Manley - Mahi Monoblocks

 

SOLD $3,000.00 / PAIR

OCT 2010

 

Hi James, 

Just thought I should write you a note to thank you for being so welcoming on Saturday and for taking the time to explain things and answer my questions related to the Mahi Monoblocks.

I expected the improvement the monoblocks gave the listening experience but cannot believe that I achieved it using the existing source and speakers. Wow! My Boston Acoustics VR965 sound great now with the improvement in quality of amplification. The first track I put on at home was the Marvin Gaye you had used and I must say that I was instantly aware of the channel separation, improvement in the mid and incredible bass. Great so far! 

Last night I listened to The Beatles - Abbey Road Remaster on low volume - Triode/Min feedback and was simply blown away! The Cassandra Wilson album was the icing on the cake. I am so glad now that I did not go for my initial instinct of adding a solid state Power Amplifier.

The Sony Receiver is great as a Pre-Amp, is running over 50% cooler as now it's power amp circuitry is not being used and at the Triode/Min setting the Mahi's do not run oven hot as I was expecting them to. I picked up two jet black granite look porcelain tiles from this tile shop in Whitehorse Road Balwyn - for a total of $5! and they make the Mahi's look great at night, with the lights switched off the tile surface reflects the LED light - cool! What's more my wife Elaine loves the sound too and actually said money well spent!

Regards,

 Raj

  

  • Made In U.S.A.

  • Ultra Linear / Triode Mode

  • 1 x 12AT7EH + 1 x 6414 + 4 x EL84

  • 40WRMS Ultra Linear Mode

  • 20WRMS Triode Mode

  • 2010 - R.R.P. US$2,500.00

Manley Official Website

Soundstage Review

Enjoy The Music Review

Positive Feedback Review

Six Moons Review

AVR Review

These small monoblocks deliver seriously BIG time performance from such a little package. The first time I saw them I didn't take them seriously because of my visual perception but my supplier urged me not to judge them before I heard them as their appearance is hugely deceiving. I used them with a gigantic pair of Martin Logan Odyssey Loudspeakers to try and ensure they failed dismally. I was expecting them to have extreme trouble driving such a formidable load but to my amazement their performance did not disappoint. Their bass response was the standout shocker of the night as I remember. So much bass from so small am amplifier I thought my ear were playing with me. This is definitely one product where the specification sheet does not even begin to tell you half the truth of what the performance potential of these really is. I cannot explain how they produce such a huge soundstage from such a small and neat little package. Every time I look at them in my office, it seams like a total physical impossibility to me but there you have it... They just work.

The old EL84 vacuum tube sure pack a serious punch. The sound of these tubes is very smooth when biased correctly. Tonally, they are hard to go wrong with. They are pleasant to listen to and have that creamy texture when pushed into overdrive that most people look for in EL84's.

Outstanding value for their price. Where else can you find a pair of Made In U.S.A., all vacuum tube designed Monoblock Amplifier that come even close in this price range. I do not hide the fact that I am a VTL man through and through and not really into Manley and their entire product line but I do accept that Manley have done very well with these Mahi's and produced a class leading product in this price range that is affordable to a greater range of the Hi-Fi loving public. I have not heard any amplifier let alone monoblocks at this price that will come even close to these. I cannot get enough of these in to sell. If my sales figures are any indication they would rate as my most popular vacuum tube amplifiers under $5K. I have to order these in bulk and wait several weeks just to ensure enough stock availability for my customers.

I cannot think of a better sounding, more universally suitable or better made vacuum tube amplifier for the price. Every customer I have sold them to has been astonished at their performance and their ability to run well with the vast majority of systems that the typical buyer would be putting them with. Read some of the numerous online reviews to see why these are one of the best keep secrets in Hi-Fi.

Nothing beats a nice pair of Monoblocks for a dedicated Stereo Image.

Great performance from these little guys.

 

Variable Feedback Switchable - Cool.

Ultra Linear / Triode Switchable

 

Large Power Storage Capacitor Bank.

Gold plated Input Terminals and WBT Loudspeaker Binding Posts.

 

Beautiful Manley - Mahi Monoblocks.

Unique design and a showpiece of modern vacuum tube excellence in a compact package.

 

Backlight front panel gives of an old timer retro charm. Classic styling, nice.

 

These units benefit from better quality Furutech Power cords to extract the highest performance.