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Manley Shrimp® Preamplifier

Click on the Shrimp for a Jumbo Shrimp picture.

Read the Magazine Reviews! | Owner Raves | Read the Owner's Manual   
Read about the Shrimp in German

BEST OF 2006

 

Manley MAHI Best of 2006!

The Manley Mahi's and Shrimp scored The Best of 2006 at 6moons.com from reviewer Paul Candy.

Fantastic!!!!  Read more here.

 

In 2002, we brought out our new entry-level tube preamplifier, The Manley Shrimp®. But it is so unfair to label it as "entry-level". This preamp sounds sooooo much better than that!

Features:

Very short, simple minimalist signal path. All-tube design. 2 x 12AT7 + 2 x 7044

Generous energy storage via large power supply capacitors for more impact in the bass.

No global feedback makes the Shrimp very fast sounding. 

Non-inverting two-tube gain stage is direct-coupled for most pure signal path.

Cool White-follower output stage provides low 50 ohm output impedance. This is much better than a boring plain ol' cathode follower. The Shrimp can drive anything, not to worry.

Filament supply floated 80V above chassis ground for quieter operation and longer tube life. 

NOBLE audiophile-grade level and balance pots. We use the nice parts in here!

MIT/MultiCap polypropylene audiophile-grade signal coupling capacitors, 
including two 30 uF monsters on the output stages.

Warm-up delay / MUTE button. Features and quality components usually
not found on entry-level pieces.

Shrimp FAQ #1: The Shrimp is unbalanced. Why can't I have balanced inputs and outputs?

Yes the Shrimp is entirely a single-ended design. The circuitry uses single-ended topology. In order to be able to provide balanced inputs or outputs we would have to convert the signal to balanced using something like some IC's or transformers. Both these options would add more "stuff" to the signal and be certainly audible detracting from the pure sound the Shrimp provides. If you are dealing with balanced source outputs or driving a balanced amplifier with the Shrimp, check to see if you also have unbalanced connections on that gear, change your cables and go with that. You might be pleasantly surprised that they too added extra audible "stuff" in order to provide balanced XLRs and the RCAs that don't have that extra "stuff" in the signal path actually sound better. (Depends on a given unit's specific design.) Or use some RCA to XLR adaptors. Most balanced gear has no problem being driven single ended but check with the manufacturer if they are going to want the negative pin 3 of the XLR grounded or floating. Transformer-coupled XLR jacks always can be driven single-ended by running HOT into Pin 2 and grounding pin 3 to pin 1. Some IC coupled XLR inputs will want pin 3 floating, others will require it to be grounded when running single-ended into it. Check with the manufacturer of your gear to see how to hook it up single-ended.

FAQ #2: No remote control? I need a remote!

Well, that's the only reason why this is an entry level piece. No remote, for this low price. 
Get up off yer chair and turn up the volume....

 

FAQ #3: I am interested in purchasing a Shrimp preamp.  I use a dedicated headphone amp that I intend to hook up to the Shrimp tape out jacks.  Will I need to turn the power on to the Shrimp in order to have a signal come out of the tape out jacks?  Or is the selected source signal always present at the tape out jacks, regardless of whether the Shrimp is "On" or "Off"?  

Good question! The TAPE OUT is passive and comes off the input select switch. So whatever source is selected will show up passed through at the TAPE OUT, regardless of whether or not the Shrimp is on or off.

FAQ #4: What's the difference between a 5687 and 7044?  

The 7044 is used in the White Follower output stage, and honestly there's really no difference between the NOS GE 7044 and NOS 5687 in this specific circuit. The gain is less than 1, (0.9 actually) and rolling tubes here has minimal effect on the sound, if any. 

 

The Shrimp is very quick and alive sounding. Good rhythm and extension. Very transparent sounding. We hope you enjoy our fresh and clean Shrimp cocktail!
(Lemon and tartar sauce not required for normal operation.)

 

Manley Shrimp Preamplifier Specifications

 

  • ALL-TUBE: Vacuum Tube all-triode design

  • Input Tubes: 2 x 12AT7EH large plate Electro-Harmonix Russian

  • Output Tubes: 2 x 7044 GE JAN NOS

  • Five Line Level Inputs: unbalanced RCA

  • MUTE switch and Warm-Up muting delay

  • NOBLE volume control: Accurate tracking usually within 0.5dB. Smooth operation. (no detents)

  • NOBLE balance control: Center detented

  • Record Output: (AKA "TAPE OUT") Unbalanced RCA jacks, unbuffered, passive (always ON)

  • Main Outputs: Two sets of  unbalanced RCA main outs for bi-amping or driving a powered subwoofer

  • Gain: 11.8dB

  • Input Impedance: 250 Kohm

  • Input Sensitivity: 200mV in yields 1V out

  • Maximum Input Level: 5V in produces 1.5% THD at output

  • Frequency Response: 10 Hz - 80 KHz; 20 Hz - 20KHz, -0.3dB

  • Noise Floor: Typically -83 dB 20-20K with volume control fully open

  • Noise Floor: Typically -95 dB A WGT 20-20K with volume control fully open

  • Noise Floor (shorted input): Typically -94 dB 20-20K with volume control fully closed

  • Noise Floor (shorted input): Typically -106 dB A WGT 20-20K with volume control fully closed

  • S/N Ratio: typically 95 dB A WGT 20-20K

  • THD: 0.02% at 1V rms output

  • Output Impedance: 50 ohms

  • Maximum Output: +23dBu @ 1.5% THD into 100K load (10.9V rms)

  • Maximum Output: +20dBm @ 1.5% THD into 600 ohm load

  • Power Consumption: 55 Watts (485mA @ 120VAC)

  • Operating Mains Voltage: Units are purpose built for original destination country's mains voltage:   
    100V, 120V, or 220-240VAC as indicated on the serial number badge. 
    Power transformer must be replaced in order to change mains operating voltage.
    120VAC units may NOT be rewired to put the primaries of the power transformer in series for 220-240V operation or a large radiated field of hum will develop. If changing locations/voltages, the power transformer must be replaced with the dedicated one for the voltage at which it will operate.

  • Mains Voltage Frequency: 50~ 60Hz

  • Dimensions: W=19", L=11", H=3 1/2"

  • Shipping Weight: 15 Lbs.

Grab the Owner's Manual PDF!

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price: $1,880 clams (USD $)

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SHRIMP® is a registered trademark of Manley Laboratories, Inc.