I thought I would chime in here. I've been putting a Manley Slam!
through it's paces over the last few days and since it is so expensive
there might be some interest. So far I've been evaluating the mic pre
and limiter. I did a comparison with a pair of custom made EMI Redd 47
tube mic preamps. The EMI's were made without any cost considerations.

Cutting to the chase, I have to say, the mic pre in the Slam! is
probably the best sounding mic pre I have ever heard. It was open,
airy on the top, extremely clear and present in the mid-range, and the
bottom was huge, tight, and clean. I have never experience a mic pre
with more gain! There's a ton of gain. Kind of off topic, but an
observation none the less; when I switched in the limiter, the sound
did not change. It was surprisingly transparent and retained all the
detail as if there was nothing added to the signal path. The
limiter/compressor is very flexible. It was interesting how fast and
easy it was to dial in a setting.

The EMI's use exotic resistors and capacitors throughout the signal
path. There's an over built power supply, custom switches, and custom
wound transformers. The difference between the EMI and the Slam was
that the Slam was cleaner, a little clearer in the mid-range, and the
bottom was totally unrestrained. Very impressive for an "assembly
line" (if you will) unit. As far as price to performance; you'll have
to take that into consideration. Personally, it's reasonable for you
get.

Steve








Rob Adelman wrote in message ...
jnorman wrote:


this is the only transformer-based unit in
the group, and you can tell immediately how much difference a
transformer can make compared to an all solid-state unit. the 1272
has lots of punch in the lower mids, highs are noticeably rollled off,
bottom end is loose sounding on piano.

Thanks for the info on the different preamps. I have not used a 1272,
but I can say that these are not necessarily traits associated with the
use of transformers. I have 2 channels of Hardy M1 with transformers and
there is no roll of of highs or loose bottom end. Kind of like the toob
thing, the final result is more a result of the choice of transformers
and design of the product than just the fact that a transformer is
involved. B.t.w. I also have a Millennia HV3D and previously had the
Sytek 2&2.

Thanks for taking the time to post your results.

-Rob