Manley Skipjack--Your thoughts?

[The Monkey]

I've been tempted by the Manley Skipjack selector switch for a while now. It's not your basic A/B box and seems like it can do some neat things. The reason I am thinking about it is that it looks like I'll have 2 amps and 2 sources for a while and it would be nice to be able to switch easily and on the fly. It also could be useful for comparisons when I borrow gear. That said, the Skipjack is very expensive at $900. I know it's overkill, but is it ridiculous for what it does?

[Dusty Chalk]

I love Manley. I own a Stingray.

That said, yes, the word, 'ridiculous' does come to mind.

Dew et anyway.

[JimP]

it's not expensive...only 900 clams

(I'm burnt out from equipment these days, but Manley Stingray's been gnawing at me)

[n_maher]

The single-ended aspect of it could cause problems for you, couldn't it? I wish the fricken Darwin was in stock at Twisted Pear.

[The Monkey]

The single-ended aspect of it could cause problems for you, couldn't it? I wish the fricken Darwin was in stock at Twisted Pear.

Nate, yeah, the single ended aspect is an issue, but I could live with going unbalanced through the switch and just use the balanced connections on my preferred pairings. Also, the SkipJack manual offers a workaround with balanced connections, but I'm not sure I understand it (i.e., whether the signal stays balanced).

I did not know about the Darwin. It looks very cool. What is the Audio Controller 1?

[n_maher]

AC1 is supposed to be the replacement I think. Of course it's still under development with no delivery time line that I'm aware of.

[manaox2]

I did not know about the Darwin. It looks very cool. What is the Audio Controller 1?

It seems like it can do many things, such as control the Volumite, rotary encoders, filters on DAC, Darwin, a Display, or any other device that is programmed into the firmware that can be controlled by i2c. It also will use a remote control. So, yeah, like an Uber controller for the TPA DACs and devices.

I don't think its a replacement Darwin, just a controller that accepts easy to update firmware to control many devices with a remote control. It was originally designed for the Joshua Tree Attenuator and I think is going through updates so much and firmware work that I don't see it coming out for a while.

[The Monkey]

The Maple Tree LR 1 also looks decent, but it just doesn't have the functionality of the Skipjack.

[deepak]

My 2 c, I agree with Nate I'd be looking for balanced inputs and outputs. Some sources will just sound better through the balanced outs (and some better through SE).

[Pars]

There is always the Dantimax stuff Dantimax (elektronik) - Selectors_-_attenuators. Somewhat similar to Twisted Pear offerings; the Input 2 offers 2 balanced inputs and 3 SE.

I'd need to look at the Manley thing again, but $900 sounds insane for a source selector.

[luvdunhill]

I'd need to look at the Manley thing again, but $900 sounds insane for a source selector.

BTW, it seems bullshit that the audio doesn't touch the PCB... but I'm not going to waste time thinking about it.

[n_maher]

BTW, it seems bullshit that the audio doesn't touch the PCB... but I'm not going to waste time thinking about it.

I'm with you, sure looks to me like the signal wires are soldered to the PCB.

[The Monkey]

Looks like it here, too:

Still, the device is pretty cool.

[Dusty Chalk]

In their defense, they don't say it doesn't touch the PCB's, they say the audio signal never travels over PCB traces, I.E. the PCB is still hand-wired -- and I have to admit, I don't see any traces.

[luvdunhill]

and I have to admit, I don't see any traces.

There are these things called double-sided boards... an amazing technology

[guzziguy]

There are these things called double-sided boards... an amazing technology

And multi-layer boards.

[luvdunhill]

yeah, also how can this be true, if it doesn't travel through the PCB traces:

"I have to doubt anyone can really hear sonic effects of two RCA connections, doubled up relay contacts and a couple inches of very low capacitance silver wire"

[The Monkey]

I think you guys are not thinking that it's cool enough.

[n_maher]

It's hellaciously expensive Dinny and any way you slice it just a fancy switch.

[bhd812]

I love Manley. I own a Stingray.

That said, yes, the word, 'ridiculous' does come to mind.

Dew et anyway.

hey dickface what stringray you got? the shiny gold looking one or the newer one?

what you be powering with it also?

[Voltron]

I think you guys are not thinking that it's cool enough.

I've always thought it was cool, and still do.

[The Monkey]

^Thank you, Al!

But it is hellaciously expensive...

[Pars]

This thin may not use any PCB traces in the signal path, but there has to be alot more than 1.5"-2" of wire.

Each of those cables is soldered into the PCB to anchor it, and comes from an RCA jack. More than 2" right there. I would guess that the connection is p-p wired on the bottom from these cables to the relay signal terminals, then these have to go from the entry relay to another or other relays, each wired with additional wire, then finally back to another relay and to another jack.

Kind of an over the top cool piece of gear, but as Nate said, at the end of the day, it is only a switchbox. Albeit one with alot of features probably not present on any other piece of gear (ABX testing, etc. from the sounds of it, though I did not read the entire product lit. nor the review).

[Augsburger]

If your still interested should we ask Manley for a Can Jam discount for you and see what they say?

Pars, how do you like the Von Schweikert VR4s? They seem to be pretty well made speakers.

[Pars]

I like my VR4s. I'm sure there are much better speakers (these can be upgraded to VR5s I guess) but they are just fine. I've had them probably 8 years or so.