MANLEY

Article MANLEY STINGRAY iTUBE THE STINGRAY - STEREO INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER with iPod dock FRESH FROM MANLEY LABS The famous Manley Stingray stereo integrated amplifier has been renewed and refreshed. New for 2009 we present to you the Stingray iTube integrated tube amplifier with iPod dock and full featured RF and IR remote control. The STINGRAY iTube is the next evolution from our acclaimed Stingray Integrated Amplifier, legendary in the hifi world since it swam from our labs in 1997. Originally conceived with particular attention paid to optimal component placement for the purity and symmetry of the signal path layout, the Stingray quickly became one of our best-selling products. The Stingray iTube retains the same basic tube circuitry and marvelous output transformers as the original with some important improvements:  An iPod dock has been integrated into the Stingray iTube as the 4th input source. The Manley iTube has been certified by Apple and officially sanctioned as a "Made for iPod" product. The Stingray's Remote Control commands the iPod PLAY/PAUSE and TRACK FORWARD/BACK controls.  The iPod's video output is available at the S-Video output jack located on the left side facia. The high voltage tube energy storage has been increased vastly resulting in even more solid and coherent bass control and impact. A headphone jack has been added to the right side facia. This jack re-routes the output from the speaker binding posts and mutes the Subwoofer output feed. The Remote Control works with both Radio Frequency and InfraRed technoligies. Using the remote in RF mode gives freedom from having to "point and shoot." The RF remote is omnidirectional and works through walls and cabinets. IR capability is included for those with Universal Learning Remote Controls for consolidated integration into existing systems. The volume control, balance adjust, input switching, and iPod interface commands are all on the RF/IR Remote Control. Additionally user can perform the MUTE, DIM, INSERT and SLEEP commands with the Remote Control. Each INPUT can be individually level trimmed to match and to optimize system gain staging of various input devices. The fancy blue LED displays surrounding the INPUT and VOLUME encoder knobs can be dimmed down or turned off entirely, after a user-settable time period, or a "screen-saver" random light sequence can be selected. Speed and intensity of the "Starlight" mode can be tweaked to taste. All custom user settings are hard written into memory when the unit is put into STANDBY mode and thus retained if power is later interrupted. Individual sealed gold contact relays deliver the selected input into the volume control system before hitting the first 12AT7 input tubes. Following the mighty 6414 driver/phase splitter, the trusty EL84 output stage can be switched between either around 20 watts of TRIODE power or 40 watts of Ultra Linear mode push-pull operation. Individual bias for each tube is easily adjusted using the trimpots and test points, conveniently located on the top surface of the amplifier. The Stingray's power supply is extra-rugged and stiff, a MANLEY hallmark. It swims with the sharks: fast, agile, fluid, and with consummate authority. Post-volume SUBWOOFER OUTPUT allows easy hookup of outboard line-level driven active powered subwoofers. This output is after the volume control so that the subwoofer will track the volume level changes of the main speakers. The SUB OUTPUT is a line level and full frequency output that is AFTER the volume control so your powered subwoofer follows the same volume as your main speakers. These are unbalanced RCA jacks, line level. They feed the line inputs of your subwoofer, NOT the speaker jacks. A switchable TAPE LOOP is standard. The TAPE SEND is the output of the selected input before the volume control. The TAPE RETURN can also be used as a 5th line input if needed.  RECORD OUT (aka Tape OUT)  is BEFORE the volume control so you can record whatever input you have selected without your listening level affecting the level going to your recorder. These are unbalanced RCA's. It is UNbalanced RCA's and UNbuffered so check out the input Z to your recorder to make sure it won't load down the Stingray main input while it is plugged in. Usually with unbuffered record outs we recommend you only plug in your recorder only when you are actually recording...  Tape LOOP: Also known as an INSERT point, the SEND or Tape Out comes off the selector switch as the Record Out option does going to your outboard EQ or Merlin BAM unit or tape recorder and then the signal returns (RETURN) to the Stingray in front of of the volume control so you can play tunes. A toggle switch selects whether the Tape LOOP (and whatever is plugged into the Tape Loop) is active or the signal goes straight through the Stingray as normal. If you have the Merlin BAM system, order your Stingray with the Tape LOOP option. Need more than four inputs? Get a SKIPJACK line switcher and run it into this LOOP RETURN:  The SKIPJACK is perfect for adding more inputs to anything. So if you use a SKIPJACK's 4 stereo inputs plus the Stingray iTube's 4 stereo inputs (3 RCAs + iPod output) you'll get 8 stereo inputs total. The way to do that is to consider the TAPE LOOP: you can bring the SKIPJACK output into the LOOP RETURN, enact the LOOP ACTIVE switch and use the 4 x SKIPJACK inputs feeding the LOOP RETURN with the SKIPJACK controlling source switching for those 4 inputs. Then if you put the Stingray's LOOP switch to BYPASS you will be working with the 4 x Stingray inputs selectable on the Stingray. That gives you 8 total stereo inputs as shown below. Or if you do not want to use the TAPE LOOP feature (because you are using it for other purposes) or if you have an older Stingray without the TAPE LOOP, you can use a SKIPJACK to get up to 7 stereo line inputs by running the SKIPJACK's output into one of the Stingray's inputs as shown below: NOTE: The SUBWOOFER OUT, RECORD OUT, and TAPE LOOP are all passive. The RECORD OUT comes straight off the input select switch. So whatever source is selected will show up passed through at the TAPE OUT.    With the Stingray, the MANLEY team has struck a remarkably harmonious balance in design which satisfies the sonic desires of the audiophile and the rocker, the artist and the musician, the student and the master, the yin and the yang. We invite you to experience the stunning sonic quality and visual beauty of the Stingray personally. Features And Specifications   4 x Stereo Line RCA Inputs TRIODE - UL Switching RECORDING OUT  SUBWOOFER OUT TAPE LOOP (Insert) with Bypass switch Logic controlled Volume and Balance functions All-Vacuum Tube Lo-feedback Stereo Integrated Design Output Tubes: 8 x EL84 Ships with Russian NOS EL84M (aka 6Pi14Pi-EB) Driver Tubes: 2 x 6414 Ships with GE or RAYTHEON JAN NOS USA or 6414W Input Tubes: 2 x 12AT7EH Ships with: 12AT7EH large plate Electro-Harmonix Russian *** USING OTHER TUBES: Read FAQ #16 ! *** Maximum Output Power UL mode: 32 Watts x 2 channels 1.5% THD @ 1kHz into 5 ohms Maximum Output Power TRIODE mode: 18 Watts x 2 channels 1.5% THD @ 1kHz into 5 ohms Frequency Response: 15 Hz - 58 kHz, -1dB Gain: 35 dB at max Volume Input Sensitivity UL Full Power: 210 mV in = 32 watts out into 5 ohms with volume control at maximum Input Sensitivity Triode: 41mV in = 1W into 5 ohms with volume control at 20dB gain setting Input Sensitivity UL: 35mV in = 1W into 5 ohms with volume control at 20dB gain setting S/N Ratio: typically 72 dB A-WGT, 1W output, 20dB gain, Source Z = shorted input THD+N Ratio: typically 64 db at 1W output, Bandwidth 22Hz-22Khz, Source = 1Khz Sine wave Input Impedance: 12 Kohm nominal Optimum Speaker Load: 5 ohms Actual Output Impedance at   20Hz: 2.36 ohms                                          at  1KHz: 2 ohms                                         at  20KHz: 1.83 ohms Damping Factor: 2.4 Scratch Factor: Use pennies under pointed feet to avoid marring cabinetry. Try quarters if you are in upper tax brackets. The bargain performer would be nickels. Paper currency does not function as well. Euro coins work 1.54 times better. Remote Control Type: RF (radio frequency) and IR (infrared), user selectable Volume Control: Cirrus Digital Level Control System, controlled by Grayhill Rotary Encoders Volume Control Range: 102dB in 1dB steps turning slowly, with larger steps as rate of turn increases Power Consumption (Standby, no iPod charging): 6W Power Consumption (Standby, iPod charging: 12W Power Consumption Idle: 198W Maximum Power Consumption at Full Power: 300W MAINS Fuses:  100~120VAC operation: MDL 3 AMP / 250 Volt SLO-BLO 220~240VAC operation: MDL 1.5 AMP / 250 Volt SLO-BLO B+ FUSES (2): MDA 1/4 AMP, 250 Volt SLO-BLO, Ceramic. (Located internally) Power Supply: is factory set for 100V, 120V or 220-240VAC operation  for original destination country's mains voltage. Operating Mains Voltage: changeable with power transformer re-wiring on PCB and fuse value change. Mains Voltage Frequency: 50~ 60Hz Power Cord: Detachable IEC standard.  Appropriate power cord supplied for original destination country Dimensions: W= 19", D=14", H= 7 1/2" Shipping Weight: 35 lbs. Read the Stingray Owner's Manual PDF    NOT available options:  Balanced inputs are not available. It's a single-ended input topology and so to balance it we would have to add chips or transformers. There is no room to fit more transformers or XLR's so please take the RCA's with a kind heart! And no we cannot cram a phono stage in there... ABOUT USING OTHER TUBES:  *** Read FAQ #16 ! *** "CATCH OF THE DAY" THE STINGRAY - STEREO INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER FRESH FROM MANLEY LABS   It all began at the HI-FI '97 show, at the bar of course, where things like this seem to happen. J. Gordon Holt was with his traditional martini, and EveAnna Manley with her stimulant of choice, a cup of coffee. She was describing a new, integrated amplifier she wanted to build and sketched one of those legendary "bar napkin drawings". Gordon remarked, "It looks like a stingray!" (the fish, not the car.) And so, in honor of J. Gordon Holt, we call this catch of the day: "The Stingray". No stinger, but it sure does pack a punch! EveAnna arrived at this distinguished chassis design after careful research of optimal component placement for the purity and symmetry of the signal path layout. She also set out to reclaim the rich midrange and silky top end of our vintage designs and combine it with a driving low frequency register which had not previously been achieved with MANLEY's smaller amplifiers. The key to realizing this all-encompassing, driving spirit would be found in a new output transformer design which "Hutch" Hutchison and Michael Hunter set upon with great vigor. Armed with our extensive technical library and in-house transformer winding facilities, they returned to more traditional thinking with the clever twists coming along at the end. Measuring, listening, testing and tuning led to a decision to replace our venerable 15 year old input stage with an innovative and fresh contribution from Paul Fargo. The door to "true Soul" was unlocked and burst open wide. Separate left and right silver-contact select switches (for the four stereo line inputs) deliver your music into the premium Noble® balance and volume controls before hitting the first 12AT7 input tubes. The advantages of a passive preamp driving an extremely short and low capacitance two inches of cable are well known: near-absolute transparency, no added noise, and extreme signal path simplicity. This is the perfect place to implement a passive preamp as it were. Following the mighty 6414 driver/phase splitter, the trusty EL84 output stage can be switched between either around 20 watts of TRIODE or 40 watts of Ultra Linear mode push-pull operation. Individual bias for each tube is easily adjusted using the trimpots and test points, conveniently located on the top surface of the amplifier. The Stingray's power supply is extra-rugged and stiff, a MANLEY hallmark. It swims with the sharks: fast, agile, fluid, and with consummate Features And Specifications Manley Stingray 4 x Stereo Line RCA Inputs TRIODE - UL Switching RECORDING OUT  SUBWOOFER OUT TAPE LOOP (Insert) with Bypass switch Passive Noble Volume and Balance Controls All-Vacuum Tube Lo-feedback Stereo Integrated Design Output Tubes: 8 x EL84 Ships with Russian NOS EL84M (aka 6Pi14Pi-EB)  (We are out of Ei 6BQ5) Driver Tubes: 2 x 6414 Ships with GE or RAYTHEON JAN NOS USA or 6414W Input Tubes: 2 x 12AT7EH Ships with: 12AT7EH large plate Electro-Harmonix Russian *** USING OTHER TUBES: Read FAQ #16 ! *** Maximum Output Power UL mode: 40 Watts x 2 channels 1.5% THD @ 1kHz Maximum Output Power TRIODE mode: 20 Watts x 2 channels  Frequency Response: 15 Hz - 40 kHz, -1dB Gain: 37 dB at max Volume Input Sensitivity: 185 mV in = 50 watts out into 5 ohms Input Sensitivity Triode: 66mV in = 1W into 8 ohms Input Sensitivity UL: 53mV in = 1W into 8 ohms S/N Ratio: typically 87 dB A-WGT, 20Hz-20KHz Input Impedance: 50 Kohm nominal Optimum Speaker Load: 5 ohms Actual Output Impedance at   20Hz: 2.8 ohms                                          at 100Hz: 2.6 ohms                                         at  1KHz: 2 ohms Damping Factor: 5 Scratch Factor: Use pennies under pointed feet to avoid marring cabinetry. Try quarters if you are in upper tax brackets. The bargain performer would be nickels. Paper currency does not function as well. Euro coins work 1.54 times better. Power Consumption Idle: 200W Maximum Power Consumption at Full Power: 370W MAINS Fuses:  100~120VAC operation: MDL 3 AMP / 250 Volt SLO-BLO 220~240VAC operation: MDL 1.5 AMP / 250 Volt SLO-BLO B+ FUSES (2): MDA 1/4 AMP, 250 Volt SLO-BLO, Ceramic. (Located internally) Power Supply: is factory set for 100V, 120V or 220-240VAC operation  for original destination country's mains voltage. Operating Mains Voltage: changeable with power transformer re-wiring on PCB and fuse value change. Mains Voltage Frequency: 50~ 60Hz Power Cord: Detachable IEC standard.  Appropriate power cord supplied for destination country Dimensions: W= 19", D=14", H= 5 1/2" Shipping Weight: 30 lbs. Stingray Sushi! Extensive review caught in the March 2005 issue of the Japanese MJ Magazine!       1999 Golden Ear Award Winner Stingray review in TAS Vol #122 Superb Review Manley Stingray from enjoythemusic.com 5/2000 Manley Stingray from 6moons.com 6/2004 Manley Stingray from HiFi Choice UK 7/2005 Manley Stingray from Audio Video SA South Africa 1/2006 Manley Stingray from Tone magazine NZ 7/2007 Manley Stingray review on HIGH Fidelity.pl 4/2007 Manley Stingray review from 21st 9/2008