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Manley Labs Factory Tour Video

Dennis GardnerDennis Gardner Posts: 4,780
edited February 2 in 2 Channel Audio
I found this interesting video from EveAnna taking Michael Fremer on a tour of their Chino, CA. place. An inside look as to why top notch gear demands the investment from buyers. Long video, but worth the time.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=iunBAzr8GK0
HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable

Comments

  • ClipdatClipdat Posts: 5,652
    Only 10 min in and I love it! Thanks for sharing this.
    • "Electronic music is human sound adapting to indulge technology, and for some, it feels like the signature sound of energy. New and abstract sounds over hypnotic rhythms can conjure vast soundscapes for escape, pleasure, and transcendence."
  • Dennis GardnerDennis Gardner Posts: 4,780
    Lots of explanation on how "all things matter" in the world of analog sound reproduction. EveAnna is an old soul and knows how to take things in stride, making the best possible product that we can today, while recognizing that evolution is to be welcomed, not shunned over the lifetime of a product. I like how she supports the servicing of vintage gear by employees on their offtime to strengthen the customer bond that has been built over the years and stand behind that gear!
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
  • ClipdatClipdat Posts: 5,652
    edited February 2
    I really enjoyed seeing the obviously skilled technicians perfecting their craft on the factory floor.

    Would love to be able to purchase this $6k preamp from them someday. Truly a statement piece, in my opinion.

    neo3br-f-rc.png?format=1500w

    IMG_0221.jpg.db287c0876a62de97e3592fc40883db2.jpg

    IMG_4226.JPG.ddb458c2bef53ff085aa2a9bee83a63e.JPG

    • "Electronic music is human sound adapting to indulge technology, and for some, it feels like the signature sound of energy. New and abstract sounds over hypnotic rhythms can conjure vast soundscapes for escape, pleasure, and transcendence."
  • agfrostagfrost Posts: 2,229
    How about this one? A lot less than 6K! "I know a guy..."

    omcf7bnhvkzf.jpg


    Jay
    SDA 2BTL * Musical Fidelity A5cr amp * Marantz DV-9500 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8
    Micro Seiki DQ-50 * A hodgepodge of cabling * Belkin PF60
    Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
  • EndersShadowEndersShadow Posts: 16,287
    ^You are the guy lol
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
  • ClipdatClipdat Posts: 5,652
    That one is not as drool worthy :(
    • "Electronic music is human sound adapting to indulge technology, and for some, it feels like the signature sound of energy. New and abstract sounds over hypnotic rhythms can conjure vast soundscapes for escape, pleasure, and transcendence."
  • F1nutF1nut Posts: 40,981
    edited February 2
    Hello,

    Dennis, thank you for posting that wonderful and informative video. We've wanted to drop by the Manley facility when in the area, but never managed to fit it in our tight schedule.

    Two observations, the first is where were the tube amps!?! The second and we hope someone at Polk that matters reads this is the importance of excellent customer service. That means a live person answering the phone who knows the products. The recording stating we're busy now and will call you back IS NOT EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!

    You'll never lose customers faster than having crappy customer service.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

  • EndersShadowEndersShadow Posts: 16,287
    Jesse what’s up with talking in plurals?
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
  • agfrostagfrost Posts: 2,229
    Clipdat wrote: »
    That one is not as drool worthy :(

    Agreed, but it has the benefit of being in my possession. ;)
    Jay
    SDA 2BTL * Musical Fidelity A5cr amp * Marantz DV-9500 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8
    Micro Seiki DQ-50 * A hodgepodge of cabling * Belkin PF60
    Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
  • WLDockWLDock Posts: 2,296
    That was a nice tour.
    FAMILY ROOM
    HDTV - Sharp AQUOS LC-70LE600U 70" | AVR/Streamer - Onkyo TX-NR3008 | Amp - Parasound HCA-1203A
    Blu-Ray/Media/Gaming - Sony PS3-320GB / Microsoft Xbox One | Broadcast - Xfinity X1 Platform
    Front Spkrs - Coming...DIY Statement II | Center Spkrs - Coming...DIY Statement II | Rear Spkrs - Artison Portrait LRS
    Sub - DIY Stereo Integrity HT 15 | Sub Amp - Dayton Audio SA1000
    Wire - Audioquest Type 4, BJC Belden 5000 | HDMI - BJC Belden | Power Cables - Pangea | Surge - Monster
  • stretchlstretchl Posts: 1,139
    Makes me want a pair of snappers even more. 😍
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'”
    - Isaac Asimov
    Hi-Fi
    Apple Lossless --> Squeezebox Touch --> Joule Electra LA-100 Mark iii --> MIT AVT2 IC's --> Adcom GFA-555ii --> MIT EXP S2 Cables --> LSiM-705's
    Visuals
    http://StretchPhotography.com
    http://Vimeo.com/channels/stretchphoto
  • jdjohnjdjohn Posts: 558
    Makes me just want to do business with them period.
    - Honesty and transparency about what parts they outsource, plus the why and how of it.
    - Cables matter :) as she discusses having to source exactly the cable they want, even if the original supplier discontinues it.
    - The technician giving priority to a 'parts order' (repair) first, while putting production QC aside temporarily.
    - The time and effort spent on tube matching. When a company puts that much effort into tube matching, it makes you wonder if subsequent tube rolling by the owner/purchaser of a unit does more harm than good.

    That's about as far as I got...need to finish watching the rest!
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
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