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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2017 9:19:05 GMT -6
So I've been offered and old Manley Vari-Mu (that with ADJUST, BALANCE and METER controls on front panel) at a fair price considering the price of a new unit.
I'm a little far away from the seller but I plan to go and try it for myself BUT, here are my questions:
- I know old Vari-Mu uses 6386 without T-bar mod instead of 5670 on new ones
- Old units doesn't have SC HPF but I plan to use it for gentle mixbuss compression (barely 1dB) on mainly jazz and acoustic pop music.
What should I ask? What about tubes life? I know 6386 are very expensive tubes and I'd hate myself for buying such an expensive piece of gear just to send it to Manley to mod it for 5670 tubes.
Any recommendations will be welcome!
Thanks guys!
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Post by drbill on May 21, 2017 9:44:58 GMT -6
Great units. I have a newer one with the tbar mod and SC. Always on my mastering buss. I'd get it, and use it until it needs refurbishing, then send it to Manley for a makeover. You might want to contact them first to see what the cost is for the changeover.
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2017 10:55:24 GMT -6
Great units. I have a newer one with the tbar mod and SC. Always on my mastering buss. I'd get it, and use it until it needs refurbishing, then send it to Manley for a makeover. You might want to contact them first to see what the cost is for the changeover. Thanks for answering drbill. Pleased to have you here and share your knowledge. I know it's a lot of money but they don't come up very often (where I live). If I decide to drive 300km to try it I'll bring some unfinished and finished mixes just to check it. Any advice on testing this units? Noise, hiss, sticky pots, etc aside. Is there an "easy" way to test tubes? Measuring voltages? |
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Post by EmRR on May 21, 2017 11:15:18 GMT -6
They've not used the 6386 in over 20 years, maybe longer, I think. I would think keeping new 6386's in one would beat cost/performance of switching to 5670's by all accounts, or the T-bar mod is simply an adapter that can be wired up for the substitute pair of tubes. Available space may limit the options there, but it's not a difficult DIY job to make up a 'socket translator' adapter. There's no easy way to test tubes if you don't have a serious tube tester, outside of it works well or it doesn't. If the meter control is maxed out to one side it could suggest weak 6386 at end of life. The units I've used have all been quiet and noise free.
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Post by Johnkenn on May 21, 2017 12:01:06 GMT -6
I've got a JJ 6386 for sale for half off - brand new...just FYI...  |
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Post by drbill on May 21, 2017 12:06:04 GMT -6
Great units. I have a newer one with the tbar mod and SC. Always on my mastering buss. I'd get it, and use it until it needs refurbishing, then send it to Manley for a makeover. You might want to contact them first to see what the cost is for the changeover. Thanks for answering drbill. Pleased to have you here and share your knowledge. I know it's a lot of money but they don't come up very often (where I live). If I decide to drive 300km to try it I'll bring some unfinished and finished mixes just to check it. Any advice on testing this units? Noise, hiss, sticky pots, etc aside. Is there an "easy" way to test tubes? Measuring voltages? Tubes are tricky. They can be awesome one week, and problematic the next. "Testing" does not necessarily show all problems IMO. I'd look to EmRR for info on tubes and how to compare / test them. Sounds like you're a long ways from Manley. You MIGHT want to consider buying a newer version. IMO, the new ones are awesome, but it's been awhile since I've used the older ones. Either way, I'm sure you'll love the Vmu. Best of luck. |
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Post by EmRR on May 21, 2017 12:17:15 GMT -6
If it's a 6386 model, Manley may be willing to sell you the adapter and a set of tested tubes, without having to return the unit. There should be no circuit changes to make.
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Post by kcatthedog on May 21, 2017 12:36:01 GMT -6
^^This^^, man that would be sweet !
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Post by bowie on May 21, 2017 12:44:30 GMT -6
FWIW, I've had a number of customers who have owned both and owners of the originals tend to be very fond of them. The 6386 can handle ridiculous amounts of gain reduction without sounding crushed. However, those tubes are extremely expensive and you've got to keep in mind that it's going to be much worse in 5 or 10 years when you go to buy replacements. With the amount of junk being re-circulated on the market, it's not just a matter of finding a 6386, they should be be checked for balanced triodes and low noise. I get burnt buying noisy or unbalanced ones all too often.
For what you're needing, you might be content with the 5670 and getting an adapter (such as EmRR mentioned) would be a great idea. 5670 tubes aren't expensive and there are a variety of types you can experiment with. Those just looking for gentle gain reduction are usually fine with the 5670. The 6AB6 is probably an even better option if you are able to use a drop-in mod.
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2017 13:01:54 GMT -6
Thanks for answering drbill. Pleased to have you here and share your knowledge. I know it's a lot of money but they don't come up very often (where I live). If I decide to drive 300km to try it I'll bring some unfinished and finished mixes just to check it. Any advice on testing this units? Noise, hiss, sticky pots, etc aside. Is there an "easy" way to test tubes? Measuring voltages? Tubes are tricky. They can be awesome one week, and problematic the next. "Testing" does not necessarily show all problems IMO. I'd look to EmRR for info on tubes and how to compare / test them. Sounds like you're a long ways from Manley. You MIGHT want to consider buying a newer version. IMO, the new ones are awesome, but it's been awhile since I've used the older ones. Either way, I'm sure you'll love the Vmu. Best of luck. This unit I've been offered for half the price of a new one. I always wanted a VMu but waited for a "cheap" one until now so I'd prefer to buy used. That's why I'm asking for possible risks |
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2017 13:03:33 GMT -6
If it's a 6386 model, Manley may be willing to sell you the adapter and a set of tested tubes, without having to return the unit. There should be no circuit changes to make. This sounds great. I should ask Manley. Thanks emrr! |
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2017 13:07:16 GMT -6
Due to your feedback I think I'll ask seller the following before considering travel to test it:
- purchase date
- revision number
- tubes and transformers used
- tubes age (approx)
- calibration and channel match
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ericn
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Post by ericn on May 21, 2017 13:50:18 GMT -6
Love Eva Anne Era Manley , David era , well , don't leave it on over night, nothing like watching a small fortune of amps go up in flames been there done that !
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Post by kevinnyc on May 22, 2017 6:44:46 GMT -6
I jumped on the Manley train early...when the vari mus were single channel . I think my pair are serial numbers 008 and 009. I've had quite a few people suggest the tbar mod over the years but if it was good enough for David at the time it's good enough for me |
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2017 7:44:26 GMT -6
I jumped on the Manley train early...when the vari mus were single channel . I think my pair are serial numbers 008 and 009. I've had quite a few people suggest the tbar mod over the years but if it was good enough for David at the time it's good enough for me Great to know that. I feel the same. So you use 6386 tubes. Did you ever replace them? |
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Post by kevinnyc on May 22, 2017 10:48:39 GMT -6
I jumped on the Manley train early...when the vari mus were single channel . I think my pair are serial numbers 008 and 009. I've had quite a few people suggest the tbar mod over the years but if it was good enough for David at the time it's good enough for me Great to know that. I feel the same. So you use 6386 tubes. Did you ever replace them? Maybe 7 or 8 years ago now? The thing I've come to love about Manley (and all great art and music) is that it took me a while to really appreciate... |
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