cabling. Thus, the Manley Headphone amplifier can also be used as a stand-alone transformer-coupled preamplifier!

The Headphone Overload Protection System is also user-configurable so that exotic and precious headphones are never overdriven. We proudly incorporate our newest innovative purpose-designed-for-audio High Voltage switching power supply into our new Manley Headphone Amplifier. All super-low impedance DC rails are fully regulated and worlds quieter than any linear supply we have ever encountered. The resulting sound is fast and dynamic with deep punchy bass, dead-quiet inky blacks and superior headroom.

The Manley Headphone Amplifier also incorporates Bass and Treble Tone Control circuits. What? In an audiophile product?!! Yes! And why not? We have been building legendary equalizers for recording studios for decades. We know how to do this well! Adjust the flavor of the sound to your preference, or invoke total bypass of the EQ circuits for purist listening sessions. Features include:



• Vacuum tube design with two 12AT7A drivers and four 6AQ5 triode output tubes

• Single-Ended or Push-Pull amplifier operation

• Precision Stepped Relay Volume Control with Thumb Wheel

• Selectable headphone load settings: 12-50 Ohms, 50-200 Ohms, 200-600 Ohms

• Variable Feedback Control: 0–10dB of negative feedback

• Balance, Treble and Bass Controls use silent conductive plastic potentiometers

• Tone Bypass for purist signal path

• All switching via high-grade gold-contact relays

• Three Stereo Outputs: Balanced XLR headphone outs, Unbalanced standard ¼” TRS headphone jack, RCA Preamplifier Outputs

• Two Analog line-level RCA inputs

• Mono / Stereo function

• Mute Switch

• User adjustable Headphone Overload Protection System

• Manley Iron hand-wound wide bandwidth air-gapped output transformers

• Preamplifier Direct output routes Input 1 direct to output when unit is in standby

• Soft Start, mute-controlled power-up sequence

• High Speed, Low Impedance, Low Noise custom switching PSU

• Operating Mains Voltage: 90~250VAC universal works worldwide

• Mains Voltage Frequency: 50~ 60Hz

• Solid Aluminum Billet Chassis

• Real Wood Walnut Burl Trim

• Maximum Output Power: 1 Watt

• Unit Dimensions: 11.5" x 5.5" x 8.2" (LxWxH)

• Unit Weight: 12 lbs.

• MSRP: $2950

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