Reference tube pre-amplifier of the American company "Manley Laboratories".
Wave Preamp by Manley is built on the principle of "double mono" with minimal inter-channel penetration and the shortest signal path.
The main mode of connection of the device with other components of the sound path is symmetrical (balanced) - this contributes to the achievement of the highest sound quality. To expand operational capabilities, the Wave Preamp by Manley is also equipped with unbalanced (RCA) inputs and outputs.
The main feature of the amplifier is the presence of a built-in DAC that works in 24-bit mode with a frequency of 96 kHz, it uses the Burr-Brown PCM1704 circuit. Even conversion according to the algorithm of the almost forgotten HDCD standard is provided. To suppress spurious frequencies and digital interference, a discrete passive LC filter is used instead of the usual ready-made active filter module. In the presence of such a digital-to-analog converter, it is enough to have only a good CD transport or streamer. The DAC block is located in the left part of the amplifier body, the analog block is on the right.
On the front panel, in the center, there is a volume control knob that is driven by the motor. To the left of it are buttons for switching linear analog inputs - symmetrical and asymmetrical. In the lower part of the panel there is a "loop" signal switching button, which is used to control recording on a tape recorder, as well as buttons for switching outputs, mute and standby modes. In the left part there are buttons for controlling DAC functions:
– switching of digital inputs (AES / EBU, S / PDIF, Toslink, ST);
– phase inversion.
On the rear panel, there are sockets for all inputs and outputs and a socket for connecting the power supply cable from the external rectifier unit.
The "soft" switching mode with preliminary heating of the cathodes ensures a long service life of the lamps.
Input signals with a sampling rate below 96 kHz are oversampled to 96 kHz for digital-to-analog conversion.
The pre-discredited signal is converted to a new clock frequency coming from a highly stable crystal oscillator, which frees the signal from jitter and temporal inaccuracies that were present in the original digital signal.
Each functional node is powered by a separate stabilizer, elements of additional filtering and stabilization of the supply voltage are located in close proximity to consumers.
Analog output voltage filters are differential passive LC circuits.
Current-voltage converters are made on high-speed field structures with differential output to passive LC filters.

Specifications

Digital-to-analog converter 24 bit / 96 kHz
Digital inputs 4: AES / EBU; S / PDIF; Toslink; ST / AT amp; GLASS
Digital output 1: S / PDIF
Frequency range
with frequency response unevenness (± 0.5 dB) 20-20000 Hz
(± 3.0 dB) 8-45000 Hz
Harmonic factor (THD) 0.015%
Signal / noise ratio
analog input 120 dB
digital input 96 dB
Analog inputs 4: 2 unbalanced RCA, 2 balanced XLR
Analog outputs 3: 2 unbalanced RCA, 1 balanced XLR
Overall dimensions (W x H x D) 482.6 x 133.3 x 330.2 mm
mass
amplifier 10.4 kg
power supply unit 6.8 kg